Are Jews and Christians Muslims?

**Joe98** · 08-06-2006

According to Islam, are Jews and Christians Muslims?

**al-fateh** · 08-06-2006

:s:

the answer to ur question is no, they are not

*{There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error…}* (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

While Muslims respect Jews and Christians as People of the Book, at the same time Muslims are cautioned not to take them as close friends. This does not mean that Muslims should not treat them with respect, kindness, and justice, nor that Muslims cannot socialize with them as long as they respect the limits of Islam - for example, that no alcohol is served. But it does mean that Muslims should seek personal advice and, on a national level, allies, from fellow Muslims.

The Qur’an gives guidance in how to deal with the People of the Book. It reads what means:
*{And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah [Himself] is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting friend nor helper.}* (Al-Baqarah 2:120)

The Qur’an also reads:
*{And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say [unto them, O Muhammad]: Nay, but [we follow] the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. Say [O Muslims]: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto Us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob. and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, add that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.}* (Al-Baqarah 2:135-136)

Another verse reads what means:
*{O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is [one] of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.}* (Al-Ma’idah 5:51)

Then another verse reads what means:
*{Thou wilt find the most vehement of mankind in hostility to those who believe [to be] the Jews and the idolaters. And thou wilt find the nearest of them in affection to those who believe [to be] those who say: Lo! We are Christians. That is because there are among them priests and monks, and because they are not proud.}* (Al-Ma’idah 5:82)

When Islam spread outside the Arab Peninsula, the Muslims did not force anyone to adopt their religion. Following the orders of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his successors, they did not destroy churches, monasteries, synagogues, or even pagan temples. The Muslims established their rule based on the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Non-Muslims were allowed to keep their religions and personal status laws and even their own criminal laws for crimes committed among themselves.

Islam teaches us to try to live in peaceful coexistence with those of other faiths. Muslims are not to attack others unless they are attacked first. The Qur’an says what means:
*{Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not, aggressors.}* (Al-Baqarah 2:190)

The Qur’an also reads what means:
*{Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loveth the just dealers.}* (Al-Mumtahana 60:8)

I don’t know whether, in asking your question, you are referring to a particular incident that you heard of. I have not heard of Muslims attacking Christians for the purpose of imposing the Qur’an on them. Sometimes there are conflicts or even full-scale wars that appear to be for religious reasons because the two sides are divided along religious lines. But, in fact, these are usually struggles for economic or political power.

I would like to add here that Muslims do abhor the methods used by some Christians to spread their version of Christianity. Such methods include slandering and lying against the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In contrast, no Muslim would dream of slandering or lying against Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him) because he is also a prophet of God and a messenger of Islam, that is, surrender to the will of God.

Muslims are ordered to invite others to Islam in this way stated in the Qur’an. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright.}* (An-Nahl 16:125)

As for your question about the Jews, I repeat, Muslims are to respect them for being People of the Book. When the Qur’an does criticize the Jews who did not follow God’s commands, the expression *{among them there are some…}* is always there, so that the good are not condemned along with the bad. When Muslims ruled by Islamic Law, Jews - and others - were free to practice their religion and flourished.

The fighting you see today in the Middle East is not about religion, but about economic and political power. We must always distinguish between Zionists — many of whom are even atheists — and Jews, many of whom oppose Zionism. Please read the links below for clarification of this subject.

Let me ask you this: If a lot of foreigners moved into your country and then, instead of living peacefully among you, took over the government, forced you out of your homes, cut most of the water going to you, gave you no voice in the government, searched you whenever you entered a house of worship, humiliated you in numerous ways, threatened you with guns and tanks, and so on, wouldn’t you—the original residents—be angry and fight back in any way you could? And if those foreigners who took over happened to be of a different religion than the original residents, would the fighting be because of the religious differences? Possibly, but not necessarily. Remember that in the case of Palestinians, not all of them are Muslims.

In sum, while you may see individual Muslims who hate Christians and Jews, the Qur’an does not teach us to hate them. Muslims are to treat Jews and Christians—indeed, all people—with respect, kindness, and justice while making their closest friends and allies among fellow Muslims. Only if the others begin hostilities may Muslims fight back.

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/S...AskAboutIslamE

**north_malaysian** · 08-07-2006

I think religiously people are categorized into three:

1) Muslims
2) People of the Book (Jews, Christians, some include Sabaeans and Zoroastrians)
3) Heathens or Disbelievers.

**manaal** · 08-07-2006

Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h) was neither Jew nor Christian according to the Quran. He was a Muslim. Propeht Muhammad (S.a.w.) follwed the "religion of Abraham" even before attaining prophethood.

Therefore, no Jews and Christians are not Muslims, just like Jews and not Christians and Hindus are not Buddhists.

**Zulkiflim** · 08-07-2006

Salaam,

Muslim are those who submit to the ONE GOD,The GOD of Abraham and Moses who said that GOD has no CHILDREN AND NO PEERS.

All Prophets are Muslim,for they submit to the ONE GOD,ALLAH.

**- Qatada -** · 08-07-2006

Answer

This is because Allaah has declared that Jews and Christians are disbelievers in His Book. Allaah has said,

"And the Jews say, 'Ezra is the son of Allaah,' and the Christians say, 'The Messiah is the son of Allaah.' This is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allaah's curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth. They took their rabbis and their monks as lords besides Allaah and [they also took as Lord] the Messiah, son of Mary. But they were commanded only to worship none but One God. Praise and Glory be to Him, [far above is He] from having the partners they associate with Him." [at-Taubah 9:30-31]

That shows that they are polytheists who associate partners with Allaah. In other verses, Allaah has made it clear that they are disbelievers:

"Surely in disbelief are they who say that Allaah is the Messiah, son of Mary." [al-Maidah 5:17 and 72]

"Surely, disbelievers are those who said, 'Allaah is the third of the three [in a Trinity]." [al-Maidah 5:73]

"Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary." [al-Maidah 5:87]

"Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the idolaters will abide in the Fire of Hell." [al-Bayyinah 98:6]

Many verses and hadith express the same meaning. The one who rejects the idea that the Jews and the Christians who do not believe in Muhammad [peace be upon him] and deny him are disbelievers is, in fact, denying what Allaah has said. Denying what Allaah has said is blasphemy. If anyone has any doubt concerning them being disbelievers, then he himself is also a disbeliever.

Glory be to Allaah! How could that man be pleased to say that it is not allowed to say that they are disbelievers when they themselves say that Allaah is one of a Trinity? Their Creator Himself has declared that they are disbelievers.

How could this man not be pleased to call them disbelievers when they actually say, "Jesus is the son of God" or "the hand of Allaah is tied," and "Allaah is poor and we are rich"?

How could this man not be pleased to call them disbelievers and apply the word of disbelief to them in general when they describe their Lord in such ways that are nothing but cursing and abusing Allaah?

I call upon that man to repent to Allaah and to read Allaah's words, "They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them, so that they (too) would compromise with you." [al-Qalam (68):9] He should make it clear to everyone that they are disbelievers and that they are the inhabitants of the Hell-fire. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"By the One in whose hand my soul is, no Jew or Christian of this community hears about me - that is from the community of people from the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) until the Day of Judgement - and then does not follow me - or he said does not believe in what I brought - except that he is from the inhabitants of the Hell-fire." [Saheeh Muslim]

The one who made such a statement must repent to his Lord because of this great falsehood he has stated. He must make a clear announcement that they are disbelievers and that they are inhabitants of the Hell-fire. He must also announce that it is obligatory upon them to follow the unlettered Prophet Muhamad (peace be upon him). he is the one that the Jews and the Christians know and they know him like they know their own sons. Allaah has stated,

"Those who follow the Messenger, the illiterate Prophet whom they find written about with them in the Torah and the Gospel, he commands what is right and forbids what is evil. He allows them the good things and forbids for them disdainful things. He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters that were upon them. So those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful." [al-Araf 7:157]

He is the one of whom Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings. Jesus said, as His Lord states in the Qur`aan,

"O Israel, I am the Messenger of Allaah for you confirming the Torah (which came) before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad [one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him]. But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said, 'This is clear magic.'" [as-Saff 61:6]

When the one, Ahmad, who was promised came to them with clear signs, they said that it was nothing but magic. By this, we can refute those Christians who say that the one Jesus promised was named Ahmad and not Muhammad. We say to that that Allaah said, "When he came with clear proofs," and none has come to you after Jesus except Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muhammad is Ahmad and Allaah inspired Jesus to call Muhammad Ahmad. This is because Ahmad is a name from the root meaning, "to praise," and the name itself means, "One who praises Allaah more than others." Therefore, [Muhammad (peace be upon him)] is the most praiseworthy of Allaah among all peoples...

I further say: If anyone claims that there is a religion on earth other than Islaam that is acceptable to Allaah, then the person who made that claim is a disbeliever and there is no doubt about his disbelief. This is because Allaah has said in His Book, "Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted from him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [ali-Imran 3:85]. Allaah has also said, "Truly, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islaam" [ali-Imran 3:19]. Another verse states, "This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion" [al-Maida 5:3]

Based on that - and I repeat it for a third time - the person who made that statement [mentioned in the question] must repent to Allaah, Most High. And he must also make it clear to all the people that those Jews and Christians are disbelievers. This is so because the proof has been established against them, they have received the message but they have refused to believe.

The Jews have been described as those who have earned Allaah's wrath. That is because they knew the truth and chose to go against it. The Christians have been described as those who have gone astray.. This is because they sought the truth but were misled from it. Now, all of them have knowledge of the truth and recognize it. However, they go against it. Therefore, they all deserve to have the wrath of Allaah upon them. I call all those Jews and Christians to believe in Allaah and all of His Messengers. I call upon them to follow the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is what they have been ordered to do in their own books. Allaah states in the Qur`aan,

"My Mercy embraces all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are God-fearing and give zakat, and those who believe in Our revelations. Those who follow the Messenger, the illiterate Prophet whom they find written about with them in the Torah and the Gospel, he commands what is right and forbids what is evil. He allows them the good things and forbids for them disdainful things. He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters that were upon them. So those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which ahs been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful. Say (O Muhammad): O Mankind! Verily, I am sent to all of you as the Messenger of Allaah, to whom belongs the heavens and the earth. There is no true God but He. It is He who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allaah and His Messenger, the unlettered, who believes in Allaah and His Words. And follow him so that you may be guided." [al-Araf 7:156-158].

[By having such faith, those converts from Judaism and Christianity] shall receive their reward twice. The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said,

"There are three people who will receive their rewards twice: A person from the People of the Book [Jews and Christians] who believed in his prophet and believed in Muhammad..." [al-Bukhari and Muslim].

I have also found in the law book al-Iqna`, in the section on apostasy, where the author has stated, "One who does not consider as a disbeliever one who follows a religion other than Islaam, such as the Christians, or who has doubt about their disbelief or who approves of their way himself is a disbeliever." And he quotes Ibn Taimiya as saying, "[The following is] a disbeliever: Whoever believes that churches are the houses of Allaah in which he He is worshipped or who thinks that what the Jews and Christians do are valid acts of worship of Allaah and obedience to Him and His Messenger, or loves or approves of what they do, or aids them in having such places and establishing their religion, and he does so thinking that is a way of getting closer to Allaah or worshipping Allaah." He also stated, "If someone believes that visiting the Jews and the Christians in their places of worship is an act that brings him closer to Allaah, then he is an apostate."

These statements support what was stated in the text of the answer. This is a matter concerning which there is no room for doubt. And help is sought only with Allaah.

[This question was responded by Ibn Uthaymeen, Fatawa Islaamiya, vol. 1, p. 87] [Excerpted from Abu Lauz, "Answers To Common Questions From New Muslims", translated by Jamaal al-Din Zarabozo. Published by IANA, 1995.]

source: http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=63&category=3

Allaah Almighty knows best.

Peace.

**Abdul-Raouf** · 08-07-2006

Originally Posted by Joe98

According to Islam, are Jews and Christians Muslims?

no is the answer

**glo** · 08-26-2006

I thought according to Islam we all are born Muslims, but many choose to stray from the path and follow other religions, or none.

That's why Muslims refer to conversion as reversion ... returning to the original faith.

peace.

**- Qatada -** · 08-26-2006

Originally Posted by glo

I thought according to Islam we all are born Muslims, but many choose to stray from the path and follow other religions, or none.

That's why Muslims refer to conversion as reversion ... returning to the original faith.

peace.

Yeah, but when people stray away from the natural path, and start practising a faith other than islamic monotheism - then they're not actually muslims, because they're not submitting themselves to the will of Allaah Almighty (and this is what 'muslim' actually means - one who submits.)

They be classed as non muslims or disbelievers after they've strayed from true islamic monotheism - once they reach past the age of puberty, this is because a person's sins are only counted after that.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Pen that records the deeds has been lifted from three people; the insane person, until he recovers; the sleeping person, until he wakes up; and the minor, until he dreams (i.e., has wet dreams.)" (narrated in Ahmed)

Allaah Almighty knows best.

Peace.

**glo** · 08-26-2006

Originally Posted by Fi_Sabilillah

Yeah, but when people stray away from the natural path, and start practising a faith other than islamic monotheism - then they're not actually muslims, because they're not submitting themselves to the will of Allaah Almighty (and this is what 'muslim' actually means - one who submits.)

They be classed as non muslims or disbelievers after they've strayed from true islamic monotheism - once they reach past the age of puberty, this is because a person's sins are only counted after that.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Pen that records the deeds has been lifted from three people; the insane person, until he recovers; the sleeping person, until he wakes up; and the minor, until he dreams (i.e., has wet dreams.)" (narrated in Ahmed)

Allaah Almighty knows best.

Peace.

Yes, I understand that from a Muslim's point-of-view.
But I wonder if Joe meant the question in the way I tried to put it.

Peace.

**Zone Maker** · 08-26-2006

Originally Posted by Muzammil

no is the answer

But I thought they were Muslims (I mean before the arrival of Islam and the corruption of their books)

.
ALLAH A3lam.

**Eric H** · 08-26-2006

Greetings and peace to you all,

Each religion seems to have some exclusive claim on God, and only our way of worshipping is the full and truthful way.

Somehow God is greater than the sum of all the religions of the world put together. The same God created all people, we each have a duty of care towards all of God’s creation and that must surely mean caring for each other despite our differences.

If God put Islam into your heart and Christianity into my heart, he must surely have a purpose, who are we to try and change what God has willed for each one of us?

In the spirit of seeking a greater interfaith friendship

Eric

**- Qatada -** · 08-26-2006

Originally Posted by Abu Skakeen

But I thought they were Muslims (I mean before the arrival of Islam and the corruption of their books)

.
ALLAH A3lam.

They were muslims when they believed that no-one should be worshipped except Allaah Almighty Alone. This is the same message of all the prophets, so Jesus/Eesa (peace be upon him) brought the same message, the same message by Musa (peace be upon him), all the prophets did this. And the people who accepted this message and submitted themselves to Allaah (became muslims) - then they are believers insha'Allaah.

Allaah Almighty knows best.

**Joe98** · 08-27-2006

Originally Posted by Fi_Sabilillah

Yeah, but when people stray away from the natural path, and start practising a faith other than islamic monotheism - then they're not actually muslims

So, when a person changes from Christinaity to Islam, do they Convert or Revert?

**manaal** · 08-27-2006

Originally Posted by Abu Skakeen

But I thought they were Muslims (I mean before the arrival of Islam and the corruption of their books)

.
ALLAH A3lam.

Its syas somewhere in the Quran that Ibrahim (A.S.) was neither a Jew, nor a Christian, He was a Muslim. I;ve seen the verse, and I;m trying to look for it.

Muhammad (s.a.w.) since he was a child follwed the religion of Ibrahim (a.s.) which was Islamic Monotheism., long before the Quran was reveled.

**Woodrow** · 08-27-2006

Originally Posted by Joe98

So, when a person changes from Christinaity to Islam, do they Convert or Revert?

I would say I reverted. A Christian will tell me I converted. I honestly feel and believe I was born Muslim. I did not live the life of a Muslim, When I reverted to Islam I KNEW I had only returned to what I always was.

**manaal** · 08-27-2006

Ok found it, its in Surah Baqarah:

002.131 When his Lord said unto him: Surrender! he said: I have surrendered to the Lord of the Worlds.

002.132 The same did Abraham enjoin upon his sons, and also Jacob, (saying): O my sons! Lo! Allah hath chosen for you the (true) religion; therefore die not save as men who have surrendered (unto Him).

002.133 Or were ye present when death came to Jacob, when he said unto his sons: What will ye worship after me ? They said: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac, One God, and unto Him we have surrendered.

002.134 Those are a people who have passed away. Theirs is that which they earned, and yours is that which ye earn. And ye will not be asked of what they used to do.

002.135 And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Nay, but (we follow) the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters.

002.136 Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

002.137 And if they believe in the like of that which ye believe, then are they rightly guided. But if they turn away, then are they in schism, and Allah will suffice thee (for defence) against them. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

But I don't really understand the 136th Ayath. Can someone knowledgable explain please.

**Mohsin** · 08-27-2006

Originally Posted by Joe98

So, when a person changes from Christinaity to Islam, do they Convert or Revert?

Islamically spekaing they revert, since according to islamic belief, every child is born pure and sinless, in the state of submission to God. So they are born muslims. If you asked 3 year old kids how many Gods are there, how many wouldn't say there is one god?

So therefore they are reverts, but sometimes, because Non-muslims are unaware of this islamic belief that everybody is born in the state of fitrah ie as a muslim, we use the word convert as it is more convenient

Also just to clarify incase people are confused, followers at the time of Jesus PBUH are not Christians according to silamic belief, rather they followed God's will, so they were Muslims. Present day christians according to us have gone astray, so they are disbelievers

Here's a bit more information on islamic perspective of Jesus PBUH

**Malaikah** · 08-27-2006

Originally Posted by Eric H

If God put Islam into your heart and Christianity into my heart, he must surely have a purpose, who are we to try and change what God has willed for each one of us?

But the problem here is that you dont know what god has willed for you! just becuase you are a chirstian now, doesnt mean that later on you cant become a muslim..

we can never change what god has willed for us- theres absolutely no need to think this way either. whatever we do and however we act will be from the will of god. therefore for you to change your line of thinking is itself from gods will.

to say "who are we to try and change what God has willed for each one of us?" is illogical, becuase it implies that we actually have the capacity to act against gods will! (of course, we dont).

i hope what i said makes sense... ive got a feeling its pretty confused.

**lolwatever** · 08-27-2006

^ in addition, you can't stab yourself and say god willed that to happen.

similarly, you hav the option of accepting islam or remaining the way you are, on DOJ you have no excuse.

salamz