How important is it to study other religions?

[missy]

Salaam,

I’m posting on the forum after ages (that’s another story why I did not or rather I couldn’t..), but today I felt it as a necessity, literally! :smile:

So, Alhamdullilah here’s what I gotta say…

About a couple of days back, this thing just struck me that one's religion is the most important thing in life because the God one worships and the religious beliefs that one holds make the center around which one's life revolves. It was like a kind of epiphany that I experienced.
Not just this life but the Hereafter too depends on the deeds that one does in his worldly life.
And it's really difficult to digest the fact that a hundred different religions exist on this earth and followers of each consider themselves to be on the truth. I know it sounds stupid but it's a sincere thought. It seems all fine to people…and yes it could be but what about the Hereafter? Every single soul has to face it. It can't be that each person will be resurrected to his own god, it isn't that there are different Paradises for people of different religions….It just can't be.
Only ONE religion is the TRUTH,….only one true faith,….and only those believing in that one truth will be saved from the Hell-Fire and granted Paradise! What about the rest?! Those millions of people who on earth claim to be on the truth, hoping for Paradise...those who think that their religion is the truth?
It's freakin' creepy!

We need to come to common terms. The Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists and those believing in thousands of other things should stop being ignorant and stubborn and at least for once try to learn and reflect on Islam.
One should have an open mind in order to accept the truth, how much ever bitter it might seem, and it is the truth that only one religion is God's and acceptable in His Sight!

[إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسْلَـمُ]
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam…”
(The Holy Quran 3:19)
​

So, my honest question to those of you reading this is, taking all what I've pointed out into consideration and your own personal views,
How important do you think is studying religions other than the one you follow?


Any kind of input would be highly appreciated!
May God Almighty Guide us all to the Truth. Ameen.

 

[Amigo]

I study other religions to understand better the people who follow them and the effect the religions have on them. The more I understand religions, the more predictable people who follow them are to me. I also it is easier to communicate with people once you know them better.

 

[missy]

Peace Amigo,

Thanks for sharing your view. That’s a good way of getting to know how people are, provided your sources are authentic and you aren’t referring to anything anti the respective faith. That’s very common on the internet nowadays.

What about the Hereafter, you believe in it right?
Do you think that your religion will grant you Paradise? You got any evidences for it?
By evidences I mean sound, non-contradictory, consistent evidences.

You know, you gotta be very careful here, I mean you should always strive to be in pursuit of the truth and if at all there are things about your faith that are speculative, not that you are skeptical about it but even if there are chances that there might be discrepancies in it then you should be receptive of all the possible knowledge you can get.
I just wanna say that the studying of other religions should be with the sincere intent to get to the truth…until you’ve reached it of course.

 

[Perseveranze]

Asalaamu Alaikum,

I study other religions to further appreciate the beauty of my own religion. There's just no competition, Alhamdulillah.

“We were of the most disgraced of people, and Allah granted us honor with this Islam. Now, whenever we seek honor in other than that which Allah honored us with, Allah shall disgrace us (once again).” — ‘Umar b. al-Khattab
​

 

[MartyrX]

I study other religions. All religions are fascinating to me.

 

[missy]

wa'alaikumussalam wR. wB,

Asalaamu Alaikum,

I study other religions to further appreciate the beauty of my own religion. There's just no competition, Alhamdulillah.

That's a really nice thought MashaAllah. Whenever I research on other religions, I always get the feeling that I'm on the Truth, Alhamdullilah. But studying other faiths in order to increase the appreciation of Islam and the realization that we are so Blessed is great. In this way one can increase his/her Eeman and at the same time learn about others, the similarities and the differences etc.

I study other religions. All religions are fascinating to me.

True that. With all the fantasies that the hundreds of religions have invented and are living a make-believe world, it definitely gotta be fascinating! haha

But if one finds this field of study interesting then, you know, we should try to spread the message of Islam more by addressing the differences of the respective faith and make all efforts to dialogue with them in a good manner.
It's really sad that we have Christian friends and we never make a mention of God to them. It shouldn't be that way, rather we should discuss Islam frequently with them. Especially with friends, who trust us. It wouldn't be fair if we don't let them know, because it's the Hereafter that every soul has to face.


May Allah SWT Guide all of us to the Truth. Ameen.

 

[MustafaMc]

I grew up as a Protestant Christian (Baptist) and I became a member of the Church of Christ as a fellow college student led a Bible study and I saw they tried to follow the Bible more closely than the Baptist. I converted to Islam about 3 years later (30 years ago) after reading parts of the Quran. For the past several years I have worked with a few Catholics and I have asked them about their religion, but ,strangely, they haven't asked me about Islam. I have read a good portion of the Bible and feel that I have a pretty good grasp on the New Testament in particular and know pretty well what Christians believe. I had a rabbi in my home to discuss religion even though we didn't get very far as she talked about Jewish holidays and wanted to discuss my views on shariah.

I am a curious person and I would like to know what other people believe. I think most people are comfortable in their own religion and don't really care to learn anything about another religion. I personally don't see it would be helpful for a Muslim to learn about other religions unless they want to be able to discuss religion with people of other faiths with the intention of sharing the message of Islam with them.

 

[serena77]

i studied religions in general not just christian or otherwise when i first started my religious journey... i still enjoy the reading of all religions because it furthers my knowledge and i can still learn things from others, even though i know where my path is going.
Serena

 

[MustafaMc]

i still enjoy the reading of all religions because it furthers my knowledge and i can still learn things from others, even though i know where my path is going.

In learning from others, do you consider you learn different aspects of the Truth from different religions or do you learn where they are astray and deviate from the Truth? Can you share where your path is directed?

 

[missy]

. I think most people are comfortable in their own religion and don't really care to learn anything about another religion.

Yeah, I agree. Recently, another sister and I asked one of our Christian friends about the Eucharist and she didn’t seem quite comfortable even discussing her own faith. Well, Allah SWT Knows Best what her intentions are but usually some people, the Non-Muslims, don’t really want to speak about other faiths especially Islam.
Maybe they have some kinda false stereotypes which prevent them from doing so.

So, whenever I come across any Christian or Hindu or Buddhist who actually sincerely seek the truth and strive to learn Islam, keeping their notions aside, I really get inspired.

I personally don't see it would be helpful for a Muslim to learn about other religions unless they want to be able to discuss religion with people of other faiths with the intention of sharing the message of Islam with them.

I agree. One doesn’t necessarily have to study other religions, in order to preach Islam. It can also be done by just conveying the true message to them, without having to delve into their beliefs and concepts. Nevertheless, being well-acquainted with at least the major religions like Christianity, Hinduism, etc. would prove as an asset in effective preaching and in inter-faith discussions. I mean as a comparative study, like finding out what similarities the respective faith has with Islam and what the differences are. That’s what’s required.

i studied religions in general not just christian or otherwise when i first started my religious journey... i still enjoy the reading of all religions because it furthers my knowledge and i can still learn things from others, even though i know where my path is going.
Serena

It’s nice to see such an open-minded attitude. MashaAllah.

 

[Tyrion]

Yeah, it's absolutely necessary for most people nowadays to study other religions (although I'd put more priority on the 3 Abrahamic religions). It's especially important for people who desire to engage with people of other faiths, although from what I've seen this doesn't happen very often. I can't tell you how often I see well meaning Muslims getting into heated debates with Christians without actually knowing a thing about Christianity... (and no, Christianity as seen through the lens of Islam doesn't count in most debate topics!) And then there's the (usually) well meaning Christian who decides to try and "save" the Muslim without knowing a thing about Islam... In all of these cases, people just end up looking like fools and doing the opposite of what they set out to do, and all of it could be avoided if people just took the time to educate themselves.

Studying different religions is also important for people who are just beginning to look at life's big questions. A person who decides they want to be religious and live for God should have at least made the effort to try and understand different faiths, just to make a more informed decision and be more firm in the choices he makes.

One should have an open mind in order to accept the truth, how much ever bitter it might seem, and it is the truth that only one religion is God's and acceptable in His Sight!

[إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الإِسْلَـمُ]
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam…”
(The Holy Quran 3:19)

Odd that you'd bring this up... I've actually been pondering over this verse (and what it might mean) for a while now and I'm starting to now see it in a slightly different light... It's clear that as far as religions/methods of worship go, Islam is the only one that Allah will acknowledge... But I'm not so sure if that necessarily means that the good of those who didn't have Islam will go unaccepted. Especially for those who didn't have a proper chance to learn Islam... There's a lot to say on this topic, and I'm having trouble gathering my thoughts enough to express my opinions... I guess what I'm trying to say is that things like salvation typically aren't as black and white as people want to make them... I hope that made sense.

 

[Ramadhan]

The more I study other religions, the more I realize how far more superior Islam is, and affirms it as the truth.

 

[Amigo]

Peace Amigo,

Peace to you as well!

Thanks for sharing your view. That’s a good way of getting to know how people are, provided your sources are authentic and you aren’t referring to anything anti the respective faith. That’s very common on the internet nowadays.

Yes, it is important to check what source you are using to understand a religion. I have friends from many religions, also, I check out their sources and real lives realities and grow in understand

What about the Hereafter, you believe in it right?
Do you think that your religion will grant you Paradise? You got any evidences for it?
By evidences I mean sound, non-contradictory, consistent evidences.

I believe in God and that I will dwell in his presence forever if I remain faithful.
Religion is not God, it is not religion that grant Paradise. God grants Paradise.
Yes, God's presence in my life is evidence. God is faithful, never changes.
He lights up my path, so I notice inconsistancies and distinguish the perfect from the imperfect, or what's from men and what's from God. With his presence I taste Paradise already

You know, you gotta be very careful here, I mean you should always strive to be in pursuit of the truth and if at all there are things about your faith that are speculative, not that you are skeptical about it but even if there are chances that there might be discrepancies in it then you should be receptive of all the possible knowledge you can get.
I just wanna say that the studying of other religions should be with the sincere intent to get to the truth…until you’ve reached it of course.

Yes.
Pursuit of truth is my spiritual life.
Religions are expressions of understanding of God by men. I study them for the love of God and of men.

 

[missy]

Yeah, it's absolutely necessary for most people nowadays to study other religions (although I'd put more priority on the 3 Abrahamic religions). It's especially important for people who desire to engage with people of other faiths, although from what I've seen this doesn't happen very often. I can't tell you how often I see well meaning Muslims getting into heated debates with Christians without actually knowing a thing about Christianity... (and no, Christianity as seen through the lens of Islam doesn't count in most debate topics!) And then there's the (usually) well meaning Christian who decides to try and "save" the Muslim without knowing a thing about Islam... In all of these cases, people just end up looking like fools and doing the opposite of what they set out to do, and all of it could be avoided if people just took the time to educate themselves.

Well said bro! That’s what my whole point is too.

Studying different religions is also important for people who are just beginning to look at life's big questions. A person who decides they want to be religious and live for God should have at least made the effort to try and understand different faiths, just to make a more informed decision and be more firm in the choices he makes.

Yeah, sometimes it’s really difficult to maintain the right intentions. Our main purpose on earth is affirmed by God Almighty Himself in the Holy Quran. Nowadays, in order to bring alone this thought to our mind that we’ve been given life for bigger purposes than just “living it” is equivalent to being “philosophical”. No, really. This is the present state of our nation; everybody is just preoccupied with living their lives and enjoying while they can. *sighs*
Well, Allah Knows Best.

But I'm not so sure if that necessarily means that the good of those who didn't have Islam will go unaccepted. Especially for those who didn't have a proper chance to learn Islam...

How I look at this verse is that, since Allah SWT is The Most Just, He won’t deprive anyone of the rewards they deserve. But, the question is, What are the prerequisites for deserving Reward? All that I could think of…

1) A person should be a Muslim.
2) The good deeds done should be done only for the pleasure of Allah SWT and not for personal gains like fame or respect or big bucks.
3) The good deeds should be legal according to the Shariah.
​

It’s just like the rules you have on a soccer field…a player is not supposed to deliberately push, or make his opponent trip, foul language is not allowed etc. So if anyone falls into any of the Do-not’s of soccer, the referee immediately gives them a yellow card or sometimes directly a red and they are out of the game! Even if they might have scored many goals for their team during the match they are not spared. If the poor guy pleads, the referee wouldn’t even care to look at his face.

In fact this cannot even be compared to the Law of Allah SWT. His Majesty is much much above the trivial affairs of this world.

And so is His Mercy. The Prophet (SAW) said, “God will accept His slave’s repentance so long as the death rattle has not yet reached his throat.” (Tirmidhi 3537)
Associating partners with Allah SWT is a huge sin. As far as we can reason and what the Quran and Hadiths support is that the only unforgivable sin in the sight of Allah SWT is Shirk, unless the person repents before breathing his last. Beyond that Allah Knows Best.

As for those who supposedly don’t get proper chance for learning Islam,…..But this is no excuse because it could be that they either did not avail the opportunities that they got by just ignoring it or that they were stubborn in their deviant beliefs. And I don’t think that there exist people, specifically in this century, who can complain of lack of encounter with Islam. Especially Islam!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that things like salvation typically aren't as black and white as people want to make them... I hope that made sense.

“Salvation”? ..Er….I don’t see the link with the rest of the post.... :-\

However, yeah, the Christians do consider the belief in the atonement as the “only” means to salvation. For them it’s like if you wanna be saved then you got to believe in the Atonement.
The Christians on this forum would be able to explain much better.

I kinda find their concept of Salvation outlandish…I mean, the events that led to it…the “visionary experience” of Paul, that he supposedly witnessed the “resurrected” Jesus, He started reasoning the whole thing backwards (from Jesus’ supposed manner of death to his miraculous birth)…He interpreted the vision like...God raised jesus from the dead, making him realize that Jesus cannot be cursed (because he was a jew, he hadn't accepted Jesus as God's Messiah) by god but blessed….He wondered, but why was he crucified?...then he reasoned further,..the death must have a divine purpose. If he was under the blessing of god, he couldn’t die for a mistake done by him so he should have died for the sins of others…This, in fact is the history of this concept being transmitted from its founder Paul to this day.

Those better informed are welcomed to correct me, if I’m wrong.

 

[missy]

I believe in God and that I will dwell in his presence forever if I remain faithful.
Religion is not God, it is not religion that grant Paradise. God grants Paradise.
Yes, God's presence in my life is evidence. God is faithful, never changes.
He lights up my path, so I notice inconsistancies and distinguish the perfect from the imperfect, or what's from men and what's from God. With his presence I taste Paradise already

Okay, it’s obvious that only God Almighty Will Grant Paradise to whomever He Wills. And God is Most Just and hence He will Fulfill His Promise, i.e., Paradise for the true believers.

Just acknowledging the fact that God “exists” won’t make you faithful to God. If you truly believe He exists and love Him then you should do what He has commanded you to do. And for understanding God well and what he has commanded, you need to believe in God’s Religion and not expect to be divinely inspired or something.
Just any religion won’t make you have complete faith in God, neither will your sole “acceptance” of God’s existence make you completely faithful. Because TRUE faith in God Almighty requires us to believe in the complete TRUTH. To bear witness to the one and only Truth.

You say God shows you the true path, and that’s how you differentiate between the right and the wrong, you just have to believe that He exists, and religion is simply man’s perception of God. Both Muslims and Christians, for that matter believe in God’s Presence. It can’t be that both the religions are correct. One HAS to be wrong. Then does this mean that God guides some to the truth and misleads the others? Because there is only ONE true religion.

Well as a matter of fact, I can’t stop you from keeping your beliefs the way you think is right. Unless, you willingly consider what I and other Muslims have got to say and with an open mind try to reflect on what truly Islam is and what your faith is and how the two differ.

Yes.
Pursuit of truth is my spiritual life.
Religions are expressions of understanding of God by men. I study them for the love of God and of men.

Religion to you is expression of “man’s understanding” of God?! This would result into a hotchpotch of concepts. It doesn’t make sense to say that Religion is mere perception of ideas! ^o)


May I ask you if you have ever read the Holy Quran? Not entirely, but at least parts of it? If you did, How do you find them? inspiring?

 

[Amigo]

Just acknowledging the fact that God “exists” won’t make you faithful to God. If you truly believe He exists and love Him then you should do what He has commanded you to do. And for understanding God well and what he has commanded, you need to believe in God’s Religion and not expect to be divinely inspired or something.

Any belief in God without God's inspiration is a false belief in God.

Just any religion won’t make you have complete faith in God, neither will your sole “acceptance” of God’s existence make you completely faithful. Because TRUE faith in God Almighty requires us to believe in the complete TRUTH. To bear witness to the one and only Truth.

Correct.

Well as a matter of fact, I can’t stop you from keeping your beliefs the way you think is right. Unless, you willingly consider what I and other Muslims have got to say and with an open mind try to reflect on what truly Islam is and what your faith is and how the two differ.

I have been reading and listening, I know how the two differ. Here is the fondemental differance and origin of all differances:
Islam proclaims that it is okay to lie sometimes.
Christianity proclaims that it is never okay to lie.
Now, consider the implication of this when you speak of 'complete Truth' and related aspects.

 

[missy]

I have been reading and listening, I know how the two differ. Here is the fondemental differance and origin of all differances:
Islam proclaims that it is okay to lie sometimes.

You’re hugely mistaken here.

Lying is strictly prohibited in Islam! In fact it is mentioned as a characteristic of the hypocrites.
God Almighty states in the Holy Quran,
“It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood: it is they who lie!”
[Surah an-Nahl 16:105]

Also,
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 33; Muslim, 59)

What I can derive from this “misconception” of yours is that you are interpreting certain “specific” rulings out of context.

That is, yes there are ‘exceptions’ to this prohibition but that doesn't make it applicable to all situations....

Lying is permissible in three cases: war, when a person’s life is at stake; reconciling between two disputing parties; and a husband lying to his wife or vice versa for the sake of maintaining love and harmony.
It was narrated that Asma’ Bint Yazeed said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people.’”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1939)
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 7723)

Aren't the above situations justifiable enough as exceptions?

Christianity proclaims that it is never okay to lie.

I don't completely agree, though I admit I've come across specific verses in the Bible that prohibit lying.

Cuz, If Christianity says that lying is a sin then why did Abraham lie about his wife Sarah and she supported him by herself lying too?! Gen 20:1-18

And Isaac lied too…. Gen. 26:6-11, wow, it’s pretty much the same situation that his dad was in! ^o)

His son Jacob and wife Rebekah deceived him by lying…Gen. 27:6-35

Was it like some kind of a hereditary thing?


And moreover all three were Prophets who are supposed to be most pious and truthful…
We Muslims too, believe that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are among the Prophets sent by God Almighty but of course their stories in the Holy Quran are different from the Biblical stories.


Now, which is more likely to be The Truth, The Holy Quran or the Bible?

 

[Amigo]

A lie is a lie, it is not truth and is always opposed to Truth by nature...
Falsehood is falsehood, it leads to false realities.
Falsehood for peace gives false peace.
Falsehood for love gives false love.
Falsehood for harmony gives false harmony.

Perseverance in truthfullness leads to the fullness of truth.
Any falsehood is a deviation and leads to false truths/realities...perdition.
This is the one Way: Truth, truthfullness. It corresponds to the one true Faith in God who never abandon those who persevere in truth and honor Him by their truthfulness. A lie is produced by lack or weakness in faith.

Resolve not to lie, not matter what. Renounce all falsehood without any exception. You will see that you will suffer, but Christ will come to meet you and comfort you. He will then explain to you the Bible and the prophets and lead you into the fullness of Truth.

All those who persevere in truthfullness know one common thing: the Cross. Calvary. They meet Christ.
The Bible, its prophets, and all realities can only be understood at the feet of the Cross.
Christianity is absolute Faith in the Truth. Truth is sent to Death by men, but even death could not contain it, instead death itself died. Therefore, one who dwell in the truth has nothing to fear.

 

[Tyrion]

A lie is a lie, it is not truth and is always opposed to Truth by nature...
Falsehood is falsehood, it leads to false realities.
Falsehood for peace gives false peace.
Falsehood for love gives false love.
Falsehood for harmony gives false harmony.

Perseverance in truthfullness leads to the fullness of truth.
Any falsehood is a deviation and leads to false truths/realities...perdition.
This is the one Way: Truth, truthfullness. It corresponds to the one true Faith in God who never abandon those who persevere in truth and honor Him by their truthfulness. A lie is produced by lack or weakness in faith.

Resolve not to lie, not matter what. Renounce all falsehood without any exception. You will see that you will suffer, but Christ will come to meet you and comfort you. He will then explain to you the Bible and the prophets and lead you into the fullness of Truth.

All those who persevere in truthfullness know one common thing: the Cross. Calvary. They meet Christ.
The Bible, its prophets, and all realities can only be understood at the feet of the Cross.
Christianity is absolute Faith in the Truth. Truth is sent to Death by men, but even death could not contain it, instead death itself died. Therefore, one who dwell in the truth has nothing to fear.

You remind me of this guy:

Riddle me this...

 

[missy]

^ LOL!

That comic guy...The Riddler...haha....times when I used to watch Batman with admiration....lol