There is a time and place for everything.
If we were to believe in the messages at all, there must be a reason for them to be mentioned categorically as the 'Books'. The Zabur, the Taurah, the Injil and the Quran. As we humans are learning creatures, the Books themselves must have imparted certain basic themes as guides for us all.
As humans also have a tendency to forget, the Zabur gave us the basic knowledge, the tauheed. The Taurah added the human dynamics. If we were to encapsulate it, it could be summarised as to do unto others what you would want others to do unto you. Unfortunately, humans reversed it from being nice to one another, to the right for revenge. Hence the term 'an eye for an eye' . . . . So with this feuds could last for generations. The Injil introduced the concept of forgiveness as being a higher spiritual level, thus providing a better option. With the concept of tauheed established, the human mechanics imparted and forgiveness as a means to neutralise situations, humans were ready to live in a fairer community and it was time for laws for a community, and the Quran was revealed. The completed teachings built from the foundations laid by the previous Books. Hence why (in my humblest opinion, I don't make the rules, but merely and observer of Allah's Grand Plans) it was not necessary to have the earlier Books preserved.
On why the Muslims are not tested but the other people of the Books were, I believe it is not question but merely a statement from an observation point of view. And if that observation then turns out to be in the form of a question, then I believe the question is taken from a 'snapshot' point of view. That is, our test is still to come. We will face the toughest one yet. Not talking about me or you.. but who knows, we might see that time.
So those who ask I feel only look backwards and study the history. They have not looked forward to see what is coming. If Dajjal appears in front of you promising stuff, it will be hard not to be convinced. You can see his handiworks already. We all (almost) live in riba' and quite a large majority are living in debt and for many, it is a lifetime of debts. How many would long for a quick reprieve? (just to give a scenario) some would be so deprived that they would be willing to sink to unknown depths for the opportunity to get ahead in life. The muslim nation is being fattened up for the slaughter, I believe. Looks at the corrupt leaders of the world. (In my case, I don't have to look further than my own country).. I have seen tremendous moral decay over the last decade or so. I must say also that I have also observed a larger increase in awareness about scholarly matters in the deen, however, much of it is merely for lip service and to raise doubts, create confusion by citing extreme cases when actually islam is simple. It is the intent that complicates things.
And it is the intent that gets evaluated.
Yes, islam is facing steep challenges now. Attacks are being made in every way and coming from different directions. The cartoon caricature of the holy prophet (pbuh) the hijab, the burkini, labeled as terrorists etc.. the quiet discriminations, I believe, it will get worse.
But we are wondering why not us when all the other Books have been tested? We had a Caliphate (albeit a corrupt one) We have lost that. Aren't we tested? We are all divided into separate countries, secularised into races and political systems. Aren't we tested? Mostly (if not entirely) dependent upon the West when the Quran specifically says not to make pacts with the 'Judeo-Christian alliances' because they surely do not have your interests at heart. Yet we do! Haven't we been failing the test?
I don't know. What do you think?
eace:
