The Quranic View of Unity of Religion
The Quranic View of Unity of Religion and Diversity of Religious Traditions.
The essence of religion is universal and immutable, but the form of religion is a composite of two elements: (a) doctrines and creeds and (b) laws and rituals. While the doctrines and creeds which constitute the essence of religion are universal and unchangeable, laws and rituals have been different at different places and times for different people. This second element consists of Divine Law, way of life and ritual. Quran (5:48 & 22: 34, 67)
According to the Quran, every member of Mankind falls into one of the two categories: religious or irreligious, grateful or ungrateful. Quran 64; 2 & 76:3. The religious ones either emphasize the first element of the form of religion to the neglect of the other, or vice versa. When people take their laws and rituals as the totality of their religion, they are led to claim exclusion and exalt themselves as the chosen ones. This results either in indifference, isolation, religious chauvinism or self- sufficiency.
The Quran maintains that from the unity of God stem both the unity of mankind and of religion. The unity of religion is maintained in its essence, which comprises full consciousness of God and belief in him, belief in the hereafter, and the necessity to live a righteous and moral life:
“Say, o followers of the Bible! You have no valid ground for your beliefs unless you observe the Torah and the Gospel, all that has been bestowed from on high upon you by your sustainer….” Quran 5:68-69
The Quran designates all religious communities preceding the Quran as Ahl kitab, the people of the divine writ, or the people who have been given revelation and messengers form God.
Although human beings received the one and the same true religion they received different Divine laws, ways of life and rituals. Due to their sectarian tendencies over the ages, they had become lax in maintaining the essence of religion in its pristine form and had also lapsed in maintaining the moral law. No wonder what they still observe, represents a mixture of truth and untruth.
Since the Quran embodies the final and universal revelation from God, it is obviously irrational to adhere to earlier revelations that have been abrogated by it. But since all the followers of the earlier revelations feel content with what they have, that is why the Quran presents itself as a guide and invites a comparative study of religious scriptures.
According to the Quran the followers of earlier scriptures had committed alterations in text, context, meaning and import and they also overlaid the truth with falsehood and suppressing the truth and concealing it knowingly. Hence what they presently posses does not represent their doctrines and creeds in their pristine form. This also explains their lack of comprehension of the essence of the true religion, with many of them even going to the extent of compromising monotheism.
“And believe in what I reveal confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject faith therein, nor sell my signs for a small price; fear me and me alone.” Quran 2:41-42
However, these lapses cannot be rectified by force or compulsion. Instead, the human faculties of reason, intuition, and common sense perception should guide them toward the truth which is in its final form. Quran 2:256
The Quran also commands its followers to respect the beliefs and opinions of the followers of other religious beliefs. Quran 6:108
Even so, the Quran does not countenance indifference or relativism to the truth nor isolation and excluvisivism. Instead, it enjoins continuous exchange of views, and meaningful and healthy dialogue among different religious communities. This command makes the learning of the history of religions imperative for its followers:
“And do not argue with the followers of the earlier revelation except in a most kindly manner…” Quran 29:46
Additionally, the Quran delineates the basic principles of meta-religion, a common ground for a meaningful inter-religious dialogue.
“Say, O people of the book! Come unto that tenet which we and you hold in common: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall not ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and that we shall not take human beings for our lords beside God….” Quran 3:64
