How Was The Qur'anic Doctrine Announced To the World? (8)

HOW WAS THE QUR’ANIC DOCTRINE

ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD? (8)

Does that mean that the salvation or the damnation of others makes no difference for Muslim? It is this explanation which they sometimes try to give it to the clement spirit of Islam towards the other religions.[1] But this is another way to not recognize the real character of the Qur’anic doctrine. They give it either too much or too little proselytism; they attribute to it either fanaticism or indifference. In fact, the position of the Qur’an is explained by neither of these two extremes. The Qur’an stated the duty to preach the truth, to exhort the virtue,

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma‘ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbid-ding Al-Mûnkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden.) And it is they who are the successful.” (III, 104);

“Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma‘ruf) which Allâh has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Mûnkar) which Allâh has forbidden) and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allâh’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihâd).” (CIII, 3) and to do it energetically,

“So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour with it (the Qur’an).” (XXV, 52).

However, our call must be affected by the wisest, the most persuasive and the softest manners,

“Invite (mankind O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” (XVI, 125), giving others the liberty to believe or not to believe. Provided only that one should leave, to those who believe, the freedom to venerate their ideals. As for the rest, everyone must assume his responsibilities,

“Not upon you (Muhammad) is their guidance; but Allâh guides whom He wills. And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allâh’s Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.” (II, 272),

“O you who believe! Take care of your ownselves. If you follow the (right) guidance [and enjoin what is right (Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden)] no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allâh, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do.” (V, 105).