Basics of Religious Education — Page 18
18 18 18 18 18 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION Islam claims to be an eternal religion. This unique claim is based on the reason and logic that its Message is complete and perfect, and also guaranteed to be preserved in its original form. Almighty God Himself claims in the Holy Qur’an: This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion. (5:4) The Almighty God, Who sent down the Qur’an, has Himself promised to safeguard the verity of its contents: Verily, We Ourself have sent down this Exhortation, and most surely We will be its Guardian. (15:10) In view of this Divine guarantee, the text of the Qur’an has not suffered even the slightest change, whereas the other books have been altered greatly. This fact has also been confirmed by a large number of non-Muslim scholars. Almighty God foretold that He has provided another important measure of safeguarding the real essence of the Qur’an. He appointed Reformers ( Mujaddideen ) in the beginning of each century, and sent the Promised Messiah as in the latter days, to safeguard the true spirit of the Holy Qur’an. Islam combines the best features of the earlier teachings with the everlasting and comprehensive teachings of its own. The Almighty God says in the Holy Qur’an: Safeguarding of the Qur’an Preserving its Text Preserving its Essence I I I I I S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M — D — D — D — D — D I S T I N C T I V E I S T I N C T I V E I S T I N C T I V E I S T I N C T I V E I S T I N C T I V E F F F F F E A T U R E S E A T U R E S E A T U R E S E A T U R E S E A T U R E S O F O F O F O F O F I I I I I S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M S L A M 1. 5 1. 5 1. 5 1. 5 1. 5 Islam — An Eternal Religion Islam Combines all Truth in a New Perspective