The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 271
Salvation 271 Who Deserves Salvation? Salvation is not attained through one's effort, but through the grace of God Almighty. The law that God Almighty has appointed for acquiring this grace is never falsified. That law is: إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ 95 و مَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ * Salvation is not something whose blessings and fruits will be known to man only after his death. It is some- thing the effects of which are manifested in this very world and a person who has attained salvation is be- stowed a heavenly life in this world. The followers of other religions are altogether deprived of this. If it is said that the Muslims are also in the same condition, the answer is that they are deprived because they do not follow the Book. A person who possesses a medicine but does not use it and is careless will derive no benefit from it. That is the case of the Muslims that they have a Holy Book like the Qur'an but they do not follow it. Those who turn away from the Word of God Almighty are deprived of lights and blessings. Turning away is of two kinds; one, in action and the other in doctrine. A person cannot partake of lights and blessings unless he acts as God Almighty has commanded: كُونُوا مَعَ الصُّدِقِينَ 97 [Malfūzāt, vol. IV, pp. 206-207] 95 'If you love Allah then follow me, Allah will then love you. '-Al- e-'Imran, 3:32 [Publisher] 96 'He who seeks a faith other than Islām, it will not be accepted from him. '-Al-e-Imran, 3:86 [Publisher] 97 'Keep company with the righteous. ' Al-Taubah, 9:119 [Publisher]