Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 27
Inter-Religious Peace 27 progresses forward. If the religion sticks to those principles, which emanate from the human psyche, such a religion has the logical potential of becoming a universal religion. Islam goes one step further. In its uniquely understanding attitude, it describes all religions of the world as possessing this character of universality to some degree. As such, in every Divinely revealed religion, there is always found a central core of teaching, which is bonded to the human psyche and eternal truth. This core of religions remains unchangeable unless, of course, the followers of that religion corrupt that teaching at a later period of time. The following verses illustrate the case in point: They (the People of the Book) were not commanded but to serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, and being upright, and to observe Prayer and pay the Zakat. That is the religion of the people of the right path. 22 So set thy face to the service of religion turning as one devoted to God. And follow the nature made by Allah—the nature in which He has created mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah. That is the right religion. But most men know not. 23 In view of the above, the question may be raised as to the wisdom of sending one religion after another with the same teaching. Further, one may wonder why Islam claims, in relative terms, to be more