Through Force or Faith? — Page 296
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 296 achieved. Is it still possible to attain the ranks and results that were achievable in the past? Who can achieve this nearness? What are the methods to gain proximity to God? These are the questions that distinguish Islam from its preceding religions. In this context, acts of worship and religious practices also come under consider- ation because their objective is to bring man closer to God too. Continuation of Revelation We have already explained that earlier religions were limited in scope, therefore, they had assumed monopoly over God; and God’s relationship with any people beside their own could have only an incidental mention. Islam was the first to affirm universal- ity of God and the equality of all nations in the sight of God and the deliverance of His message to all nations of the world ( S u rah an-Na h l, 16:37). It declared that it was equally possible for every- one to gain nearness to God ( S u rah al- H ujurāt, 49:14). This is the first difference between Islam and other religions that is obvi- ous in this regard. But the real difference is in the continuation of this relationship between God and man. Islam teaches that any person, who wishes, can still advance in righteousness with the help of God and can establish a living relationship with God by so doing. Islam teaches that God listens to prayers ( S u rah Ibrāhīm, 14:40); but, unlike other religions, it does not stop there that God listens and accepts. Instead Islam tells us that not only God listens and accepts prayers; He also answers them today just as He did in the past ( S u rah al-Mu’min, 40:61). Islam claims that the bless- ing of revelation is still continuing. It also elaborates what are the