Four Questions by Mr. Sirajuddin, a Christian, and their Answers — Page 45
Four Questions by a Christian and their Answers 45 Another objection that needs to be resolved is that if salvation depends on faith in Tau hi d and on good deeds done out of love and fear of God, why were the Jews invited to enter Islam? Was there no one among the Jews who lived by the norms of Tau hi d and submitted un- conditionally to God? In answer to this, I have already shown that by the time of the Holy Prophet’s sa advent most Jews and Christians had deviated from the right path, as is testified by the Holy Quran: 24 Since most of them were transgressors who had to all intents and purposes stopped practising piety and observing the norms of Tau hi d , God, in His mercy and in keeping with His eternal practice, desired that a Prophet be sent for their reformation. Those among them who happened to be pious and true believers in Tau hi d ceased to be so once they opposed the Prophet of God. Even a minor sin is enough to corrupt a man’s heart, how is it possible that one should disobey a Prophet and harbour enmity against him and yet remain pious? 24 And most of them are perfidious. –Al-Taubah, 9:8 [Publishers]