The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 66
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 66 individual from the people of Isrā’īl is deserving of salvation and all other people, irrespective of how virtuous they may be, are the fuel of hell. Similarly, although the Christians have not confined salvation by way of ancestry, 1 they have, however, made many religious rights and obligations specific to a particular group known as the priesthood. Therefore, numerous religious affairs and as a matter of fact, even certain social affairs of the Christians cannot be conducted without the intervention of a priest. Similarly, among the Hindus, various religious rights have been declared the sole-heritage of the Brahaman, while others have been deprived. In other words, not only have these nations driven off other nations deeming them impure and vile, but even within themselves whilst accepting the existence of various unpleasant classes in religious matters, they have made the bounties of God specific to various specific classes. However, the mantle of Islām is pure from all such blemishes of favouritism. Rather, just as Islām has established complete equality in worldly rights, similarly, it has not allowed the scales of justice and equality to favour any one group. With relevance to this, a fundamental Qur’ānic verse has already been presented in this discussion: ْ اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اهللِ اَتْقَاكُم “O Ye People! Listen well! The most honourable and intimate in the sight of Allāh is he who is more righteous, virtuous and good. ” 2 In this verse it has been mentioned that in the matter of the acquisition of Divine nearness, there is no distinction of any nation or class. Instead, all white persons and black persons, the big and small, the powerful and weak, men and women, are equal in the matter of the acquisition of Divine nearness and in order to progress only individual righteousness and goodness is needed. In these brief words, God the Exalted has also indicated that if He Who is the King of Kings looks upon everyone equally, and does not give significance to anything other than individual piety and righteousness in granting His nearness, then others should furthermore ensure that they do not make anything except individual qualities the basis of their selection. Then, in religious affairs and with relevance to recompense, reward 1 This is the case with the current Christians only, otherwise the Messiah, Jesus Christ as , himself had driven off the gentile people calling them dogs. For example, refer to Mark 7:24-27 2 Al-Ḥujurāt (49:14)