The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 67
II - Brief Note on Islāmic Equality 67 and punishment, God the Exalted states: ُ يَرَه يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا فَمَن “Whoso does an atom’s weight of good shall see it, irrespective of his identity (and being from a particular class cannot deprive someone from the fruits of his good deed). Similarly, who so does an atom’s weight of evil shall deal with the consequences (and being from a specific class cannot save him from the outcome of his evil). ” 1 Then He states: ْ بُرْهَانَكُم اَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تِلْكَ اَمَانِيُّهُمْ قُلْ هَاتُوا كَانَ هُودًا مَن يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ اِلَّا لَن وَقَالُوا ٌ خَوْف ِ وَهُوَمُحْسِنٌ فَلَهُ اَجْرُهُ عِندَ رَبِّهِ وَلَا ِ هلل ُ كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ بَلَىٰ مَنْ اَسْلَمَ وَجْهَه اِن َ هُمْ يَحْزَنُون عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا “And they (that is the Jews and Christians) say, ‘None shall ever enter Heaven unless he be a Jew or a Christian. ’ These are their vain desires and is nothing more than a lust. Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you are truthful. ’ Nay, whosoever submits himself completely to God, i. e. , he truly believes in Him and does good deeds, he shall have his reward from his Lord, irrespective of who he may be. No fear shall come on such people nor shall they grieve. ” 2 The meaning of this verse is that for the acquisition of salvation and Divine nearness, it is not enough to merely be attributed to Jews or Christians, or any other religion by name. Instead, true belief and good deeds are necessary for salvation and Divine nearness. Hence, anyone who develops both of these two qualities, i. e. , true belief and good deeds within himself shall be worthy of recompense and reward irrespective of his national or rational background. This verse indirectly warns Muslims as well that they should not feel satisfied only by virtue of being Muslims, because Allāh has nothing to do with mere names, rather, His sights look towards the underlying truth. 1 Az-Zilzal (99:8-9) 2 Al-Baqarah (2:112-113)