The Message of Islam — Page 7
Universal Guidance 7 needed, have been revived. That which was of purely local or tem- porary application and was no longer needed has been omitted. That which was not contained in previous revelations, the need for it not having arisen, but which would henceforth be needed by mankind, has been added. (see Surah al-Baqarah, 2:107, and Surah Aal-e-‘Imraan, 3:8) Not only are today’s versions of previous revelations open to serious question on the score of authenticity of the text and accu- racy of translation and interpretation; many of the details con- cerning the commandments and ordinances and even doctrine which were of a temporary or local character, are now out of date or inapplicable. Today’s doctrine is also in many cases based on subsequent interpretation and formulation, which appear to have little connection with what was contained in the revelation and even contradict it. Attention is drawn to all this in the Quran, and yet the Quran emphasizes the unity of the fundamental teaching contained in all previous Scriptures and insisted upon by all the Prophets, namely, belief in the Existence and Unity of God and in the hereafter, and conformity to God’s will through righteous action. Thus the Quran, while affirming the truth of all previous Prophets, itself comprises all truth for the whole of mankind for all times. The Quran is thus a universal possession and inher- itance; its message is directed to the whole of mankind (see Surah al-A‘raaf, 7:159). It is sent down as a guidance for mankind, with clear proofs of guidance and with discrimination between truth and falsehood. (see Surah al-Baqarah, 2:186) It expounds and explains all that is or may be needed by mankind for the complete fulfilment of life. (see Surah an-Nahl, 16:90) It seeks to create faith in God through rehearsal of God’s