If you ask me which is one question that is asked by most of the non Muslims around the world, I would say: Why can't all good people go to heaven?
Yes, after reading accounts of non Muslims' perception about Islam, they are generally seem found clueless about the fate of pious and good doers non Muslims, for God is the Ultimate Mercy and Oft Forgiving. So If Allah is epitome of Mercy, how is it that He would allow only pious Muslims to enter Jannah / Paradise and filter out pious non Muslims out of it.
As far my scant knowledge about Islam is concerned, I know that on the Day of Judgment, each and every individual be presented personally in front of Allah and his/her dossier read out to him and it will be none other than Allah alone who would decided the fate of that person, whether Muslim or Non Muslim. So the final judgment rests with Allah and none else, unless He on that day allows someone to intercede and plead for him.
Thus it is not for us to pass any fatwa or proclamation as to who would enter Jannah and would not. Even Prophet of Allah would spend almost the entire nights seeking forgiveness for himself and his ummat for even he, the most blessed and revered of all prophets ever, did not know of his forgiveness.
Yes, after reading accounts of non Muslims' perception about Islam, they are generally seem found clueless about the fate of pious and good doers non Muslims, for God is the Ultimate Mercy and Oft Forgiving. So If Allah is epitome of Mercy, how is it that He would allow only pious Muslims to enter Jannah / Paradise and filter out pious non Muslims out of it.
As far my scant knowledge about Islam is concerned, I know that on the Day of Judgment, each and every individual be presented personally in front of Allah and his/her dossier read out to him and it will be none other than Allah alone who would decided the fate of that person, whether Muslim or Non Muslim. So the final judgment rests with Allah and none else, unless He on that day allows someone to intercede and plead for him.
Thus it is not for us to pass any fatwa or proclamation as to who would enter Jannah and would not. Even Prophet of Allah would spend almost the entire nights seeking forgiveness for himself and his ummat for even he, the most blessed and revered of all prophets ever, did not know of his forgiveness.
We cannot unanimously declare that all non-Muslims or followers of other faiths will necessarily go to Hell, as some Muslim scholars do claim so. Professor Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, a Pakistani Muslim theologian, Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, exegete and educationist is of the opinion that "We only say that Islam is the last and the true religion of God. It is incumbent upon the people to ponder over its teachings and decide to accept or reject it on the basis of arguments. Still, however, there could be people who are not convinced of its veracity for many reasons. God will accept their excuse if found valid. Nothing is hidden from God. Nobody can deceive him."
However, Professor Ghamidi adds, we should be mindful of one important aspect related to our beliefs about existence of One True God. The basis thing is the belief in one God. Other beliefs come under it and are secondary in nature. God has clearly stated that those who followed other religions including Judaism, Christianity and others truly and did good deeds will be rewarded. He has also made it clear that He would not forgive polytheism. Any other sin He may forgive.
إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
Allah is not going to forgive that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed. (4:48)
The above said verse, which is one of the many such like verses in the Qur'an, clearly states that Allah may forgive anyone no matter how heavy the load of one's sins may be, but He would not forgive the one who had denied His existence or held other (s) as His associates or revered a human at par with One True God.
In order to know what scholars' view point is on the subject, I came across a very rationale and convincing reply by Nouman Ali Khan, who, born to a Pakistani family, is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.
Watch Nouman Ali Khan's viewpoint on the issue:
Photo | References: | 1 |
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.
You may also refer to our following sites for knowing more about Islam and Quran:
- Islam and Other Faiths
- 114 Chapters (Sūrahs) of the Holy Qur'an" for translation, meaning and summary / exegesis of all Sūrahs / chapters of the Quran
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an
- 99 Attributes of Allah" for complete list of 99 attributes of Allah Almighty with meaning and explanation.
- Understanding Islam - Frequently Asked Q&A for knowing more about Islam.
- Words of Wisdom: Attributed to Luqman Al Hakeem (as mentioned in the Qur'an).
- Women in Islam
- Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam
- Revert Experiences
- Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries
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