Salvation in Islam

[Mikhail]

How do Muslims achieve forgiveness for their sins or obtain absolution?

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...

[Bill the Cat]

I have a good friend at work from Pakistan. He's a Muslim. His thoughts on this question can be summed up by the scale analogy. Good deeds must outweigh bad deeds for one to attain heaven. He isn't sure how to gauge just how weighty each act is though.

[Rayado]

One thing I've gotten interested in recently is the Islamic understanding of causality--within Islamic theology, it's commonly understood that God is the only causal agent in the world--that because he is purely will, he wills all that happens. This applies to salvation as well, but in the sense that God causes both believers and unbelievers to act, which means that there's no real reason for the scale in the first place.

A good friend of mine at SES did a presentation on the influence of Neo-Platonic philosophy on Islamic theology in the middle ages; it was a really fascinating talk and I'd really like to help him present it better. So if I help him with that I'll be able to explain it in more detail, but that's pretty much it.

[Dan Zebiri]

The previous poster was quite right, Islamic salvation is by earning merit points as much as possible. Hoping against hope that at the very end, Allah will accept their good deeds and grant them entry into firdaus or paradise, because ultimately all still depends on his arbitrary will, so no muslim has any assurance of his/her salvation whatsoever, it's all only 'god willing' or inshaallah.

[penguinfan]

I was under the belief - based on my past reading on this topic that:

1) Belief is also required for salvation
2) Muslims are guaranteed salvation even if they are sent to hell for purification first

[BrotherSka]

Hi Mikhail et al:

There seems to be some confusion with forgiveness and rewards. Both the Bible and the Qur’an teach that forgiveness is offered to those who believe, repent, and ask God to be forgiven.

Bible: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Qur’an: But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him: For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness. (11:90; See also 4:17; 25:71; 42:25; 7:153; 19:60; 20:82)

Both the Bible and the Qur’an teach that rewards are for those who do good deeds.

Bible: For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11–15)

Qur’an: To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath God promised forgiveness and a great reward. (5:9)

Regards.

[Cerebrum123]

Well, according to some ahadith, a Muslim can have all of their sins forgiven for doing things like the "ablutions" just perfectly, or even saying "amen" at the same time in which angels do(not all ahadith are considered acceptable by all Muslims, but I have seen many Muslims accept or reject the ahadith as it suits their purposes). I believe there was even something about the good deeds of all Muslims weighing far more than their bad deeds(sometimes up to ten times as much if I am remembering correctly). Islam seems to be far more about following rituals than any real morality, or relationship(or if you prefer discipleship) with God.

[BrotherSka]

Hi Cerebrum:

The Qur'an takes priority over all of the various hadith texts. There is harmony between the Biblical and Quaranic teachings on forgiveness and rewards. You are encouraged to look at the evidence for yourself.

Regards.

[Cerebrum123]

Hi Cerebrum:

The Qur'an takes priority over all of the various hadith texts. There is harmony between the Biblical and Quaranic teachings on forgiveness and rewards. You are encouraged to look at the evidence for yourself.

Regards.

According to the Bible, Jesus is the only way to salvation, in Islam however, you have to earn your way to Jannat. I have been going over the evidence for a while now, and I have learned that the Bible and the Quran are not complimentary, but contradictory, especially when the doctrine of abrogation is taken into account. I know that the Quran takes precedence over the Hadith, but much of the Quran makes 0 sense without the Hadith that explains it. Also in Islam, it says that if anyone has a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him by Allah.

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islám (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost." S. 3:85

"The Religion before Allah is Islám (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account." S. 3:19

"Allah is never unjust in the least degree: If there is any good (done), He doubleth it, and giveth from His own self a great reward." S. 4:40

"Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another! Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will be successful: But those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide." S. 23:101-103

You see BrotherSka, Islam has it's salvation based in man's efforts, which the Bible refers to as "filthy rags".

Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

[BrotherSka]

Dear Cerebrum:

According to the Qur'an and the Qur'an, Jesus is also the only way to God and good works are necessary for salvation. Do you not recall Jesus explaining in detail that during the judgment, believers who acknowledged Jesus as their Lord, and has ministered in Jesus' name, were rejected because they thought that that was enough. Do you not read that Jesus rejected the believers who trusted in their beliefs and ministries, but accepted those believers who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned, and basically assisted those in need? I strongly recommend that you read "Colliding With Truth".

You appear to rely too much on this 'doctrine' of abrogation in your interpretation of the Qur'an, which is an Islamic religious tradition. This is equivalent to using Christian religious traditions developed by a specific denomination, to interpret the Bible for another denomination with conflicting traditions. Please ignore all Islamic religious traditions when reading the Qur'an and it will not only make much more sense, but the harmony with the Bible will become apparent.

Regards.

[Cerebrum123]

Dear Cerebrum:

According to the Qur'an and the Qur'an, Jesus is also the only way to God and good works are necessary for salvation. Do you not recall Jesus explaining in detail that during the judgment, believers who acknowledged Jesus as their Lord, and has ministered in Jesus' name, were rejected because they thought that that was enough. Do you not read that Jesus rejected the believers who trusted in their beliefs and ministries, but accepted those believers who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and imprisoned, and basically assisted those in need? I strongly recommend that you read "Colliding With Truth".

You appear to rely too much on this 'doctrine' of abrogation in your interpretation of the Qur'an, which is an Islamic religious tradition. This is equivalent to using Christian religious traditions developed by a specific denomination, to interpret the Bible for another denomination with conflicting traditions. Please ignore all Islamic religious traditions when reading the Qur'an and it will not only make much more sense, but the harmony with the Bible will become apparent.

Regards.

Harmony with the Bible? The Quran? Sorry, it wouldn't matter if I were to stop using "abrogation"(which I only point to since it is in the Quran itself, and is followed by Muslims, so it's helpful in understanding their "scripture"), there would still be no "harmony", between the two sets of text. Especially things like the Quranic command to BEAT one's wife if you suspect that she will be disobedient.

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all)," (4:34).

Also the Quran denies Jesus' divinity, the Trinity(thinking that Mary is a part of the Trinity), and tells Muslims to kill all non-Muslims.

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #5)

fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #29)

This is clearly not in harmony with what Jesus said.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Also you seem to have a misunderstanding about the place of good works in the Bible.

Isaiah 64:6
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Ephesians 2:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Also, the Quran never says that the only way to God is through Jesus. In fact, it says that one must believe in Allah, and be a Muslim(following Islam, and you must follow Mohammed as well). Why would be using Islamic doctrines to understand Islam, the same as using say Catholic tradition to interpret Protestant beliefs? We are dealing with Islamic "scriptures", and using Islamic doctrine is the best way to understand it. Plus abrogation is right there IN the Quran.

None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #106)

This verse is self contradictory, it both affirms, and denies abrogation at the same time. Also this doctrine is KEY in understanding which parts of the Quran are still valid, and which ones no longer apply.

[hajj913]

Islam does not conceive man as "a sinful being to whom the message of Heaven is sent to heal the wound of the original sin". According to the Qur'an, God created man in the best stature, with an intelligence capable of knowing the One. Islam teaches that men and women carry within themselves a primordial nature (al-fitrah) which they have forgotten and is now buried deep under layers of negligence.

[saladfingers]

Without factoring in the Islamic views of causality, as well as several other axioms that are defined by their theology, you'll only go in circles trying to answer the question "how does the Muslim receive salvation from the curse of original sin?"

[Dan Zebiri]

First off, there is no conception *nor* appreciation of 'original sin* in islam.

islam claims it is the religion of fitrah or the so-called 'original religion' of mankind...Lol.

Then, in islam mankind was *Not* created for any personal relationship with God/Allah or 'to know Him personally' in any way. Men and womens' best & highest relationship possible with Allah is merely between slaves and their overlord/master-nothing more, nothing less. Never between a Father and His children.

Hence "salvation" in islam is to try your best to enter paradise by your own efforts and good deeds and merits (hassanah) before Allah. And this islamic paradise is basically just only a sensual place where souls of people drink and make merry. And the souls of *men* especially, receive special treatment - like being entertained and attended to by creatures called the 'houris' or so-called virgins who pander to the lustier / lustful desires and urges of men.

The quran claims this:

In them will be fair (Maidens), good, beautiful;-
... Maidens restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions;-
... Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched;-
Sura 55:70,72,74

According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE ) in his Koranic commentary (Tafsir) of Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72:

"The Prophet Muhammad was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’."

An excellent discourse and elucidation for islamic salvation and paradise is found here:

http://www.answering-islam.org/Books...hapt5.htm#p235

Dan.

Islam does not conceive man as "a sinful being to whom the message of Heaven is sent to heal the wound of the original sin". According to the Qur'an, God created man in the best stature, with an intelligence capable of knowing the One. Islam teaches that men and women carry within themselves a primordial nature (al-fitrah) which they have forgotten and is now buried deep under layers of negligence.

[37818]

Islam does not conceive man as "a sinful being to whom the message of Heaven is sent to heal the wound of the original sin". According to the Qur'an, God created man in the best stature, with an intelligence capable of knowing the One. Islam teaches that men and women carry within themselves a primordial nature (al-fitrah) which they have forgotten and is now buried deep under layers of negligence.

Could you cite the Qur'an in regards to this primordial nature (al-fitrah)? The Hebrew writings teach two things, one man was made in God's image (Genesis 1:26, 27). Secondly, man in disobedience obtained God's knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:22.) These teachings precede Christianity and Islam. Without which neither Christianity or Islam would be. Christianity is rooted in these teachings.