Scriptural Syncretism
The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the revealed word of God. Muslims regard the Qur’an as God's final revelation to humankind and view it as possessing the divine presence of God (Nasr 9). Contextually, the Qur’an also refers to other scripture which has presented prophets and religions revealing the existence of God. Thus, in revelation of these extra-Qur’anic scriptures, the Qur’an is a syncretic record of revelation.
As the Qur’an reflects, the Qur'an is the revealed recitation of God to Mohammed. Revealed to Mohammed over a period of twenty-three years, the Qur’an was handed down to Mohammed from God through the angel Gabriel. Contextually, within the Qur’an itself, an onslaught of refrences to other prophets, scriptures, and religions are made. The Qur’an considers the monotheistic faiths that preceded it, Judaism and Christianity in particular, to be true in their original form. However, the Qur’an also states that the religions of Judaism and Christianity have been corrupted as their followers have turned away from their sacred texts (5:43). Thus, within this poly-prophetic/scriptural/religious text, the Qur’an installs Islam as the only true path for following the will of God.
As the Qur’an states; "None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar (2:106), the Qur’an serves as another scripture containing the word of God. As the Quran refers unto itself as "discernment", it claims that it upholds that which is truth in the Bible and rejects what is falsehood.
And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'an) in truth, confirming and discerning the Scripture that came before it. (5:48)
Some believe that Qur'an and Bible have the same source and that any differences from absolute similarities would mean that the previous message had been corrupted (Ayoub 15). However, this commonly held belief about the corruption of the Biblical text is not supported by the Qur'an itself. Nowhere within the Qur'an is there a distinguishment between the Zabur and the Biblical Psalms of David, or between the Taurat and the Pentateuch, or between the Injil and the New Testament. It never advocates that the original books of the Prophets associated with Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus have been lost or have been textually distorted. The Qur’an asserts that the books to which it refers remain in the possession of the Jews and Christians, and continuing to be the authoritative holy scripture as:
“there is none who can change His words"
(6:115)
Thus, like the monotheistic message of pre-Quranic texts, the Qur’an maintains a message of Taweed. In Islam, Taweed signifies the unity of God. Dualistically, opposed to Taweed is shirk, which means "division" (this commonly refers to idolatry). In profession of taweed, and in opposition to shirk, the Qur’an states:
Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And none is like Him. (112:1-4)
It is interesting how a text with such a profession of Monotheism can attest to other prophets, scriptures, and religions. Contextually, the Qur’an makes reference to at least twenty-four prophets other than Mohammad (Adam, Enoch, Noah, Hud, Shelah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Shoaib, Moses, Aaron, Ezekiel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Zecharias, John, and Jesus). The Qur’an also refers to at least four scriptures other than the Qur’an (The Prophetic Writings of Abraham, Taurat, Zabur, Injil), and at least two other religions apologetic to one God (Judaism and Christianity).
We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to other prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam). (3:84).
As scripture, the Qur’an is authoritative and a source of discernment by which all other scripture should be judged.
It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion of judgment between right and wrong. (3:3)
As the Qur’an frequently references Christianity and Judaism, the Qur’an regards this diversity of religions as created by Allah:
For every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another; to Allah is your return, of all (of you) (5:48).
Like the message of the Bible, the message of the Qur'an has been formulated in strong opposition to polytheism and idolatry. This is evident in its frequent assertion against polytheistic religions in stating "there is no god except He." Furthermore, the Qur’an states that to associate anything or anyone with God is an unforgivable sin.
“Verily, God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to aught beside Him”
(4:116)
The Qur’an focuses on the similarities between the beliefs of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism stressing the universality of revelation and seeing each religious scripture as a reflection of the same truth. The Qur’an goes even so far as to confirm other scripture:
In truth We have sent the Quran to you, confirming all the previous heavenly books that were revealed before you and bearing witness to them. (5:48)
However, other Qur’anic examples stress the differences between Islam and the Judeo-Christian community. These examples stress the obligation of Muslims community holding beliefs like the necessity of bringing unbelievers back to the "Straight Path" of Islam. In the Qur’an, calling one back unto their faith, and in return being rejected upon such a request, is a way in which Muslims find distinction.
Say, 'People of the Book! come to a proposition which is the same for us and you - that we should worship none but Allah. ' If they turn away, say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'(3:64)
In regards to other religions, the Quran holds Christians and Jews in high regard. In regards to Christianity, the Qur’an states:
You will find the people most affectionate in those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because they are not arrogant. (5:82)
However, within surah 112, the Qur’an states that God neither begets nor is begotten. Thus, as the Qur’an alludes to: any Christian belief in the divine sonship of Jesus is a perversion of the nature of God. Also, another Qur’anic allusion is the bases that any Christian belief that Jesus was also God incarnate is also heretical. The Qur’an further emphasizes how attributing Jesus with such characteristics is in fact implying beliefs which Jesus himself rejected.
The Messiah Jesus son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist! It will be better for you: for Allah is One: Glory be to Him! (far exalted is He) above having a son.
The followers of Jesus went astray by worshipping Jesus as God and belief of the doctrine Trinity.
(4:171)
Indeed, they have disbelieved who have said: “God is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary”. Jesus said: “Worship God, my Lord and your Lord”
(5:72)
In regards to Judaism, the Quran recognizes Jews holding fast to true submission. As the Qur’an states:
They recite Allah's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate themselves before the Lord. They enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the salihun. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. Allah knows those who fear God.
(3:113-115)
Also according to the Qur'an, Moses preached the pure Islamic doctrine (Ibrahim 34). However, the Qur’an states that the Jews like the followers of Moses have strayed from strict monotheism. A Qur’anic example of this is how like the followers of Moses perversely worshipped the Golden Calf, so to have Jews followed other Gods.
As the Qur’an holds Christians and Jews in high regard, the Qur’an also extends inclusiveness towards the Sabeans and Mandeans:
Those with Faith (Sabeans and Mandeans) who have Faith in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (2:62).
As the Qur'an draws upon similarities between those with faith and Muslims, the Qur’an also distinguishes Muslims and those with true faith, from polytheists or idolaters. However inclusive the Qur’an is towards those whom belief in one God, the Qur’an does not profess the same degree of tolerance towards polytheists. Thus, the Qur’an states:
Those who reject his message, when the truth of the message has reached them, are promised to be doomed to a fiery hell on the Day of Judgement (29:68)
Although it might seem that God is intolerable of unbelievers, the Qur'an teaches that God has sent prophets to other peoples, foreign to the Abrahamic prophetic tradition, revealing the true religion of Islam. Thus, the Qur'an states:
And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)
As the Qur’an states: Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way (16:125), the Qur’an presents an omniscient God. Equally, this Qur’anic passage presents not only an omniscient God, but also an omniscient God who rewards the humble regardless of religion. The conformation of true submission to God seems to lie in the humility of man, which only God can see. Thus, the Qur’an not only illustrates a level of equality for man aside from religious traditions, the Qur’an also honours man aside from religious affiliation:
O Mankind, Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (49:13)
In conclusion, the Qur’an seems to present itself as the “final testament” within it’s scriptural syncretism. Presenting Islam as a monotheistic religion, it is important to recognize the unity of religion which the Qur’an also presents. The Qur’an makes it apparent that God has not revealed His essence in opposition to previous religions, but through many prophets, scriptures, and religions God has expressed the same fundamental truth. Thus, the Qur’an reveals:
'Our God and your God are one and we submit to Him.'
(29:46)
The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the revealed word of God. Muslims regard the Qur’an as God's final revelation to humankind and view it as possessing the divine presence of God (Nasr 9). Contextually, the Qur’an also refers to other scripture which has presented prophets and religions revealing the existence of God. Thus, in revelation of these extra-Qur’anic scriptures, the Qur’an is a syncretic record of revelation.
As the Qur’an reflects, the Qur'an is the revealed recitation of God to Mohammed. Revealed to Mohammed over a period of twenty-three years, the Qur’an was handed down to Mohammed from God through the angel Gabriel. Contextually, within the Qur’an itself, an onslaught of refrences to other prophets, scriptures, and religions are made. The Qur’an considers the monotheistic faiths that preceded it, Judaism and Christianity in particular, to be true in their original form. However, the Qur’an also states that the religions of Judaism and Christianity have been corrupted as their followers have turned away from their sacred texts (5:43). Thus, within this poly-prophetic/scriptural/religious text, the Qur’an installs Islam as the only true path for following the will of God.
As the Qur’an states; "None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar (2:106), the Qur’an serves as another scripture containing the word of God. As the Quran refers unto itself as "discernment", it claims that it upholds that which is truth in the Bible and rejects what is falsehood.
And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'an) in truth, confirming and discerning the Scripture that came before it. (5:48)
Some believe that Qur'an and Bible have the same source and that any differences from absolute similarities would mean that the previous message had been corrupted (Ayoub 15). However, this commonly held belief about the corruption of the Biblical text is not supported by the Qur'an itself. Nowhere within the Qur'an is there a distinguishment between the Zabur and the Biblical Psalms of David, or between the Taurat and the Pentateuch, or between the Injil and the New Testament. It never advocates that the original books of the Prophets associated with Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus have been lost or have been textually distorted. The Qur’an asserts that the books to which it refers remain in the possession of the Jews and Christians, and continuing to be the authoritative holy scripture as:
“there is none who can change His words"
(6:115)
Thus, like the monotheistic message of pre-Quranic texts, the Qur’an maintains a message of Taweed. In Islam, Taweed signifies the unity of God. Dualistically, opposed to Taweed is shirk, which means "division" (this commonly refers to idolatry). In profession of taweed, and in opposition to shirk, the Qur’an states:
Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And none is like Him. (112:1-4)
It is interesting how a text with such a profession of Monotheism can attest to other prophets, scriptures, and religions. Contextually, the Qur’an makes reference to at least twenty-four prophets other than Mohammad (Adam, Enoch, Noah, Hud, Shelah, Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Shoaib, Moses, Aaron, Ezekiel, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Zecharias, John, and Jesus). The Qur’an also refers to at least four scriptures other than the Qur’an (The Prophetic Writings of Abraham, Taurat, Zabur, Injil), and at least two other religions apologetic to one God (Judaism and Christianity).
We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to other prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam). (3:84).
As scripture, the Qur’an is authoritative and a source of discernment by which all other scripture should be judged.
It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion of judgment between right and wrong. (3:3)
As the Qur’an frequently references Christianity and Judaism, the Qur’an regards this diversity of religions as created by Allah:
For every one of you did We appoint a law and a way, and if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another; to Allah is your return, of all (of you) (5:48).
Like the message of the Bible, the message of the Qur'an has been formulated in strong opposition to polytheism and idolatry. This is evident in its frequent assertion against polytheistic religions in stating "there is no god except He." Furthermore, the Qur’an states that to associate anything or anyone with God is an unforgivable sin.
“Verily, God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to aught beside Him”
(4:116)
The Qur’an focuses on the similarities between the beliefs of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism stressing the universality of revelation and seeing each religious scripture as a reflection of the same truth. The Qur’an goes even so far as to confirm other scripture:
In truth We have sent the Quran to you, confirming all the previous heavenly books that were revealed before you and bearing witness to them. (5:48)
However, other Qur’anic examples stress the differences between Islam and the Judeo-Christian community. These examples stress the obligation of Muslims community holding beliefs like the necessity of bringing unbelievers back to the "Straight Path" of Islam. In the Qur’an, calling one back unto their faith, and in return being rejected upon such a request, is a way in which Muslims find distinction.
Say, 'People of the Book! come to a proposition which is the same for us and you - that we should worship none but Allah. ' If they turn away, say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'(3:64)
In regards to other religions, the Quran holds Christians and Jews in high regard. In regards to Christianity, the Qur’an states:
You will find the people most affectionate in those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because they are not arrogant. (5:82)
However, within surah 112, the Qur’an states that God neither begets nor is begotten. Thus, as the Qur’an alludes to: any Christian belief in the divine sonship of Jesus is a perversion of the nature of God. Also, another Qur’anic allusion is the bases that any Christian belief that Jesus was also God incarnate is also heretical. The Qur’an further emphasizes how attributing Jesus with such characteristics is in fact implying beliefs which Jesus himself rejected.
The Messiah Jesus son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him; so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist! It will be better for you: for Allah is One: Glory be to Him! (far exalted is He) above having a son.
The followers of Jesus went astray by worshipping Jesus as God and belief of the doctrine Trinity.
(4:171)
Indeed, they have disbelieved who have said: “God is the Messiah (Jesus), son of Mary”. Jesus said: “Worship God, my Lord and your Lord”
(5:72)
In regards to Judaism, the Quran recognizes Jews holding fast to true submission. As the Qur’an states:
They recite Allah's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate themselves before the Lord. They enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the salihun. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. Allah knows those who fear God.
(3:113-115)
Also according to the Qur'an, Moses preached the pure Islamic doctrine (Ibrahim 34). However, the Qur’an states that the Jews like the followers of Moses have strayed from strict monotheism. A Qur’anic example of this is how like the followers of Moses perversely worshipped the Golden Calf, so to have Jews followed other Gods.
As the Qur’an holds Christians and Jews in high regard, the Qur’an also extends inclusiveness towards the Sabeans and Mandeans:
Those with Faith (Sabeans and Mandeans) who have Faith in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (2:62).
As the Qur'an draws upon similarities between those with faith and Muslims, the Qur’an also distinguishes Muslims and those with true faith, from polytheists or idolaters. However inclusive the Qur’an is towards those whom belief in one God, the Qur’an does not profess the same degree of tolerance towards polytheists. Thus, the Qur’an states:
Those who reject his message, when the truth of the message has reached them, are promised to be doomed to a fiery hell on the Day of Judgement (29:68)
Although it might seem that God is intolerable of unbelievers, the Qur'an teaches that God has sent prophets to other peoples, foreign to the Abrahamic prophetic tradition, revealing the true religion of Islam. Thus, the Qur'an states:
And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)
As the Qur’an states: Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way (16:125), the Qur’an presents an omniscient God. Equally, this Qur’anic passage presents not only an omniscient God, but also an omniscient God who rewards the humble regardless of religion. The conformation of true submission to God seems to lie in the humility of man, which only God can see. Thus, the Qur’an not only illustrates a level of equality for man aside from religious traditions, the Qur’an also honours man aside from religious affiliation:
O Mankind, Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware. (49:13)
In conclusion, the Qur’an seems to present itself as the “final testament” within it’s scriptural syncretism. Presenting Islam as a monotheistic religion, it is important to recognize the unity of religion which the Qur’an also presents. The Qur’an makes it apparent that God has not revealed His essence in opposition to previous religions, but through many prophets, scriptures, and religions God has expressed the same fundamental truth. Thus, the Qur’an reveals:
'Our God and your God are one and we submit to Him.'
(29:46)
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