Since Islam is the true religion then what is the truth about other religions? What happens to the good, pious people from other religions? Why do we hear about the miracles in other religions?
Answer
Allow me to answer your questions one by one:
What is the truth about other religion?
The truth is that according to the Qur’ān there is only one true religion and that is Islam (Qur’ān, 3:85). However Islam according to the Qur’ān is not excluded to the followers of the last Prophet (sws). According to the Qur’ān the religion brought by all the Prophets was in fact nothing but Islam (Qur’ān, 22:78, 2:132, 2:136).
The very essence of Islam (as the literal meaning of the word suggests) is to submit ourselves to our Creator. As such, all the Abrāhamic religions are in fact the religion of Islam, but of course our Prophet (sws) has brought us the last version and the most completed version of Islam (Qur’ān 33:40, 5:3).
I should also say that ultimately the criteria for salvation is not just the label of Islam, but is the result of being a good Muslim, that is belief in God and doing righteous deeds (Qur’ān, 2:62).
What happens to the good, pious people from other religion?
According to the Qur’ān people who strive in the path of purification reach salvation in the Hereafter (Qur’ān, 87:14, 91:9). To purify our soul is in fact the objective of religion and following the directives of religion is the best way of purification.
So how about one who is trying to be good and is trying to purify himself but is not a Muslim?
First, a person who is in the path of purification has the best chance to explore the truth and to find the perfect religion which according to us is Islam. Therefore a very good and pious person should have no problems in accepting Islam, when the truth of the religion becomes evident for him.
Second, a person who never had a chance to seek and see the truth about Islam is not punishable in the Hereafter only for not being a Muslim. This is because God does not expect us to go beyond our capacity when it comes to fulfilling our religious obligations (2:286). If such a person is a good and a pious person then according to the general criteria of “being in the path of purification” (as mentioned above) this person too may reach salvation with the grace of the almighty.
Third, if a person realises that Islam is the true religion but still does not accept it out of any reason, including arrogance, laziness, sectarianism, etc. then such a person by definition is unbeliever (Kāfir), and according to the Qur’ān he deserves the hell fire. Such a person may have done good things in his life but certainly cannot be categorised as one who is in the path of purification. What causes one to deny the truth even after being convinced about it, is rooted in extreme impurity.
Why do we hear about the miracles in other religion?
In our era, reported miracles in other religions can have three different sources:
1.Act of imagination and rumours. I would say this consists most of the cases we hear.
2.Act of Jinn, as it is evident according to the (Qur’ān 72:6) that some human beings use Jinn to fulfil their desires.
3.Mercy of God, as I believe God is so merciful that he many times fulfils the Prayers of his servants even if those Prayers are not based on a correct understanding and belief.
I would also like to point out that only through true reasoning and rational argument we can explore that which religion is the correct one. If we want to consider perceived miracles as indication of the true religion then every day and in fact every hour we need to change our religion as these miracles (for what ever reason) are perceived every now and then, in many systems of beliefs. Even the Prophets of God presented their miracles only when they found that reasoning and rationality is not enough for some arrogant people.
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