Islam teaches us that salvation is attainable through the worship of God alone.\u00a0 A person must believe in God and follow His commandments.\u00a0 This is the same message taught by all the Prophets including Moses and Jesus.\u00a0 There is only One worthy of worship.\u00a0 One God, alone without partners, sons, or daughters.\u00a0 Salvation and thus eternal happiness can be achieved by sincere worship.<\/p>\n
In addition to this Islam teaches us that human beings are born without sin and are naturally inclined to worship God alone (without any intermediaries).\u00a0 To retain this state of sinlessness humankind must only follow God\u2019s commandments and strive to live a righteous life.\u00a0 If one falls into sin, all that is required is sincere repentance followed by seeking God\u2019s forgiveness.\u00a0 When a person sins he or she pushes themselves away from the mercy of God, however sincere repentance brings a person back to God.<\/p>\n
Salvation is a powerful word that the dictionary defines as the act of preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil.\u00a0 Theologically it is spiritual rescue from sin and its consequences.\u00a0 More specifically, in Christianity it is associated with redemption and the atonement of Jesus.\u00a0 Salvation in Islam is a very different concept.\u00a0 While it does offer deliverance from the fires of hell, it also\u00a0\u00a0 rejects some of the basic principles of Christianity and states clearly that salvation is attained only through submission to the most merciful, God.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThose who remember God (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying), “Our Lord!\u00a0 You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You!\u00a0 (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners).\u00a0 Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 3:191)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
According to Christian doctrine, humankind is considered wayward and sinful.\u00a0 The doctrine of original sin states that humankind is born already tainted by the sin of Adam and therefore separated from God, and in need of a redeemer.\u00a0 Islam on the\u00a0 \u00a0other hand out rightly rejects the Christian concept of original sin and the notion that humankind is born sinful.<\/p>\n
The idea that innocent babies or children are sinful sounds completely absurd to a believer who knows that Islam is about original forgiveness not original sin.\u00a0 Humankind, according to Islam is born in a state of purity, without sin and naturally inclined to worship and praise God.\u00a0 However, human beings are also given freewill and are thus capable of making mistakes and committing sins; they are even capable of committing great evil.<\/p>\n
Whenever a person commits a sin, he alone is responsible for that sin.\u00a0 Every person is responsible for his or her own actions.\u00a0 Consequently, no human being who has ever lived is responsible for the mistakes made by Adam and Eve.\u00a0 God says in the Quran:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd no bearer of burdens shall bear another\u2019s burden.\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 35:18)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Adam and Eve made a mistake, they repented sincerely, and God in His infinite wisdom forgave them.\u00a0 Humankind is not doomed to be punished, generation after generation.\u00a0 The sins of the father are not visited upon the sons.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThen they both ate of that tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering.\u00a0 Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray.\u00a0 Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness and gave him guidance.\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 20:121-122)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Above all Islam teaches us that God\u00a0 is the most forgiving, \u00a0and will go on forgiving, repeatedly.\u00a0 Part of being human is making mistakes.\u00a0 Sometimes the mistakes are made without deliberation or a bad intention, but sometimes we knowingly and deliberately sin and do wrong to others.\u00a0 Therefore as human beings, we are constantly in need of forgiveness.<\/p>\n
The life of this world is fraught with trials and tribulations,\u00a0 however God did not abandon humankind to theses tests.\u00a0 God equipped humankind with an intellect and the ability to make choices and decisions.\u00a0 God also gave us words of guidance.\u00a0 As our creator, He is well aware of our nature and eager to guide us on the straight path that leads to eternal bliss.<\/p>\n
The Quran is God\u2019s final revelation and it is applicable for all of humankind; all people, all places, all times.\u00a0 Throughout the Quran God continually asks us to turn to Him in repentance and ask for His forgiveness.\u00a0 This is the road to salvation.\u00a0 This is our rescue from destruction.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks God’s forgiveness, he will find God Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 4:10)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n\u201cAnd O my people!\u00a0 Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of God.\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 11:52)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n\u201cSay: \u2018O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)!\u00a0 Despair not of the Mercy of God, indeed God forgives all sins.\u00a0 Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.\u2019\u201d<\/strong> (Quran 39:53)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Quran is not only a book of guidance, it is a book of hope.\u00a0 In it God\u2019s love,\u00a0 mercy,\u00a0 and forgiveness are obvious and thus humankind is reminded not to give in to despair.\u00a0 No matter what sins a person may have committed if he resolutely turns to God, seeking forgiveness his salvation is assured.<\/p>\n
Prophet Muhammad described sin as black spots covering the heart.\u00a0 He said,\u00a0 \u201cIndeed if a believer sins, a black spot covers his heart.\u00a0 If he repents, stops the sin, and seeks forgiveness for it, his heart becomes clean again.\u00a0 If he persists (instead of repenting), it increases until it covers his heart\u2026\u201d<\/b>[1]<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
Salvation in Islam is not required because of the stain of original sin.\u00a0 Salvation is required because humankind is imperfect and in need of God\u2019s forgiveness and love. \u00a0In order to understand the concept of salvation correctly we must understand other topics embedded in salvation.\u00a0 These are, understanding the importance of tawheed<\/i>, or the Oneness of God, and knowing how to repent sincerely .\u00a0 We will discuss these topics in the next two articles.<\/p>\n
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\nFootnotes:<\/span><\/p>\n