Islam, its Antiquity & Integrity
Aftab Alam Advocate, (High Court) Pakistan

One of the most critical fallacies that has been saved in the ‘hard discs of minds’ by most of the people and  intelligentsia even, is the hypothesis, being proliferated far and wide dishonestly that Judaism and Hinduism and sometime Christianity are also counted therewith, are the ancient most religions. And as a consequence thereof Jews, Hindus and Christians are being misconstrued as the ancient most nations respectively.

But this is a serious misperception entirely. As a matter of fact it is Islam alone, which is not only the ancient most religion (which hems-in a complete code of life) - but at the same time it is the updated most religion as well. And as it is, Muslim Nation is second to none as an ancient most & original most nation throughout the entire cosmos.

Islam is the foremost, for Islam alone is a God Given Gift among the rest of the religions and is ergo the Divine Religion, which encompasses a complete code of life for the entire humanity. And that’s why it is not simply a religion rather ‘the religion’ (viz Ad-Deen). This was bestowed upon the first Man viz Father of Humanity, the Prophet Adam (PBUH) - when the latter was ordained for dwelling in the earth. Allah (SWT) says: “We said: "get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”. (Surah Al Baqarah 2-38). And thus its antiquity goes beyond the humanity itself, for the there was no other religion at that time. And ergo Islam is second to none in antiquity as well as integrity.

Now so far its modernity is concerned, Islam is the only latest and up-to-date religion, for it was concluded, consolidated, accomplished and made functional by Allah Almighty through His last and latest Prophet, Mohammad (PBUH) himself in all aspects of life. All the Prophets ‘peace be upon them’ were given the task to preach and establish Islam and that’s why, Muslims alone believe in all the Prophets (PBUT).  Because all of the Prophets (PBUT), right from the first Prophet, Adam (PBUH) to the last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were Muslims and were preaching Islam.

Islam - the Natural System of Divine Laws:

One of the basic meanings of Islam is submitting one’s will before the Creator Allah Almighty. So   if we cite this basic meaning of Islam then one is left with no option but to say that Islam is virtually a comprehensive ‘Divine Code of Laws’ for all the creatures whatsoever viz the humankind, the animals and the botanical life - the organic & inorganic entities in its all manifestations right through the universe. And this is why that all the creatures even the nonliving things follow the ‘Natural System of Divine Laws’ insofar as choice has not been granted to. Right from the tiny atom to the ever spending cosmos, all of them have been obeying the same ‘Religion of Divine Laws’ without any exception. The entire flora and fauna of the entire universe follow absolutely the instinct code it has been fixed by the Creator, Almighty Allah.

There is only one God - all the prophets PBUT were appointed and sent by the one God, Almighty and hence they PBUT brought and taught His only one religion, Islam to the one humanity created from the one parent family, Adam & Eve, in this one world - and which has been in implementation as the ‘Divine Regulation’ mutatis mutandis in the entire universe, as well. Allah Almighty alone has pronounced and proven as such and save Him none has ever pronounced as such.

Being the Divine Laws, Allah Almighty alone can amend or suspend the ‘Natural Laws’ and no one else can interfere in the realm. For instance according to natural law fire has been devised to scorch everything - but it did not do that when Allah Almighty suspended this rule of fire in the case of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH which had been ignited by his deniers for burning him (PBUH). Allah Almighty says: the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) refused to lay His will before the then pagan ruler, Nimrod. Hence his (PBUH) deniers responded with igniting fire for him (PBUH).  Allah Almighty refers to; “So naught was the answer of (Abraham's) people except that they said - "Slay him or burn him." But Allah did save him from the fire. “Verily in this are Signs for people who believe” (29:24). Allah Almighty says further; We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham” (21:69). Similar exceptions from the ‘Divine Natural Laws’ known as ‘Miracles of the Prophets’ have been taken by Allah Almighty in respect of almost all of His Prophets (PBUT).

Human being has been granted some option by Allah Almighty in terms of obedience or defiance hence Human being alone can breach the Divine Laws but only in the domain where Allah Almighty has bestowed some option. So far the rest are concerned none in the creatures save the human being can break the Divine Laws. Neither the animals nor the plants can consume other than what has been designed for their consumption - and so forth in terms of their other deliberations. And which means the overall submission on their part to the Almighty Allah (SWT).

Rabb-al-Aalameen - Lord of all Creatures:

Allah Almighty is the ‘Rabbul Aalameen’ viz ‘Lord of the worlds’. Allah Almighty therefore Says in the Holy Qur’an: “Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of Allah. To Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs praise - and He has power over all things”. (Surah At-Taghabun: 64 -1).

Rahmat-al-lil-Aalameen - Mercy for all Creatures:

Likewise His last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is  the Universal Prophet and thus Allah Almighty says: “We sent thee (Mohammad) not, but as a Mercy for all creatures” (viz Rahmat-al-lil-Aalameen) (Holy Qur'an 21:107). Nay, "We have not sent you (Mohammad) but as a Messenger to all mankind, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most of men know not." (Surah Saba, 34:28). Nay, "Say (O Mohammad): 'O mankind! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth." (Surah A’raf: 7-157).

Hidayat-al-lil-Aalameen -Guidance for all the Worlds:

And so is the ‘Religion Islam’ which is the Universal Religion hence Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: "Verily this (Islam) is no less than a message to all the worlds." viz Hidayat-al-lil-Aalameen - (Surah Atakwir: 81-27). Similarly God says further; “The first House (of worship) appointed for men was that at Bakka (Mecca) - Full of blessing and of guidance for all kinds of beings” ( Surah Al-Imr’an: 3-96).

And so all the creatures, whatsoever, wheresoever, howsoever and whensoever are bound to bow their will before the Divine Will of the Allah Almighty wherever there is no option from the Allah Almighty. Right from the tiny atom to the massive celestial bodies in the immeasurable and ever expending cosmos has been complying absolutely with the Divine Code since their creation. Similar has been the case in living beings right from the tiny cells to the gigantic living beings. At whatever time, if life traces will be found somewhere else in other planets, anywhere in the universe, Islam will be the ‘Divine Rule’.

One must bear in mind that Muslim is the only nation who believes in one God, the last Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) along with all other Prophets (PBUT) - all the Divine Books & the Divine Manuscripts (howsoever they have not been distorted) - the Angles and the day of Judgement as have been ordained by Him the Almighty. And this is why Muslims have been unanimous to maintain the sanctity of them all.  And this is why that none among other nations cares for them ever. And thus the Muslims have therefore upheld the last Divine Book, Al Qur’an given the blessing of Allah (SWT).

And one must not forget that nothing but this faith (viz Islam) along with the corresponding deeds (viz Islamic deeds) - and no color, caste and creed making any distinction in humankind before Allah Almighty. Abu Talib was Prophet’s real & the friendliest uncle; nevertheless this blood relationship could not overcome the split between them. Similar was the case of Prophet Ibrahim PBUH; who was Abul Anbiya (viz Father of Prophets) nonetheless his own unbeliever father, Azar found no relationship with him, PBUH.  Parallel was the case of unbeliever son, and unbeliever wife of Prophet Noah PBUH with him (PBUH). Allah Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:  “O Mankind! Lo! We have created you from male and female - and have made nations - and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower - Aware.” (Surah al-Hujurat: 39-13).

Conversely, all other nonbeliever-nations had been defying the ‘Divine Realities’ from the day one in the respective periods of the Holy Prophets PBUT and afterwards as a nation. Many of Holy Prophets PBUT have been killed or tortured by them. For, none of the Prophets PBUT was preaching any of other religion but Islam. They are refuting them right now as well by denying the universal message of Islam. Islam is not time specific. The unbelievers believing in any thing but in one God, the Prophets, (PBUT), the Divine Books, the Divine Manuscripts, the Angles and the Day of Judgement as has been commanded by Allah Almighty. And this is why that no other nation has either protected other Divine Manuscripts or believing in or observing any sanctity about them.  And thus have lost their respective Books, had been ascribed to the erstwhile Prophets (PBUT) by Allah Almighty.

Likewise none in the world other than Muslims believes in any Prophet in the proper and true sense of the word, for none of the Prophets PBUT was preaching any religion but Islam. And given that all other nations, the Jews and Christians in particular have concocted very outlandish and ridiculous stories against the Holy Prophets (PBUT) sent to them for guidance. And it was for this reason that Christians believes in crucifixion of the Prophet, Isa Ibn Maryam viz Jesus son of Mary (viz Jesus Messiah) PBUH. The question is; had the then Jews or Christians been His believers or followers, would have they preferred him (PBUH) to be crucified by themselves, even if their myth about the crucifixion is presumed? In fact the erstwhile Jews had killed or caused to be killed brutally most of the erstwhile Prophets (PBUT). For example; the then Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (4bc- ad39), Herod Antipas on demand of a dancer, Salome; the daughter of his concubine, Herodias (viz former wife of his half brother Herod) presented Prophet Yahya viz John the Baptist PBUH truncated head before her. (Matthew 14: 3, 12, Mark 6:14 -29, Luke 3:19-20).

So much so that when the Roman military governor, or procurator, Pontius Pilate asked the Jews crowd for exercising option to pardon the Jesus Messiah (PBUH) or the notorious robber, Barabbas. Jews crowd pressed in one voice for execution of the Prophet Jesus Messiah PBUH instead of the Barabbas. (Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:6, John 18:39)

The Gospels are also agreed that the then Jews religious leaders incited the people to agitate for the release of the robber, Barabbas and for the execution of Jesus Messiah. Likewise Judas Iscariot, an apostle of the Prophet Jesus Messiah PBUH, who according to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, betrayed the Prophet Jesus PBUH by handing over him PBUH to the chief priest for 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 27:3-5, Acts 1:16-20). Can one still cling to the claim that the Jews or Christians were/are believers of the Isa Ibn Maryam (viz Jesus Christ son of Mary) PBUH? All the references are chosen from the Holy Bibles.

However it was disclosed in the Holy Qur’an that Allah Almighty rescued the Prophet Isa Ibn Maryam PBUH in the words: “And because of their saying; we slew the Messiah Isa son of Mary,  Allah’s messenger - they slew him not, nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! Those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But Allah took him up unto Himself - Allah is ever Mighty, Wise”. (Surah An-Nisa: 4 - 157,158)

Each Prophet (PBUH) has claimed, declared and ratified by Allah Almighty to be a Prophet and Muslim. And given this fact all the Prophets PBUT have ratified each other as well as all their respective Divine Books as the Divine Books & Manuscripts would reveal.  But none of the founder of any other creed has ever claimed, or has been declared and ratified by Allah Almighty to be a Muslim, let alone a Prophet.