Do verses 98:6 and 2:62 conflict? Second - a question of plurality

[Reader Questions]

Salam

In chapter 2:62 we read:

VERILY, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians -all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds-shall have their reward with their Sust; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.

Then in 98:6 chapter we read:

Verily, those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture and (from among) those who associate gods with God shall be consigned to the Fire of Gehenna. Therein they shall abide. It is they who are the worst of all creatures.

How do you reconcile the two? Moreover, does this not negate plurality of belief as we read in 5:48:

And unto thee [O Prophet] have We vouchsafed this divine writ, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein. Judge, then, between the followers of earlier revelation in accordance with what God has bestowed from on high, and do not follow their errant views, forsaking the truth that has come unto thee. Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto, you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto God you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.

On a side note, some Muslims who believe in the theory of abrogation, are quick to defend the above as "Verse A contradicts verses B and C".

However, I am sure there must be a better explanation.

Regards,
 
Mubashir

[Joseph Islam]

Salamun Alaikum.

Verse 2:62 refers to those that follow their religions in truth and those who judge by their scriptures faithfully and do not transgress.

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"Say: "O people of the Book! do not exceed in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by, who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the even way."

Examples of transgressions are noted in 5:72-3 and 4:171

There are also those from the People of the Book that do follow their religions in truth.

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"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book (Arabic: Ahli-l-kitabi), those who believe in God, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to God: They will not sell the Signs of God for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and God is swift in account"

This is clearly a two-tier system where plurality is recognised in this context. The people who believe in the final revelation are still being referred to as the People of the Book (Ahli-l-kitabi). At no place in the Quran are followers of the previous scriptures instructed to abandon their laws or their scriptures with a view to follow the Quran.

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"Those to whom We sent the Book before this, they do believe in this (revelation). And when it is recited to them, they say: "We believe in it, for it is the Truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims from before this""


Verse 98:6 refers to 'disbelievers' (kuffar) from among (min) the People of the Book and among the Polytheists. The preposition 'min' (harfe jar) clearly denotes some not all. These are those 'disbelievers' that do not follow their scriptures in truth despite having a messenger making things clear (98:1-5).

Once a particular truth has been clearly manifested to a soul which leaves them with no reason to deny it and they still reject it, it is then in accordance with the consistent theme of the Quran that one enters the state of 'disbelief' (Kufr).

UNDERSTANDING 'KUFR' (DISBELIEF) FROM A QURANIC PERSPECTIVE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/understanding%20kufr%20FM3.htm


I hope this helps, God willing.
Joseph.