Who is better? A good Hindu or an unrighteous Muslim?

Started by Reader Questions, November 11, 2011, 06:07:14 AM

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Reader Questions

Joseph,

Do you think according to the Qur'an, a mushrik who has clearly heard about the truth of Islam like a Hindu for instance but still remains a Hindu until death is still a worse person than someone who is a Muslim who is only a Muslim presumably because he/she is born to a Muslim family and (would have been a Hindu if he or she was born a Hindu) and who is engaging in theft of people?

Joseph Islam

Peace.

Only God knows best.

In my humble opinion, arguably not. First thing to remember is that you cannot 'inherit' faith. What you 'inherit' by virtue of being born in a household is the ways of your forefathers and a particular type of scripting. There may be many who are born Muslims, but their actions are not in tandem with their professed beliefs.

With regards the clarity of 'message', a true believer would not commit excess or at least would try to do their best to curtail it. One's answerability is directly proportional to the level of guidance and clarity they have received. This concept of proportional answerability is even attested by the Quran.

Let us note a few examples:

The Prophet was warned that his punishment would be doubled if he inclined to others (17:74-75) which he nearly did. The threat to the Prophet's wives was of double punishment if they committed 'fahisha' (33:30). The threat to Jesus's disciples was that they would be punished like no other if they now disbelieved after a table set with food from heavenly hosts reached them (5:115).

So one's answerability is directly proportional to the clarity of guidance one receives. There is a responsiblity attached to every 'mercy' we receive whether it is spiritual or material.

You make a good point about today's Muslims. Brother, do you really think most of today's Muslims are any different from Hindus who only blindly follow the traditions of their forefathers?

Do you think that God does not know that if these people were born in Hindu families they would have done exactly the same as those they mock?

How many Muslims really study the Quran with 'tadabbur'? How many Muslims are prepared to even consider the misconceptions with an open heart that may have infiltrated into their religion? Or would they rather hold onto the established beliefs of their forefathers even if it conflicted with the Quran?

My brother, most Muslims in my humble opinion, Shia, Sunni, Wahabi, Deoband, Barelvi, Ismaili, 12ers, 7 ers etc are no different 'in their blind following mentality' than the Hindu's, Jews, Christians, Sikhs that also blindly follow the footsteps of their forefathers.

God does not have 'favourites' in that sense. He is not unjust to give one a better opportunity and then hold another accountable unfairly for the opportunities He Himself has not afforded them. There is method to his diversity and his judgment. He is wholly Just and in Him we put our faith for perfect judgment.

Only God can best judge others and us and He inevitably will. It is not for us to comment on who will receive God's grace.
'During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act' 
George Orwell