Islam and Monotheistic Religions

This article is an excerpt from “Islam Respects all Monotheistic Religions.” , compiled by Mahdi Ansari Kermani

The Holy Qur’an: “Say, ‘O People of the Book! Come to a word common between us and you: that we will worship on no one but Allah, and that we will not ascribe any partner to Him, and that we will not take each other as lords besids Allah.’….(Al-i Imran, 64).

In view of the fact that in the Islamic Republic of Iran, religions minorities, in particular the Christians enjoy high esteem as emphasized by the great leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran – Imam Khomeini(ra), we would like to present this article to our dear sisters and brothers the world over, hoping to enlighten their minds with the views of that Divinely guided leader, who himself enlightened by the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Infallible, repeatedly called for universal justice, demanded the awakening of the oppressed nations and their rise for throwing off the yokes of oppression forum their lives. He urged oppressed peoples to awaken to the reality that through unity and struggles they will be able to get rid of the oppressive rule of the tyrants and live the happy dignified and fruitful life which God- The Gracious – has willed for them. Today, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the religious minorities including the Christians are contributing towards the well-being with hope and enthusiasm, as they see that the Islamic Republic of Iran protects them quite satisfactorily and paves the ground for the fulfillment of their ideas as honorable human beings. This desirable situation is what the late leader of the Islamic Revolution  - Imam Khomeini(ra) – envisaged. His holiness was a true follower of the Holy Qur’an and the Infallible – all true defenders of human rights and human dignity. Imam Khomeini(ra)  made it known to all that as per the viewpoint of Islam,  all Divine religions have been revealed for the sacred purpose of connecting human beings to their Gracious Creator – Allah  - The One and only God aim at human salvation. And that the Divine Prophets (AS) have all been appointed by Allah as His Messengers so as call human beings to the way of Allah and to administer justice and since they all have aimed at the same sacred cause, they  - Allah’s Messengers have all been in agreement with each others, each of them testifying to the truth of the words of the preceding Prophets (AS) and giving the tidings of the appointment (by Allah)  of the next Divine Messenger.

Islam holds that Divine laws and directions have been conveyed by Prophets to human for their guidance and salvation from the very start of creation and that is why in the Holy Qur’an, Allah – The Almighty says: “Indeed the faithful; the Jews, the Christians and the Sabaeans – those of them who have faith in Allah and the Last Day and act righteously – they shall have their reward near their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah, 62).

As the above verse indicates, Islam’s view towards the other Divine faiths is rooted in Monotheistic laws.

Likewise, Islamic history proves that the Islamic leaders have always advised and emphasized the significance of respecting the freedom and the other rights of the followers of the other religions and that Muslims have accordingly held the followers of the other religions in respect. Imam Khomeini (ra) as an excellent teacher of the school of Islam, has presented praiseworthy views regarding the followers of the other Divine faiths. Here, we present parts of his illuminating expressions in this connection: “All Divine Prophets (AS) have been missioned by Allah to liberate humans from the bonds of nature and to control unsuitable worldly desires of humans.”

“The true happiness for human beings is fulfilled through their belief in Divine Prophets.”

“There has been no difference of opinions among Divine Prophets and thus, any difference observed in their religions should be attributed to the demands of their respective times and the related particular conditions.”  

“Each Divine Prophet has faced a taghut(Satanic force) and also there have been certain people who have distorted the reality of the religion of each Divine Prophet after him. One reason behind the appointment by Allah of numerous Prophets has thus been to purify the preceding religions from distortions.  Thus, Islam holds all monotheistic faiths in reverence, and likewise Islamic government feels duty-bound to protect the rights of the followers of those faiths as to freedom of belief and freedom of practicing one’s religious rites and rituals and to provide them with the same rights given to Muslim citizens regarding active participation in the promotion of the society in which they live.

Here let’s read part of Imam Khomeini’s message to the world Christian’s: “Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for justice….” (Bible). I congratulate all the world oppressed nations, the followers of Prophet Jesus Christ(AS) and our Christian fellow countrymen on the auspicious occasion of the birth of Messiah – Jesus Christ(AS) – the exalted Prophet who was appointed by Allah to support the oppressed, to administer justice and to render compassion – The Prophet who through hid Divine words and his Divinely-inspired conduct condemned the tyrants and the oppressors and who declared Divine help and support for the oppressed and the weakened.

“Now, O the church leaders and the Christian clergy! Rise up and support the oppressed peoples of the world who are suffering under the yoke of the arrogant powers and the tyrants, and ring the church bells in favour of the oppressed and in condemnation of the oppressors in obedience to the command, of Prophet  Jesus Christ(AS) and for achieving the pleasure of God.

“Blessed are those  who are hungry and thirsty for justice and struggle for justice and woe! To those who against the commands of Prophet Jesus(AS) and against the commands of all other Divine Prophets struggle for the benefit of the oppressors and their agents and for trampling upon the rights of peoples.

“And O the followers of Prophet Jesus (AS)! Rise up and defend the honour of Jesus Christ (AS) and that if the Christian nation, and do not let the enemies of Divine commands and teachings misrepresent the Christian people and the Christian clergy to the world oppressed nations.

“O the followers of the church! Rise up and save Jesus Christ (AS) from the tyranny of the criminals, for that great Divine Messenger – Jesus Christ(AS) hates the oppressors who use religion as a tool for oppression and who employ prayers as a tool for reaching the seat of power and for oppressing God’s servants.

“The fact is that Divine commands have all been revealed by God for the release of the oppressed.”

“And O the world oppressed peoples! Rise up with unity of a purpose, and expel the oppressors from the world scene, for the earth belongs to God and the oppressed will inherit it.”

As a matter of fact, in his numerous messages and speeches Imam Khomeini (ra) has pointed that all Divine religions have been revealed for educating and correcting human soul, which lofty purpose can be found just in Divine religions from Imam Khomeini’s viewpoint which is the viewpoint of a distinguished religious thinker and an outstanding Islamic scholar, the religions mentioned in the Holy Qur’an are Divine religions. Imam Khomeini has always held these religions in respect and this fact is proved by both his words and his conduct. Imam Khomeini clearly declared, “We have great respect for the Christians and for their religion. They can live in our country freely. Also the Jews and all other religions minorities can live quite freely in our country and we will treat them respectfully and with dignity.”

Imam Khomeini (ra) believed that the pure soul a human being is honourable and deserves reverence and that any body possessing such (pure) soul is a lofty human being. According to Imam Khomeini’s thought, Divine Prophets (AS) enjoys a very exalted position. Imam Khomeini(ra) would always regard Divine Prophets, including Prophet Musa – Moses- (AS) and most particularly Prophet Isa – Jesus Christ – (AS) most respectfully, about whom he would invariably speak as supporters of the oppressed administrator of justice, having uttered Divine word, and having had Divine conduct, and invariably Imam Khomeini(ra) would mention Prophet Jesus Christ(AS) ‘s support for the oppressed as indicator  of  the truth of that Divine Prophet’s teachings and regarded His Holiness as totally miraculous. Let’s mention part of Imam Khomeini’s remarks in this regard: “Every thing about Prophet Jesus Christ (AS) has been a miracle. His having born by a Virgin mother was a miracle. His speaking (as a newborn infant) in the cradle was a miracle. His bringing peace , compassion and spirituality to humanity was a miracle. In fact, all Divine Prophets are miracles and have been Divinely missioned to make true human beings, All of Divine Prophets have aimed at leading humanity towards   the straight path designed by Allah and have all desired all human beings  to live in peace, friendship and brotherhood. Such has been the Mission of Divine Messengers; they came to this world to humanity from the (material) world to the exalted world.”

Likewise, Imam Khomeini(ra) believed that all the followers of Divine faiths, in whatever part of the world they might be, should be respected. And at the same time, the Imam would repeatedly point out that separation from the Divine religious views and thoughts is very dangerous and causes dispersion and weakness and he would strongly advise all the religious leaders of other faiths to follow the genuine words and views of Divine Prophets, and would repeatedly declare that all afflictions and miseries faced by human beings are the result of this very separation from the path of truth.  The Imam said on various occasions, “If the teachings of Prophet Jesus(AS) among the Christians, those of Prophet Moses (AS) among Jews and those of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) among Muslims were followed and realized the way those  Divine messengers wanted, these hardships and afflictions which human beings everywhere in this world suffer would never occur.

“The Christian clergy are duty-bound as per teachings of Jesus Christ (AS) and as per Allah’s commands to oppose the arrogant powers which act against the way of Divine Messengers and against the way of Jesus Christ (AS).

“The Christian clergy should struggle for guiding the of Jesus Christ(AS)  and advising them not to follower, obey the arrogant oppressive powers who are infact  anti-Christ.”

Now let’s turn to the subject of Imam Khomeini’s view on the rights of religious in Iran. It is a known fact that the Imam in his numerous addresses, both before and after the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran insisted that the rights if the followers of other religions in the Iranian society should be respected. The Imam made it clear that Islam has always considered those rights as respectable, and stressed, “ Those minorities, each and every follower of them living in the Islamic land has certain rights, and Islam observes those rights. Islam respects the Divine religions such as Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity which have considered followers living in Iran And Islam demands respect for the fulfillment of their rights.”   

According to Imam Khomeini’s viewpoint, those rights include among others:

A-    The right to perform religious rites freely: Imam Khomeini(ra) believed and insisted that all religious minorities should enjoy the right and freedom to practice their religious rituals and rites and this right, according to the Imam, constitutes an outstanding specification of an Islamic country.

B-    Defense of the rights of the religious minorities in the Iranian society; it was in defense of those very rights that Imam Khomeini considered it necessary to have representatives of the religious minorities at the Islamic consultative assembly (of Iran) and at the same time he would advise the Iranian religious minorities to be careful in selecting their own representatives and select capable persons in defending their rights effectively.  In a message the Imam addressed the Iranian religious minorities thuds, “ I advise the officially recognized religious minorities of Iran to take a lesson from the plight inflicted during the tyrannical rule of the Pahlavi regime and try to select their representatives from among those who are committed to their respective faith and to the Islamic Republic system and who are not attached to the world-devouring powers and who are not inclined towards atheistic, misguiding and deceitful eclectic schools.

 “The Islamic  consultative assembly of Iran respects  and struggles for the welfare and fulfillment the rights of religious minorities held in particular reverence in Islam, just as that assembly respects and struggles for the welfare and fulfillment if the rights of the Muslims.  As a matter of fact, those minorities in Iran are serving the country in the same ranks as the Muslims and enjoy the values and benefits in the country, in the same rank as the Muslims.”

In just the same vein, the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran  in all its laws and regulations provides the country’s religious minorities with rights and opportunities equal to those provided for Muslim Iranians.

C-    Security; Imam Khomeini repeatedly emphasized the fact that in the Islamic Republic of Iran all religious minorities should like all others who live in Iran, live in perfect security and that it is an obligation to provide them all with security like the other residents of Iran.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& End of  part 1

Part two

Differences among religions, Imam Khomeini(ra) point of view

  No doubt, Imam Khomeini, as a world reformer and as professor of extraordinary insight and knowledge desired the union of all peoples and aim at the creation of a peaceful, prosperous and united world community in which the honour and dignity of all would be respected and preserved. Accordingly, the Imam repeatedly called upon the leaders of Divine religions to desist disputes among themselves, instead struggle against the oppressors. He also pointed out to them that the disputes arising among the followers of the world Divine have been plotted and engineered by the tyrannical world-devouring enemies who endeavour to divide in order to rule. In this connection, Imam Khomeini(ra) assured that the Iranian religious minorities , thus: “ We assure the religious minorities that they will live in welfare, fairness and peace in this country and will be supported by us, Any contrary view is propagated by those who aim at creating dispersion.”

Imam Khomeini(ra) believed and declared that the enemies of Divine faiths who are infact oppressive and tyrannical people are against the unity of the followers of Divine faiths, because such unity will cause the fall of all oppressors and tyrants and will result in the fulfillment of the Divine promise of the administration of justice the world over. Also, according to the Imam all propaganda plots for creating disunity among the Muslims and the followers of other Divine faiths are hatched by the enemies of Islam who are but the enemies of humanity. Imam Khomeini(ra) again and again stressed the fact that Islam has never permitted any unfairness towards the followers of other religions and has always held them in respect and that any propaganda which conveys any adverse view is the work of the enemies of Islam. Imam Khomeini(ra) would constantly advise the church leaders to rush to the help of the impoverished and oppressed peoples of the world and stand up for justice, as Prophet Jesus Christ(AS) has been appointed by God to defend the oppressed and support justice. The Imam Khomeini(ra) said, “ Following being appointed as Prophets by Allah, they  first addressed the dominant class of their societies. Prophet Moses(AS) first addressed Pharaoh. Thus it is this class which needs to be addressed for guidance first and foremost. So, you the religious leaders – the clergy -should first address the world the world rulers – the presidents and mention the teaching , of Prophet Jesus Christ (AS)to them in order to save Christianity And the Christian peoples you should not let Christianity appear to the people in a distorted way and should , not let the Christian clergy appear as a pro-oppressors clergy to the people. In this connection, Imam Khomeini(RA) would repeatedly mention that the enemies if Divine faiths try to present distorted pictures of those faiths in order for themselves to be able to prolong their oppressive rules and domination over the world peoples and to exploit the world oppressed peoples more and more , under such critical conditions according to the Imam , the thinker , and scholars of the religious communities are duty-bound to make the effort to gain proper understanding and knowledge about each other’s faith and to propagate the same for enlightening the peoples. Back to topic Imam’s concern for religious minorities it should also be mentioned that according to Imam Khomeini (ra) to remove the obstacles in the way of unity, people’s being “Iranian” should be stressed and that all should take in consideration the fact that we are all Iranians living in this country together and this consideration urges all Iranians to endeavor for the progress of Iran regardless of any differences. The Imam remarket: “The religious minorities in Iran are free and Islamic government is duty-bound to defend their rights. Moreover, any Iranian has the right to enjoy social rights the same as the other Iranian , whether Muslims, Christians, Jews or of other faiths, do.

In view of all this we can conclude that the  attitude if Islam and of the Islamic government towards the other Divine religions and towards the followers of those religions is quite fair , respectful and totally compatible with principles of justice and equity. And the Islamic Republic system of Iran, founded and guided by great Muslim leader – Imam Khomeini(ra) – is a vivid example of and testimony to such just attitude. It is hoped that, particularly at this critical juncture, the world religious leaders and thinkers, including the Muslim and Christian leaders and thinkers with mutual respect and focus on the true knowledge of Divine religions, join hands and prepare the ground for the promotion of peace, brotherhood and well-being in the world of humanity which has already suffered a lot from dispersions and disputes.