Explanation of Al-Maaidah 5: 48 -- Success in the Hereafter for People of Other Faiths

Surah 5:48 there is a statement that is often interpreted as allowing other people to have their faiths because they can lead to God as well. However, if this is so then many non-Muslims state that why should they follow the Qur’an and Islam if they can simply follow their own faiths? Could you comment?

Salam

Adnan Zulfiqar

Reply 

The referred interpretation of the cited verse is not very accurate. The related portion of the verse reads as:

“Had God pleased, He could have made you one community, but [He did not do so] to test you in what he has bestowed upon you. Therefore, [do not fret over those who reject your message and] strive hard to take lead in virtue. [Be mindful of the fact that ultimately,] your return shall be to your Lord and then shall He inform you [and pronounce His judgment] about the things in which you differed.” (Al-Maaidah 5: 48)

If you look closely at the referred verse, you shall see that it does not say that all paths lead to God. On the contrary, it says that if God had wanted, He could have guided all humanity to one path and resolved all differences among them. However, this would effectively have meant that man be forced into submission. This would have meant that the freedom of choice – in accepting or rejecting the truth or in doing good or bad deeds – be taken away from man. However, because God wanted to test man by bestowing upon him the freedom to do good or bad and to choose right or wrong, He, therefore, did not force him into submission.  It is the result of this freedom bestowed upon man by God that some people accept the truth while others are allowed to become adversaries to it. Thus, in this context, the believers are directed to ignore those who are still persistent in their rejection even after the truth has become apparent to them. They are directed to concentrate on taking lead in good deeds rather than fretting over the rejecters. Finally, they are reminded of the fact that if God has bestowed man with freedom in a particular sphere of his life, which results in the existence of differences among them, it does not mean that God is indifferent towards the good and the bad. Soon shall He gather all humanity and then pass His judgment about the differences that existed among them. On that day, those who submitted to the truth shall be rewarded for their good behavior, while those who knowingly rejected the truth shall be doomed to an eternal punishment.

I hope this helps. In case any aspect of my answer remains unclear, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience.

May the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking.

Regards

The Learner