Is Islam a universal religion.

[Matemkar]

Salam.
We believe islam is the universal religion

Well, though sometimes people misunderstand the fact that Quran was revealed in Arabic as islam belonging to Arabs (to read more on this please check Logic for Islamic Rules ). However the verse sister illykitty quoted stresses upon the ethnical aspect that God wants all nations to get to know each other. (also: Islam A Universal Religon - Islam/Christianity/Judaism Dialogue )

In other aspects too we believe islam is universal.. (see: Man and Universe also islam & modern life )

And about the coexistence, in the 5th chapter of Quran there are verses about Jews and Christians and there we read "..To each among you have we prescribed Sharia (a law) and Minhaaj (an open way). If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God/Allah.."(5:48)

these verses (and many more) prove that islam is not against the existence of Abrahamic Religions (in fact the term "..until the Day of Resurrection.." being there in the verses about these religions e.g 5:14 guarantees that they will coexist forever).

And with the fact that there will always be subscribers of these faiths, islam suggests the way to unity that we shall worship none other than God/Allah (3:64) and we do good.. However this doesn't mean islam promotes religious pluralism. Quran just says, if they do not emrace the new laws, they should at least follow what is in their books which means no secularism. (See Quran 5:44-47)

In summary Islam says it is a universal religion; "..And We have not sent you but to the whole of mankind as a giver of glad tidings and a warner..." (Qur'an, 34:28) (and the links I shared might help to study if it is true..) and in order for every nation to co-exist she also has suggestions for those who keep the old traditions. (5:44-48)

ok. ma salam

 

[Sunstone]

On the Contrary. I believe every religion goes away when Jesus returns (at least inside the Kingdom anyway and even what is outside goes away after 1000 years).

1000 years of boredom, then. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[dawny0826]

No. I don't buy the concept of a universal religion.

 

[Matemkar]

Can I ask why? thanks..

 

[Gharib]

Well, is it?

Yes, it is. Previous Prophets were sent to a particular tribe/nation/clan while Muhammed was sent to the Arabs and the non-Arabs (hence, everyone else).

And the Qur'an states that there is no distinction between an Arab and a non-Arab, just as there is no distinction between a white man and a black man and just as there is no distinction between a man and a woman except through piety.

 

[Pegg]

Yes, it is. Previous Prophets were sent to a particular tribe/nation/clan while Muhammed was sent to the Arabs and the non-Arabs (hence, everyone else).

And the Qur'an states that there is no distinction between an Arab and a non-Arab, just as there is no distinction between a white man and a black man and just as there is no distinction between a man and a woman except through piety.

why then is the Quran only allowed to be read and learned in Arabic?

 

[Matemkar]

Please see: Logic for Islamic Rules : Is it conrary to Islam being Universal and also Why pray in Arabic? thanks

 

[Pegg]

Please see: Logic for Islamic Rules : Is it conrary to Islam being Universal and also Why pray in Arabic? thanks

just on the link 'why pray in arabic' it says praying in Arabic
"has paved the way of common approach to God,"

I fail to see how this is true considering only those who understand Arabic will understand it. I think the reasoning here is back to front... a universal prayer that everyone can understand is what paves a 'common' approach to God. But If i were to hear a prayer being given in arabic, then i would not be able to understand and thus join in that prayer.

So how can arabic be a common approach if arabic is not a common language?

 

[Gharib]

why then is the Quran only allowed to be read and learned in Arabic?

Arabic is the language of Islam. That is the language that the Qur'an was revealed.

Are you saying that God should have revealed Islam in all languages?

The whole point of something being universal is to unite all people in some way and in this case, it is a language that unites Muslims.

Every mosque makes the call to prayer in Arabic and there are a billion Muslims who don't know Arabic but they all know the call to prayer. It is a universal thing. Had the call to prayer been in every language then every person would need to know every language to be able to get along with other Muslims.

 

[Pegg]

Arabic is the language of Islam. That is the language that the Qur'an was revealed.

Are you saying that God should have revealed Islam in all languages?

The whole point of something being universal is to unite all people in some way and in this case, it is a language that unites Muslims.

Every mosque makes the call to prayer in Arabic and there are a billion Muslims who don't know Arabic but they all know the call to prayer. It is a universal thing. Had the call to prayer been in every language then every person would need to know every language to be able to get along with other Muslims.

if there are a billion muslims who dont' know Arabic, how do they know what is being said in the prayers given?

Isnt it important to know what is being spoken??

 

[Pegg]

And if they are only allowed to pray in Arabic, what then??? If they dont know Arabic, how do they pray?

 

[Gharib]

And if they are only allowed to pray in Arabic, what then??? If they dont know Arabic, how do they pray?

Everyone memorizes the Qur'an in Arabic. Whether they understand Arabic or not is a different issue.

We recite chapters of the Qur'an during our daily prayers. It's the fact that Islam goes by only one language that it makes it more plausible to be universal other than Islam saying so.

 

[Revoltingest]

So far in this thread, I have discerned the following basis for Islam being a universal religion:
- It comports with Muslims' religious beliefs.
- It was revealed in the language of God.

By such standards, which religion couldn't lay claim to being a universal religion?

 

[Gharib]

if there are a billion muslims who dont' know Arabic, how do they know what is being said in the prayers given?

Isnt it important to know what is being spoken??

It is best to know what is being spoken yes. But it is not necessary.

It's like the prescription that we get from a doctor. We don't understand what he writes in the letter which we give to the chemist nor do we understand how the medication works inside our body, we just know that it will cure us and that's the main thing. If you want to study more you are free to do so if not it suffices to know that it is good for you.

 

[Gharib]

So far in this thread, I have discerned the following basis for Islam being a universal religion:
- It comports with Muslims' religious beliefs.
- It was revealed in the language of God.

By such standards, which religion couldn't lay claim to being a universal religion?

There aren't any standards nor any criteria. The question asked was whether Islam is universal.

Islam says that it is. Question answered.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Culturally Islam is not yet anyone can join if they like.
Islam is heavily Arabic influenced and requires one to pray in Arabic, dress in Arabic modesty, and learn Arabic to study the Qur'an.
Anybody can join Islam easily but adapting to it is another. Islam is one of the most nonuniversal religions since it requires a heavy amount of foreign culture to be accepted.
I have known quite a few Pakistani Muslims who cannot do salat right because they can't speak Arabic. Why would a religion be so reliant on a culture and yet claim universal acceptance.
I have never understood this honestly. Islam is a nice religion and very amazing but it requires one to give up his or her culture.

 

[Revoltingest]

There aren't any standards nor any criteria. The question asked was whether Islam is universal.
Islam says that it is. Question answered.

The problem is that any religion may claim to being universal, so Islam has no special status in this regard.
Moreover, Islam conflicts with strongly held values held by many of us, which makes it unavailable to us.

 

[Vinayaka]

Thank you to all who are participating here. The original question, I actually don't care as to the answer. I only put it here and started this thread because the thread, "Is Hinduism universal?" was being sideswiped by this discussion, so I started a new thread. So thanks.

 

[darkendless]

There aren't any standards nor any criteria. The question asked was whether Islam is universal.

Islam says that it is. Question answered.

Islam says that Islam is universal?

That is circular reasoning.

 

[Breathe]

Islam says that Islam is universal?

That is circular reasoning.

I can sort of see how you'd come to that conclusion, but... I suppose I can also see it from the other case, where Islam saying Islam is universal means that anyone can adopt Islam as his or her religion, without the "You can't follow this religion unless you're of this specific ethnicity" mindset that some religious people can hold, even of religions open to everyone.

With the Qur'an saying it is a religion for all of mankind, you know it's supposed to be for all of mankind, ignoring people saying you can't, or how it's put into practise, et cetera.