What Is True Path?
One of the Quran’s verses introduces a simple and clear criterion for the truthfulness of a religion: “Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam, and those to whom the Book had been given did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning.” (Surah Al Imran, Verse 19)
One may think that given the first part, “Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam”, the Quran has talked about the truthfulness of a specific religion named Islam. But in Tafsirs (interpretations), an important point has been mentioned about the word Islam. In Arabic, the word means submission.
The author of Nemuneh Exegesis of the Quran says: The true religion before God is submission to His order. In fact, the essence of religion in every era and time is nothing but submission to the truth.
This verse also reveals the origin of religious disputes despite the oneness of the true divine religion: “and those to whom the Book had been given did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves”.
So the disputes came after knowledge and were motivated by rebellion, injustice and envy.
The Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) had clear miracles, including the Quran and its firm and convincing reasons. The signs of his prophethood had also been mentioned in previous divine books, parts of which were with the Jews and Christians. That is why Jewish and Christian scholars had given the good news of his emergence with emphasis and keenness. However, as soon as he was appointed to prophethood, they started to ignore all that due to envy, injustice and rebellion as they saw their interests at risk. That is why the end of the verse refers to their example: “whoever disbelieves in the communications of Allah then surely Allah is quick in reckoning.”
Yes, those who disregard the verses of God will see the result of their deed in this word and the hereafter.
Messages of Verse 19 of Surah Al Imran, according to Noor Exegesis of the Holy Quran:
1-Beliving in oneness of God, justice, and God’s Hikma (wisdom), which have been mentioned in the previous verse (18), pave the way for submission to God. (Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam)
2- In order to submit to God, one needs to accept Islam as the last divine religion. (Surely the (true) religion with Allah is Islam)
3- Breaching the borders of the truth cause disputes and differences. (show opposition…)
4- The origin of some religious differences is envy and injustice not ignorance and unawareness. (but after knowledge had come to them)
5- Envy sets the ground for Kufr (disbelief). (out of envy among themselves)
6-Book and knowledge alone cannot guarantee salvation. (those to whom the Book had been given did not show opposition but after knowledge had come to them)
7- Those who create disputes deliberately will soon be punished. (Allah is quick in reckoning)
