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al-isl§m and al-Êm§n 256. To interpret the words ‘Allah only accepts al-isl§m’ and ‘The followersof al-isl§m will enter Paradise’ as a reference only to thosewho adhere to MuÈammad (ß), and thus reduce al-isl§m to theprayer, alms tax, fasting, and pilgrimage of only one part of allhumankind, contradicts the spirit of the Book. Such an exclusivistclaim by one specific religious community has been repeatedlyrebuked by the Book. For example, it fiercely criticised those qur"anicJews and Christians who had desired God’s favour solely forthemselves:They also say: ‘No one will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian.’This is their own wishful thinking. [Prophet], say, ‘Produce yourevidence, if you are telling the truth.’ In fact, any who direct themselveswholly to God and do good will have their reward with their Lord: nofear for them, nor will they grieve. ( Al-Baqara 2: 111-2, AH)7. The narrow definition of al-isl§m referring only to prayer, alms tax,fasting, and pilgrimage deviates from the most fundamental teachingsof the Book. To say, for example, that Allah approves of onlyone religious community (and its specific rituals), Islam in its narrow[conventional and historical] sense, contradicts Allah’s notionof al-isl§m as a religion that is inherent in human nature ( al-fiãraal-ins§niyya) and that Allah has bestowed upon all of His creation.So [Prophet] as a man of pure faith, stand firm and true in your devotionto the religion [li’l-dÊn ÈanÊf an ]. This is the natural disposition [ fiãra]God instilled in mankind—there is no altering God’s creation—andthis is the right religion [ al-dÊn al-qayyim], though most people do notrealize it. ( Al-Råm 30:30, AH)The implication of this verse is that the pillars of al-isl§m must beconsistent with the natural disposition that ‘God instilled in mankind’.It implies that nothing of this religion must contradict humannature. But do the rituals of (historical) Islam really conform to thenatural instincts of all human beings? In other words, are humansnaturally inclined to perform these rituals? Of course not. To payalms tax (zak§h), for example, means to give away money and partof our possessions, which undoubtedly goes against human instinct!!Allah has ordered His creation to care for property and to ‘lovewealth with a passion’. 7 Likewise, to fast (ßaum) contradicts our naturaldisposition because it undermines the human instinct for survival.7‘And you love wealth with a passion’ ( Al-Fajr 89:20, AH); see also Al-Baqara2:177; Al-\adÊd 57:20; Al-Ma#§rij 70:19–20.