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CHRIST:
See under “Prophets” – Jesus Christ.
CHRISTIANS:
2:62 - Those who believe (in the Qur'an) and those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) and the
Christians and the Sabians and who believe in Allah and the last day and work righteousness
shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. 7677
76 Latest researches have revealed a small remnant of a religious community numbering about 2,000 souls in Lower
Iraq, near Basra. In Arabic they are called Subbi (plural Subba). They are also called Sabians and Nasoraeans; or
Mandaeans, or Christians of St. John. They claim to be Gnostics, of Knowers of the Great Life. They dress in white,
and believe in frequent immersions in water. Their Book Ginza is in a dialect of Aramaic. They have theories of
Darkness and Light as in Zoroastrianism. They use the name Uardan (Jordan) for any river. They live in peace and
harmony among their Muslim neighbors. They resemble the Sabi-un mentioned in the Qur-an but are not probably
identical with them. (2.62)
77 CF. ii. 38, where the same phrase occurs. And it recurs again and again afterwards. The point of the verse is that
Islam does not teach an exclusive doctrine, and is not meant exclusively for one people. The Jews claimed this for
themselves, and the Christians in their own origin were a sect of the Jews. Even themodern organized Christian
churches, though they have been, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by the Time-spirit, including the historical
fact of Islam, yet cling to the idea of Vicarious Atonement, which means that all who do not believe in it or who lived
previously to the death of Christ are at a disadvantage spiritually before the Throne of God. The attitude of Islam is
entirely different. Islam existed before the preaching of Muhammad on this earth: the Qur-an expressly calls Abraham
a Muslim (iii. 67). Its teaching (submission to God's will) has been and will be the teaching of Religion for all time and
for all peoples. (2.62)
2:113 - The Jews say: "The Christians have naught (to stand) upon"; and the Christians say: "The
Jews have naught (to stand) upon." Yet they (profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto
their word is what those say who know not but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel
on the Day of Judgment. 116
116 It is a sure sign of ignorance and prejudice when you study the same book as another or a similar one and yet are
absolutely intolerant of the meaning which the other draws from it. You should know better, but you speak like the
ignorant. In this case the primary reference in the word "ignorant" may be to the Pagan Arabs. (2.113)
2:120 - Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied with thee unless thou follow their form of
religion. Say: "The guidance of Allah that is the (only) guidance." Wert thou to follow their
desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee then wouldst thou find neither protector
nor helper against Allah.
2:135 - They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou:
"Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham the true and he joined not gods with Allah." 134
134 Hanif: inclined to right opinion, orthodox (in the literal meaning of the Greed words), firm in faith, sound and wellbalanced,
true. Perhaps the last word, True, sums up most of the other shades. (2.135)
2:140 - Or do ye say that Abraham Isma`il Isaac Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians?
Say: Do ye know better than Allah? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the
testimony they have from Allah? But Allah is not unmindful of what ye do! 138
138 The alternative is with the question in the last verse. Do you dispute with us although we worship the same God as
you and claim that ours is the same religion as that of your ancestors? Or do you really assert that Abraham and his
son and his sons' sons, who founded the Tribes long before Moses, followed your Jewish religion as you know it?
History of course proves that claim absurd. If the Christians claim that these Patriarchs knew of and followed the
teaching of Jesus, the claim is still more absurd, - except in the sense of Islam that God's teaching is one in all ages.
(2.140)
5:14 - From those too who call themselves Christians We did take a Covenant but they forgot a
good part of the Message that was sent them: so We estranged them with enmity and hatred
between the one and the other to the Day of Judgment. And soon will Allah show them what it
is they have done. 715715
715 The Christian Covenant may be taken to be the charge which Jesus gave to his disciples, and which the disciples
accepted, to welcome Ahmad (Q. lxi. 6). Glimpses of this are to be found in the Gospel of St. John even as it exists
now (John xv. 26. xvi. 7). It is those who call themselves "Christians" who reject this. True Christians have accepted it.
The enmity between those who call themselves Christians and the Jews will continue till the Last Day. A) The change
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