Who are saved? Who was the first Muslim?
...continued from above
In Islam it is believed that the very first hominid that possessed a soul was called Adam, and he was gifted with prophethood. So submission to God (in Arabic, the word for submission to God is
islam) is likely to be 200 000 years old.
1. What of those who lived before the time of Prophet Muhammad?
Those who lived before Prophet Muhammad cannot be expected to have professed belief in him. However, God did send prophets and messengers, such as Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Moses, (these that I mention are all Semites, but there are numerous others as well) etc., and it is expected that whatever nations received prophets, that these nations would be expected to follow them. But through the course of time, the
message becomes lost, and the people are then not blameworthy.
God says in the Quran, relating to this:
To every people (was sent) a messenger: when their messenger comes (before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged. (Quran 10:47)
and
For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth). (Quran 16:36)
and
Verily We sent messengers before thee, among them those of whom We have told thee, and some of whom We have not told thee; and it was not given to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by God's leave, but when God's commandment cometh (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost. (Quran 40:78)
So those before Prophet Muhammad's (or Jesus') time have access to redemption.
2. What of those who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad, (or any of the earlier prophets) but nevertheless, did not affirm belief in God and in him?
Easy answer: no, they are not automatically exempted from redemption. For instance, there may be some peoples who lived in isolated villages somewhere, or on remote islands, and to this very day, may not have received the
message. They are seen as not blameworthy.
3. What of those who have received the message , but from poor (bad) or hypocritical ambassadors of the Faith, such as from the likes of Bin Laden?
It is virtually impossible, today, for people to claim that the message of Islam did not reach them. However, often this message has been perverted beyond recognition, and only the insane or criminally-minded would buy into it in it's polluted form. In reality then, there exists many who have not received the
true message, and these people are also not blameworthy for not affirming belief in God and his messenger, Prophet Muhammad. They have ready access to redemption, and God will determine their final outcome.
(There also those non-Muslims who are honest and sincere devotees to their alternative guidance, albeit misguidance when viewed via the Islamic paradigm. It may very well be that God's mercy extends to them as well.)
4. What does the Quran say about how non-Muslims can be viewed by God?
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 5:69)
and
Among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) there are some who believe in God and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before God. They do not sell God's signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And God is swift at reckoning. (Quran, 3:199)
and
... There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite God's signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. God knows those who guard against evil. (Quran, 3:113-115)
Finally, it needs to be said that no person (Muslim or not) can say with arrogant certainty that they have been excluded from the Fire, as that knowledge belongs to God alone, and we are all in need of His Mercy. He has blessed us with guidance, and promised us success in this world and in the next if we follow it. "Verily, He is our Source, and verily, unto Him is our return." (Quran 1:156)
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