Christian and Believer?
Question:
Hello,
I am a Christian (in name) who follows one God (not Jesus as God) and I also believe in the teachings of Islam. Some extreme and moderate Muslims would classify myself as an unbeliever yet I see myself as one.
I have a few questions and I would be grateful if you could respond to a few:
1. My family are Christians who fall into the line of shirk. They are not aware of the teachings of Islam regarding this. What would you, and other Muslims, classify them as? Disbelievers? Ignorant?
2. I have seen some “scholars” argue that a level of Hell is one solely for Christians (as well as one for Jews, one for fire worshippers etc). I see this as doubtful as this has little place in the Quran and it doesn’t account for those who commit sins knowingly in comparison to those who don’t (much like my family). Do you know of this interpretation - if so, what is your view.
3. I am often in despair of God’s mercy and forgiveness upon myself and my family and loved ones. It leads me into depression and constant anxiety. I do pray everyday for guidance, however. What is your take on anxiety in religion?
Thank you for reading.
Answer:
Salam
If you believe in one God then by the terminology of the Qur’an (2:132, 3:64, 5:111) you are a ‘Muslim’, that is, one who submits oneself to God. It is only by the conventional usage of the term that you are considered a non-Muslim.
Answer to your questions:
1. It seems like the prevailing view among many Muslims is that any person who is not the follower of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is an infidel (kafir). If you have read some of my writings in this website you perhaps know that based on the Qur’an, I strongly disagree with this view. You can read this article for a brief about this. If your parents believe in the concept of trinity then in my understanding of the Qur'an, they are believers who have aspects of polytheism (shirk) in their belief. This does not make them polytheist. They are still considered monotheist since the Qur’an while criticizing this aspect of Christian belief, never referred to Christians as polytheists. This of course does not mean that you should not try to correct their belief if an appropriate opportunity materialises.
2. The whole idea of having a level of hell just for Christians or just for Jews is against the teachings of the Qur’an. God’s judgement is not based on religious titles (I wish it was that easy!). God’s judgement is based on the strength of belief and the amount of righteous deeds that a person does accordingly (2:62). Also, based on verses 5:116 - 119 an honest mistake in belief does not make the person accountable by the Almighty.
3. Religion is there to take away our anxiety and to replace it with tranquility (48:4). It is good to be concerned about our state of spiritual condition and to try to improve it. Those who are very advanced in their spiritual state sometimes feel anxiety about their relationship with the divine (khauf - خوف). This however is a very constructive anxiety that makes them getting even more advanced in their spirituality and is also balanced out with constructive hope (raja – رجا). I don’t think this is that kind of anxiety that you are referring to which, as you write, is leading you to depression. If you or any one in your family and elder relatives have history of depression then I suggest you see a doctor, do not allow yourself to associate this with your religious beliefs. Always remember, as you read in the Qur’an and the Bible, that God is the most merciful and most forgiving (6:54, 39:53).
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Farhad Shafti
May 2019
Hello,
I am a Christian (in name) who follows one God (not Jesus as God) and I also believe in the teachings of Islam. Some extreme and moderate Muslims would classify myself as an unbeliever yet I see myself as one.
I have a few questions and I would be grateful if you could respond to a few:
1. My family are Christians who fall into the line of shirk. They are not aware of the teachings of Islam regarding this. What would you, and other Muslims, classify them as? Disbelievers? Ignorant?
2. I have seen some “scholars” argue that a level of Hell is one solely for Christians (as well as one for Jews, one for fire worshippers etc). I see this as doubtful as this has little place in the Quran and it doesn’t account for those who commit sins knowingly in comparison to those who don’t (much like my family). Do you know of this interpretation - if so, what is your view.
3. I am often in despair of God’s mercy and forgiveness upon myself and my family and loved ones. It leads me into depression and constant anxiety. I do pray everyday for guidance, however. What is your take on anxiety in religion?
Thank you for reading.
Answer:
Salam
If you believe in one God then by the terminology of the Qur’an (2:132, 3:64, 5:111) you are a ‘Muslim’, that is, one who submits oneself to God. It is only by the conventional usage of the term that you are considered a non-Muslim.
Answer to your questions:
1. It seems like the prevailing view among many Muslims is that any person who is not the follower of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is an infidel (kafir). If you have read some of my writings in this website you perhaps know that based on the Qur’an, I strongly disagree with this view. You can read this article for a brief about this. If your parents believe in the concept of trinity then in my understanding of the Qur'an, they are believers who have aspects of polytheism (shirk) in their belief. This does not make them polytheist. They are still considered monotheist since the Qur’an while criticizing this aspect of Christian belief, never referred to Christians as polytheists. This of course does not mean that you should not try to correct their belief if an appropriate opportunity materialises.
2. The whole idea of having a level of hell just for Christians or just for Jews is against the teachings of the Qur’an. God’s judgement is not based on religious titles (I wish it was that easy!). God’s judgement is based on the strength of belief and the amount of righteous deeds that a person does accordingly (2:62). Also, based on verses 5:116 - 119 an honest mistake in belief does not make the person accountable by the Almighty.
3. Religion is there to take away our anxiety and to replace it with tranquility (48:4). It is good to be concerned about our state of spiritual condition and to try to improve it. Those who are very advanced in their spiritual state sometimes feel anxiety about their relationship with the divine (khauf - خوف). This however is a very constructive anxiety that makes them getting even more advanced in their spirituality and is also balanced out with constructive hope (raja – رجا). I don’t think this is that kind of anxiety that you are referring to which, as you write, is leading you to depression. If you or any one in your family and elder relatives have history of depression then I suggest you see a doctor, do not allow yourself to associate this with your religious beliefs. Always remember, as you read in the Qur’an and the Bible, that God is the most merciful and most forgiving (6:54, 39:53).
--------
Farhad Shafti
May 2019
