"As for those who cling to the Book and perform the prayer - surely We neglect not the reward for the workers of righteousness."
Quran 7:170
As we've discussed innumerable times one of the perceptions from outside Islam is that it is an intolerant faith and one that doesn't respect other religions. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, and if I accomplish anything through this year long discussion of faith (and me accomplishing anything ever on any front is sketchy at best) it's to help people see that there perception is not only overly simplistic but also essentially wrong. Does that mean that we don't have dreadfully intolerant folks inside of Islam? Of course not; we are humans after all, and we have more than our fair share of ignorant zealots. This passage, drawn from the 7th surah, al-Al'raf, rendered as "The Heights", is addressing Jews specifically, but it could also be considered more broadly to consider to folks of all faiths. As Nasr reminds us in the Study Quran, "This verse indicates that those who are Jews and continue to follow the Torah and Mosiac Law will be rewarded for their good deeds; see also 2:62, which states that Jews, Sabeans, and Christians who believe and 'work righeousness' shall have their reward with their Lord." As I'm wont to opine, there are a thousand paths to God.
Quran 7:170
As we've discussed innumerable times one of the perceptions from outside Islam is that it is an intolerant faith and one that doesn't respect other religions. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, and if I accomplish anything through this year long discussion of faith (and me accomplishing anything ever on any front is sketchy at best) it's to help people see that there perception is not only overly simplistic but also essentially wrong. Does that mean that we don't have dreadfully intolerant folks inside of Islam? Of course not; we are humans after all, and we have more than our fair share of ignorant zealots. This passage, drawn from the 7th surah, al-Al'raf, rendered as "The Heights", is addressing Jews specifically, but it could also be considered more broadly to consider to folks of all faiths. As Nasr reminds us in the Study Quran, "This verse indicates that those who are Jews and continue to follow the Torah and Mosiac Law will be rewarded for their good deeds; see also 2:62, which states that Jews, Sabeans, and Christians who believe and 'work righeousness' shall have their reward with their Lord." As I'm wont to opine, there are a thousand paths to God.
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