"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [Al-Imran, verse 85]
From the above ayahs it’s very clear to Muslims that Islam is the only acceptable Deen to Allah (swt). But some apologetic Muslims have difficulty accepting this fact that Islam forbids following any other religion. According to them holding such view is extremism. They forget that it is only Allah who defines what is right and what is wrong, what is ethical and what is non-ethical irrespective of the prevalent beliefs/ideas/practices of the Society. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’aan:
“It is he (Allah) who has sent his Messenger (saw) with guidance and the religion of truth, in order for it to be dominant over all other religions, even though the Mushrikoon (disbelievers) hate it.” (At-Tawbah, Verse 33)
So these apologetic Muslims call for religious tolerance on the basis of their belief in religious pluralism rather than Islam itself (religious pluralism means two or more religions with mutually exclusive truth claims are equally valid). They uphold the view that Islam approves following any other religion. They deliberately misinterpreted some verses of the Quran to prove their claim. Lets us look at some examples :
a. First example :
Verse 6, of Surah Al-Kafiroon : "Lakum Deenukum Waliya Deen" (To you be your religion, and to me my religion)
This ayah is often quoted to prove that Islam doesn't forbid following other religion. But in fact it is just the opposite. A brief explanation of this ayah and the surah is copied below from the Tafsir written by Syed Qutub:
The meaning of the complete Surah Al-Kafiroon : Say: "Disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship nor do you worship what I worship. I shall never worship what you worship You have your own religion and I have mine."
When Muhammad (peace be on him) declared his religion to be that of Abraham, they (Quraish) argued that there was no reason for them to forsake their beliefs and follow Muhammad's religion instead, since they too were of the same religion. In the meantime, they sought a sort of compromise with him proposing that he should prostrate himself before their gods in return for their prostration to his God, and that he should cease denouncing their gods and their manner of worship in reciprocation for whatever he demanded of them!
To clear up this muddle, to cut all arguments short and firmly distinguish between one form of worship and the other, between one doctrine and concept and the other this surah was revealed in such a decisive, assertive tone. It was revealed in this manner to demarcate monotheism (tawheed) from polytheism (shirk), and to establish a true criterion, allowing no further wrangling or vain arguments.
Allah (swt) commanded Muhammad (saw) to address them by their actual and true identity: "Say: 'Disbelievers!" They follow no prescribed religion, nor do they believe in you. No meeting-point exists between you and them anywhere. Thus the beginning of the surah brings to mind the reality of a difference which cannot be ignored or settled.
"I do not worship what you worship" is a statement affirmed by shall never worship what you worship". "Nor do you worship what I worship" is also repeated for more emphasis and in order to eliminate all chances of doubt or misinterpretation.
Finally, the whole argument is summed up in the last verse, "You have your own religion, and I have mine", meaning that you (disbelievers) and I (Muhammad) are very far apart, without any bridge to connect us - a complete distinction and a precise, intelligible demarcation.
b. Second example:
Many use the following two ayat as a justification for claiming that the Jews, Christians and Sabians are Believers:
"Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews, Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and do righteous deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." [Al-Baqarah, Verse 62]
"Surely, those who believe, those who are the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians - whosoever believed in Allah and the Last Day, and worked righteousness, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." [Al-Ma'idah, verse 69]
Such individuals misinterpret these ayat by neglecting other ayat and isolating them from the context of the Seerah. Ibn Katheer, one of the classical mufasireen (commentators of the Qur'an), states in his book, Tafseer Ibn Katheer, that these ayat refer to the Jews who existed from the time of Musa (as) until the time of Isa (as), not to be confused with the Jews and the Christians during the time of Muhammad (saaw) and who exist today. The ayat refer to the Christians as Nasireen, which linguistically means "helpers". These Helpers were the Hawariyeen (Disciples) of 'Isa (as) who followed his message until the time of Muhammad (saaw) and did not ascribe partners with Allah (swt). Based on these ayat, the term "Christians" does not accurately refer to these people. So these ayat refer to those from among the previous groups who existed before Islam and adhered to their scriptures, but these ayat were later abrogated by the ayah which states:
"And whosoever desires a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be one of the losers." [Al-Imran, verse 85]
Since the above ayah abrogated the previous verses, no one has anymore excuses to claim that Islam approves following other religions. Such ideas are nothing but Kufr. After Muhammad (saaw), Allah has chosen Islam as the Deen for all of humanity, and no one on the Day of Judgment who was presented with Islam and rejected it will have any excuse that will exempt him from the punishment of the Hell-Fire.
"Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning)" [Al-Isra', verse 15]
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