Universality of Religion

UNIVERSALITY OF RELIGION man” and “O humankind”. This shows that the approach of the Quran is based on universality. This shows that the approach of the Quran is based on universality. The Quran (1:2) introduces God as “The Lord of the worlds” and not as “The Lord of the Muslims”. The Quran cites the Prophet of Islam as a messenger sent for all humankind, not just for the Arabs: “We have sent you forth as a mercy to all mankind” (21:107). In another place, the Quran says: “Blessed be He Who has revealed Al-Furqan (The Criterion) to His servant, so that He may be a warner to all humankind.” (25:1) This universal approach can be seen in many other Islamic teachings. The universality of the Quranic message should bring about a universal approach in those who believe in it. For instance, at the end of salaat or the prescribed form of worship in Islam, the faithful turn their heads towards the right and the left and utter this greeting: Assalam-o-Alaikum wa Rahmatullah, which means, “Peace be upon you, as well as the mercy of God.” This is meant for all humankind, inhabiting the lands towards the east and the west, the north and the south. It is, in fact, a universal greeting. Islam understood correctly, teaches love and peace and seeks to develop human-friendly behaviour in its followers. The same God has created all human beings, so they all belong to one great family. As far as their earthly origin is concerned, they are all descendants of the first pair of human beings created by God—Adam and Eve. When all human beings are created by the One God and are descendants of the same primal progenitors, it means that all are, at root, equal: no one is, in essence, superior