The Message of the Quran

those who prove themselves worthy of it by their actions; it is not the monopoly of any clan or community. Man’s harmony with nature comes from his leading a life of thanksgiving, humility and continence; by remaining steadfast in the face of adversity. Ingratitude, hotheadedness, pride and greed spread only evil in the land, and are a deviation from the natural order established by God. Believers, Jews, Christians and Sabeans—whoever believes in God and the Last Day and does what is right—shall be rewarded by their Lord; they shall have nothing to fear or to regret. (Quran, 2:62) Four communities are mentioned in this verse: Muslims, who are followers of the Prophet Mohammad; who follow the Prophet Moses; Christians, who maintain their allegiance to the Prophet Jesus; and Sabeans, who claim to adhere to the teachings of John the Baptist, the Prophet Yahaya. The last-mentioned sect resided in Iraq in ancient times, but is now extinct. They were people of book, and offered their prayers facing the Kaaba in Makkah. Here the Muslims have not been mentioned separately, but alongside other communities associated with prophets. This means that as ethnic groups all are equal in the sight of God, no community is inherently superior to any other. Only true belief and righteous actions can earn a person salvation. This is a rule that applies consistently to every community. No one, whether he calls himself Muslim, Jew, Christian or Sabean, is exempt from this rule. There is no special status with God on the basis of belonging to a particular community. The only ones whom God elevates to a high rank are those who have sought to mould their own lives according to the scheme of God. The lives of those who associate with a prophet during his lifetime are always based on true belief and righteous actions. At that time certain people hear the Prophet’s call. Their spirits are moved by message. An intellectual revolution takes place within them, filling them with new resolve. Their whole pattern of life changes. Whereas previously they had been guided by personal desires, they now base their lives on the teachings of God. These are the ones who can truly call themselves followers of the prophets, and these are the ones to whom the prophets give good tidings of eternal blessings in the next world. The situation changes, however, as time goes on. For the generations that follow, religion becomes a kind of national heritage. Tidings which had been given on the basis of faith and righteous actions come to be considered the result of ethnic affiliations. People