A Call For Unity

Chapter 8

All of the truths revealed thus far show that the People of the Book and Muslims have very similar beliefs and worldviews. Followers of all three divinely revealed religions believe in God's unity, that He created the universe and all living beings from nothing, and that people should order their lives according to divine revelation. The moral code and ideals of social life contained in the parts of the Bible and the Torah are very much like those of the Qur'an.

Sure, there are some fundamental differences in terms of faith that have become the subject of disputes and even wars between the three divinely revealed religions. But at a time when anti-religion and atheist ideologies dominate the world, it is necessary to accentuate the similarities among the three religions.

Putting our differences aside is not something impossible. Consider what happens when we learn of rescue efforts launched to help the survivors of earthquakes or large-scale floods. Something in common draws our attention to such images, and soon people of different countries, nations, and religions mobilize themselves and their resources to cooperate with one another in order to save the affected people. Even countries that hate each other drop their mutual hatred at such times of hardship and rush to the help of the affected country without a second thought. This is what humanity should do anyhow. It is an act of grave indecency to bring up past problems, conflicts, disputes, arguments, and prejudices when people are desperately waiting to be rescued from the rubble of their homes or from the threat of drowning.

Let us visualize the situation of the world's nations: The global activities of atheist and materialist ideologies, social degeneration, decadence, poverty, famine, increasing evil, disintegrating families, spiritually starved people, crime, murder, fights, conflicts, wars, and troubles… No doubt, these and other evil acts are dragging the world at alarming speed toward spiritual as well as physical destruction. Atheistic materialism and other destructive ideologies are threatening people's lives here and in the Hereafter. All of this shows that the billions of people are, in reality, no different from the victims of natural disasters awaiting rescue.

It is the duty of all faithful, sincere, conscientious, and rational Christians, Jews, and Muslims to cooperate against evil, join forces in the ideological battlefield, and work together in unity and harmony. This unity must be based on the principles of love, respect, acceptance, and cooperation. The urgency of the situation must be remembered, and disputes, arguments, and all other human-made (and therefore artificial) barriers between people must be abandoned.

When we look at the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Qur'an, we see that they all recommend using friendly words and conducting oneself properly and with dignity. The Christians' attitude toward others is described, as follows, in the Bible:

… always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15) … to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus, 3:2) The Torah states that Jews must treat people well:

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts... (Amos, 5:14-15) In the Qur'an, God states the importance of virtue, righteousness, and responding to evil with goodness and commands Muslims to approach Christians and Jews in the appropriate manner.

The Qur'an clearly states that the People of the Book are closer to Muslims than idolaters or atheists. Even though some Jewish and Christian beliefs and practices no longer accord with the original divine revelations, their revealed books still contain moral values based on divine revelation and a code of good and evil, which is why their food is halal (lawful) for Muslims. Likewise, Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish and Christian women, for:

Today all good things have been made halal [lawful] for you. The food of those given the Book is also halal for you, and your food is halal for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who rejects faith, his actions will come to nothing, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. (Qur'an, 5:5)

These rules show that Muslims and the People of the Book can establish good relations among themselves through marriage and the sharing of food, both of which enable the formation of warm human relationships and tranquil togetherness. It is inconceivable that Muslims could have different views when the Qur'an advises moderation and acceptance. Therefore, Muslims must approach Christians and Jews with respect and politeness and inform them of the Qur'an's call to unite under a common word. The secret of such an alliance is found in this call:

Say: "O People of the Book, come to a proposition that is the same for us and you - that we should worship none but God, not associate any partners with Him, and not take one another as lords besides God." (Qur'an, 3:64)

Come, Let Us Unite in Proclaiming God's Existence and the Reality of Creation

The universe is full of evidence that disproves the unbelievers' misguided and erroneous philosophies. All people who listen to the voice of their conscience and study the universe and nature in a sincere and unbiased manner will find the evidence of creation wherever they look. Everything, whether alive or lifeless, contains messages that teach us God's superior art of creation. Thus, we are surrounded by the signs of His existence and unity.

In order to destroy the unbelievers' claim that everything evolved accidentally, it is necessary to examine and inform others of the evidence for creation in the light of modern science. Conscientious people, who come to see the spectacular structures and perfect design of living beings, will realize that these could not have been the result of coincidental developments, but that they are the creation of God. In this way, the coincidence lie will be destroyed. The evidence for creation covers God's existence and oneness, as well as His supreme might, wisdom, and art. They will lead people to notice God's existence and to turn to Him.

One of the most effective ways to remove the people's unawareness of this truth is to display the many proofs of creation and its perfection in great detail. This will cause people to think about those things that they have always taken for granted. For example, each person's body is a great proof of creation. Our eyes are more complex and superior to the most advanced cameras in the world. All of our bodily functions work in harmony and in equilibrium with each other, and chemical processes that could otherwise be reproduced only in huge chemical plants are carried out perfectly well in our relatively small internal organs. God created countless foodstuffs for us, all of which grow in the same soil and yet have different delicious tastes, smells, appearances, vitamins, and the minerals we need to stay alive and healthy. All of the fruits, vegetables, and other sources of food present evidence for God's creation. At this time and age, most people consume God's gifts without ever pondering this reality and so never think to thank Him for them. In order to end such unawareness, sincerely religious believers must join forces.

Many verses of the Qur'an invite people to ponder such facts and to witness and understand these proofs for God's existence and greatness. Among them is the following passage:

Do you not see how He created seven heavens in layers, and placed the Moon as a light in them and made the Sun a blazing lamp? God caused you to grow from the soil and will return you to it and bring you out again. God has spread Earth out as a carpet for you so that you could use its wide valleys as roadways. (Qur'an, 71:15-20)

The subjects mentioned in these verses are so detailed that scholars could - and have - written volumes about them. For instance, the seven strata of the heavens and their effects on and benefits to the world's ecological systems and life on Earth; the Moon and the Sun's influence on the seasons, the climate, day and night, and over the life of people - when people think about such things, their worldview is broadened and their faith is strengthened. The slightest changes to these systems are similarly awe-inspiring, especially when the dangers of such changes are considered. The whole universe is full of such details, and yet most people hardly ever ponder these wonders in their daily lives. Telling people about these proofs of creation and their ramifications on their own lives will lead them to contemplate and thus recognize God's power and might.

Naturally, people who admit God's existence will find their lives, morality, and general behavior greatly affected, for they will do their best to obey His commands and live by His morality. This, in turn, will increase the number of people who are gentle, modest, accepting, understanding, patient, loyal, selfless, compassionate, brave, open-minded, honest, and just, and the world will become a beautiful place due to the expansion of His morality.

Therefore, come and let us investigate the reality of creation; let us research them and announce them to all people; let us invite them to love God, be thankful to Him, live by the morality He prescribes, and worship Him in order to earn His good pleasure.

Come, Let Us Unite against Darwinism

As we stated earlier, atheist, materialist, and other anti-religion power centers are waging an unprecedented war against religious morality. They have been working systematically across the world to divert people from God's path, have them deny God's existence and unity, and annihilate religious morality.

Amazingly, they claim to be following a scientific system that has all the answers: Darwinism. However, this system only leads people into atheism by encouraging them to reject His existence and creation. They portray the world as an arena in which only the fittest survive and seek to distance people from religious morality, and thereby turn them into selfish and merciless animals. The famous atheist evolutionist, Prof. Richard Dawkins, sums up the theory of evolution's mission as follows: "Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist."38

In reality, the theory of evolution does not make this possible for them, because the theory is in clear conflict with recent scientific discoveries. Many sciences (e.g., paleontology, biochemistry, genetics, comparative anatomy, and biophysics) prove that the creation of life cannot be explained through natural processes and natural selection, as evolutionists claim. In short, evolution is defended not by science, but in spite of science.

However, the leading positions of power in the scientific world and in the media are filled by people who continue to assert that the theory of evolution is absolute truth. Seeking to keep this theory alive at all costs, they have no qualms about concealing or twisting those scientific discoveries that refute it, or belittling or disparaging those discoveries that expose its falsity or those scientists who criticize it. This inquisition causes many scientists and researchers to conceal their true views so that they will not be excommunicated by having their funds cut off or their reputations destroyed.

All people who believe in God must join forces to resist and, ultimately, overthrow the Darwinist dictatorship ruling the world of science and thought. Therefore, come let us unite; let us use the scientific and technological means of the twenty-first century to tell the world that Darwinism is nothing but a sham, and that the true source of life is creation.

Come, Let Us Unite for Peace

God commands believers to make peace with each other and to defend it against those who conspire to make war without justification (i.e., not for self-defense or protecting the innocent), and curses those who create disorder and kill innocent people. Believers who abide by God's prescribed morality have a duty to work for peace and security and to provide a world in which all people can live in peace and tranquility. Wars fought to acquire more land, prove the supremacy of one's nation or race over another, and dominate other nations leave nothing behind but dead innocent people, cripples, orphans, mentally disturbed individuals, destroyed cities, devastated civilizations, destitution, fear, and hunger. These losses, which affect all parties involved in warfare, take many long years - even generations - to replace.

The lack of religious morality is the source of all wars, skirmishes, and bloodshed. Sometimes, people claiming to act in the name of religion can manipulate other people who are not sufficiently well-informed about religion to commit crimes that are completely incompatible with religious morality. Those who believe that disagreements and problems should be resolved through violence tyrannize people with their despotism and oppression. Believers must join forces against them and oppose their efforts to legitimize their tyranny.

Therefore, let us unite; let us eradicate all causes of conflict and fighting by telling people about the true morality of religion. Let us prove to people that there is absolutely no cause for conflict between different religions by our united efforts and actions. Let us tell people about the love of God in order to spread love, acceptance, and compassion.

Conclusion

The true friend, helper, guardian, and protector of believers is God. He knows everything and has power over everything. In addition, He eases the believers' burdens and makes them strong and superior. This is why believers never succumb to hopelessness, despair, sorrow, carelessness, or surrender. God promises in the following verse that He will help those who follow His path:

Those who were expelled from their homes without any right, merely for saying: "Our Lord is God." If God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him - God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Qur'an, 22:40)

The Qur'an also conveys the following good news: Irrespective of the indestructible appearance of the unbelievers' rule and conspiracies, their efforts will come to naught and they will not achieve the results they desire. Every conspiracy and scheme to disseminate evil and immorality will eventually fail, and the schemes of those who organize evil and immorality will turn against them, for the Qur'an states:

They concocted their plots, but their plots were with God, even if they were such as to make the mountains vanish. Do not imagine that God will break His promise to His Messengers. God is Almighty, Exactor of punishment. (Qur'an, 14:46-47)

It only increased their aversion, shown by their arrogance in the land and evil plotting. But evil plotting envelops only those who do it. Do they expect anything but the pattern of previous peoples? You will not find any changing in the pattern of God. You will not find any alteration in the pattern of God. (Qur'an, 35:42-43)

The duty of all believers is clear, whether they are Muslims, Jews, or Christians: to unite and join forces in order to establish societies dominated by peace, tranquility, prosperity, morality, goodness, happiness, and security. If we coordinate our efforts for such a pure undertaking, God will give us success. Every believing Christian, Muslim, and Jew is responsible to do whatever he or she can in this respect. Given that they believe in the One and Only God, try to win His good pleasure, have submitted to Him wholeheartedly, praise Him, and advocate essentially the same values, it is only natural for them to join together to fight their common foe.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims must permanently end all of their historical disputes, prejudices, misunderstandings, and conflicts caused by bigotry and intolerance. They must not forget that we have not even one day to waste. Followers of all three divinely revealed religions must accept each other, for what matters most is to point out their common ground and make things easier for everyone, to be constructive and complimentary, and to unite.

The prejudices caused by ignorance or by the agitation of those who oppose the morality of religion must be eradicated. All of the walls that have been erected over the years among and against the followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism only help the unbelievers undermine and lead people further away from religious morality. In this book, we have called upon the People of the Book: Let us join forces in the ideological fight against all ideologies that promote immorality and irreligion, especially Darwinism. Let us pool our technological resources and knowledge, our experience and efforts. Let us announce the errors of the followers of Darwinism, evolutionism, and materialism in the light of current scientific research. Let us move together to tell all people that Almighty God created the universe and all things therein, whether alive or lifeless, along with all of the supporting evidence and its miracles.

No doubt, those who call to goodness, recommend doing good and avoiding evil, and work together in this holy cause can expect salvation and eternal happiness. The unbelievers will be at a loss, whereas the believers will receive an eternal reward: By the Late Afternoon, truly man is in loss - except for those who believe and do right actions and urge each other to the truth and urge each other to steadfastness. (Qur'an, 103:1-3)