June 2001: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Why do they not study the Quran carefully?

Part II

3. No One Can Carry Another Person’s Sin (35:18)

I want you not me to bear my sin and your sin, then you end up with the dwellers of hell, such is the requital for the transgressors. (5:29)

They will be held responsible for their sins on the day of resurrection all of them, in addition to sins of all those whom they misled by their ignorance. What a miserable load. (16:25)

Those who disbelieved said to those who believed, “If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins.” Not true; they cannot bear any of their sins. They are liars. In fact they will carry their own sins in addition to loads of other people’s sins for which they were responsible … (29:12-13)

No soul can carry the sins of another soul. If a soul that is loaded with sins, implores another to bear part of its load, no other soul can carry any part of it, even if they were related … (35:18)

No sinner will bear the sins of anyone else... (17:15).

A casual reader of the Quran may conclude from these verses that there seems to be some discrepancies in the way the verses relate. But there are no contradictions whatsoever. The point made in the verses is this: We are absolutely responsible for only our own sins, which are incurred by our direct acts. Others cannot transfer their sins to us, in order to have theirs erased or even reduced. Nor can we inherit sins from our relatives or the ancestors. It is explained beautifully in 35:18 that even if we

were related, we cannot carry part of their sins. But we may incur the sins of people if we cause them to be misled.

4. God Alone vs. God and His messenger (4:59)

O you who believe, you shall obey God and you shall obey the messenger, and those in charge among you. If you dispute in any matter, you shall refer it to God and the messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. This is better for you and provides you with the best solution. (4:59).

Anyone who disobeys God and His messenger will abide in the fire of hell forever. (72:23)

Did they not know that any one who opposes God and His messenger has incurred the fire of hell forever! This is the worst humiliation. (9:63)

Never would a human being whom God blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside God.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone according to the scripture you preach and the teaching you learn. (3:79)

Nor would he command you to idolize the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he exhort you to disbelieve after becoming submitters? (3:80)

Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of strict monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by God. Such creation of God will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know. (30:30)

You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever fall into idol worship. (30:31)

A careful and objective student of the Quran would have no problem in reconciling the verses cited above. There are numerous other verses like these in the Quran, where God told us to obey Him and obey the messenger. In fact when it comes to the act of worship and devotion, God told us it should be exclusively to Him Alone. He specifically issued the following order through prophet Muhammad in the Quran:

The places of worship belong to God; do not call on anyone else beside God. (72:18)

Obeying the messenger, therefore means upholding the message or carrying out the orders the messenger was sent with, the messenger being an instrument God used for His message. But does God need a partner such as Muhammad, Jesus, Mary or some saints, in order to be commemorated and worshipped? Never!

Say, “In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?” (23:88)

If you disbelieve, God does not need anyone. But He dislikes to see His servants make the wrong decision. If you decide to be appreciative, He is pleased for you. No soul bears the sins of any other soul… (39:7)

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