A letter from Mr. Ahmad Gazali of Jeddah takes up the issue of conveying the message of Islam to all mankind, as it is meant for them all. Yet many people living today will go through life with little or no knowledge of Islam, if any. He wonders how are these to be judged by God on the Day of Judgment. There is no doubt that the message of Islam is addressed by God to all mankind. Everyone is called upon to believe in it, declaring that there is no deity except God, and that Muhammad is God’s messenger.

This, however, places a duty on Muslims to make the message of Islam known to people and to call on them to believe in it. This was the duty of the Prophet while he was alive. He certainly delivered his message complete, intact. After he passed away, the task was undertaken by his companions and his followers. It will continue to be undertaken by his followers in succeeding generations.

Having said that, the fact remains that the message of Islam does not reach many people, or if it reaches them, it is presented in a distorted image. How are such people to believe in Islam? Obviously, they are not expected to do so, because people believe in a message if they are convinced of its truth. If they are not, how are they to be blamed for not accepting it? Hence, it is the duty of the Muslim community to make the message of Islam known to people.

Scholars are in agreement that people who do not receive the message of Islam, or obtain only a distorted image of it, are not held responsible for that failure. Thus, they are not to account for something that was not of their own making. Scholars agree that the responsibility for this lies at the doorstep of the Muslims themselves. Conveying God’s message is a duty incumbent on every Muslim as an individual and as a member of a community. However, the responsibility is more communal than individual.

As for the people who do not receive the message of Islam in its true image, they are treated like those who lived before the advent of Islam. God states in the Qur’an that He would not punish anyone for not believing in Him until they have been sent a message. That means that they should actually receive the message in order to be accountable under its provisions. Many people living today do not receive the message of Islam as it should be presented. Such people God will deal with them on the Day of Judgment on the basis of His justice and mercy. He is the most just of judges and the most merciful.

Invented practices

Q. People in my country kiss their own thumbs on hearing the Prophet’s name in the adhan, and say a certain prayer. Is this practice correct?

M.T. Aroffeen, Sri Lanka

A. No, this practice is not recommended. I know it is done by some people in the countries of the Indian Subcontinent. But it has no support by a Hadith or any teaching by the Prophet. As for Tableeg movement, we recently carried an article about the founder of the movement. I hope you have seen it. It answers all your queries.

Arab News Islam 29 November 2002