The next Qur’anic reference to the Garden is found at 11:23:
But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord,- They will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye! (Yusuf Ali).
This verse belongs to a cohesive context extending from 11:9 to 11:24. The verses preceding 11:23 emphasise that what Muhammad has communicated in the Qur’an are the words of Allah. For example, 11:13 reads:
Or they may say, “He forged it,” Say, “Bring ye then ten suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth!
This verse reflects a common accusation that Muhammad himself manufactured the Qur’an. The argument against this is that nobody, with whatever aid they might muster, can produce words like those found in the Qur’an. The argument is that the very contents of the Qur’an speak for themselves. The only way of explaining such words is to conclude Allah himself wrote them. This might be a satisfactory answer to Muslims, but it is an empty argument for those who would make such an accusation. Besides, it is not in fact difficult to respond with words that are far grander and, arguably, even far richer in poetic quality (an attribute often hailed by Muslims). Just read 1 Corinthians 13, for example, or Psalm 23.
Immediately after 11:13 it is dogmatically insinuated that since it is impossible to match the quality of the Qur’an that all people must accept the absolute monotheism of Islam and the reality that Allah will judge them. For all who refuse to accept Qur’anic revelation and become Muslims there is the certain prospect of Hell-Fire. 11:17 explicitly states that Hell-Fire will be the eternal dwelling place of all “the Sects” (Yusuf Ali) or “parties” (Shakir) or “various groups” (Rashad) or “clans” (Pickthal). Khan, translating “sects”, adds in parentheses “Jews, Christians and all other non-Muslim nations.” In context, the term is evidently intended to embrace all who reject Qur’anic revelation.
Assuming 11:18 follows on from 11:17, it teaches that to reject Qur’anic revelation is to invent a lie against Allah. Terrible (double) judgment awaits all who “hinder others from the Path”, that is, who discourage others from becoming Muslims or who encourage Muslims to cease to adhere to the Islamic way of life.
It is in this context that 11:23 is uttered. So the believing that leads to admission to Paradise is that of full acceptance of Qur’anic revelation and especially of the absolute Oneness of Allah. Similarly, working righteousness is not some abstract concept of morality but refers to the particular way of life mandated by Qur’anic revelation. Indeed, “humble themselves before [Allah]” is definitional of what it means to be Muslims, that is, those who submit to Allah.
11:24 concludes this particular context by saying, in effect, that Muslims are those who see and hear and all non-Muslims are blind and deaf.
In previous blogs we have contrasted the Qur’anic works-based faith-righteousness as the basis for admission to Paradise with the grace-based faith-righteousness of the Bible.
Posted August 31, 2009
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