Direction Spring 1994 Vol. 23 No. 1 pp.

316

Islam and Salvation: Some On-Site Observations

Gordon Nickel * * Gordon Nickel teaches at the h!rch o" #akistan Se$inar% in &arachi' #akistan' !nder the sponsorship o" (ennonite )rethren (issions and Ser*ices. +n teaching ,- hristian #erspecti*e on +sla$. to pastors/in/training at the h!rch o" #akistan se$inar% in &arachi' + ha*e tried to $ake the co!rse $ore e""ecti*e 0% sending o!t $% st!dents to do a 0it o" practical ho$e1ork 0et1een lect!res. + ask the$ to go "ind an ,ordinar% (!sli$. and inter*ie1 hi$ 2al1a%s $ale3 on the the$e o" the ne4t lect!re. 5hen the ne4t the$e is ,Sal*ation "ro$ Sin'. it6s interesting to hear 1hat $% st!dents 0ring 0ack to class. &arachi (!sli$s ans1er the 7!estion on sal*ation in one o" t1o 1a%s. 8ne 1a% is to start o!t 0% sa%ing that +sla$ is the tr!e religion' the 0est religion' or the "inal religion 1hich contains e*er%thing 1hich -llah has e*er re*ealed to the 1orld. 9he $essage is that +sla$ has 1hate*er %o! $a% 1ant in the line o" religion. 9he second 1a% is to sa% that sal*ation is not a topic 1ith 1hich +sla$ reall% concerns itsel". -ll 1ho con"ess the kali$ah 1ill e*ent!all% 0e sa*ed. +nter"aith con*ersation has led to +sla$/prod!ced apologetics. +n researching this article' + "o!nd that the t1o 1a%s ,ordinar% (!sli$s. talk a0o!t +sla$ and sal*ation are "airl% si$ilar to the approaches o" +sla$6s scholars. Scholars tell !s 1hat sal*ation $eans to the$' 1h% it is i$portant' and the 1a% to achie*e it. 9hese e4pressions in t!rn help !s to kno1 1hat iss!es are at stake 1hen (!sli$s and hristians co$e together in social contact and $eaning"!l con*ersation. {4} 9he 0est articles on the (!sli$ concept o" sal*ation ha*e pro0a0l% alread% 0een 1ritten. )ack in 1914 5. :. 5. Gardner p!0lished The Quranic Doctrine of Salvation. 1 ;d1ard Sell pro*ided a concise article in 192<. 2 9hen :oland (iller 1rote ,9he (!sli$ Doctrine o" Sal*ation'. 3 incorporating $aterial "ro$ Gardner6s 0ook and also "ro$ other help"!l so!rces s!ch as =. >. 5eit0recht Stanton6s The Teaching of the Quran 4 and ?. 5. S1eet$an6s Islam and Christian Theology. @ (iller6s s!$$ar% contains a great deal o" help"!l $aterial on the $eaning o" sal*ation and the ,$eans o" sal*ation. in +sla$. 9he "ollo1ing o0ser*ations are not as thoro!gh as (iller6s' and are colo!red 0% conte4t and e4perience. (% hope is that the% $a% pro*e !se"!l in hristian thinking a0o!t gospel 1itness to (!sli$s.

SALVATION IN THE QURAN

- good place to start a st!d% o" the concept o" sal*ation in +sla$ is 1ith the !se o" the *er0 naja 2,to sa*e.3 and no!n najat 2,sal*ation.3 in the A!r6an. (an% scholars ha*e noted that the 1ord najat onl% appears once in the A!r6an 2at 4<B413. 6 So$e

ha*e taken this as an indication o" the i$portance o" the concept o" sal*ation in the A!r6an. )!t the !se o" the *er0 naja is $ore e4tensi*e and needs to 0e noted. 9he *er0 naja occ!rs 62 ti$es in *ario!s "or$s in the A!r6an 1ith the $eaning o" to sa*e or to escape. (ost o" these occ!rrences re"er to e*ents in the "irst part o" the #entate!chB 11 ti$es to the deli*erance o" (oses and the "ro$ #haroah CD eight ti$es to Noah6s escaping the "lood 2EGreat hildren o" +srael ala$it%63 FD eight

ti$es to Got6s deli*erance ,"ro$ the to1n 1hich practised a0o$ination. 9D eight ti$es to *ario!s #entate!ch characters 1< and "i*e ti$es to apostles in general and those 1ho 0elie*ed 1ith the$. 11 8" the re$aining occ!rrences' se*en re"erences are to deli*erance "ro$ dangers o" sea and land' 12 and one "ro$ the 1a%s o" e*il people 2CBF93. Hinall%' naja is !sed "o!r ti$es 1ith re"erence to the "!t!reIall o" the$ to the Da% o" ?!dg$ent 219BC2D 39B61D 61B1</14D C<B143. -nd the one occ!rrence o" the *er0 najat 24<B413 also re"ers to the Da% o" ?!dg$ent. +t is these last "i*e occ!rrences 1hich ha*e $ost to do 1ith the A!r6anic conce t o" sal*ation. )eca!se' in spite o" the preponderance o" its !se in the A!r6an in association 1ith 8ld 9esta$ent Esal*ation histor%6 e*ents' ,the idea 1hich the ter$ naja con*e%s to the (!sli$ $ind is escape "ro$ "!t!re p!nish$ent in hell.. 13 9h!s' ,-llah 1ill deli*er 2yunajji3 the righteo!s to their place o" sal*ation 2mafa!Isee 0elo13D no e*il shall to!ch the$' nor shall the% grie*e. 239B623D and ,Shall + lead %o! {"} to a 0argain that 1ill sa*e %o! 2tunjee#um3 "ro$ a grie*o!s penalt% 2adhaa$ aleem3J. 261B1<3 9he A!r6an "ills o!t that conce t o" sal*ation not 1ith the language o" sal*ation' 0!t rather 1ith the lang!age o" achie*e$ent and s!ccessB fa! 2,to get possession o"' gain' recei*e sal*ation' o0tain one6s desiresD to s!cceed.3 and falah 2,to prosper' 0e happ%' attain one6s desires.3 14 9he no!n falah is an i$portant part o" the "i*e/ti$es/dail% call to (!sli$ pra%er 2, o$e %e !nto the GoodK.3. 9he no!n

"a!L is part o" $an% o" the $ost $agni"icent appeals o" the A!r6an' "or e4a$pleB 9hose 1ho o0e% -llah and =is -postle 1ill 0e ad$itted to Gardens 1ith ri*ers "lo1ing 0eneath' to a0ide therein' and that 1ill 0e the S!pre$e achie*e$ent 2 al fau! ul a!eem3. )!t those 1ho diso0e% -llah and =is -postle and transgress his li$its 1ill 0e ad$itted to a Hire' to a0ide thereinB and the% shall ha*e a h!$iliating p!nish$ent 2adhaa$ muheen3 24B13'143 1@ -nother i$portant 1ord in the A!r6anic concept is the ,g!idance. 2 huda3 1hich -llah pro*ides' as 1hen he pro$ises to -da$' ,+"' as is s!re' there co$es to %o! g!idance "ro$ (e' 1hosoe*er "ollo1s (% g!idance' on the$ shall 0e no "ear' nor shall the% grie*e. 22B3F3. 16 8ne co!ld also st!d% 1ords like "orgi*eness' repentance' s!0$ission' 1orship' "aith or religion "or their relationship to the A!r6anic concept. -ll this a$o!nts to a s!0stantial 0od% o" $aterial related to sal*ation. =o1e*er' other than the !se o" naja detailed a0o*e' there is not a strong sense in the A!r6an o" -llah actively saving people "ro$ so$ething. -nd the reader does not get the i$pression that -llahIor an%one elseIis the Sa*io!r. +ndeed' the ter$ ,sa*io!r. is not "o!nd in the A!r6an.

FAITH AN

!OR"S

+n spite o" the lack o" a strong concept o" acti*e sa*ing in the A!r6an' it 1o!ld 0e "air to sa% that $ost (!sli$s think o" +sla$ as the 1a% to sal*ation and the onl% 1a%. 9he% also li*e 1ith a concept o" a sa*io!r or sa*io!rs. +n this and the "ollo1ing t1o sections + 1o!ld like to to!ch on a "e1 o" the rele*ant "acts in this sit!ation. +n e4plaining +sla$ as the 1a% o" sal*ation' (!sli$s speak o" 0oth "aith and 1orks. 9he A!r6an itsel" !ses these ter$sB ,9hose 1ho 0elie*e 2 manooa3 and 1ork 2%amilooa3 righteo!sness. . . . the% 1ill 0e o$panions o" the Garden. 2CB42D c". 1FB3<'313. )!t in de*eloping the concept "!rther' scholars ha*e $ade !se pri$aril% o" the ,traditions. 2ahaadeeth3Ithe 1ords 1hich (!ha$$ad is reported to ha*e said d!ring his career in (ecca and (edina' -ra0ia in the earl% se*enth cent!r% -.D. 1C 5ensinck traces the de*elop$ent o" the E1orks6 concept "ro$ traditions 1hich ha*e (!ha$$ad 0asing sal*ation on per"or$ing the $andator% {&} pra%er 2salat3 and pa%ing the ta4 2!a#at3' thro!gh traditions 1hich speci"% "i*e salats dail% and add the "ast o" :a$adan. )!t he also "inds traditions 1hich p!t the e$phasis on "aith. 1F 9he 1a% o" sal*ation 0ased on "aith and 1orks is set o!t 0% (!sli$s in "a$iliar lists o" +sla$ic doctrines and d!ties. 9his is 0asicall% ho1 $ost local (!sli$s

spoke in inter*ie1s. 9his is also the M!st o" $ost o" the 0ooks 1hich 1e "o!nd 1hen 1e asked "or 0ooks on sal*ation in +sla$ic 0ookshops and p!0lishing ho!ses. 19 -t the center o" (!sli$ "aith is the con"ession or #alimah that there is no God e4cept -llah' and that (!ha$$ad is -llah6s -postle. +t 1o!ld 0e di""ic!lt to o*eresti$ate the i$portance o" this re7!ire$ent. +n +sla$ there is no conception o" sal*ation 1itho!t the acceptance o" the second part o" the con"ession. (an% (!sli$s hold that no $atter ho1 poor the per"or$ance $a% 0e in the area o" ,deeds'. all 1ho con"ess the #alimah 1ill 0e sa*ed e*ent!all%Itho!gh the% $a% ha*e to s!""er the pains o" p!rgatorial "ire !ntil their sins are ,atoned "or.. 2< +n speaking o" 1orks' (!sli$s $ost co$$onl% cite the "a$iliar "i*e Epillars6B sa%ing the #alimahD salatD !a#atD "astingD and per"or$ing pilgri$age 2haj3. 9hese in t!rn "or$ part o" a larger' *irt!all% co$prehensi*e s%ste$ o" +sla$ic la1. -0!l -6la (a!d!di' 1ho is at the heart o" the ?a$aat/e/+sla$i $o*e$ent' 1rites in one o" the 1orld6s $ost pop!lar +sla$ic 0ooksB ,(an $!st ha*e "!ll con"idence and con*iction that it is the Divine 'a( and that his salvation lies in follo(ing this code alone.. 21 -nother pop!lar Ela% $o*e$ent'6 9a0leeghi ?a$aat' is "!eled 0% the 1ritings o" (!ha$$ad Nakari%%a &andhal*i' 1hich e4tol the ,*irt!es o" 1orks.. 9%picall%' his treatise on the *irt!es o" salat cites traditions in 1hich (!ha$$ad pro$ises "orgi*eness o" sins' e4piation' and ,protection against -llah6s 1rath. "or per"or$ing the pra%er. 22 -nother co$$on Egood 1ork6 o" (!sli$s is ,calling do1n 0lessing. !pon (!ha$$ad. 9his practice is co$$anded onl% once in the A!r6an' at 33B@6B ,-llah and =is -ngels send 0lessing on the #rophetB 8 %e that 0elie*eK Send %e 0lessing on hi$' and sal!te hi$ 1ith all respect.. )!t at so$e point it 0eca$e an o0ligator% part o" the salat' and 1as rein"orced 0% traditions 1hich pro$ised great re1ards "or its per"or$ance. 23 9h!s toda%' the $ost co$$on sign on the streets o" &arachi is an -ra0ic pra%er addressed to (!ha$$adB ,#eace and 0lessings 0e !pon %o!' 8 -postle o" -llah.. onstance #ad1ick calls this tasliya the co$$onest o" phrases on (!sli$ lipsD the co$$onest o" phrases in (!sli$ 0ooks' 1here so$e "or$ o" it "ollo1s e*er% $ention o" the #rophet o" +sla$ . . . D the co$$onest o" phrases in (!sli$ de*otion' 1hether it 0e as the sole and s!""icing s!0Mect o" 1hole 0ooks' or 1hether it 0e as the s!dden concl!sion applied to pra%ers and praises o" the $ost *ario!s character. {)} 24

ALLAHS !ILL AN

#UHA##A S INTER$ESSION

9he disc!ssion 1ithin +sla$ o" the 1a% in 1hich "aith and 1orks 1ill 0e e*al!ated on the ?!dg$ent Da% has de*eloped into an ela0orate eschatolog% o" re1ards and p!nish$ents. 2@ (!sli$s t%picall% speak o" the ?!dg$ent Da% in the lang!age o" $erit 2tha(aa$3 and reckoning 2hisaa$3. 9here is the strong anticipation o" an e4act acco!nting in 1hich good deeds 1ill 0e 1eighed o"" against 0ad deeds on a scale. 8ne (!sli$ scholar' a"ter co$pleting a thesis on the character o" -llah in the A!r6an' 1rote' ,9he God o" the A!r6an is consistentl% the *igilant Gord o" strict M!stice 1ho 1ill not o*erlook the 1eight e*en o" an ato$ 1hen reckoning h!$an deeds "or re1ard and p!nish$ent on the ?!dg$ent Da%.. 26 8n the 0asis o" the A!r6anic $aterials' 2C the larger concept o" the ?!dg$ent Da% has 0een "illed o!t 1ith tho!sands o" traditions 1hich tell o" the relati*e $erit o" religio!s d!ties. 8ther scholars' ho1e*er' den% that +sla$ is a strict religion o" la1' 2F arg!ing that in +sla$ sal*ation and e*er%thing else is concei*ed o" as "inall% according to the 1ill o" -llah. 29 -llah6s 1ill is s!pre$e' and there can 0e no certaint% a0o!t the

1a% things 1ill t!rn o!tIno $atter ho1 good the "aith and 1orks o" the indi*id!al. ;nco!raged 0% this perhaps' $an% entertain the hopeIs!pported again 0% traditions 3<Ithat God 1ill 0% his o1n $erc% decide against a strict reckoning and 1ill rather "orgi*e sins. 9he other di$ension o" the disc!ssion 1hich goes 0e%ond a strict reckoning is the 1idespread hope in the intercession o" (!ha$$ad. pop!lar tradition teaches that on the Da% o" ?!dg$ent' the people 1ill stand on the plain and ask ,1ho 1ill intercede 1ith !s 0e"ore the GordJ. 9he% go in t!rn to -da$' (oses and -0raha$' 1ho all sa% that the% the$sel*es ha*e sinned' stand in need o" sal*ation and th!s cannot intercede "or others. 9he% go to %Isa 2?es!s3' 0!t he sa%s he is a"raid o" -llah6s 1rath 0eca!se people ha*e called hi$ -llah6s son. Hinall% the people reach (!hha$$ad. (!ha$$ad is allo1ed to intercede "or his people' and -llah grants his re7!est. 31 9he A!r6an itsel" see$s to prohi0it this kind o" thinking in se*eral passages' 32 0!t other *erses lea*e the door open "or the intercession o" ,hi$ 1ho is appro*ed. 221B2F3. 33 (!sli$s are not agreed on this point' 0!t all pra% "i*e ti$es dail% that -llah grant to (!ha$$ad the rights o" intercession 2 shafaat3 and $ediation 2(aseelat3. 34 -nd $an% (!sli$s are con"ident that he has o0tained the position o" central in"l!ence on the ?!dg$ent Da%. 3@ (an%' in "act' call (!ha$$ad *unjin or (!naMMiIparticiples "ro$ the root naja ha*ing the sense o" sa*io!rhood. {+} 36

%O%ULAR SALVATION
-n aspect o" sal*ation 1hich is !s!all% neglected in the standard disc!ssions' 0!t is no1 rapidl% co$ing into pro$inence' is Oe*er%da% sal*ationO "ro$ "orces e4perienced as 0e%ond the control o" the ordinar% (!sli$. 9hese "orces incl!de illness' c!rses' acti*it% 0% e*il spirits or OMinn'O andIinterestingl%I"ate itsel". 9his 1hole "ield o" concern has 0een set o!t in a responsi0le and *er% accessi0le 1a% 0% )ill (!sk in The ,nseen -ace of Islam. 3C ,>nseen. it $a% 0e to so$e e%es' 0!t as (!sk points o!t' and as e4perience con"ir$s' it is *irt!all% !0i7!ito!s in the (!sli$ 1orld. (!sli$s seek sal*ation "ro$ *ario!s "orces 0% going to people 1ithin (!sli$ societ% 1ho are skilled in practicing occ!lt arts. 9he practitioners !se *ario!s techni7!es' incl!ding a$!lets' spells' $agic s7!ares' pal$istr% and e4orcis$ to 0ring a0o!t "elt/need/le*el sal*ation. +" "act' it is the >rd! 1ord nijaat 1hich a local Espirit!al healer6 !ses on his sign0oard. 9he $ost po1er"!l o" these practitioners' 1ielding enor$o!s in"l!ence in 1ide areas o" the (!sli$ 1orld' are the .irs and Sayyids. +n o!r contacts' 1e ha*e to take this aspect 7!ite serio!sl%' 0eca!se $an% o" o!r "riends think o" sal*ation in ter$s o" these practitioners and 2a"ter their death3 their to$0s. 3F

IFFI$ULT

ENIALS

+n addition to all the positi*e conceptions descri0ed a0o*e' (!sli$ thinking on sal*ation is so$eti$es also e4pressed in ter$s o" 1hat it is not. 9he roots o" this are the A!r6an6s o1n g!idance on gen!ine and "alse religion' on tr!e and ill!sor% hopes. +n the past 1@< %ears the p!0lic preaching o" hristian $issionaries in (!sli$ settings has dra1n a response to gospel clai$s' especiall% in the +ndian s!0continent. 9he A!r6an' as $entioned a0o*e' see$s to "or0id an% idea o" an intercessor or $ediator 0et1een -llah and h!$ankind. 39 +t lea*es no roo$ "or atone$ent. +t clai$s that no so!l can 0ear the load o" another. 4< -nd' $ost cr!cial o" all' it sa%s that the ?e1s did not cr!ci"% +sa' 0!t rather it onl% appeared so to the$ and in realit% +sa 1as ,taken !p. ali*e 0% -llah 24B1@C/1@93. 9aken together' these

denials ha*e "ostered an +sla$ic consens!s against hrist6s death at the ross' 1hich &enneth ragg s!$$ariLes' ,+t did not' historicall%' it need not rede$pti*el%' and it sho!ld not $orall%' happen to ?es!s.. 41 S!ch denials appear 1ith increasing "re7!enc% in inter/"aith con*ersation. +n response to a (ennonite pro"essor6s care"!l presentation o" the $eaning o" sal*ation in the )i0le' an -"rican scholar said' ,+sla$ does not identi"% 1ith the hristian con*iction that $an needs to 0e redee$ed. 9he {/} hristian 0elie" in the rede$pti*e sacri"icial death o" hrist does not "it the +sla$ic *ie1 that $an has al1a%s 0een "!nda$entall% good' and that God lo*es and "orgi*es those 1ho o0e% =is 1ill.. 42 8n another occasion o" inter/"aith con*ersation' +s$a6il al/Har!7i statedB -ss!$ing all $en necessaril% to 0e ,"allen'. to stand in the predica$ent o" ,original sin'. o" ,alienation "ro$ God'. o" sel"/contradiction' sel"/centeredness' or o" ,"alling short o" the per"ection o" God'. hristian $ission seeks to ranso$ and sa*e. +sla$ holds $an to 0e not in need o" an% sal*ation. +nstead o" ass!$ing hi$ to 0e religio!sl% and ethicall% "allen' +sla$ic da%(ah acclai$s hi$ as the #haltfah o" -llah' per"ect in "or$' and endo1ed 1ith all that is necessar% to "!l"ill the di*ine 1ill indeed' e*en loaded 1ith the grace o" re*elationK ,Sal*ation. is hence not in the *oca0!lar% o" +sla$. -alah' or the positi*e achie*e$ent in space and ti$e o" the di*ine 1ill' is the +sla$ic co!nterpart o" hristian ,deli*erance. and ,rede$ption.. 43 -!strian con*ert (!ha$$ad -sad clai$s' ,-s there is no hereditar% sin' there is also no !ni*ersal rede$ption o" $ankind in the teaching o" +sla$. :ede$ption and da$nation are indi*id!al. ;*er% (!sli$ is his o1n redee$erD he 0ears all possi0ilities o" spirit!al s!ccess and "ail!re 1ithin his heart.. 44 9hese state$ents are representati*e o" (!sli$s 1ho ha*e 0een participating in inter/"aith con*ersation and 1ho ha*e 0een prod!cing so$e o" the $ost 1idel%/ read apologies "or +sla$ in the 5est. 4@ 9he% de$onstrate that e*en in the polite setting o" (!sli$/ hristian Odialog!e'O the 0i0lical teaching on sal*ation is a st!$0ling 0lock 1hich elicits denials 1ith an intrig!ing edge to the$.

SO#E REFLE$TIONS
Hro$ a$ong scores o" 7!estions 1hich ha*e co$e to $e in the co!rse o" this research' + 1o!ld like to present M!st a "e1. P 5hat does the sa*ing re7!ire$ent o" O"aith in (!ha$$adOIand all that this has co$e to signi"% "or (!sli$sI$ean "or concerns o" !lti$ate lo%alt%' 1orship and tr!thJ (an% scholars ha*e concl!ded that "aith is the essential $eans to sal*ation in +sla$. 46 - central article o" that "aith is the prophethood o" (!ha$$ad. 5hat does this *eneration $ean in ter$s o" the "irst co$$and$entJ 5hat is it in the light o" :o$ans 1<B19J Does it ha*e an% connection to (atthe1 CB1@J P 5hat does the !se o" the *er0 naja in the A!r6an $ean "or the career o" hrist' in partic!lar his s!""ering' o0edience and rede$pti*e deathJ 5e read there that -llah al1a%s sa*es his prophets "ro$ disaster' and that it is "itting that he sho!ld do so 21<B1<33. 9his concept has had its i$pact on {01} (!sli$ thinking a0o!t the 1a% God 1orks' and partic!larl% on the possi0ilit% o" hrist6s death. 9h!s HaLl!r :ah$an statesB +t is 0eca!se o" this 0asic line o" tho!ght concerning the "inal *ictor% o" good o*er e*il that the A!r6an re"ers constantl% to the *indication o" Noah' 1ho 1as sa*ed "ro$ the "loodD o" -0raha$' 1ho 1as sa*ed "ro$ "ireD o" (oses' 1ho 1as sa*ed "ro$ #haroah and his hordesD and o" ?es!s' 1ho 1as sa*ed "ro$ e4ec!tion at the hands o" the ?e1s 2hence the reMection 0% the A!r6an o" the cr!ci"i4ion

stor%3. (!ha$$ad $!st e7!all% 0e *indicatedB he 1ill not onl% 0e sa*ed 0!t his (essage 1ill 0e *ictorio!s. . . .. 4C +s this indeed ho1 God 1orksJ P 5hat does the !se o" the *er0 naja $ean "or non/resistance and !nconditional lo*eJ 9he conte4t o" the A!r6an6s $ost ela0orate pro$ise !sing this *er0 261B1<3 is the condition o" stri*ing 2 jihad3 ,in the a!se o" -llah' 1ith %o!r propert% and %o!r persons. 261B113. +t is "ollo1ed 0% the clai$ that ?es!s and his disciples did the sa$eK 9he% ,0eca$e the ones that pre*ailed. 1hen -llah ga*e ,po1er . . . against their ene$ies. 261B143. ertainl% the s!0Mect o" "ighting in the 1a% o" -llah 2the !na$0ig!o!s 2atal is !sed in $an% other passages3 4F and its connection in the (!sli$ $ind 1ith sal*ation or at least 1ith E*ictor%'6 is a s!0Mect 1hich #eace h!rch $issions to +sla$ 1ill 1ant to address. &enneth ragg and )ill (!sk ha*e $ade a start on 0ehal" o" the h!rch o" ;ngland. 49 =a*e -na0aptists %et $ade a contri0!tionJ P Does the 1a% in 1hich +sla$ concei*es o" sin and sal*ation sho1 that it has co$e to grips 1ith the h!$an sit!ation and the position o" h!$ankind 0e"ore GodJ =endrick &rae$er' the great D!tch pro"essor o" religion' "o!nd so$ething $issingB 9here is hardl% an% s!r$ise' either in the A!ran or in its standard theologies' a0o!t the stirring pro0le$s o" God and $an that are in*ol*ed in the ter$s sin and sal*ation. 9he 1hole dra$a o" sal*ation 0et1een God and the 1orld' so *i*id in )i0lical realis$' "ro$ 1hich +sla$' historicall% speaking' is an o""shoot' is entirel% a0sent. @< &enneth ragg' 1ho so$e 1o!ld sa% takes a 7!ite di""erent approach to +sla$ than does &rae$er' @1 like1ise persists on the the$e o" sal*ation. -rg!a0l% the hristian +sla$ics scholar 1ho has str!ggled hardest to !nderstand 1hat (!sli$s 0elie*e and to share hristian 0elie"s in (!sli$ ter$s' ragg has s!$$ariLed his central thr!st in a trio o" chapters in 3esus and the *uslim @2 on ho1 ,God in hrist. has acted to sa*e h!$anit% thro!gh the ross. =is 0!rden "or (!sli$s there is that the% gain a tr!e $eas!re o" the sin"!lness o" h!$ankind and an appreciation "or the radical re$ed% that God has pro*ided o!t o" his ,s!""ering lo*e. character. @3 -t the end + ret!rn to $% pastors/in/training and ,ordinar%. (!sli$s' and in partic!lar to $% assistant in this research' (r. Nasir (asih. Nasir {00} is a schoolteacher 1ith si4 children 1ho ca$e to se$inar% to train "or $inistr%. Ne4t %ear' at the end o" "o!r %ears o" 7!ite e4cellent )i0le st!d%' he 1ill likel% 0egin a 0!s% and di""ic!lt ch!rch $inistr% at less than Q1<< a $onth. 5hen 1e think a0o!t iss!es o" inter/"aith' s!ch as in the present paper' 1e $ight ask 1here s!ch iss!es act!all% $eet realit%. +s it in the co$"orta0le o""ice o" the 1estern scholarJ +s it in the enco!nters o" the e4patriot $issionar% 1ho goes and co$es as circ!$stances and $issions gi*ing allo1J +s it not rather in the $inistr% o" the national hristian leader 1ho has to li*e in the $idst o" (!sli$s and speak "or the "aith "ro$ da% to da%Iand to enco!rage the sheep o" the Good Shepherd 1ho are o"ten denied their hope in hi$J 5hen Nasir 1as inter*ie1ing a &arachi (!sli$ on the s!0Mect o" sal*ation' he *ent!red to ask' ,+" -llah "orgi*es sins si$pl% 0% his 1ill' 1here then is the ele$ent o" M!sticeJ. 9he inter*ie1ee i$$ediatel% lashed o!tB ,Ro! are sill% people in "aith. -llah is not like a $an. =e can do 1hat he 1ants. Ro! ha*e changed %o!r religio!s 0ooks and %o!r thinking is 1rong.. #lease pra% "or s!ch as these.

!OR"S $ITE E-0d!l :eh$an Shad' co$piler' 4ey to Salvation. GahoreB &aLi #!0lications' 19FF. -nderson' Nor$an. Islam in the *odern 5orld. GeicesterB -pollos' 199<. )ell' :ichard. Introduction to the Quran. ;din0!rghB ;din0!rgh >ni*ersit% #ress' 19@3.

ragg' &enneth. The Call of the *inaret. Ne1 RorkB 84"ord >ni*ersit% #ress' 19@6. III. 3esus and the *uslim6 7n 89 loration. GondonB George -llen S >n1in' 19F@. III. *uhammad and the Christian6 7 Question of :es onse. Ne1 RorkB 8r0is' 19F4.

III. ,#repositions and Sal*ation.. International ;ulletin of *issionary :esearch Vol. 1C' No.1' ?an!ar% 1993' pp. 2/3. Da!d :ah0ar. ,- Getter to hristian and (!sli$ Hriends.. =art"ord' onn.B p!0lished pri*atel%' 196<. al/Har!7i' +s$aEil. ,8n the Nat!re o" +sla$ic DaE1ah. International :evie( of *ission Vol. GTV No. 26<' 8cto0er 19C6' pp. 391/4<<. Hl!gel' G!sta*. Concordance of the 4oran. &arachiB :ahi$ )rothers' 19C9 2reprint o" GeipLig 1F9F edition3. Gardner' 5.:.5. The Quranic Doctrine of Salvation. (adrasB hristian Giterat!re Societ%' 1914.

=astings' ?a$es' ed. 8ncyclo aedia of :eligion and 8thics. ;din0!rghB 9. S 9. =!ghes' 9ho$as #atrick. 7 Dictionary of Islam. GondonB 5.=. -llen S ?ones' G. )e*an. The .eo le of the *os2ue.

lark' 192<.

o.' 1FF@.

?e""er%' -rth!r' ed. Islam6 *uhammad and his :eligion. Ne1 RorkB 9he Gi0eral -rts #ress. 19@F. alc!ttaB )aptist (ission #ress' 19@9.

?ones' :ichard ?. ,5il"red ant1ell S$ith and &enneth ragg on +sla$ as a 5a% o" Sal*ation.. I;*: Vol. 16' No. 3' ?!l% 1992' pp. 1<@/11<. &ateregga' )adr! D.' and Da*id 5. Shenk. Islam and Christianity6 7 *uslim and a Christian in Dialogue. Grand :apidsB ;erd$ans' 19F<. &h!rshid -h$ad' ed. Islam6 Its *eaning and *essage. GeicesterB 9he +sla$ic Ho!ndation' 19C6 2second edition3. &nietschke' 5. ,9he &oran Doctrine o" :ede$ption.. The *oslem 5orld Vol. ++' No. 1' ?an!ar% 1912' pp. 6</6@. Ge1is' #. .irs< Shrines and .a#istani Islam. :a1alpindiB hristian St!d% entre' 19F@.

(acDonald' D!ncan ). Develo ment of *uslim Theology< 3uris rudence and Constitutional Theory. Ne1 RorkB harles Scri0ners Sons' 1926. III. The :eligious 7ttitude and 'ife in Islam. )eir!tB &ha%ats' 196@ 2reprint o" 19<9 edition3. (a!d!di' -0!l -la. To(ards ,nderstanding Islam. GahoreB +sla$ic #!0lications' 196<. (iller' :oland. ,9he (!sli$ Doctrine o" Sal*ation. The ;ulletin of the =enry *artyn Institute of Islamic Studies +G+T No. 1' ?!l%/Sept. 196<' pp. 33/@@D +G+T No. 2' 8ct./Dec. 196< {0>}' pp. 1</2C. :eprinted in The ;ulletin of Christian Institutes of Islamic Studies +++ No. 1/4' ?an/Dec. 19F<' pp. 142/193. (!ha$$ad -0!l A!ase$. Salvation of the Soul and Islamic Devotions. GondonB &egan #a!l +nternational' 19F3. (!ha$$ad E+$ran. .re aration for the =ereafter. GahoreB Sh. (!ha$$ad -shra"' 1991.

(!ha$$ad &i"a%at!llah. 'essons in Islam. trans. Sa0ih!ddin -h$ed -nsari. &arachiB Dar!l +shaat' (!ha$$ad (anLoor Nao$ani. 5hat Islam Is? trans. (!ha$$ad -si" &id1ai. &arachiB Dar!l +shaat' (!ha$$ad Sha"i. Salvation of *uslims< or 7tonement of sins. 2>rd!3 &arachiB Dar!l +shaat' 136C (!ha$$ad 9a7i >s$ani. Do the *andatory .rayer .ro erly. 2>rd!3 &arachiB Dar!l +shaat' n.d. III. 8asy .ieties. 2>rd!3 &arachiB Dar!l +shaat' 1412 =.

n.d. n.d. =iMri.

(!ha$$ad Nakari%%a &andhal*i. -a!ail@e@7%maal. trans. -0d!l :ashid -rshad. GahoreB &!t!0 &hana HaiLi' n.d. (!sk' )ill. The ,nseen -ace of Islam. ;ast0o!rneB (-: ' 19F9. NaLir/-li' (ichael. -rontiers in *uslim@Christian 8ncounter. 84"ordB :egn!$' 19FC. #ad1ick' onstance ;. *uslim Devotions6 7 Study of .rayer@*anuals in Common ,se. GondonB S.#. .&.' 1961. #astner' Stephen G.' ,#o1er and #irs -$ong the #akistani )al!ch. 3ournal of 7sian and 7frican Studies T+++' 3/4' ?!l%/8cto0er 19CF' pp. 232/243. #enrice' ?ohn. 7 Dictionary and Alossary of the 4oran. &arachiB :ahi$ )rothers' 19FC' reprint o" +talian edition' 1F9F.

:ahee$son' (. 8. ,SinB -n +sla$ic #erspecti*e.. The *uslim 5orld 'eague 3ournal Vol. 19. Nos. 1 S 2. ?!l%U-!g!st 1991. :ah$an' HaLl!r. *ajor Themes of the Quran. (inneapolisB )i0liotheca +sla$ica' 19F<. Sale' George' trans. The 4oran. GondonB Hrederick 5arne and o.' 2"irst appeared3 1C34. roo$ =el$' 19CF. Seale' (. S. Quran and ;i$le6 Studies in Inter retation and Dialogue. GondonB

Stanton' =. >. 5eit0recht. The Teaching of the Quran. GondonB entral )oard o" (issions and Societ% "or #ro$oting hristian &no1ledge' 1919. Ste$' (S. 7l@Aha!!ali on :e entance. GahoreB Vang!ard' 199<. S1eet$an' ?. 5indro1. Islam and Christian Theology6 7 Study of the Inter retation of Theological Ideas in the T(o :eligions. GondonB G!tter1orth' 19@@. 5ensinck' -.?. The *uslim Creed6 Its Aenesis and =istorical Develo ment. a$0ridgeB a$0ridge >ni*ersit% #ress' 1932. 5ood0err%' ?. D!dle%. ,Di""erent Diagnoses o" the =!$an ondition.. *uslims and Christians on the 8mmaus :oad. (onro*ia' -B (-: ' 19F9' pp. 149/16<. N1e$er' Sa$!el (. ,9he St!$0ling )lock o" the ross.. *5 Vol. +++' No. 2' -pril 1913' pp. 14C/1@F. {04}

NOTES 1. (adrasB hristian Giterat!re Societ%' 1914. 1. OSal*ation 2(!sli$3. 8ncyclo aedia of :eligion and 8thics. ed. ?a$es =astings 2;din0!rghB 9. S 9. lark' 192<3' *ol. T+' pp. 14F/149. 1. The ;ulletin of the =enry *artyn Institute of Islamic Studies +G+T No. 1' ?!l%/Sept. 196<' pp. 33/@@D +G+T No. 2' 8ct/Dec. 196<' pp. 1</2C. :eprinted in The ;ulletin of Christian Institutes of Islamic Studies +++ No. 1/4' ?an/Dec. 19F<' pp. 142/193. 1. GondonB entral )oard o" (issions and Societ% "or #ro$oting hristian &no1ledge' 1919. 1. GondonB G!tter1orth' 19@@ 2#art one' Vol. ++3. 1. c". Nor$an -nderson' Islam in the *odern 5orld. 2GeicesterB -pollos' 199<3' p. 216D G. )e*an ?ones' The .eo le of the *os2ue. 2 alc!ttaB )aptist (ission #ress' 19@93' p. 2F<D 9ho$as #atrick =!ghes' 7 Dictionary of Islam. 2GondonB 5.=. -llen S o.' 1FF@3' p. @64. :e"erences to the A!r6an are to chapter 2sura3 and *erse 2ayat3 in -0d!llah R!s!" -li' trans.' 7n 8nglish Inter retation of The =oly Quran. 2GahoreB Sh. (!ha$$ad -shra"' 19923. 1. A!r6an 2B49' @<D CB141 2423D 1<BF6' 92D 14B6D 2<BF<D 26B66D 3CB11@D 44B3<. 1. A. CB64D 1<BC3D 21BC6D 23B2FD 26B11F' 119D 29B1@D 3CBC6. 1. A. CBF3D 21BC4D 26B169' 1C<D 2CB@CD 29B32D 3CB134D @4B34. 1. (oses 2<B4<D 2FB21' 2@D -0raha$ 21BC1' 29B24D ?oseph6s cell$ate 12B42'4@D #haroah6s 1i"e2K3 66B11. 1. A. 1<B1<3D 11B116D 12B11<D 21B9D 41B1C. 1. A. 6B63' 64D 1<B22'23D 1CB63' 29B6@D 31B31. 1. Sell' p. 149. 1. ". (!ha$$ad -0!l A!ase$' Salvation of the Soul and Islamic Devotions. 2GondonB &egan #a!l +nternational' 19F33' p. 2<D and HaLl!r :ah$an' *ajor Themes of the Quran 2(inneapolisB )i0liotheca +sla$ica' 19F<3' p. 63. &enneth ragg e4plains E"alah6 in The Call of the *inaret. 2Ne1 RorkB 84"ord >ni*ersit% #ress' 19@63' p. 14<". 1. c". A. 9B111D 33BC1. 1. c". A. 2B26D 2FB@6D 61B@D 1FB2FD F1B2C/29D Sell' pp. 14F/9. 1. 9hese traditions' 1hich ca$e to n!$0er h!ndreds o" tho!sands' 1ere collected and organiLed $ore than t1o h!ndred %ears a"ter (!ha$$ad6s death' and si4 collections ha*e 0een accepted as standard. (ost (!sli$s grant an a!thorit% to these traditions approaching or e7!aling the a!thorit% o" the A!r6an itsel". 1. -.?. 5ensinck' The *uslim Creed6 Its Aenesis and =istorical Develo ment. 2 a$0ridgeB a$0ridge >ni*ersit% #ress' 19323' pp. 2<' 21' 46. 1. (!ha$$ad Sha"i' Salvation of *uslims< or 7tonement of Sins. 2>rd!3 2&arachiB Dar!l +shaat' 136C =iMri3. (!ha$$ad 9a7i >s$ani' 8asy .ieties. 2>rd!3 2&arachiB Dar!l +shaat' 1412 =.3. (!ha$$ad 9a7i >s$ani' Do the *andatory .rayer .ro erly. 2>rd!3 2&arachiB Dar!l +shaat' n.d.3. (!ha$$ad (anLoor Nao$ani' 5hat Islam Is? trans. (!ha$$ad -si" &id1ai 2&arachiB Dar!l +shaat' n.d.3. (!ha$$ad &i"a%at!llah' 'essons in Islam. trans. Sa0ih!ddin -h$ed -nsari 2&arachiB Dar!l +shaat' nd.3. E-0d!l :eh$an Shad' co$piler' 4ey to Salvation. 2GahoreB &aLi #!0lications' 19FF3. 1. =!ghes' p. @64. {0"} 1. -0!l -6la (a!d!di' To(ards ,nderstanding Islam. trans. &h!rshid -h$ad 2GahoreB +sla$ic #!0lications Gtd' 196<3' p. 21. +talics are the translator6s. 1. -a!ail@e@7%maal. trans. -0d!l :ashid -rshad 2GahoreB &!t!0 &hana HaiLi' n.d.3' pp. 4<3/424. Hor a *er% accessi0le presentation o" this 1hole the$e' see (!ha$$ad -0!l A!ase$6s Salvation of the Soul and Islamic Devotions. 2GondonB &egan #a!l +nternational' 19F33. 1. onstance ;. #ad1ick' *uslim Devotions6 7 Study of .rayer@*anuals in Common ,se. 2GondonB S.#. .&.' 19613' pp. 1@9". 1. #ad1ick' p. 1@2. - goodIand *er% pop!larIe4a$ple o" a O1hole 0ookO on the *irt!es o" tasliya is the Dalailu l@#hairat o" al/?aL!li 2&arkhana 9aMaret/e/&!t!0' n.d.3. Hor a "ascinating Oacade$icO treat$ent o" this and other aspects o" (!ha$$ad 1orship' read -nne$arie Schi$$el6s 7nd *uhammad is =is *essenger. 2GahoreB Vang!ard' 19FC3. 1. -n earl% s!$$ar% is in George Sale6s ,#reli$inar% Disco!rse. to his translation o" The 4oran. 2GondonB Hrederick 5ane and o.' n.d.' "irst appeared 1C343' pp. @9/F<. 1. Da!d :ah0ar' ,- Getter to hristian and (!sli$ Hriends'. pri*atel% p!0lished' 196<D c". -nderson' pp. 22<' 221. Da!d :ah0ar6s a$0ridge >ni*ersit% thesis is titled Aod of 3ustice.

1. 1. 1.
1@4.

S!$$ariLed in =. >. 5eit0recht Stanton' pp. @1/@@. ". ?ens hristensen' The .ractical 7 roach to *uslims. 2(arseille' 19C93' chapter 21. (iller de*elops this point solidl% "ro$ A!r6an' traditions and later (!sli$ theolog%' pp. 146/

1. 1.

(iller' pp. 161". +0n -0i -l -L -l =an"i' Islamic ;eliefs. 2>rd!3 trans. Sadi7 &ha+il 2Haisala0adB Nia !l S!nta' 19F@3' p. 3<C".' "ro$ the collections o" 0oth )!khari and (!sli$. 1. A. 2B4F' 123' 2@4D CB@3D 26B1<D C4B4F. 1. also 2B2@@D 1<B3D 2<B 1<9D 34B23D 43BF6. 1. -0d!r :ah$an 9ari7' Bama! (ith 8nglish Translation. 2GahoreB SeraM o.' 19@C3' p. 3@. 1. #ad1ick' p. 41. ". E-li al/Aari6s Da(al@*aali 2 onstantinople' 1FC63' in Islam6 *uhammad and =is :eligion. ed. and trans. -rth!r ?e""er% 2Ne1 RorkB 9he Gi0eral -rts #ress' 19@F3' p. 42. 1. (ichael NaLir/-li' -rontiers in *uslim Christian 8ncounter. 284"ordB :egn!$' 19FC3' pp. 13@. 9hese titles are "o!nd in lists o" (!ha$$ad6s na$es' "or e4a$ple the 2<1 o" the Geeds -ra0ic (S 12 and the list in Dalail 7l@4hairat' pp. 33/39. -rne :!d*in has $ade the case that s!ch lists are pop!lar' ancient' and in*ite co$parison to the di*ine na$es' ,- s!pple$entar% note to E- list o" the -ppellations o" the #rophet (!ha$$ad'6 . *uslim 5orld GTV+++' No. 1' 19CF' p. @C". 1. 2;ast0o!rneB (-: ' 19F93. 9he s!0Mect is not' ho1e*er' ne1 "or hristian 1ritersB see "or e4a$ple D!ncan )lack (acdonald' The :eligious 7ttitude and 'ife in Islam. 2)eir!tB &ha%ats' 196@ reprint o" 19<9 edition3D and )ess -llen Donaldson' The 5ild :ue6 7 Study of *uhammadan *agic and -ol#lore in Iran. 2GondonB G!Lac and o.' 193F3. {0&} 1. Stephen G. #astner' ,#o1er and #irs -$ong the #akistani )al!ch. 3ournal of 7sian and 7frican Studies T+++' 3/4' ?!l%/8cto0er 19CF' pp. 232/243. #. Ge1is' .irs< Shrines and .a#istani Islam. 2:a1alpindiB hristian St!d% entre' 19F@3. Hor an idea o" 1hat this $eans "or disciple/$aking' see -rth!r Glasser' ,#o1er ;nco!nter in on*ersion Hro$ +sla$'. The Aos el and Islam6 7 0/)+ Com endium. ed. Don. (. (c !rr% 2(onro*ia' -B (-: ' 19C93' pp. 129/139. 1. See "ootnote V31. 1. A. 2B2F6D 6B164B 3@B1FD 39BC. 1. 3esus and the *uslim6 7n 89 loration. 2GondonB George -llen S >n1in' 19F@3' p. 1CF. 1. )adr! D. &ateregga and Da*id 5. Shenk' Islam and Christianity6 7 *uslim and a Christian in Dialogue. 2Grand :apidsB ;erd$ans' 19F13' p. 141D c". pp. 1<C/1<F. 1. +s$aEil al/Har!7i' ,8n the Nat!re o" +sla$ic Da61ah. International :evie( of *ission Vol. GTV No. 26<' 8ct. 19C6' p. 399. 1. (!ha$$ad -sad' ,9he Spirit o" +sla$. in IslamCits *eaning and *essage' ed. &h!rshid -h$ad 2GeicesterB +sla$ic Ho!ndation' 19933' p. @3. 1. See also (!ha$$ad -0!l A!ase$' p. 3<D HaLl!r :ah$an' op. cit. p. 63D and &h!rshid -h$ad' at the ti$e Director General o" the +sla$ic Ho!ndation' Geicester' in the disc!ssion' I:* Vol. GTV No. 26<' 8cto0er 19C6' p. 4<<. 1. (iller' p. 1F9D 5ensinck' p. 49D Sell' p. 149D c". (. S. Stern' 7l@Aha!!ali on :e entance. 2GahoreB Vang!ard' 199<3' p. 21. 1. HaLl!r :ah$an' op. cit.' p. FCD c". )adr! D. &ateregga' p. 14<. 1. -nother angle 1hich co!ld 0e checked here is the !se o" the 1ord fur2aan' 1hich so$e translators render ,sal*ation.. :ichard )ell links it 1ith the $ilitar% *ictor% at the )attle o" )adrB Introduction to the Quran 2;din0!rghB ;din0!rgh >ni*ersit% #ress' 19@33' pp. 136/13F. 1. &enneth ragg' *uhammad and the Christian. 2Ne1 RorkB 8r0is' 19F43D )ill -. (!sk' .assionate ;elieving6 The %fundamentalist face of Islam. 29!n0ridge 5ellsB (onarch' 19923' see esp. pp. 21@/222. 1. =endrik &rae$er' The Christian *essage in a Bon@Christian 5orld. 2Grand :apidsB &regel' reprint o" 193F edition3' p. 21F. 8ther scholars 1ho ha*e e4pressed this "eeling are 5. &nietschke' ,9he &oran Doctrine o" :ede$ption. *5 Vol. ++' No. 1' ?an. 1912' p. 64D and ;d1ard Sell' p. 149. 1. NaLir/-li' -rontiers. pp. 1F/22. 1. *uhammed and the Christian pp. 12@/2<9. 1. + ha*e "o!nd ragg6s presentation *er% help"!l personall%' and "eel that it $!st 0e taken into acco!nt in an% -na0aptist response to +sla$Iespeciall% 0eca!se it is $ore -na0aptist than so$e pro$inent (ennonite state$entsK + 1as th!s sorr% to see ragg6s *ie1s on +sla$ and sal*ation 0o!nced aro!nd like so$e inter/"aith "oot0all 0% :ichard ?. ?ones in ,5il"red ant1ell S$ith and &enneth ragg on +sla$ as a 5a% o" Sal*ation. International ;ulletin of *issionary :esearch Vol. 16'

No. 3' ?!l% 1992' pp. 1<@/11<. )!t see 1' ?an. 1993' pp. 2/3.

ragg6s repl%' ,#repositions and Sal*ation. I;*: Vol. 1C' No.