A Muslim By Any Other Name Is Still A Muslim? Why Consistency Matters

On July 31, 2016 I had the privilege of moderating a debate with Dr. Ally and Rev. Samuel Green. During the Q & A session, both Dr. Ally and Rev. Green was asked what they believed would happen to people who did not become Christian or Muslim but lived pious lives. Dr. Ally’s response was very surprising. His response is found in the video below starting at 22:55 and ends at 24:00. 

Dr. Ally responded that if he was asked that question 20 years ago he would have given a different answer, namely, that only Muslims “go to heaven”  and “everyone else goes to hell.” Now, Dr. Ally asserts that he has changed his views on this question. Everyone he said has “a range of options” in terms of belief and unbelief. One needs to choose the best option and “do the best you can”. Thus, in Dr. Ally’s point of view, non-Muslims will make it to heaven without having to convert to Islam as long as they choose the best things from the range of options that they have. Can a Muslim still be a Muslim and argue that conversion or reversion to Islam is not necessary and that all people have the opportunity to make it to heaven without affirming the Shahada?

In the Meccan period, the Qur’an stated that Jews, Christians, and Sabeans (as well as Muslims) will make it to heaven as we see in the following surahs,

 “Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, – any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (Q 2:62; Yusuf Ali).

“Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians, – any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, – on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” (Q 5:69; Yusuf Ali)

However, these passages are believed to have been abrogated by this later Medinan surah, “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good)” (Q 3:85; Yusuf Ali). It would seem then to deny Islam as the only religion of God for salvation would be tantamount to apostasy as the verse indicates.

Would our Muslim friends charge Dr. Ally as not being a true Muslim because of his views on the crucifixion of Jesus and on the question of how one is saved and enters heaven? The Christian’s ultimate authority is the Holy Scriptures. There is only one God, and there is only one way to salvation, and that way is through the one Mediator between God and humans, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus did not claim to be “a” way, or a “portion” of the truth, He did not point the way or show people where to find truth, He claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God unless they come through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6). The early disciples of Jesus preached the same message, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; ESV). Let us continue to pray for our Muslim friends that God would be merciful and draw them to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ whom to know if life eternal.