Why Did Allah Send Multiple Religions? Humanity has always grappled with questions related to divine guidance, revelation, and the purpose behind multiple religions. Why did Allah send more than one religion? Why was the Qur’an revealed in Arabic? How do we know that the Qur’an has not been altered? And how can we be sure that the Creator is beyond time and space? These profound questions deserve thorough exploration to understand the wisdom behind Allah’s decisions and the significance of the Qur’an as the final revelation for all humankind.
The Evolution of Humanity and Divine Guidance
To understand why Allah sent different religions at different times, we need to consider the evolution of human civilization. Humanity did not always exist in the form we see today. Over centuries, societies have progressed, evolved, and moved through various stages of intellectual, social, and moral development. Each era had its unique challenges and contexts, which required tailored guidance from the Creator.
Imagine the earliest days of human civilization during the time of Adam (peace be upon him). If a revelation had been given about the rules of war or complex societal laws, it would have been illogical because the context of human existence was entirely different—there were no wars, established societies, or complex systems of governance at that time.
Just as education is customized for each stage of a child’s development—from primary school to university—the guidance sent to humanity was also tailored to their capacity to understand and implement it. As humanity evolved and reached a stage where it could understand the comprehensive, universal message of the Qur’an, Allah revealed it as the final, complete guidance. Hence, sending different shari’ahs (laws) at different times was a necessary process that evolved with the intellectual and social growth of humanity.
Why Is There No New Religion After Islam?
A question often raised is: If each era had its religion, why hasn’t there been a new religion for the past 1400 years? Wouldn’t it make sense for another religion to come?
This question is like asking, “Why doesn’t a skilled architect search for new blueprints when they already possess the ultimate master plan for constructing a flawless building?” The query itself is misplaced because the master plan is already perfect, complete, and proven to work in every scenario. Similarly, the Qur’an is not just another book among others; it is the final and divinely crafted blueprint for human life, addressing every aspect of our existence—spiritual, moral, social, and legal.
But let us ask a more profound question: Who is the architect of the Qur’an, of human beings, and of the entire universe and all creations? It is Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Does He, who created everything from nothing, not know what is incomplete and what is complete? Allah Himself declares in the Qur’an:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
If the Creator, who knows all things and whose wisdom is unmatched, announces that this book is complete and perfect for human guidance forever, then why did He not declare such completeness in His earlier revelations? The reason is that the earlier scriptures were designed to address the specific needs of certain times, places, and communities. In contrast, the Qur’an is universal and eternal, crafted to guide all of humanity across all eras until the Day of Judgment.
To reflect on this question—Why did Allah announce the completeness of the Qur’an and not of previous revelations?—is to uncover the answer itself. The Qur’an is His final revelation, meant to be the ultimate guide for mankind. To seek another source when this divine blueprint exists is akin to questioning the perfection of the Creator’s wisdom. Would a rational person discard a flawless, comprehensive guide in search of incomplete alternatives? Truly, the Qur’an stands as the timeless testament to Allah’s mercy, wisdom, and guidance for all who reflect.
The Qur’an is considered the last revelation, providing guidance not just for a particular era or community but for all of humanity until the end of time. There is no need for a new religion because the guidance in the Qur’an is perfect and complete, addressing every possible scenario, challenge, and aspect of human life. It is the highest form of divine instruction, and nothing can surpass it.
How Do We Know the Qur’an Has Not Been Altered?
A common question that arises is: How can we be sure that the Qur’an has remained unchanged since it was revealed?
The preservation of the Qur’an is a miracle in itself. When the Qur’an was revealed, it was not only documented but also memorized by many—both believers and non-believers. The Qur’an’s linguistic beauty, eloquence, and depth were so profound that it was preserved in the hearts of its listeners. This memorization was not limited to a few people but became a mass phenomenon, continuing to this day with millions of memorizers worldwide.
Moreover, every verse revealed was immediately written down by scribes in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). After the death of the Prophet, the first Caliph, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), compiled these written verses into a single book. Later, the third Caliph, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), standardized the text to prevent any regional dialect differences from altering its recitation.
Today, we have manuscripts dating back to the time of Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) that are preserved in museums, such as the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul. These manuscripts match precisely with the Qur’an we have today, proving that it has not been altered. No other religious text has such a robust method of preservation, both in oral and written forms, as the Qur’an.
Why Was the Qur’an Revealed in Arabic?
Another frequently asked question is why the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. Would it not have been more universal if it were revealed in a different language?
This question is somewhat misplaced because, no matter which language the Qur’an was revealed in, a similar question could arise: “Why not in this or that language?” The reality is that a language had to be chosen, and Arabic was selected for specific reasons. The choice of Arabic does not affect the validity or universality of the Qur’an.
The Arabic language, especially during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was at its peak in terms of linguistic richness, eloquence, and depth. People held poets and eloquent speakers in high regard, almost akin to royalty. In this environment, the Qur’an was revealed with such unmatched eloquence that even the best poets and linguists could not replicate its style or produce anything similar, despite their best efforts. This was a clear sign of its divine origin.
Moreover, Arabic is a highly rich and expressive language. The same word can carry multiple meanings depending on context, making it ideal for conveying the Qur’an’s deep, multi-layered messages that transcend time and space. This is why there are over 350,000 commentaries on the Qur’an, each exploring its layers of meanings and its relevance to different times and places.
Understanding the Devil in Islam: Rational Proofs, Roles, and Common Misconceptions
The Unique Challenge of the Qur’an
The Qur’an itself poses a challenge to humanity: “If you think this is written by a human, then produce a single chapter like it.” This challenge stands unmet to this day. Even though many have tried to produce something similar, the depth, eloquence, and impact of the Qur’an remain unparalleled. This is not because the Qur’an is incomprehensible or complicated but because it is so comprehensive and rich in meaning that it speaks to every age, every culture, and every individual uniquely.
How Do We Know the Creator is Beyond Time and Space?
Finally, let’s address the profound question: How do we know that the Creator of the universe is beyond time and space?
To answer this, we need to think beyond religious doctrine and examine the universe with an objective lens. The entity that governs and orchestrates all the functions of the universe must be beyond the limitations of time and space. Why? Because anything bound by time and space cannot perform actions simultaneously in different places.
For example, a fish cannot swim in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the same time because it is bound by space and time. Similarly, a human being cannot exist in two places simultaneously. This is the nature of all created things—they are confined to their dimensions.
However, we observe that if there is a God, He is managing you and me at the same time, taking care of a child’s needs, feeding a fish in the ocean, and providing conditions for plants to grow—all these actions are interlinked and occur simultaneously.
If the Creator were bound by time and space, He would not be able to carry out all these functions simultaneously in different places. The fact that He does confirms His existence and omnipotence as described in the Qur’an: “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.” (39:62).
Conclusion: The Perfection and Universality of the Qur’an
The Qur’an is not just a book; it is a comprehensive guide for humanity, transcending time, space, and culture. Its divine nature, linguistic mastery, and profound wisdom make it the ultimate guidance for all. The reasons behind the revelations of different religions, the perfection of the Qur’an, and the understanding of Allah’s transcendence over time and space all point to one truth: Islam, as presented in the Qur’an, is the final and complete way of life meant for all humanity.
As believers, understanding these concepts deepens our faith and equips us to explain the wisdom behind divine guidance to others. The Qur’an is not only a religious text but a living miracle that continues to challenge, inspire, and guide humanity toward truth and enlightenment.
