Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Thanks for sending you replies to my address.I did ,however, sent to you two different brief questions.In my life time I have had quite a few m uslim friends ,but never found a satisfactory answer to these two points,and it has always bothered me.I paraphrase again my points below and appreciate brief responses.

1.Nanak,the founder of the Sikh Faith visited Meca and Bagdad and held lots of discourses with the divine and other people there.His writings in our scripture are our guide about Islam and islamic practices.I have always had a deep desire to visit Meca.I am told I cannot do so as a Sikh.First is it so?If it is so why is it so?And can you facilitate my visit there to see and observe the sacred muslim shrines and practices?

2.Does Islam teach that non-muslims(or non-believers)are not an equally worthy creation (to muslims ) of the one and the only Creator? and if so ,why is it so?I believe that downgrading as unequal a part of Lord,s creation is insulting the Lord and His design.

Please believe that the points raised above are motivated by a desire to understand Islam.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Why non-muslims cannot enter Mecca?

We thank you for taking the time and effort to write to us. We started this forum so that people can ask us any questions regarding Islam, and we have scholars who would try to answer each of your queries giving evidence from our Holy Quran when necessary. One of the beauties of the Islamic faith is that it allows anyone to ask anything in the matter of faith; because everything in Islam is based on ‘fitrah’ or nature, logic and common sense, and one would find an answer to all questions of faith from the Holy Quran and the Life of the Prophet (saws).

1.Nanak,the founder of the Sikh Faith visited Meca and Bagdad and held lots of discourses with the divine and other people there.His writings in our scripture are our guide about Islam and islamic practices.I have always had a deep desire to visit Meca.I am told I cannot do so as a Sikh.First is it so?If it is so why is it so?And can you facilitate my visit there to see and observe the sacred muslim shrines and practices?

It is true that only muslims are allowed in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. The simple reason it is so, is because it is the command God Almighty made in the Holy Quran.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 28:O you who have believed, the ‘mushriks’ (polytheists) are ‘unclean’; therefore, let them not come near the Sacred Mosque (of Mecca) after this year.

The ‘unclean’ is used in the verse in the spiritual sense, not the physical sense. Allah has commanded that no polytheists must be allowed to enter the Sacred Mosque, and this command will stand till the end of time. Therefore, there is no one who can facilitate your visit to the Sacred Mosque, except yourself. If and when you testify that there is no god but God Alone, and that Mohamed is God’s slave-servant and Messenger, you are more than welcome to visit the Sacred Mosque.

There are millions of mosques around the world, and if you wish, you are more than welcome to visit any one of them. This command is specifically only for the Sacred Mosque in Mecca.

2.Does Islam teach that non-muslims(or non-believers)are not an equally worthy creation (to muslims ) of the one and the only Creator? and if so ,why is it so?I believe that downgrading as unequal a part of Lord,s creation is insulting the Lord and His design.

Islam teaches that the Creator Who created the heavens and the earth and everything that exists in between, is the same Creator Who created man. Thus, in the sight of God, all mankind are His creation and His slaves, and as such, all are equal in front of Him.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most God-conscious of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 1:O mankind! Fear your Lord, Who created you of a single soul; and of the same created his mate. And from that pair, spread countless men and women over the earth.

Contrary to popular belief, the Message of Islam is for all of mankind! Anyone who believes in this Message from God Almighty with his own free will and choice, becomes a muslim. In the sight of God, all human beings are absolutely equal, and the one most honorable in the sight of God is the one who is the most God-conscious amongst them.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 170:O mankind! This Messenger (Mohamed) has come to you with the Truth from your Lord. So, believe in him, for it will be better for yourselves. But if you disbelieve, you should know that all that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah Alone. He indeed is the All Knowing, All Wise.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 14 Surah Ibrahim verse 52:This (Quran) is a Message for all mankind. And it has been sent so that they may be warned by it, and that they may realize that God is but One! And that men of understanding may take heed.

Thus brother, the truth is, in Islam, every person is a creation of our Lord, and as such, everyone is equal in the sight of the Lord. The one who is most obedient and God-conscious is the one who is most honorable in the sight of the Lord.

It is also a fallacy that only one people or one race or one religion have exclusive rights over the Mercy and Forgiveness of the Lord. Allah makes it clear that no on has any special claim to Paradise… No Jew, no Christian, no Muslim, no Hindu, no Sikh, no one! Whoever surrenders himself to his Creator in obedience and does good righteous deeds, is the one who will deserve the Lords Mercy.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Al Baqarah verse 111-112:The (Jews and Christians) say: “None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian.” These are their wishful fancies! Say to them, “Bring your evidence if you are right in your claim!”. The fact is that no one has any special claim to Paradise! Whoever surrenders himself to Allah in obedience, and is a doer of good deeds, shall have his reward with His Lord. There shall be neither fear nor grief for such people.

Your Comment: I believe that downgrading as unequal a part of Lord,s creation is insulting the Lord and His design.

My dear Brother, one of the noble attributes of our Creator is that He is the All-Just. He will never ever be unjust to any of His Creation. Therefore, your statement is absolutely correct and in line with Islamic teachings and principles. It would indeed be unjust and an insult to the Lord and His Design, if anyone was to claim that some people are superior than the others.

The Almighty God created the first man and woman, and from them created all human beings. Thus, every one of us, no matter who we are, and where we live, and what religion we follow, are the descendants of these one set of parents. From Day-One, God guided mankind to the Right Way; and time and time again he sent His Messengers and revealed His Books, so that man could be guided aright. In the same sequence, God sent His Last Messenger as Mohamed (saws) and revealed unto him His Last Testament; the Al Quran. Whoever follows the guidance and syllabus of God is guided aright; and whoever invents and follows his own way has gone astray. That is the Message of Islam.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 163-166:O Mohamed, We have sent Revelation to you, just as We sent Revelations to Noah, and the other Prophets after him. We also sent Revelation to Abraham, and Ismail, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the descendants of Jacob, and Jesus, and Job, and Jonah, and Aaron, and Solomon; and We gave the Psalms to David. We also sent Revelations to those Messengers whom We have already mentioned to you, and to those Messengers whom We have not mentioned to you. And We spoke directly to Moses as in conversation. All these Messengers were sent as bearers of good news and warners, so that, after their coming, people should have no excuse left to plead with Allah. Allah is, in any case, All Powerful, All Wise. (People may or may not believe) but Allah bears witness that what He has sent down to you (O Mohamed), He has sent that down with His Knowledge, and the angels bear witness to it; though Allah’s being a witness alone is enough!

We hope that we have addressed your doubts in our answers. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to us.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan