Comparative soteriology (Islamic - Christian)
By Hussein Ali Sa’adi
Man, always and everywhere, has been fed up of his past and present and attached to his tomorrow and Savior!
Salvation is a beautiful concept that is deeply rooted in the ancient history. Mankind has always been waiting for the savior with a hope of salvation and liberation and they have been longing for the sunrise. In light of this hope they have always derided darkness and oppression.
This article seeks to comparatively explore salvation in the context of Islamic and Christian thought.
First - the need for comparative studies
Comparative study is the necessity of our times due to the dramatic change in communication. In the past, due to the lack of success in the field of communications it was not very necessary but in the age of communication, every thought and information presented in any corner of the global village, is in access of all people of the world within a few moments.
On the eve of globalization, comparative studies in all fields – especially in the field of religion and religious beliefs – is necessary; because the culture and religion play a prominent role in the globalization process. In this field, like all other fields, the victory rests with one who present the best and most rational speech; because, due to his specific nature, man welcomes the best speech. This comparative vision can take place both in the field of the principles of religions as well as in field of their teachings.
One of the most important and essential teachings and the common point of all the religions is the issue of ‘salvation and expectation of the savior’ and approach to the end of history world and history. The comparative study of this doctrine can result in great intellectual and practical achievements for human society.
Second – Soteriology in major religions
All the major religions claimed salvation of human being from the very beginning of their emergence up to their perfection. One of the secrets of success of religions is making their followers hopeful that they should hope for a bright tomorrow. They should heal their state of being fed up of the current situation with the help of attachment to the future.
John Hick (A renowned contemporary religious scholars and philosophers) says:
There is somehow belief in salvation in all the major evolved religions of the world. The idea of transition from a sinful life to a better state exists in these religions; because the present life is a ‘torn down’ life which alienated from God and one should expect a ‘divine life’.
In order to prove this claim, we refer briefly to some great religions of the world:
A) Zoroastrianism
In Zoroastrianism, the issue of salvation is present in a certain way in its religious system. In this religion, there is a cosmic power or ‘Good Spirit’ called ‘Ahura Mazda’ and a contrasting cosmic power or the ‘Great Spirit of Evil’ named ‘demon (Ahriman)’. Throughout the history, these two forces have been fighting against each other and this fight will continue until the end of time starting with the rise ‘Soshyans’. At the time, the virtue will triumph over evil and the time of peace and purity and promotion of ‘Ahura Mazda’ will come. With the emergence of Sushyans, the end of time will begin.
The task of this savior is to safeguard the truth and purity. And in the world established a little prior to the resurrection, the truthful will prevail over the liars, light and virtue will overcome darkness and evil respectively. He is called Sushyans because he will benefit the entire material world.
B ) Judaism
In Judaism also the issue ‘salvation of man’ can be found. Their holy books the ‘Old Testament’, ‘Torah’ and ‘Talmud contain good news salvation of human beings and the end of ‘evil’ and dominance of ‘good and virtue’. In the book of Prophet Daniel, when he speaks of the period of the Babylonian captivity, he gives the good news that the world full of evil will end
Similarly he gives the good news of the savior and the Messiah. He is the selected son of David. Jesus – the savior about whom God promised to Israel – is a descendant of King David.
Therefore, the theory of Messiah changed into expectation of rise of a great king of David’s household. He will establish a government in Zion with the order of God and inspiration of His spirit in him. This government will be role model for the entire world.
Therefore, hope in a ‘bright future’ and ‘salvation of man’ is the common point in all the religions. Some researchers consider this innate thirst in man as the best evidence on existence of a savior who will cause salvation of the mankind and satisfy his thirst; because the thirst of man is the best evidence of the existence of water.
In contrast, some people present a materialistic analysis and seek the cause of collective and common belief of religions in the savior elsewhere. They think that social pressures, deficiencies and weaknesses of the promoters and followers of the religion gave birth to the motive of creating such thought. In order to get rid of the massive disappointment causing problems they had taken refuge in an imaginary castle of (hope for a bright future). Mankind does not sense any real thirst for this issue. It is clear that if false thirst is a proof, it is the proof of a mirage not water!
Apart from intellectual and logical discussion, history is also evidence of the weakness of this viewpoint and its being far from reality; because religions – especially Islam – had presented the issue of the savior and beautiful ending of the world, when they were at the peak of their glory and power. The good news given in Medina when Islam was at the peak of glory and power, were not mentioned in Mecca and isolation of Islam. This universal desire and thirst refer to objective reality of ‘water’ not ‘mirage’!
Third – Soteriology in Islam and Christianity
Here we will do comparative study of soteriology in two major religions, Islam and Christianity so that in the light of comparison and explanation of common and different points, the depth and richness of the concept ‘expectation in Islam’ become clear
A) Salvation from the Christianity’s perspective
In order to understand the issue of salvation from the perspective of Christians, at first we will discuss the approach of this religion about man.
According to Bible, the first man ‘Adam’ indulged in a big sin due to act of disobeying God’s command. This sin was mixed with his essence. Human being became essentially impure and sinful thus he was exiled by God from His closeness to the Earth.
The original or inherent sin which led to the expulsion of Adam from Eden caused the failure of man to return his divine and pure nature. The original sin corrupted the human nature and essence:
When Adam sinned his sin infected the entire human race. His sin even caused in spread of death throughout the world. (Romans 6: 12-13)
Many prophets came with Sharia and law for liberation and salvation of man but the Sharia, too, cannot make a man free. The badness of the issue is too much and the tragedy is so profound that the purification of the human nature of the inherent sin cannot be achieved by Sharia.
This point is one of the key issues in the Christian notion that one cannot be released of the bondage of the original sin with the help of Sharia and law. Not only the Sharia does not have any share in in the process freedom of man but it is also, perhaps, strengthens th human bondage:
When Adam sinned, his sin infected the entire human race. We are confident that Adam's sin had caused the contamination of people; because though they had been committing sins sin Adam’s time to the Moses’ but in those days God did not consider them guilty for their violation of God's law and did not sentence them to death. Because He had not yet given them His laws and nor did He told them what He expected from them. However, they all died but not for the same reason as Adam’s death. (Romans 6:12-14)
Accordingly, the former laws did not have any key role in salvation of man:
So what role had the ten commandments of Moses played in salvation of man? The ten commandments of Moses were given so that all the people might know how much they had disobeyed God’s laws. (Romans 5:20)
Therefore, one should release from the constraints of Sharia too because religious law cannot make someone good and pure. (Romans 7: 2-3)
Christians believe that God sent the former prophets with Sharia and law for deliverance and salvation of man but due to rebellion of man the salvation did not realize, except in one case which was incomplete and partial. That is the case of salvation and relief for the Jewish people. The Old Testament refers to an important action for liberation and salvation in form of collective departure of the children of Israelis from the abode of Egyptian bondage. When the Lord saved his servants from slavery and hard economic and political conditions and wished to make them a spiritual and holy nation through the covenant of Sinai. (Exodus 6:19)
The most important aspect of this collective departure is its religious and devotional aspect but the people disobeyed this divine covenant thus the society suffered from poverty, distress and injustice. In the new period they were waiting for ‘the savior’ who might save them all. Therefore Decallogue i.e. the ten holy commandments of Moses failed to implement the rescue process fully and completely:
So do not let anyone blame you why you eat or drink so and so or why you work on the Saturday holiday because they were the temporary orders which invalidated with arrival of Christ. They were only the shadow of the reality that had to come and that reality is Christ himself. (Colossians - 2: 17-18)
The prophets before Jesus just prepared the ground for salvation but in the course of salvation, Jesus plays a major role. And as the law and Sharia cannot compensate for the inherent sin of human beings therefore the Son of God, the Son of Man sacrificed himself so that human being may become free from the bondage of the inherent sin. The secret of ‘the cross’ reveals itself in this way that the ‘son of man’ sacrifices him for salvation:
What a major difference exists between Adam and Christ that he had to come and what a great difference exists between Adam's sin and God’s forgiveness; because, due to his sin Adam caused the death of many people, but duet to the great grace of God, Christ became the cause of forgiveness of sins of many people. Due to his first sin, Adam caused death sentence of many people whereas Jesus purifies the sin free of cost and due to him God considers many people innocent. (Romans 6: 15)
What is concluded from these parts of the New Testament is as follows:
1 – Due to his sin, Adam made the nature of human being sinful and caused death of many people.
2 – Although, human beings used to commit sin during the time between Adam and Moses (Old Testament) but they were not guilty rather it is Adam who was guilty.
3 - Law and Sharia cannot free human being.
4 - Adam and Jesus have a substantial difference. Adam caused death and misery of humans (!) And Christ is the cause of life and salvation of humans.
Christ purifies the human sins free of cost and without any interaction and partnership and causes their salvation. Christ’s program of salvation continues till today and due to the cross human being gets rid of the inherent sin. So:
Our real slaughterhouse is the cross on which Christ was crucified for us. Those who are try to obey the laws of the Jewish religion for salvation will never get any share from the cross of Christ. (Hebrews 13: 10-11)
In the Christian view, the man trapped in desires and lust, will one day fully taste freedom, salvation and deliverance. Then he will step in the utopia so that Christ may return at the end of time to secure and guarantee the salvation of human being permanently.
Salvation and deliverance will reveal itself completely to humanity at time of return of Jesus.
In the Christian culture the second coming (return) of Christ at the end of the world – as the savior who will turn all the discrimination, oppression, injustices, darkness and despair into hope and love – holds a high place. All Christians have the hope that as Christ has gifted the message of peace, friendship and love to man; in his second coming, he will make everyone taste love and peace.
After the crucifixion of Jesus – in their opinion – all the Christians are waiting for his return; because he promised to come back once again.
Christ will come again at the end of time and will complete the plan of salvation; because, in fact, we have heard that he is the savior of the world. (John 4: 42)
Similarly, because Christ was sacrificed once to eliminate many sins, once again he will appear, without sin, to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)
They believe that at the time of return of Christ, the son of man will see the world (moving) towards welfare.
In the early Christian community the act of waiting for the coming of Jesus was so alive and dynamic that the Christians had abandoned the everyday life and waited for him collectively. They believed that when Jesus would come it would be the kingdom of Allah, rule of the son of man and dominance of good over evil and the world will be peaceful.
Christ will come. After advent of that savior the world will be in state of complete peace and purity and the land will be filled with gold and silver. (Isaiah 2: 7)
War and bloodshed will go from the world and no nation will use sword against other nation. (Isaiah, 2:4)
Josephus, a renowned Israeli historian, says: Essenes considered the end of time was near and thus they spent their time waiting for the advent of Christ and this belief was not specified to the Essenes only but it was common.
B) Salvation from Islamic perspective
From Islamic perspective salvation has a different meaning. All the prophets and on top of them the Holy Prophet of Islam moved for the freedom and salvation of humans.
The major and central slogan of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was salvation and redemption: (قولوا لا إله إلاّ الله تفلحوا).
Quran introduces the Holy Prophet as pioneer of freedom, liberation and salvation: (الذين يتبعون الرسول النبي الأُمّي الذي يجدونه مكتوبا عندهم في التوراة و إلانجيل ... و يضع عنهم إصرهم و الأغلال التي كانت عليهم).
The word ‘إصر’ (Isr) means to lock or imprison something with force and dominance and it is used in meaning of its concurrent things like covenant, pledge and sin. In the mentioned verse ‘إصر’ refers to different type of impositions which are burden for human beings.
The mentioned verse mentions the attributes of the Holy Prophet which are also proofs of truth. One of the signs and evidences of his prophethood is to free people from the clutches of bondage; because freedom is a tune which can be played only by prophets and holy men!
The question is that from which bondage did the Prophet Muhammad free man? What is meaning of his salvation? The commentators of Quran have given different opinions in this regard:
1 - idolatry, superstition, and false customs and practice;
2 - ignorance;
3 - several discriminations and class based life;
4 - bad laws;
5 - chain of bondage and tyranny of Taghut.
Of course there is no problem saying that may be all these things are intended.
Keeping in view the context of the verse, many commentators think that the expression(اصر and اغلال) refer to the difficult task only which Allah imposed on the Jews as a punishment. The Holy Prophet lifted them with his easy Sharia: (ربّنا و لا تحمل علينا إصراً كما حملته علي الذين من قبلنا).
The Prophet came with the aim of salvation but not from inherent sin caused by temporary lusts and desires because he said: (كل مولودٍ يولد عليالفطرة)
Not only the human nature is not mixed with sin but it is also smooth and it reflects the beauty of God: (فطرت الله التي فطر الناس عليها). This salvation is not gifted one-sidedly and without interaction, rather this gift realizes with the help and act of seeking help of the man himself.
The Messenger of God only discovers their undiscovered rational power: (ليثيروا لهم دفائن العقول) and shows the obstacles and the slip to the man: (و ما علي الرسول الا البلاغ).
Liberation and salvation by the Prophet Muhammad is presented in form of inviting human beings to free thinking, freedom from the clutches of lust and desires, freedom from the bondage of worshiping things and people other than God, belief in God , God-orientation... Salvation is not achieved by escaping from the Sharia, rather it is achieved by means of abiding by it. Prophet brought message of salvation (Sharia). His act of salvation is not something trans-human rather it depends on acting upon his message.
From Islamic perspective, the Prophet of mercy brought the message of salvation for everyone and forever. His Sharia and book is the law of salvation. However the human being has been faulty in stage of implementation and enforcement of this fair and salvation-giving law. Final and complete fulfillment of this salvation and full implementation of this program will take place in the end of time by Imam Mahdi. He will depict the picture of salvation of human being according to the same law.
The subtle and considerable point is that in order to prove prophethood, the Muslim intellectuals say that the human being who is the source of controversies and ignorance cannot make a fair law for solution of civil disputes. Therefore, man needs revelation and divine prophets for legislation. Based on this thought, it can be said that the ordinary people not only cannot make fair laws but they are also unable to completely implement the fair and divine. This inability is due to greed, fear, selfish interests, ignorance et cetera. These factors not only prevent from fair legislation but also prevent enforcement of fair law. As legislation needs though of Infallible persons similarly implementation of laws also requires the ability of infallible persons. As this fact proves the necessity of prophethood, similarly it proves the necessity of Mahdaviat.
So, as the people of the Prophet’s time smelled the enchanting fragrance of salvation, similarly its perfume will also delight the humanity in the end of world.
The Prophet of Mercy has brought the prescription of salvation and its full realization, absolute freedom from devotions and servitudes except for servitude of God and the dominance of right over wrong, badness and Satan will happen in the end of time.
Allameh Tabatabai says in Tafsir al-Mizan:
Although, the devil asked Allah to give him reprieve till the resurrection (فانظرني الي يوم يبعثون) but God's reprieve is till known time (يوم يبعثون، قال فإنّك من المنظرين إلي يوم الوقت المعلوم).
According to the verse, there will come a period which is the good time of the world. That day Satan will no more rule over human beings and the utopia will be realized. At that time all the promises related to Imam Mahdi will be fulfilled.
Some researchers say this reprieve is related to the time when human being will be evolved and will fix the problems with the help of sciences and experiences. The evolution will reach such a level that worship of devils will abolish and they will be killed.
Fourth – common and distinguishing points
The Islamic and Christian salvation shares some common areas and has some differences too.
A) common points
1 - Hope in the future of the world and humanity (the victory of truth over falsehood)
The future belongs to goodness and what will remain is good and truth. False has to go although it may have little movement: (فأمّا الزبد فيذهب جفاءاً و أمّا ما ينفع الناس فيمكث في الأرض) and (إنَّ الباطل كان زهوقاً).
The good news of divine religions about the triumph of truth and destruction of falsehood has not yet been experienced in history and is merely a claim; because if we look at history, it is reveals that the followers of truth have always been less than the followers of falsehood.
Several answers have been given for this question. However, the belief in Mahdaviat plays an important role in in solving this doubt; because the final triumph in the end of history rests with truth. Although, history has witnessed the parade of falsehood but the apparent failure of truth will result in its efflorescence. Falsehood, at the height of its parade will retreat like a fountain.
Quran explicitly says: (و لقد كتبنا في الزبور من بعد الذكر أنّ الأرض يرثها عبادي الصالحون) and also (و نريد أن نمنَّ علي الذين استضعفوا في الأرض و نجعلهم أئمة و نجعلهم الوارثين).
This hope in the Islamic culture becomes more luminescent when the Apostle of Allah says:
(و لم يبق من الدهر الا يوم واحد لطوّل اللهُ ذالك اليوم حتّي يبعث فيه رجلا من ولدي) If only one day remains from the life of the world, do not be disappointed because the promise of a good ending and the triumph of good over evil is inevitable. Mahdi, the promised savior will come.
The same belief in ‘triumph of truth over falsehood in the end final period’ clearly exists in Christian culture too.
We read in ‘Psalms of David’ which, according to some researchers, is the same Zaboor mentioned in Quran:
He should be silent near God and wait for him! ... however, the submissive ones will inherit the earth and will enjoy abundance of blessings and health.
Christ will come and after the emergence of that savior the world will experience complete peace and purity. Their land will be full of silver and gold and there will be no limit of their treasures. (Isaiah, 2:7)
The ruined cities will become prosperous and everyone will have welfare. The wolf will live with the lamb and the leopard sleep with the goat kid the lion and calf will be together, and a milking baby play with snake hole. (Isaiah, 11:7)
Pope John Paul II says:
When the Son of Man will come, faith will cover the earth. When Christ will come the entire land will find the faith.
2 – Absolute reformer and savior is a divine man.
This is also one of the common points of both the religion. According to both the religions the ordinary human does not have ability to fully implement the fair law.
Human, not only does not have the power to legislate a comprehensive law but he also does not have the power to implement. The idea that the peacemaker in the end of world is ‘collective human collective intelligence’ not a specific person is contrary with the clear text and religious thought of Islamic and Christianity.
From the perspective of both schools, the collective human wisdom lacks such power and force; because something complete cannot be achieved from assembly of the incomplete things and similarly sum of zeros cannot be a (non-zero) number. The actual agent of the reforming movement in the end of time is a divine man i.e. ‘Christ’ in the Christian thought and ‘Mahdi’ according to Muslims.
Christ will come again to those who are waiting for him and he will reappear for salvation. (Hebrews, 9:28)
In fact, we have heard that Jesus is the Savior of the world. (John 4: 42)
Among the narratives, this point is accepted by all Islamic sects ‘رجل من أهل بيتي’ i.e. ‘a man from my household’ is the savior of the end of time. Although there is difference of opinion about his features, but there is a consensus that the absolute savior is a man from the progeny of the Prophet of God as it has been narrated by Sunni as well as Shias that the holy Prophet said: (يخرج في آخر الزمان رجل من ولدي اسمه اسمي ... يملا الأرض عدلاً كما ملئت جورا).
The phrase (رجل من ولدي) does not only intends to prove his family tree (his race), but this promised Savior, belongs to him and his household. Word (منّي) also expresses that a divine task-holder from the progeny of the Holy Prophet will rise. From the Christian perspective, the promised absolute savior is Jesus. It has been mentioned in our traditions too that he will be present in the universal movement. Therefore, it is necessary to study the role of Jesus in the movement of salvation in the end of time from the perspective of Islamic hadiths. According to the Islamic traditions, Jesus will be present in the universal revolution of the end of time and will come from the heavens to implement justice but he will not act independently rather under the banner of Imam Mahdi.
Jesus will come down in Palestine and will salute Imam Mahdi and will offer prayer in his leadership and he will help Imam Mahdi in killing the Antichrist.
According to some traditions, Antichrist will be killed by Imam Mahdi (AS) and according to another narration he will be killed by Jesus. However, according to another tradition Jesus will help Imam Mahdi (AS) to kill the Antichrist.
An important point is that Jesus (peace be upon him) will participate in the final movement under the banner of Imam Mahdi and with his order.
However, a number of Sunnis argue the Imamate of Imam Mahdi on Jesus because he is prophet and brought religion and had miracles. However, according to the Shia belief this priority exists.
( يجتمع المهدي و عيسي بن مريم فيجيء وقت الصلاة فيقول المهديّ لعيسي: ((تقدّم!)). فيقول عيسي: ((أنت أولي بالصلاة.)). فيصلّي عيسي وراءه مأموماً). Imam Mahdi and Jesus will be together. The time of prayer will come. Imam Mahdi will say to Jesus: stand forward for prayer. Jesus will says : you are prior to lead the prayer. Then Jesus will follow Imam Mahdi (in congregational prayer).
The holy Prophet has said: (كيف أنتم إذا أنزل ابن مريم و إمامكم منكم) What will be your condition when Jesus will come down and your Imam will be from yourselves!
In addition, some scholars have said that return of Jesus is not as a prophet because his Sharia has been abrogated and he will not return as a prophet rather he will come back to complete the evidence and acknowledge (Imamate of) Imam Mahdi.
3 – The time of emergence is hidden
Another common point of both schools is this that no time is specified for emergence of the savior. The lack of a specific time always keeps the torch of hope lighted and people of no period are disappointed of emergence of the savior. Basically, no one but God knows when the Savior will reappear and it is one of the examples of knowledge of the hidden facts (Ghaib).
Jesus (peace be upon him) repeatedly mentions in the Bible that the time of appearance is not specified and no one other than God knows it.
But no one knows about that day and time, not even the angels of heaven, but my father (!) (Matthew, 24: 36)
So remain awake, because you do not know that day or time. (Matthew, 25:13)
In the Islamic thoughts also it has been clearly expressed that the time of emergence is a secret and no one knows it. In many narratives specification of time is rejected. However this ambiguity and uncertainty should not disappoint the waiters of the savior. The emergence is sudden and one should wait for it.
Imam Reza (AS) quotes the Holy Prophet (PBUH):
“مثله مثل الساعة التي لايجلّيها لوقتها إلا هو عزّوجلّ لا تأتيكم إلّا بغتة” The time of the promised revolution is like resurrection about which no one except Allah knows. It will not occur but suddenly.
Similarly, the holy Prophet said: (المهدي منا يصلح الله له أمره في الليلة); the matter of our Mahdi will be fixed in one night.
Remarkably, the secrecy of reappearance of Imam Mahdi should not cause depression, despair and cruelty in the faithful ones. They should always have hope, even when desperations are on their peak.
Imam Ali says: (و لا يطولن عليكم الأمد فتقسُو قلوبُكم) Do not consider the time far away because your hearts will become rigid and hopeless.
4 – The signs of emergence
Although the time of the emergence of the savior is hidden but certain signs have been suggested in both the religions.
In this respect, the emergence of the promised one is compared to resurrection, because as there are signs resurrection similarly there are signs and symptoms of reappearance which will occur before it.
Presence of signs, (regardless of those signs) and some signs of reappearance are common is Islam and Christianity.
Signs of reappearance of the savior in Christianity
In the Bible and Christian thoughts, certain signs of emergence and return of Jesus are mentioned. Some of them are as follows:
1 - Christ will rise when the people are criminals and tyranny has covered the entire world:
Why My (God’s) name should be insulted, I will do it for Myself (violate of God’s respect). (Isaiah 48: 11)
That means that there will be just and righteous one who could do work for Him.
2 - Advent of Christ depends on the humiliation of the Jewish people.
3 - Advent of Christ will take place at time of conflict and fight among the states (governments).
4 - Before the advent of Christ, the Antichrist will come:
O kids! This is the last moment as you've heard it, he Antichrist will come. Who is liar except that who denies that Jesus is Christ? He is antichrist who will deny the Father and the Son. (First epistle of John, 2 : 18)
‘Beware anyone should not deceive you in any case because until that first heterodoxy does not take place and that evil man, the son of destruction does not appear that day will not come. (Second letter of Paul to Thessalonians, 2: 3)
5 - Signs in the sky, moon and stars:
At that time, strange things will happen in the heavens. Certain signs of bad news will be seen in the sun, moon and stars.
Order and stability of the sky will collapse... When the events I mentioned happens, know that the kingdom of God will begin soon. (Luke 21:23-25)
Signs of the emergence in Islam
Islamic traditions have mentioned certain signs and symptoms of the emergence of Imam Mahdi (AS). Some of them are being mentioned here:
1 – Return of Jesus is one sign of the end of time.
The holy Prophet (Peace be upon him and his progeny) says: (إنه لعلمٌ للساعة- أي من علائم الساعة حيث ترونه في آخرالزمان). Jesus (AS) himself is a sign of the end of time.
2 - Imam Sadiq (AS) says: (خمس قبل قيام القائم: اليماني و السفياني و المنادي ينادي في السماء و خسف بالبيداء و قتل النفس الزكيّة).
3 – Revolt of the Antichrist before the rise of Imam Mahdi and temptation of people is another sign.
The mention of these signs has led to the fact that secrecy of time of advent will not create despair in the hearts of believers and the righteous, and they know that the hope of the oppressed and the righteous will be come in the peak of desperation.
5 - The world after emergence (Success of the Savior)
Another common point is success of the Savior in the end of time in full implementation of the God’s commands which would not have taken place to such an extent before that.
The reformer of the end of time – unlike the rest of the reformers – will not fail in realization of the truth and destruction of the falsehood. He will achieve his goal and fill the earth with justice and equity, equality, goodness, prosperity, peace and happiness. The ideal city which has occupied the minds of human beings throughout the history will be realized with the coming of the savior.
And Christ will come and the world after his advent will be filled with complete peace and happiness and their land will be full of gold and silver and there is no limit of their treasure. (Isaiah, 2:7)
The ruined cities will become prosperous and general comfort will be provided. The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will sleep with the goat kid. (Isaiah 11: 7
War and bloodshed will be over and no nation will pull sword against other nation and will not learn to fight again. (Isaiah, 2:4)
Such things are also mentioned in the Islamic thoughts. Imam Mahdi will fill the world with justice, goodness and light and will completely implement the theory of ‘Sovereignty of God’ and the ‘salvation program of the Seal of the Messengers’: (يملأ الأرض قسطاً و عدلا كما ملئت ظلماً و جورا).
Economically, the welfare will rule in the society. Security and construction will replace insecurity and destruction. There will exist no poor, needy and hungry: (فيجيئ إليه الرجل فيقول: ((يا مهدي! اعطني ...)) فيحثي له في ثوبه ما استطاع أنْ يحمله).
Security will be dominant in such a manner that: (حتّي تمشي المرأة بين العراق و الشام و لا تضع قدميها إلاعلي النبات و علي رأسها زينتها) A woman will travel alone from Iraq to Syria with her expensive things and no danger will threat her.
It has also been mentioned that: (و ترعي الشاة و الذئب في مكان واحد و يلعب الصبيان بالحيّات العقاربِ لايضرّهم شيءٌ و يذهب الشر و يبقي الخير).
Similarly, peace and happiness will rule: (لوقد قام قائمنا لذهب الشحناء من قلوب العباد و اصطلحت السباع و البهائم) Not only peace will dominate the human society rather it will overshadow all the creatures, animals et cetera.
6. Disappearance of the savior
According to both the religions, the promised reformer or savior exists now, but he is hidden and will return in the end of time, not that he will born in the end of time. If the waiters know that the savior exists it is a source of strengthening of their heart and encouragement for them. According to Christian belief, after crucifixion, Jesus went to heavens. He is near the Godfather until his return in the end of time. However, according to Quran and Muslims’ belief Allah raised him to heavens and he is with Him: (بل رَفعه الله إليه و لكن شبّه لهم).
According to the authentic traditions, the promised Mahdi has born and is alive, but now he is hidden and will reappear in the end of time.
Therefore, the belief in salvation is based on the return of the savior in the end of time and not his birth at that time. And this itself has some subtle points.
B) The differences
There exist some differences between the Islamic and Christian soteriology. Some of them:
1. The Christian salvation is based on original and inherited sin of human being which originated from the rebellion of Adam and made the entire human race dark and contaminated. They consider Sharia lacking the ability of salvation.
It is stipulated in Paul's letter to ‘Galatians’:
The religious laws do not save the man rather one should have faith. If we could achieve salvation, it was not necessary that someone else may show God to us so that we may be able to free ourselves from the grip of sin. The only way of freedom for all of us is that we believe in Jesus Christ. Before the coming of Christ all of us were in temporary prison of religious laws. Our only hope was that our Savior, Jesus Christ might come and save us. So as now Christ has come we do not need the religious laws any more. It matters no longer whether we may be Jews or non-Jews, slave or free, men or women. (Galatians 4:21 - 27)
Now that Christ has set you free, try to remain free. Do not involve yourselves in captivity of religious laws any more. (Galatians, 5:2)
But in Islam human being is inherently pure and is created with a God-seeking nature: (كل مولود يولد علي الفطرة). The Muslim commentators generally believe in transcendence (Tanziah) of prophets and do not consider Adam’s act as sin. Assuming that Adam committed the sin, what it has to do with human nature and why it may make other corrupt?: (ولاتزر وازرة وزر اخري). In Islam, everyone is responsible for his or her own act.
In addition to this, form Islamic perspective Sharia not only does not lack the ability of saving human beings but also salvation only depends on practicing Sharia and religious law.
The Sharia of Mohammad guarantees human salvation. Salvation depends on acting upon it its accurate implementation. The process of salvation by Imam Mahdi is subject to the full implementation of Sharia of Mohammad (Peace be Upon him and his progeny) (أين محيي معالم الدين).). He will revive and implement the abolished traditions in contrary to the Christianity which believes that crucifixion of Jesus and his sacrifice has saved human being but this salvation is not complete.
Muslims believe that the Prophet (PBUH) has presented complete salvation to humanity in the form of Sharia and law. The task of the promised Mahdi is to fully implement the same Sharia and law.
2 – Salvation, in Christianity, will be realized on basis of the mere belief in Christ and freedom from the bonds of religion! That is freedom and salvation of human being will take place through freedom from Sharia and law. However, it is unknown that how Christ will realize the complete salvation after his return.
In Islam, salvation will be realized on basis of belief and good deeds and practicing the Sharia and law. Imam Mahdi’s task is the enforcement of Muhammad’s Sharia.
In the logic of Islam, ‘Faith’ is source of salvation. Faith consists of both belief and good deeds. The Prophet said: (الإيمان معرفة بالقلب و قولٌ باللسان و عملٌ بالأركان).
In this view, the act without belief is not acceptable, as the faith without action does not solve any problem!
In the Islamic view, faith should be associated with the practice of Sharia so that it may save humanity. Otherwise, mere belief in the Prophet does not result in salvation.
This issue is one of the deepest differences between the Islamic and Christian soteriology.
Islamic salvation is not with the motive that man is sinful by nature rather his nature is pure. The holy Prophet brought new book and law to save humanity from lust and desires, darkness and ignorance, discrimination and injustices et cetera. He made his society taste freedom, salvation and justice. However, its complete and full realization and implementation need time and space which will happen in the period of Imam Mahdi.
3 – Another difference of Islamic and Christian soteriology that in Shiite culture the promised savior is present in the society but hidden from eyes not absent. He has effective and active presence in the society pays attention to his lovers and disciples and any oppressed one who calls him.
In his Tauqi (letter) to Sheikh Saduq, Imam Mahdi said: (إنّا غير مهملين لمراعاتكم و لاناسين لذكركم). I am not careless with respect to your guardianship and supervision of your actions and I do not forget you. He not only remembers us but also present physically in our community.
He is present in our homes and communities. Meeting of group of people with him has covered a chapter of books written about him
In his book Kamal-ud-Din, Sheikh Saduq presents a chapter entitled ‘ذِكْرُ مَنْ شاهد القائمعليه السلام و رآه و كلّمه’. In that chapter he names those people who met Imam Mahdi and benefited from his presence.
It is notable that although some Islamic sects believe that he has not born but it is rejected by pure Islam and Shiite. In related books, the birth of Imam Mahdi has been proved in detail.
‘Presence of the savior in the society’ is point of distinction between Islam and Christianity; though the Christians believe that, after the crucifixion, Jesus became alive and went to God:
Finally, they will kill me, but I will be alive again on the third day. (Luke, 18:33)
After the Crucifixion, while he was blessing them, he separated from the ground and went up in the sky. (Luke, 24:50)
From the perspective of Christians the promised savior is not present among the people on land. He will descend to land in the end of the time to bring peace and salvation. However, in the Islamic thought, his hiding does not refer to absence: ‘بنفسي أنت من مغيّب لم يخلُ منّا’.
In this paper, we tried to compare the Islamic and Christian soteriology. In comparison, it is necessary to consider and study the opinion of the two parties – regardless of its accuracy or invalidity. It does not mean that their belief cannot be criticized. This requires a separate effort with title of ‘Criticizing Christian soteriology’.