Q: One ‘scholar’ mentioned that the Qur’an states:
“Were it not the case that people stood up for each other and defended each other, then temples, synagogues, churches and mosques would be destroyed as a result of tyranny.” He then goes on to say: “And it’s very interesting that in the same verse places of worship of different religions are mentioned by God to demonstrate it is God’s design to have all these religions.” Furthermore he states: “The Middle East is the cradle of Christianity. For many years I have lamented the emptying of these lands of its Christian populations. The former Archbishop Lord Williams, with our current Archbishop, with my dear friend and brother His Grace Bishop Angelos & many other Christian leaders, I have lamented this fact that the Middle East is poorer without its Christian population.” “Christianity was there first. Islam came later. Muslims came later and they lived together for centuries peacefully.”
I wanted to ask 2 questions: (1) Is what he said correct? (2) If not, which bits are incorrect and why?
A: This is perversion, and you do not need to pay attention to perverts. This refers to the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam) and their religions in their respective times. When they expired their religions expired. Hence, their places of worship also expire.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)