9 Common Teachings of Divine Faiths
However, key teachings of divine religions are the same in all of them.
Some common teachings of divine religions:
1- Monotheism
All divine religions invite people to monotheism and believing in one God. “Worship God for He is your only Lord.” (Surah Al-A’araf, Verse 59)
All divine religions have struggled against Shirk (polytheism), idolatry and Taghut (worshiping other than God). “Worship Allah and avoid the idols.” (Surah An-Nahl, Verse 36)
2- Prophethood
All faiths invite people to follow divine prophets and their path, which has been defined by the revelation.
3- Resurrection
Divine religions inform people about the Resurrection Day and what will happen on that day, warning them about punishments and difficulties facing mankind on the Day of Judgment.
4- Salah
In all religions, Salah (prayers) shines like a sun, Prophet Abraham (SA) said: “Lord, make me and my offspring steadfast in prayer and accept our worship.” (Surah Ibrahim, Verse 40)
The deviated people told Prophet Shu’aib (AS): “Do your prayers tell you that we must give up the worship of what our fathers had worshipped and that we must not deal with our properties as we like?” (Surah Hud, Verse 87)
And Prophet Jesus (AS) said in cradle: “He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live.” (Surah Maryam, Verse 31)
5- Fasting
Fasting is among common practices of all divine religions. “Believers, fasting has been made mandatory for you as it was made mandatory for the people before you, so that you may have fear of God.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 183)
6- Jihad
The Holy Quran says about the Jihad of prophets: “And how many a prophet has fought with whom were many worshippers of the Lord; so they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in Allah's way, nor did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the patient.” (Surah Al Imran, Verse 146)
7- Hajj
Hajj is not for Islam only and existed in previous religions as well. God told Abraham (AS): “Call people for hajj - an act of worship accomplished by visiting the sacred sites in Mecca.” (Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 27)
8- Zakat (Almsgiving)
Zakat is not for Islam only and was a religious duty in previous religions as well.
Jesus (AS) said: “He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live.” (Surah Maryam, Verse 31)
9- Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
Luqman told his son: “O my son! keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require courage.” (Surah Luqman, Verse 17)
These are some common practices in divine religions. Just as there are differences among religions, there are fixed and changing rules in one religion as well. The fixed rules do not change but some rules may change according to conditions and expediencies such as war and peace.
