Abrogation and the Evolution of Islamic Universalism

Mahmoud Andrade Ibrahim

The post-Qur’anic Muslim tradition witnessed a notable shift in its approach towards universalism, primarily due to the concept of abrogation. I want to explore how abrogation, the cancel culture of its day, was utilized as a method to discard inconvenient verses, consequently altering the notion of universalism within Islamic teachings. I will look at the significance of specific verses and their interpretations by early exegetes, such as Ibn Abbas and al-Razi, who advocated for a broader understanding of Islam as encompassing monotheistic beliefs. However, subsequent scholars like Ibn Kathir introduced a more narrow definition that aligned Islam with the historical path of Muhammad. And it is this difference in approach that is a dividing factor among Muslims today. Of course, the question we must ask ourselves is “who benefits from a narrower view of our deen?”

A Tool for Selective Interpretations

Abrogation refers to the process by which certain verses or teachings in religious texts are superseded or canceled out by later revelations or commandments. In the context of Islam, abrogation played a crucial role in shaping its post-Qur’anic tradition, especially concerning matters related to universalism. Of course the question that should be asked is 'who' is in charge of determining which verses are abrogated by which other verses, Allah or humans ? 

One verse that exemplifies this concept is “If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him.” (Quran 3:85). Early exegetes like Ibn Abbas suggested that “Islam” here referred to submission to God rather than an exclusive reference to Muhammad's specific historical path. They argued that this verse should be understood as encompassing all manifestations of monotheistic faiths.  However, scholars like Ibn Kathir began defining “Islam” in a more specific and restricted manner. They focused on interpreting it as referring exclusively to Muhammad's historical path, effectively narrowing down the definition of Islam and distancing it from its original universalist roots.

Universalism through Monotheistic Paths

 Abdullah ibn Abbas, was born in the year 619 CE in Mecca. He was a cousin of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as his mother, Umm al-Fadl, was the aunt of the Prophet. This familial connection allowed Ibn Abbas to have direct exposure to the teachings and wisdom of Prophet Muhammad.

During his youth, Ibn Abbas showed great interest in learning and understanding Islam. He became known for his sharp intellect and exceptional memory. As a result, he became one of the most prominent scholars among Muslims.

Ibn Abbas gained recognition for his expertise in interpreting and explaining the Quranic verses. His interpretations were highly esteemed due to their comprehensive nature and deep spiritual insights. He emphasized contextualizing verses by considering their historical context, background events, and intended meanings.

One of Ibn Abbas's significant contributions was his commitment to seeking a holistic understanding of Islamic teachings rather than relying on superficial or literal interpretations alone. He believed that true comprehension required delving into the underlying meanings behind various verses.

Ibn Abbas's interpretation presents an inclusive understanding of Islam where individuals could find salvation through different paths leading towards one God. This perspective aligns with overarching themes found throughout various religious traditions emphasizing unity among monotheists. His approach to understanding and interpreting Islam promotes inclusivity and provides individuals with multiple paths to seek salvation while still recognizing the oneness of Allah.

He often emphasized contextualizing verses in order to understand their intended meanings fully.   Ibn Abbas emphasized that Islam is not limited to a singular path or rigid set of rules but rather embraces diversity in seeking closeness to Allah. 

One key aspect highlighted by Ibn Abbas is that salvation can be attained through various means within Islam. He believed that Muslims have different capacities, experiences, and inclinations; therefore, they may approach spirituality through distinct avenues while remaining on the path of righteousness. This inclusive perspective recognizes that individuals possess unique qualities and encourages them to explore their own personal journeys towards Allah without undermining the fundamental principles of Islam.

Ibn Abbas's interpretation resonates with overarching themes found in other religious traditions as well – particularly those emphasizing unity among monotheists regardless of their specific faith practices or rituals. The concept that there are multiple paths leading towards one ultimate truth has been echoed throughout history in different theological systems worldwide.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

"Indeed, those who have believed and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabeans - whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve."
Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:62

Furthermore, Sufism – a mystical tradition within Islam – shares similarities with Ibn Abbas's inclusive interpretation. Sufis emphasize the importance of personal experience and direct connection with Allah rather than focusing solely on external adherence to religious obligations. They believe that individuals can attain closeness to Allah through deep introspection, meditation, and inner purification. This perspective emphasizes the spiritual unity among believers while recognizing the diversity in their approaches.

Inclusion and unity are crucial aspects of interfaith dialogue as well. Recognizing that different religious traditions have unique pathways towards God fosters respect and understanding among diverse communities. It encourages individuals from various faith backgrounds to connect on a deeper level beyond mere tolerance or coexistence.

مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا
"…Whoever believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteous deeds…" Q.2:62

Ibn Abbas's interpretation presents an inclusive understanding of Islam where individuals could find salvation through different paths leading towards one God. This perspective aligns with overarching themes found throughout various religious traditions emphasizing unity among monotheists. By embracing diversity in seeking spirituality while upholding fundamental principles of faith, Muslims can foster greater inclusivity within their communities and contribute positively towards interfaith dialogue for global harmony and understanding.

“Then Allah went on to mention the believers among them, saying: (Lo! Those who believe) in Moses and all the other prophets, these earn their reward from their Lord in Paradise; they shall have no fear perpetually and they shall perpetually not grieve. It is said that this means that no fear will come upon them concerning torment in the future life nor will they grieve about anything they have left behind. And it is also said that this means: they shall have no fear when death is slain and hell is closed. Then He mentioned those who did not believe in Moses or the other prophets, saying: (and those who are Jews) who deviated from the religion of Moses, (and Christians) those who became Christians (and Sabaeans) a Christian sect whose members shave the middle of their heads, read the Gospel, worship the angels and say: "our hearts have returned (saba'at) unto Allah", (whoever believeth) from amongst them (in Allah and the Last Day and does right) in that which is between them and their Lord, (surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve).”
`Abdullah-Bin-`Abbas. Tafsir Ibn-'Abbas (Explanation of the Holy Qur'an) : Translated by Mokrane Guezzou

Throughout history, Islamic scholars have interpreted the teachings of Islam in various ways, leading to diverse schools of thought and perspectives. Among these influential scholars was Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, commonly known as al-Razi. His unique viewpoint on Islam challenged the notion of a rigid adherence to specific religious practices and instead emphasized an individual's active approach towards God. (Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid, commonly known by his nisba , al-Tabari, was among his more famous students. Al Tabri is known for his most famous work: Tafsir al Tabari and his historical chronicle called History of the Prophets and Kings (Tarīkh al-rusul wa-l-mulūk), often referred to as Tarīkh al-Ṭabarī ("al-Tabari's History")

Al-Razi viewed “Islam” not merely as group adherence but rather an active approach on an individual level toward God; thus opening the possibility for various monotheistic paths to be accepted as part of Islam. This understanding allowed for a more inclusive and universalist perspective, where diverse religious expressions were seen as valid ways to seek truth.

Al-Razi viewed "Islam" not merely as a blind following but rather a true seeker's  journey toward Allah. He believed that true devotion required personal effort and spiritual exploration rather than blind conformity to rituals alone. Recognizing that different cultures and societies had embraced their own interpretations of religious truths, he acknowledged their validity in the search for ultimate reality within Islamic teachings. According to him, adherents should actively seek knowledge, contemplate divine mysteries, and strive for a profound connection with the Creator.

Al-Razi advocated for tolerance by considering diverse religious expressions – such as Christianity or Judaism – as acceptable forms within the broader framework of Islam. He rejected exclusivist claims that only one path could lead individuals to salvation or enlightenment while acknowledging that multiple religions could coexist harmoniously.

For al-Razi, diversity in religious expressions was seen not as a threat but rather an opportunity for individuals seeking truth from different perspectives within the realm of monotheism itself. Through this understanding, he promoted intellectual curiosity and encouraged dialogue between various religious communities, fostering a climate of mutual understanding and respect.

Al-Razi's inclusive understanding of Islam challenged prevailing orthodoxies, marking him as a pioneer in the development of religious pluralism within Islamic scholarship. His ideas influenced subsequent scholars, such as Ibn Arabi and Mulla Sadra, who further expanded upon the concept of inclusivity and universality within Islam

The Narrowing Definition of Islam

However, over time, scholars like Ibn Kathir introduced a more restrictive interpretation aligning Islam solely with Muhammad's historical path. This shift can be attributed to various factors including political changes within Muslim empires as well as efforts towards standardization and consolidation.

Ibn Kathir was an eminent scholar known for his comprehensive Quranic commentary called "Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim." His approach focused on narrating historical accounts related to verses rather than exploring multiple interpretations or accommodating diverse theological perspectives.

Ibn Kathir started to define "Islam" in a more precise and limited way. He as well as subsequent scholars concentrated on interpreting it as being exclusively related to Muhammad's historical trajectory, effectively narrowing down the definition of Islam and moving away from its original universalist origins.

Ibn Kathir's approach gained prominence among later scholars who reinforced the idea that only following Muhammad's teachings could guarantee true adherence to Islam. This shift led to a more exclusive understanding of the religion, limiting salvation solely through adherence to specific rituals and doctrines associated with Prophet Muhammad.

In Summary

The post-Qur’anic Muslim tradition witnessed both an inclusive universalism that emphasized submission to God through various monotheistic paths as well as a narrowing down of this concept by subsequent scholars who favored exclusivity. The concept of abrogation played a crucial role in shaping these differing interpretations.

Early exegetes like Ibn Abbas and al-Razi advocated for an expansive definition of Islam that encompassed different manifestations of monotheism. However, later scholars like Ibn Kathir introduced a restrictive interpretation aligning Islam solely with Muhammad's historical path.

Understanding this evolution is essential in comprehending the diversity within Islamic thought throughout history. Acknowledging these varying perspectives enables us to appreciate the richness and complexity present within Islamic teachings while fostering dialogue between different religious traditions based on shared values such as monotheism and devotion towards God.