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"Muslims strive to be the best of people, devoted to Allah with modesty, piety, and faith. The Qur'an says, ‘You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah' (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:110). We pray five times daily, dress humbly, and hold fast to Allah's commands, seeking His pleasure. Jesus (peace be upon him) lived this way too—‘And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you"' (Surah As-Saff, 61:6)—submitting fully to Allah.
The Qur'an calls us to his example: ‘The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger' (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:75). We follow what he truly taught—worshipping Allah alone with sincerity—unlike those who drifted. Allah says, ‘Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam' (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:19). Our devotion reflects the prophetic path, aiming to please Allah in all we do."
The assertion that Muslims are the "best nation" (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:110) or possess moral superiority due to external practices like prayer frequency or dress code is a classic case of spiritual boasting. True devotion is measured by inward transformation and adherence to the unique standard of Jesus Christ, not by adherence to legalistic outward acts.
1. Piety of the Heart vs. External Ritual
The Christian faith affirms that true piety is a matter of the heart's condition, not a checklist of external observances.
- The Warning Against Externalism: Jesus Christ vehemently warned against those who display piety for show, stating they already have their reward (Matthew 6:1, 5). He condemned the Pharisees, who were meticulous in their rituals (like tithing mint and dill), but neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
- The Superior Standard: While Christians pray and practice modesty, the Christian standard is the internal, radical love of God and neighbour (Matthew 22:37-40), made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is a far more demanding and genuine measure of devotion than merely performing a fixed set of prayers (Salat) or adhering to a dress code.
2. The Danger of Self-Justification
The claim to be the "best nation" or to possess superior devotion falls prey to the human tendency toward self-justification.
- The Standard of Grace: The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Therefore, no group can claim superiority based on its own merit or works; salvation and piety are entirely by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Any devotion or goodness displayed by a Christian is a direct result of God's grace, not a boast of human excellence.
- A Conditional Claim: The claim of "best nation" is conditional, based on enjoining right and forbidding wrong. History, however, demonstrates that all human groups, including the community of Islam, have failed this standard, making the claim of superiority empty rhetoric.
3. Christ is the Ultimate Example
The opponent attempts to claim Jesus as a mere prototype for Islamic submission, citing that He was a "messenger" (Surah As-Saff, 61:6).
- The True Submission: Jesus's devotion and obedience were not those of a created being; they were the actions of the Divine Son (John 10:30) in His human nature, fulfilling the ultimate act of salvation. His example is one of sacrificial love and unique divinity, which cannot be replicated or claimed by any other religious system.
- The Final Religion: We dismiss the self-referential claim that "the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam" (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:19). The only perfect, saving religion in the sight of God is faith in Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and the one Standard of Perfection for all humanity.
We conclude that piety is judged by the purity of the heart and relationship with the Triune God, not by moral self-assessment or external legalism.