There are some sources that claim that verse 2:62 and 5:69 are abrogated by verse 3:85.
According to many scholars, such as Muhammad Asad, none of the verses of the Quran is abrogated.
Furthermore, the verse 2:62 [Baqara, 62] is repeated exactly in 5:60 [Maida, verse 69] which is a much later revelation than 3:85 [Imran, verse 85]. An earlier verse cannot abrogate a later verse.
These verses can be reconciled with the explanations of the meanings of ‘islam’ and ‘muslim’ in the Quran by Muhammad Asad, a renowned scholar of our time.
[ Asad’s note 17 to verse 68:35:
This is the earliest occurance of the term “muslimun (sing. Muslim) in the history of Quranic revelation.
Throughout this work, I have translated the terms ‘muslim’ and ‘islam’ in accordance with their original connotations, namely “ one who surrenders [ or “has surrendered”] himself to God”, and “man’s self-surrender to God”: the same holds good of all forms of the verb ‘aslama’ occurring in the Quran.
It should be borne in mind that the “institutionalized” use of these terms – that is, their exclusive application to the followers of the Prophet Muhammad – represents a definitely post-Quranic development and, hence, must be avoided in a translation of the Quran.]
[ al-Qalam, Mecca 3 ]
68: 35
Asad Or should We, perchance, treat those who surrender themselves unto Us as [ We would treat ] those who remain lost in sin ? [note 17]
Yusuf Ali Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin?
Pickthall Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty?
Transliteration Afanajalul muslimina kal mujrimin
The details of the verses 2:62, 3:85, and 5:69 are given below:
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2: 62 [al-Baqarah, Medina 87]
Asad Verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians (note 49) – all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds – shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve. (note 50)
This verse repeated in 5:69
The Quranic text and Ali’s version
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ
وَالَّذِينَ
هَادُواْ
وَالنَّصَارَى
وَالصَّابِئِينَ
...
2:62. Those who believe (in the Qur'án) and those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,
C76. Latest researches have revealed a small remnant of a religious community numbering about 2,000 souls in Lower Iraq, near Basra.
In Arabic they are called Subbi (plural Subba). They are also called Sabians and Nasoraeans; or Mandaeans, or Christians of St. John.
They claim to be Gnostics, of Knowers of the Great Life. They dress in white, and believe in frequent immersions in water. Their Book Ginza is in a dialect of Aramaic. They have theories of Darkness and Light as in Zoroastrianism. They use the name Yardan (Jordan) for any river. They live in peace and harmony among their Muslim neighbors. They resemble the Sabi'un mentioned in the Quran but are not probably identical with them.
The pseudo-Sabians of Harran, who attracted the attention of Khalifah Ma'mun al Rashid in 830 A.C. by their long hair and peculiar dress probably adopted the name as it was mentioned in the Quran, in order to claim the privileges of the People of the Book. They were Syrian Star-worshippers with Hellenistic tendencies, like the Jews contemporary with Jesus.
There was another people called the Sabaens, who played an important part in the history of early Arabia, and are known through their inscriptions in an alphabet allied to the Phoenician and Babylonian. They had a flourishing kingdom in the Yemen tract in South Arabia about 800-700 B.C., though their origin may have been in North Arabia. They worshipped the planets and stars (Moon, Sun, Venus). Probably the Queen of Sheba is connected with them. They succumbed to Abyssinia about 350 A.C. and to Persia about 579 A.C. Their capital was near San'a. They had beautiful stone buildings, in which the pointed arch is noticeable.
(See Encyclopedia Britannica, on Sabaeans). (R).
... مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ...
and who believe in God and the last day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord;
... وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾
on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
C77. CF. 2:38, where the same phrase occurs. And it recurs again and again afterwards.
The point of the verse is that Islam does not teach an exclusive doctrine, and is not meant exclusively for one people. The Jews claimed this for themselves, and the Christians in their own origin were a sect of the Jews.
Even the modern organized Christian churches, though they have been, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by the Time-spirit, including the historical fact of Islam, yet cling to the idea of Vicarious Atonement, which means that all who do not believe in it or who lived previously to the death of Christ are at a disadvantage spiritually before the Throne of Allah.
The attitude of Islam is entirely different. Islam existed before the preaching of Muhammad on this earth: the Quran expressly calls Abraham a Muslim (3:67). Its teaching (submission to Allah's will) has been and will be the teaching of Religion for all time and for all peoples.
Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wallazina ha_du_ wan nasa_ra_ was sa_bi'ina man a_mana billa_hi wal yaumil a_khiri wa 'amila sa_lihan fa lahum ajruhum 'inda rabbihim wa la_ khaufun 'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).
[ Asad’s note 49: The Sabians seem to have been a monotheistic religious group intermediate between Judaism and Christianity. ……..]
note 50: The above passage – which recurs in the Quran several times – lays down a fundamental doctrine of Islam. With a breadth of vision unparalleled in any other religious faith, the idea of “salvation” is here make conditional upon three elements only: belief in God, belief in the Day of Judgment, and righteous action in life. ……..]
[ Ruby’s note: I concentrate on the word “any who” or “all who” to mean the entire humankind. This condition is not only for the religious groups mentioned by name here, but it is actually addressed to the entire humanity at all times. These verses are part of the Universal concepts of Islam. And this is in line with the way an ever true religion is defined in 30:30. Without this foundation or fundamental understanding a Muslim would be misled about his/her position-mindset and duty among fellow human beings, Muslim or non-Muslim and his/her duty toward God. (see my article on this subject)
ALSO: It is asserting, in spite of the past failures and the negative attitude that exists among many of the Jewish people, that there also could be righteous people from them as well if they fulfill the above three conditions. Therefore they are not all condemned. I think if the Quran would have extended revealing today second time around,
there would have been similar verses against the Muslims as well. ]
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Sura 5, al-Maida, Medina 112
This verse was revealed once before, see 2:62
Asad’s version
(5:69) for, verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, and the Christians - all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.
The Quranic text and Ali’s version
إِنَّ
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ
وَالَّذِينَ
هَادُواْ
وَالصَّابِؤُونَ
وَالنَّصَارَى...
5:69. Those who believe (in the Qur'án), those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,
... مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وعَمِلَ صَالِحًا...
any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,
... فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾
on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wal lazina ha_du_ was sa_bi'u_na wan nasa_ra_ man a_mana billa_hi wal yaumil a_khiri wa 'amila sa_lihan fala_ khaufun'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).
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3. Sura al-Imran
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَمَن
يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ
الإِسْلاَمِ
دِينًا فَلَن
يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ...
3: 85. If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him;
C418. The Muslim position is clear.
The Muslim does not claim to have a religion peculiar to himself. Islam is not a sect or an ethnic religion. In its view all Religion is one, for the Truth is one. It was the religion preached by all the earlier Prophets. It was the truth taught by all the inspired Books.
In essence it amounts to a consciousness of the Will and Plan of Allah and a joyful submission to that Will and Plan.
If any one wants a religion other than that, he is false to his own nature, as he is false to Allah's Will and Plan. Such a one cannot expect guidance, for he has deliberately renounced guidance.
...وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾
and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
3: 85
Asad For, if one goes in search of a religion other than self-surrender unto God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.
Yusuf Ali If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
Pickthall And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.
Transliteration Wa may yabtagi gairal isla_mi dinan falay yuqbala minh)u), wa huwa fil a_khirati minal kha_sirin(a).