Islam is based on the principles of individual responsibility and divine justice. One of the key teachings in the Quran is that every person is accountable for their own actions, and no soul can bear the burden of another’s sins. This directly contradicts the Christian belief in the concept of “original sin” and the idea that Jesus was crucified to atone for the sins of humanity.
A prime example of this teaching in Islam is found in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-An’am (6:164):
Say, ‘Should I seek a lord other than Allah while He is the Lord of everything? And nobody does anything but to his own account, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about that over which you used to differ.’
This verse, along with many others in the Quran, firmly establishes that each individual is responsible for their own deeds, and the concept of transferring sins to another—whether it is through the Christian belief of Jesus’ crucifixion or any other doctrine—is inconsistent with Islamic teachings. Let’s delve into this in more detail.
1. Individual Accountability in the Quran
The Quran consistently emphasizes that each person is responsible for their own actions. Several verses reaffirm this point:
- Surah Al-Isra (17:15): “Whoever adopts the right path does so for his own benefit, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another, and it is not Our way to punish (anyone) unless We send a Messenger.”
- Surah Az-Zumar (39:7): “If you disbelieve, then, Allah does not need you at all, however He does not like for His servants to be disbelievers; and if you are grateful, He will like it for you. No one will bear the burden of someone else. Then, to your Lord is your return; so He will tell you about what you used to do. He is aware of whatever lies in the hearts.”
The consistent repetition of this theme in the Quran underlines its importance. These verses show that Islam rejects the idea of sin being passed on to others, a concept central to some other religious traditions, like Christianity’s belief in Jesus’ crucifixion as atonement for humanity’s sins.
2. The Christian Concept of Atonement and Jesus’ Crucifixion
In contrast, Christianity teaches that Jesus, through his crucifixion, atoned for the sins of humanity. This is a form of vicarious redemption, where an innocent figure bears the sins of others. According to this belief, humanity’s collective sins were placed upon Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross to free humanity from the burden of original sin.
However, in Islam, this notion is fundamentally rejected. Jesus (known as Isa in Islam) is regarded as a revered prophet, not a divine figure, and the Quran explicitly denies that he was crucified:
- Surah An-Nisa (4:157): “and for their saying, “We have certainly killed the Messiah ‘Īsā the son of Maryam, the Messenger of Allah”, while in fact they did neither kill him, nor crucify him, but it was only made to appear so. Those who disputed in this matter are certainly in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, but they follow whims. It is absolutely certain that they did not kill him,”
This denial further reinforces that the concept of vicarious atonement or the transference of sin to an innocent person, such as Jesus, is not part of Islamic theology.
3. Addressing Sahih Muslim 2767d
There is a hadith in Sahih Muslim (2767d) that narrates Muslims will be forgiven for their sins on the Day of Judgment, and those sins will be placed on Jews and Christians. This hadith, narrated by Abu Burda, has raised questions about its alignment with the Quran’s teachings on individual responsibility.
In Islam, the Quran is the ultimate source of authority, and any hadith, even from Sahih collections, must be understood in light of the Quran. The Quranic principle of “no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another” (6:164, 17:15) is foundational. Thus, any narration that seems to conflict with this principle must be interpreted with caution.
Many scholars have emphasized that the Quran’s message of individual accountability remains unchanged. It is important to consider the broader context of Islamic justice and mercy rather than viewing this hadith as implying the literal transference of sins to innocent people. The Quranic principle takes precedence, and Allah’s justice ensures that no one will be wronged.
4. Allah’s Mercy as Central to Islamic Belief
The concept of Allah’s mercy is a core aspect of Islamic belief. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that Allah is the “Most Merciful” and “Most Forgiving”:
- Surah Az-Zumar (39:53): “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”
- Surah Al-A’raf (7:156): “And My mercy encompasses all things.”
While Muslims are responsible for their own sins, Allah’s mercy provides them with numerous opportunities for forgiveness, whether through sincere repentance (Tawbah), good deeds, or Allah’s grace on the Day of Judgment. The Quran encourages Muslims to constantly seek Allah’s forgiveness and stresses that His mercy is greater than their sins.
5. Conclusion: Islam Rejects the Transfer of Sin
Islam’s doctrine of individual accountability firmly rejects the idea of one person bearing the sins of another. The Quranic verse “no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another” (6:164) forms the foundation of Islamic justice and highlights the personal responsibility each individual has for their actions.
While Sahih Muslim 2767d may seem to contradict this principle, scholars emphasize interpreting it in the broader context of Quranic teachings. The hadith is not to be taken as evidence of a general transference of sins but as part of the broader concept of divine justice.
Furthermore, Islam’s rejection of the crucifixion of Jesus and the concept of atonement further strengthens the argument that no innocent person can bear the burden of another’s sins. In Islam, repentance, personal responsibility, and Allah’s vast mercy are central to the path of forgiveness and salvation. Allah’s mercy, as taught in the Quran, proves that He is the Most Merciful and does not require any intermediary or scapegoat for forgiveness. To learn if the God of the Bible is the same as the God of the Quran, click here.
Last modified: 02/10/2024