What does Islam offer that other religions lack?

Islam shares the same foundations with all religions. What distinguishes it is a completed teaching for all of mankind, at a time when the world has grown together.

Before asking what is special, another question is worth asking. If all religions come from the same God, why should there be any differences at all? That is why the Holy Qur’an begins with what is shared. Belief in the one God, sincere devotion to Him, prayer, giving for others and belief in life after death belong to every religion that comes from God.

The differences are explained by history. For a long time peoples lived as if on separate islands and knew little of one another. The teachings revealed then were meant for a particular people and their time. Each was perfect for its time. When times change, a teaching is needed that fits the new circumstances.

One example shows this. The teaching at the time of Moses (as) stressed just retribution. A people that had been oppressed for a long time and had lost its courage needed to learn to stand up for its rights. Forgiveness was possible, but it was not in the foreground. By the time of Jesus (as) many hearts had grown hard. Now forgiveness moved to the centre. Both teachings came from the same God, who knew exactly what people needed in their time.

All the great religions foretold an age in which a religion for all mankind would appear. Islam makes this claim. It speaks to every people and brings retribution and forgiveness, justice and kindness into balance, instead of stressing only one side.

That is what sets it apart. It addresses the whole human being and the whole of humanity, just as the verses above describe.