English Translation of Al-Quran
[28].Surah Al-Qasas [The Narration]
Ayat 51. And indeed, now Allah conveyed the Word (this Qur’an in which is the news of everything to them), in order that they may remember (or receive admonition).
Ayat 52. Those to whom Allah gave the Scripture [i.e. the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] before it, – they believe in it (the Qur’an).
Ayat 53. And when it is recited to them, they say: “We believe in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Lord. Indeed even before it we have been from those who submit themselves to Allah in Islam as Muslims (like ‘Abdullah bin Salam and Salman Al-Farsi, etc.).
Tafseer of Surah Al-Qasas (The Narration) Ayat 51, 52, 53. Now have Allah caused the Word to reach them themselves, in order that they may receive admonition. Before this Quraysh might have said that the Word of Allah had come to the Hebrews in their tongue or in Greek, which was used by the Hebrews in the time of Jesus. Now that Word is brought to their own doors, in their own Arabic tongue, by a man of their own race and family. Surely they have no excuse now for remaining strangers to the higher moral and spiritual law. Those to whom We sent the Book before this, – they do believe in this (revelation): And when it is recited to them, they say: “We believe therein, for it is the Truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will) from before this. There were Christians and Jews who recognized that Islam was a logical and natural development of Allah’s revelations as given in earlier ages, and they not only welcomed and accepted Islam, but claimed, and rightly, that they had always been Muslims. In that sense Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus had all been Muslims.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Aamir bin Sad bin Abi Waqqas narrated from his father Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported & said, I have never heard The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) saying about anybody walking on the earth that he is from the people of Paradise except Hazrat Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him). The following Verse was revealed in Surah Al-Ahqaf (Ayat 10) concerning him: ” Say: “Tell me! If this (Qur’an) is from Allah, and you deny it, and a witness from among the Children of Israel (Abdullah bin Salam) testifies that this Qur’an is from Allah [like the Taurat (Torah)], so he believed (embraced Islam) while you are too proud (to believe).” Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong doing). (46.10)
[Al-Bukhari Book 05, Chapter 58, Hadith # 157].
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 53. “Indeed, even before it we have been from those who submit themselves to Allah in Islam as Muslims” This Hadith also highlights the merits of Ahlul-Kitab means the people of the Scriptures, that is the Jews and the Christians. This Hadith has an inducement for them that if they embrace Islam, they will be entitled to a reward.