Bible, Matthew, Chapter 22, The Parable of The Wedding Banquet, verse 1-14

In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, the kingdom of the heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet. Therefore, the king sent his servant to invite his people to attend the banquet. Some of his servants were mistreated and some killed (Prophet John The Baptist was killed). Therefore, he sent his army to destroy the murderers and the burned the city.

Then the king sent his servants to good and bad to attend the banquet. Some people accept the invitation and went to the wedding banquet, whereas other didn't even bother with the invitation. They are more concern with their daily life. Some people went to the wedding banquet but didn't wear the wedding clothes and thrown outside where there will be weeping and gnashing. Finally the parable was concluded with the verse "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

In the Bible it didn't mentioned, what is the criteria to be chosen. How do you safe yourself from weeping and gnashing of the teeth. The answer is stated Prophet Muhamad S.A.W saying in Sahih Bukhari as follows.

And then they said, "The houses stands for Paradise and the call maker is Muhammad; and whoever obeys Muhammad, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhammad, disobeys Allah. Muhammad separated the people (i.e., through his message, the good is distinguished from the bad, and the believers from the disbelievers)."

As stated in the Bible verse 10, God (Allah S.W.T) sent his message to the believer and disbeliever, the sinners (to repent) and the tyrant (to repent) to accept his guidance and to be save from the Hell. For example the following verses were address to these groups.

Message to the tyrants
Surah An-Nahl (The Bees) / Chapter 16, verse 45-47

45. Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allâh will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not?

46. Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allâh's Punishment)?

47. Or that He may catch them with gradual wasting (of their wealth and health). Truly! Your Lord is indeed full of Kindness, Most Merciful?

 

Message to the believers, disbelievers and the sinners
Surah Az-Zumar (The Groups)/ Chapter 39, verse 53-61

53. Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

54. "And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islâmic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islâm), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.

55. "And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur'ân, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!"

56. Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allâh (i.e. I have not done what Allâh has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), the Qur'ân, and Muhammad S.A.W and at the faithful believers, etc.]

57. Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allâh had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons - see V.2:2)."

58. Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see V.2:112)."

59. Yes! Verily, there came to you My Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and you denied them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.

60. And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allâh (i.e. attributed to Him sons, partners, etc.) their faces will be black. Is there not in Hell an abode for the arrogant ones?

61. And Allâh will deliver those who are the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2) to their places of success (Paradise). Evil shall touch them not, nor shall they grieve.

Before Prophet Muhamad S.A.W, there were many servants(messengers) of God (Allah S.W.T) sent to invite the people to Paradise and to be save from the Hell. Similarly like the parable, the people whom were invited some believe and some didn't believe the message informed by the messengers. The people even mistreated the messengers and killed them. Consequestly, God (Allah S.W.T) punished this people for their wrong doings. For further details about the messengers,their people and their response, go to Surah Hud(Prophet Hud), Surah An-Anbiya' (The Prophets) and Surah Ya-Sin.

The minimum requirement to save us from the burning fire of Hell is not to worship other gods except God Allah (S.W.T) as stated by the following Hadith (saying of Prophet Muhamad S.A.W in Sahih Bukhari).

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 23: Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz) ,
Volume 2, Book 23, Number 329:

Narrated Abu Dhar:

Allah's Apostle said, "Someone came to me from my Lord and gave me the news (or good tidings) that if any of my followers dies worshipping none (in any way) along with Allah, he will enter Paradise." I asked, "Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft?" He replied, "Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft."

 

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 55: Prophets ,
Volume 4, Book 55, Number 551:

Narrated Anas:

The Prophet said, "Allah will say to that person of the (Hell) Fire who will receive the least punishment, 'If you had everything on the earth, would you give it as a ransom to free yourself (i.e. save yourself from this Fire)?' He will say, 'Yes.' Then Allah will say, 'While you were in the backbone of Adam, I asked you much less than this, i.e. not to worship others besides Me, but you insisted on worshipping others besides me.' "

 

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 55: Prophets ,
Volume 4, Book 55, Number 644:

Narrated 'Ubada:

The Prophet said, "If anyone testifies that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Apostle, and that Jesus is Allah's Slave and His Apostle and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few." (Junada, the sub-narrator said, " 'Ubada added, 'Such a person can enter Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes.")

Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 93: ONENESS, UNIQUENESS OF ALLAH (TAWHEED)
Volume 9, Book 93, Number 600:

Narrated Anas:

I heard the Prophet saying, "On the Day of Resurrection I will intercede and say, "O my Lord! Admit into Paradise (even) those who have faith equal to a mustard seed in their hearts." Such people will enter Paradise, and then I will say, 'O (Allah) admit into Paradise (even) those who have the least amount of faith in their hearts." Anas then said: As if I were just now looking at the fingers of Allah's Apostle.

 

Dear reader, if you're still not convince that Islam is the truth, then please ponder upon these verses from the Holy Quran, Surah Al-Mursalaat (Those sent forth) / Chapter 77

Surah Al-Mursalaat (Those sent forth) / Chapter 77, verse 35-50

35. That will be a Day when they shall not speak (during some part of it),
36. And they will not be permitted to put forth any excuse.
37. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
38. That will be a Day of Decision! We have brought you and the men of old together!
39. So if you have a plot, use it against Me (Allâh)!
40. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
41. Verily, the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2) shall be amidst shades and springs.
42. And fruits, such as they desire.
43. "Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do.
44. Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers).
45. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
46. (O you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimûn (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).
47. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
48. And when it is said to them: "Bow down yourself (in prayer)!" They bow not down (offer not their prayers) .
49. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
50. Then in what statement after this (the Qur'ân) will they believe?