Allah could have made people of one religion if He willed - in the Quran

The Quran affirms that Allah could have made people of one religion if He willed. This is mentioned in several verses, such as Quran 11:118, Quran 16:93, and Quran 42:8. However, Allah has allowed for differences to exist among people as a test. This serves as a means to see who will strive to do good deeds and please Allah, and who will not. The Quran emphasizes that people should still strive to do good deeds and seek Allah's pleasure, regardless of their differences. Ultimately, on the Day of Judgment, people will be held accountable for their actions and will be judged according to their deeds.

Quran 5:48, 11:118, 16:93, and 42:8:

Quran 5:48: "And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."

Explanation: This verse highlights the universality of the message of the Quran and the role of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a messenger of Allah. It affirms that the Quran confirms the truth of the previous scriptures and serves as a criterion over them. It also instructs the Prophet to judge between people based on what Allah has revealed and not to follow their inclinations.

The verse goes on to emphasize that Allah has prescribed a law and a method for each person, but He has allowed for differences to exist among people as a test. Therefore, people are encouraged to race to do good deeds and strive to please Allah. In the end, Allah will inform them concerning that over which they differed.

Quran 11:118: "And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ."

Explanation: This verse is similar to Quran 5:48 in that it affirms that Allah could have made mankind one community, but He has allowed for differences to exist among people. This serves as a test for people to see who will strive to do good deeds and please Allah, and who will not. The verse emphasizes that despite these differences, people should still strive to do good deeds and seek Allah's pleasure.

Quran 16:93: "And if Allah had willed, He could have made you [of] one religion, but He causes to stray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do."

Explanation: This verse is similar to the previous two verses in that it affirms that Allah could have made people of one religion if He willed, but He has allowed for differences to exist among them. This serves as a test for people to see who will strive to do good deeds and please Allah, and who will not. The verse also emphasizes that people will be questioned about what they used to do on the Day of Judgment.

Quran 42:8: "And if Allah had willed, He could have made them one nation [united in religion], but He admits whom He wills into His mercy. And the wrongdoers have not any protector or helper."

Explanation: This verse is similar to the previous ones in that it affirms that Allah could have made people of one religion if He willed, but He has allowed for differences to exist among them. The verse emphasizes that Allah admits whom He wills into His mercy and that the wrongdoers will not have any protector or helper.

In summary, these verses affirm that Allah could have made people of one religion if He willed, but He has allowed for differences to exist among them as a test. They emphasize that people should still strive to do good deeds and seek Allah's pleasure, and that they will be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Judgment.