WHY SO MANY RELIGIONS.....

Assalam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu.

WHY SO MANY RELIGIONS.....
If there is only one God, then why are there so many religions?
All religions originated with Allah and then people began to add or take away from the teachings so as to take control over each other.
This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me.

You are forbidden (to eat) the dead and blood and the flesh of swine and that on which any name has been invoked other than Allah at the time of slaughtering and that which dies by strangling and that which is beaten to death by anything unshaped and that killed by falling and that which is gored and that which has been eaten by any wild animal, but those which you have properly slaughtered and that which has been slaughtered at any altar and the division by casting lots with arrows. This is an act of sin. This day the infidels are despaired ofyour religion then fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen Islam as religion for you. But whoso is forced by extreme hunger thirst without inclining towards sin, then undoubtedly, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Quran Surah Al-Maidah : Verse No 3

Allah does not force anyone to submit to Him. He has laid out a clear path and then made it known to them the two ways (Heaven or Hell).
The person is always free to make his or her own choice.
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path.
Whoever disbelieves in taghut (false gods and false worship) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower. Allah is the Wali (Protector or
Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light.
There is no compulsion in religion; no doubt the virtuous path has become clearly distinct from the erring; thenwhoso does not accept devil and believes in Allah, he grasped a very firm knot which is never to open and AllahHears and Knows.
Allah is the Protector of Muslims; brings them out from darkness towards light and the supporters of infidelsare devils, and they bring them forth from light towards darkness. They are the people of hell, they are toabide therein.
Surah Al-Baqara : Verse No 256 257]

There is no compulsion in the way of "Islam." Whoever chooses to worship Allah without partners and is devoted to Him and is obeying His commands as much as possible has grasped the firm handhold that will never break. Whoever denies God and chooses some other way to worship or not to believe at all, for them there is an eternal punishment that is most horrible (Hell).

People began to separate into different groups due to their rejection of truth and denial of clear proofs becoming evident to them from their Lord. And the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) differed not amongst themselves until after clear evidence came to them.

And there was no division among the people of the Book but after clear proof had come to them.
And they were only commanded to worship Allah, being exclusively one sided and should establish the prayerand pay the poor due (Zakat). And this is the right faith.
Surah Al-Baiyina : Verse No 4 -5]

Allah warns the Muslims not to fall into the same trap as the people before them, by disputing with each other and separating into different religious groups:
And be not like those who were divided (in sections) and disagreed among themselves, after this that bright signs had come to them and for them there is mighty torment.
On the day when some faces shall be white, and some black. Then those whose faces: have been blackened,(they will be told) 'did you become infidels after accepting faith? Then now taste the torment, the recompense of your infidelity.
Surah Al-i'Imran : Verse No 105-106]

People lied about the revelations, changed their scriptures and abused and even murdered the prophets whom Allah sent to them.
And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say:
"This is from Allah," but it is not from Allah; and they speak a lie
against Allah while they know it.
It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukma (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion, etc.) and Prophet hood to say to the people:
And among them some are those who distort the Book by twisting their tongues; that you may think it is alsoin the Book, and that is not in the Book. And they say, 'It is from Allah, whereas it is not from Allah and theyforge a lie against Allah purposely and knowingly.
It is not the right of any man that Allah should give him the Book and command and prophet hood, then heshould say to people, 'Be my bondmen leaving Allah; Yes he will say this, 'Be men of Allah because you teachthe Book and because you study it.'
Surah Al-i'Imran : Verse No 78-79]

Prophets of Allah only ask people to worship Allah, as One God without partners. They would never ask people to worship them or anyone or anything else.
Allah tells us in the Quran:
And He would not order you this that you should take the angels and prophets as God. Would He order you toinfidelity after it that you have become Muslims?
Surah Al-i'Imran : Verse No 80]

Then, do they like a religion other than the religion of Allah? And to Him has submitted whoso is in the heavens and the earth, willingly and unwillingly, and to Him shall they be returned.
Surah Al-i'Imran : Verse No 83]

Allah will only accept true submission, obedience and in purity and peace to His commandments.
. And whoso will desire for a religion other than Islam that shall never be accepted from him and in the nextworld he shall be among the losers.
Surah Al-i'Imran : Verse No85]

To believe in Allah and follow His Commandments has been the message of all prophets of monotheism.