Surah al-Jumu`ah (Friday) 62 : 3

Explantory Note 

We have several reports explaining who these others are. Al-Bukhari relates on Abu Hurayrah's authority: "We were sitting with the Prophet when Surah al-Jumucah, or The Congregation, was revealed to him, including the statement, to them and to others yet to join them'. People asked who were these, but the Prophet did not answer until they had repeated their question three times. Salman the Persian was among us. The Prophet put his hand on Salman and said: `Were faith to be at the top of the sky, some people or a man from among his community would attain it'." This authentic hadith makes clear that this Qur'anic statement includes the Persians. Hence, in his commentary on this verse, Mujahid says: "This is a reference to all non-Arabs who believe in the Prophet."

Another hadith is reported by Sahl ibn Said who quotes the Prophet as saying: 'Among the seed of the seed of the seed of men and women in my community there are some who will be admitted into heaven without having to face any reckoning of their deeds. He then quoted the verse that says: 'to them and to others yet to join them'." This means that these belong to much later generations of Muslims.

Both these interpretations are valid. The Qur'anic statement refers to people other than the Arabs, and to ones other than the generation that witnessed the revelation of the Qur'an. It indicates that the Muslim community transcends both geographical area and generational context. It continues to be true to its great trust, faithful to the full form of the divine faith.