Why Quran Alone
(The first half of this article was originally posted on the website free-minds.org and is being used here with permission)
This Organization has been created for all people who have a desire to allow God into their lives and follow His path alone.
Many of you may outwardly be content with your current faith or that which you inherited from your parents and community...but to some out there, there will always be a tugging at the back of their mind that 'there is something more', and that 'some things don't always make sense'...
If you are one of those people, then open your eyes, put on your thinking cap, and welcome to an open examination of the system of Submission/Islam which very few know about...
WHAT IS ISLAM?
The system of God "Islam/Submission" has been taught to us through God and His messenger and is fully outlined in the final Book of God (The Qur'an) which was revealed centuries ago...
The Qur'an claims legitimacy for itself and within itself, allowing NO room for self-made priests, or religious leaders, who have distorted and misquoted the Book of God to give themselves authority and partnership with the Almighty...
“'Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has sent down to you the Book fully detailed?'” Those to whom We have given the Book know it is sent down from your Lord with truth; so do not be of those who have doubt." (Qur'an 6:114 )
"Say: 'Which is the greatest testimony?' Say: 'God is witness between me and you, and He has inspired to me this Qur'an that I may warn you with it and whomever it reaches, that you bear witness that along with God are other gods!' Say: 'I do not bear witness!' Say: 'He is only One god, and I am innocent of what you set up!'” (Qur'an 6:19)
"And We have come to them with a Book which We have detailed with knowledge; a guide and a mercy to those who believe." (Qur'an 7:52)
"We have revealed to you the Book with truth that you may judge between the people by that which God has shown you, and do not be an advocate for the treacherous. " (Qur'an 4:105)
"And the Day We send to every nation a witness against them from themselves, and We have brought you as a witness against these. And We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification for all things, and a guide and mercy and good tidings to those who have surrendered." (Qur'an 16:89)
"And We have sent down to you the Book with truth, authenticating what is present of the Book and superseding it. So judge between them by what God has sent down, and do not follow their desires from what has come to you of the truth. For each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and had God willed, He would have made you all one nation, but He tests you with what He has given you; so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you, and He will inform you regarding that in which you dispute." (Qur'an 5:48)
WHAT ABOUT OBEYING THE MESSENGER?
The gravest crime the self-appointed scholars who claimed to be Muslim made was to give authority to the traditions (Sunna) and the books of Sayings (Hadith) ALONGSIDE the authority of God and His messenger. They believe that it was God who authorized such action by commanding the people to ‘obey God, and obey the messenger’…
"Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God; and whoever turns away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them." (Qur'an 4:80)
What is so sadly neglected is that the most critical aspects of the messenger’s life have been recorded and captured in the most detailed manner…not in the books of Hadith or tradition…but in the Holy Book itself. The questions that he was asked, and the answers (inspired by God) that he gave:
"They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say: 'In them is great harm, and a benefit for mankind; but their harm is greater than their benefit.' And they ask you how much are they to give, Say: 'The excess.' It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think." (Qur'an 2:219)
"And they ask you concerning the Spirit. Say: 'The Spirit is from the command on my Lord, and the knowledge you were given was but very little.'" (Qur'an 17:85)
The list of questions and answers goes on throughout the Book of God…This is the life of the Messenger, and this is the ‘obedience’ of the messenger…Without ‘obeying the messenger’, we would inadvertently ignore nearly 1/3 of the Book of God which deals with his most authentic narrations authorized and inspired by God which we have been commanded to follow…
“Nor does he speak from personal desire. It is a divine inspiration." (Qur'an 53:3-4)
WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND TODAY'S PRACTICES?
In comparing the teachings of Islam as derived from the Book of God to the practices taught and enforced by the popular Sunni and Shia faiths (1.2 Bn followers), we find that the list is quite extensive, with some of the highlights as follows:
In Islam, the requirement to be a Muslim is to simply accept and live according to the ‘Straight Path’ (6:151-153), Vs. the Sunni or Shia 5-pillars which come from unauthorized books…
In Islam, abolishing Slavery is taught to be an act of righteousness (90:12-13), Vs. Sunni and Shia teachings which encourages slavery under war…
In Islam, women are never forbidden from praying or fasting during Menstruation (2:222), nor is there a specific dress code (i.e. the Headscarf) imposed on them beyond modesty, Vs. the Sunni and Shia which teach the undermining of women and forcing them to cover their hair and avoid praying or fasting at certain times...
In Islam, a man or women may leave a Will, after settlement of debt (4:12), Vs. Sunnis who refuse to accept wills if there are any direct descendants...
In Islam, Monogamy is the basis for normal relationships, while polygamy is only allowed in cases involving marrying the mothers of orphans under the man’s guardianship (4:3), Vs. Sunnis where a man may be a polygamist simply if he can afford to, and Shia which allow sex for pleasure (Mut’a)...
In Islam, Divorce is enforceable only after a waiting period, and it may be made nullified if the couple reconcile before the end of this period (65:1, 65:4), Vs. Sunni teachings that destroy families by allowing a divorce to occur on the spot with no waiting period and no nullification...
In Islam, no one is allowed to be killed or Stoned for adultery (24:2), Vs. Sunni and Shia laws of stoning married adulterers to death...
In Islam, absolute Freedom of Faith is allowed (2:256, 10:99; 18:29; 88:21-22), Vs. Sunni and Shia requiring apostates to be killed and rejecting the practice of other faiths...
In Islam, people are acknowledged as being diverse and each is to be respected for his/her level of spiritual growth. A Submitter ‘Muslim’ must work to attain the status of Faithful ‘Mumin’ (49:14), Vs. Sunni and Shia teachings that all followers of their religion must think, act, and even look the same (cult syndrome)...
In Islam, War can only be declared in cases of self-defence - no offensives (2:190), Vs. Sunni and Shia teachings allowing raids and attacks on any people who are considered non-Muslim by their standards...
In Islam, Pilgrimage is a centre for gathering of nations and for all to witness the benefits of being together (22:27-28), Vs. Sunni and Shia bringing in polytheistic rituals and superstition (touching of black stone, etc..)...
In Islam, males and females are not required to be Circumcised (32:7), Vs. Sunni and Shia teachings requiring all males to be circumcised and females in some cases...
In Islam, music, statues, gold and silk are all Lawful(7:32-33, 16:116), Vs. Sunni beliefs forbidding silk & gold for men, and forbidding music & statues for all...
In Islam, rule of Government is under the constitution of the Qur'an through consultation and free-speech (5:48, 42:38). Vs. Sunni teachings which allow the rise of dictators or monarchs, and Shia teachings which uphold self-appointed religious leaders based on genealogy.
Therefore, the clearest difference is that Islam is a monotheistic, clear, consistent, dynamic, progressive, balanced system...a system that eliminates conjectures, hearsay, fairy tales and contradictions...therefore it eliminates hardship, confusion, chaos, and division. It is a system which puts more accent on the usage of intellect, reason, pondering over God, His Creation, meaning of life, pondering over everything...While the sects represent superstition, unfair treatment for non-cult members, inequality of the sexes, oppression of human rights, inability to contribute to human progress, amputations or physical violence, regression of ideas and thoughts to primitive levels of barbarism, and most importantly setting-up partners with the One True God and thus promoting polytheism.
GOD ALONE
For the Sunnis and Shia who are shocked by the words they have been reading, we invite you to seek God Alone with your heart and your mind and to give-up all the previous wasted years of idolatry and polytheism that you have unknowingly been party to...For our Lord tells us that it is never too late to seek His forgiveness:
"Say: 'O My servants who transgressed against themselves, do not despair of God's mercy. For God forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.'" (Qur'an 39:53)
But be warned, while only God knows the fate of an individual, by simply turning away without verifying what has been said here can bring the gravest of consequences:
"And who is more wicked than one who is reminded of his Lord’s verses but he turned away from them, and he forgot what his hands had done. We have made veils upon their hearts from understanding them, and a deafness in their ears. And if you invite them to the guidance, they will never be guided." (Qur'an 18:57)
NOW ASK YOURSELF: WILL GOD ALONE BE ENOUGH FOR YOU?
"And when God Alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled with aversion; and when others are mentioned beside Him, they rejoice!" (Qur'an 39:45)
WHY IS ISLAM FOR ME?
This is what it all boils down to, a "what's in it for me" outlook that is very human and very natural...Well, the answers that may sway you to 'God Alone' and let you abandon your current faith, whatever the costs may be, are as follows...
"And if the town’s people had only believed and been aware, then We would have opened for them blessings from the sky and the land; but they denied, so We took them for what they used to earn." (Qur'an 7:96)
Islam guarantees victory (30:47, 22:38-39, 47-7).
Islam guarantees prosperity and abundance (7:96, 41:30-31).
Islam guarantees maximum freedom for the people - freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom to travel, and freedom of economy (2:256, 10:99, 88:21-22).
Islam guarantees human rights for all the people, regardless of their race, color, creed, social status, financial situation, or political affiliation (5:8, 49:13).
Islam guarantees a political system that is based on consultation and the freedom for open expression (42:38).
Islam guarantees a society that upholds and maintains the highest standards of moral behavior.
Islam guarantees a maximum regard for people's lives and properties.
Islam guarantees prevalence of love, courtesy, peace, and mutual respect among the people, and with other world communities (3:110, 60:8-9).
Islam guarantees environmental protection as a result of deterring pollution through conservation and prohibition of wasteful practices (30:41).
If you are convinced that a dignified, prosperous, righteous, logical, and practical way of life is your desire, then Islam is for you. You can begin to change your life immediately by putting-aside all that you have been raised to believe in and objectively taking a fresh-start by reading-up on the topics we discussed and many more in the words of God in His Book, and discover for yourself with no prejudice or interference.
"That is because God was not to change anything He bestowed to a people, unless they change what is in themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable." (Qur'an 8:53)
"GOD ALONE"
SAY NO TO ANYTHING ELSE
1. Why believe in the Quran?
Faith in the Quran comes from its effect upon the listener. The following are some verses that illustrate the effect the Quran can have upon those of faith. This is the foundation of our connection with the Quran, we believe in it because it has touched our hearts. It may come from the power of the verses themselves or otherwise in the conspicuous alignment of God’s verses with our lived experiences or, more often, a combination of both. Ultimately faith is a gift that God gives to His servants.
5:83. And when they hear what was revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears, as they recognize the truth in it. They say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so count us among the witnesses.”
8:2 The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses/signs are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely
39:23 Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent decree wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide.
17:106. A Quran which We unfolded gradually, that you may recite to the people over time. And We revealed it in stages.
17:107. Say, “Believe in it, or do not believe.” Those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, they fall to their chins, prostrating.
2. Contradictions
Of course, our Quran Alone methodology does set us apart from other groups of muslims. That of the sunni, the shia, the ibadi and other groups. Even to the point of them declaring those who don’t follow their paths are disbelievers, despite us believing in the revelation. The Quran is what these groups all share in common yet when we as a group decide to cling to the root of the faith we are denounced as deviants. What sets them apart from us and between themselves is their fiqh, their scholars and their hadith project.
We reject their scholarly authority and their hadith project primarily because it is not given divine authority in The Quran and we are not ones to associate with God’s religion that which he has not sent down authority for.
Secondly is the conclusions that these sects come to as a result of the methods of their scholars sometimes greatly diverge from, as we have seen it, the pure religion of God in the Quran. Some of the conclusions they come to are not merely abstract but can have serious consequences in the physical realm. The punishment of stoning adulterers, not found in the Quran, is a ruling shared by these sects. The validation of the marriage of minor girls is a practice based on their hadith narratives, not found in the Quran.
Beyond legal rulings, the hadith also brings forth a plethora of non-quranic claims about the unseen, the afterlife and miraculous events in the life of the prophets that have no basis within the Quran.
These contradictions are an important reason for our rejection of the hadith as a source of divine guidance and rulings.
Another important reason is the lack of historical authenticity of the hadith as an accurate representation of the prophet’s life, words and deeds.
3. The lack of historicity
The hadith are not a historically reliable source on the prophet Muhammad’s life. Traditionalists and sectarians will claim that the details gathered in the hadith project are essential for the practice of God’s religion. It is important to note that the hadith themselves are a product of history. They are reports about quotes and actions of the Prophet and his companions. The oldest surviving collections of hadith were written more than 200 years after the Prophet.
The most famous compiler Muhammad ibn Isma’il Al-Bukhari is reported to have judged the authenticity of hundreds of thousands of hadiths, based primarily allegedly on their chain of transmission. It is obvious to those who study the situation that the chains of transmission were invented later to justify the choices of official, authentic hadith, which vary between each sect based on their theology and politics. It should furthermore be obvious that a system of testimonials is in no way acceptable as a standard of truth.
Many academic scholars both are skeptical of the hadith project as a reliable source of information regarding the prophet’s lives. At best, the hadith inform us of rumors and stories that people believed about Muhammad in the centuries after his death. These may have a certain historical value yet we, Believers United, believe they are much too tenuous to serve as divine guidance in God’s religion.
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