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FOLLOW THE RELIGION OF ABRAHAM

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There are three fatal flaws which form the premise for all conclusions in the write-up by A Muhammad (the writer).

FLAW ONE

You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion (l-dīni) – the religion (millata) of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters” originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat) and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter. [22:78]

This central verse is neither referenced nor quoted in the write-up!

FLAW TWO

He decreed for you the same religion (l-dīni) decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion (l-dīna), and do not divide it.” The idol worshipers will greatly resent what you invite them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides to Himself only those who totally submit. [42:13]

The religion of Noah was monotheism or per 23:23 and 7:159, “… worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him.” This is the same religion as Abraham. The writer diminishes and limits it to Creed of Abraham as he seeks to limit Abraham’s role to “… worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him.” However, Abraham is the one who named us submitters and was taught and given the rituals of our religious duties. Prophet Muhammad was commanded to follow the religion of Abraham which includes the rituals of the religious duties.

FLAW THREE

The writer writes, “An immediate reference must be made to 6:114 where it is stated very clearly that all the details of our religion are given in the Quran…”

The Quran details religious law in the Quran. Sura 25 is The Statute Book. Even if we take the word ‘Furqan’ as ‘Criterion’, it will still come out as law. The Quran does not detail the rituals of religious duties. These rituals were given to Prophet Abraham and came to us generation to generation from the time of Abraham. There is nothing in the Quran to indicate that any rituals were given to Prophet Muhammad. This falsehood of all details in the Quran (religious law and rituals of religious duties) was initiated by Edip Yuksel. It is laughable to see his demonstration of ‘the steps of salat from the Quran’ in his website. It is also absurd when the writer attempts to give his version of how to do salat.

We are commanded through a religious law to perform salat. However, the rituals of that religious practice were given to Abraham with the Quran only correcting the corrupted practices. 6:38, 6:19, 7:52, 10:37, 12:111, 18:27 are verses which declare to us that the Quran is fully detailed. Verses 6:114-115 make it clear that the Quran is fully detailed for religious law. The Quran is a book of law.

With the fatal error of taking Quran as fully detailed for everything instead of fully detailed for religious law; this individual and others like him make foolish attempts of how to do salat based on 100% Quran and subsequently redefine words like millat-a-Ibrahim (religion of Abraham) to support their erroneous hypothesis.

In light of the Quran (5:101) – with a scan of the 2nd half of the Quran, a conclusion can be made that messengers bring scriptures (57:25, 35:25). Scrutinizing the whole Quran (In light of the Quran), verse 3:81 makes it clear that prophets bring scriptures and that messengers confirm what exists. 3:81 and other verses make it clear that all prophets are messengers and that all messengers are not prophets.

Similarly, verse 6:114 makes it clear that the Quran is fully detailed for religious law. The Quran does not detail the rituals of the religious duties which were given to Prophet Abraham. That is why we (and prophet Muhammad) follow the religion of Abraham.

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Deen in Arabic translates as, “Religion; judgment; debt that one owes; lending; transaction; subscribe; observe; requital; faith; law; obedience.”

The root word for millat translates as, “to dictate; to embrace a religion; faith; religion; creed.”

DETAILED LOOK AT THE WRITE-UP

“1- The Quranic definition of ‘millat Ibrahim’”

“… uphold the Quran, the whole Quran and nothing but the Quran…” refers to upholding the Quran as the only source for religious law. The word ‘furqan’ translates as criterion or ‘standard to distinguish between right and wrong.’

Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. 6:114
Most blessed is the One who revealed the Statute Book to His servant, so he can serve as a warner to the whole world. 25:1

before that, to guide the people, and He sent down the statute book. Those who disbelieve in GOD’s revelations incur severe retribution. GOD is Almighty, Avenger. 3:4

Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book… 2:185.

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“The Quran has only three names for Salat.”

This statement by the writer is correct but does not give complete truth or picture. The writer ignores the fact that the Quran has five-time frames for five salats but mentions only three by name.

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The first observation is that in all the verses that mention the words ‘millat Ibrahim’ these words are followed by the words ‘he was a monotheist and was not one of the mushrikeen’.

This is not correct. Verses 2:130 and 22:78 are two examples. The writer has an incorrect premise and thus incorrect conclusions.

Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the righteous. 2:130

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“These words, which were uttered by the prophet Joseph, speak of the ‘millat’ of those who were atheists, they did not believe in God nor the Hereafter. Atheists do not have a religion but they have a creed (atheism).”

On what basis does the writer conclude that the two men were atheists and even if they were what difference does that make. On a more nefarious side, the writer fails to mention verse 12:38 which mentions the millat (religion) of Joseph’s ancestors.

He said, “If any food is provided to you, I can inform you about it before you receive it. This is some of the knowledge bestowed upon me by my Lord. I have forsaken the religion of people who do not believe in GOD, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers. 12:37

And I followed instead the religion (millat) of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside GOD. Such is the blessing from GOD upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative. 12:38

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The writer believes that the word ‘Millat’ in 14:13 does not mean religion. It can only mean religion [Religion: the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods].

[14:9] Have you not heard about those before you – the people of Noah, `Aad, Thamoud, and others who came after them and known only to GOD? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they treated them with contempt and said, “We disbelieve in what you are sent with. We are skeptical about your message; full of doubt.”
[14:10] Their messengers said, “Do you have doubts about GOD; the Initiator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you only to forgive your sins, and to give you another chance to redeem yourselves.” They said, “You are no more than humans like us, who want to repel us from the way our parents used to worship. Show us some profound authority.”
[14:11] Their messengers said to them, “We are no more than humans like you, but GOD blesses whomever He chooses from among His servants. We could not possibly show you any kind of authorization, except in accordance with GOD’s will. In GOD the believers shall trust.
[14:12] “Why should we not trust in GOD, when He has guided us in our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your persecution. In GOD all the trusters shall trust.”
[14:13] Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, “We will banish you from our land, unless you revert to our religion.” Their Lord inspired them: “We will inevitably annihilate the transgressors.
[14:14] “And we will let you dwell in their land after them. This is (the reward) for those who reverence My majesty and reverence My promise.”

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The writer believes that the word ‘Millat’ in 2:120 does not mean religion – “Since the religion given to all people is one and the same, there would be no reason why the Jews or Christians would not be pleased with the religion given in the Quran, this is assuming that the word ‘millat’ means religion.”

Per 3:19, the only religion approved by God is Submission (Islam). ‘Only religion’ makes it clear that there are other religions (see the definition of the word religion above). Per the rest of the Quran, it is clear that the approved Religion of Submission mandates the worship of God alone. There is no reason why submitting “the Jews or Christians would not be pleased with the religion given in the Quran”. As we know, the Jews, Christians and the Muslims have divided themselves into sects and have their own religions distinct from what is acceptable in 3:19. This is the exact point of the word millat as religion in 2:120. These sects and their beliefs are doctrines which are the basis of their religion. They are not creeds of their religion as the writer attempts to portray.

The only religion approved by GOD is “Submission.” Ironically, those who have received the scripture are the ones who dispute this fact, despite the knowledge they have received, due to jealousy. For such rejectors of GOD’s revelations, GOD is most strict in reckoning. 3:19
[2:119] We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.
[2:120] Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion. Say, “GOD’s guidance is the true guidance.” If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD.
[2:121] Those who received the scripture, and know it as it should be known, will believe in this. As for those who disbelieve, they are the losers.

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“The word ‘millat’ simply means a creed or a belief, but a religion is a complete and comprehensive set of religious laws which cover all the practices in addition to all the lawful and unlawful activities as prescribed by God.”

On the contrary the word Millat (as per above) means “to dictate; to embrace a religion; faith; religion; creed.”. Millat a Ibrahim or the Religion of Abraham covered all the rituals of the religious practices. Those rituals were given to Abraham (21:73).

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Say, “My Lord has guided me in a straight path (deen) – the perfect religion (millat) of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshipper.” 6:161

The writer objects, “If both words (deen and millat) mean religion, wouldn’t only one of them only be used?”

Both words indeed have religion as one of their meanings. It makes good writing to use separate words for the same meaning in a sentence. The Quran sets the standard for great Arabic writing.

“2- Are we accountable to what was decreed for Abraham.”

The writer acknowledges the practices and the rituals associated with those practices were given to Abraham but bemoans that the Quran does not detail the rituals [see Flaw Three above].

We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers. 21:73

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Based on the following verses (5:44-50) the writer concludes:

  • We must follow the words of the Quran and nothing else.
  • The Quran supersedes previous rituals given too Abraham
  • Different communities were given different rites or methods
  • “…receivers of every Scripture accountable only to what they were given in their Scripture…”

[5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers.
[5:45] And we decreed for them in it that: the life for the life, the eye for the eye, the nose for the nose, the ear for the ear, the tooth for the tooth, and an equivalent injury for any injury. If one forfeits what is due to him as a charity, it will atone for his sins. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the unjust.
[5:46] Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.
[5:47] The people of the Gospel shall rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations therein. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the wicked.
[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny – all of you – then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.
[5:49] You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations to you. Do not follow their wishes, and beware lest they divert you from some of GOD’s revelations to you. If they turn away, then know that GOD wills to punish them for some of their sins. Indeed, many people are wicked.
[5:50] Is it the law of the days of ignorance that they seek to uphold? Whose law is better than GOD’s for those who have attained certainty?

One may write a thesis based on incorrect assumptions. The writer succeeds well in that. As pointed out in the beginning, the Quran is a book of law, a statute book. There is a difference between law and rituals. It is God’s law that we carry out the religious duties, the rituals of which were given to prophet Abraham. That is why at the very beginning of the Quran, believers are defined as those who, besides other attributes, believe in what was revealed before the Quran. What was revealed before were the rituals of those religious practices, given to Prophet Abraham, who also named our religion (22:78). It is precisely why God calls our religion as Religion of Abaraham.

And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. 2:4

Verses 5:44-50 deal with judgements and rulings. The commandment is to rule, or judge based on the scripture. The Jews are commanded to rule based on the Torah, while the Christians with the Gospel and the Muhammad (Muslims) with the Quran. And indeed, the Quran supersedes the previous scripture as the final arbiter of religious law.

Indeed, verses 5:48 points out different rites for the people of the scripture, an example of which is sabbath decreed for the Christians and Jews (16:124), descendants of Isaaq. [See also 22:67-72 referred to the writer]. We also have the descendants of Ismael for whom the rite of sabbath was not decreed. All the descendants of Abraham were commanded to carry out religious duties.

Thus the writer is correct that we must follow the words of the Quran and nothing else, but he fails to point out (or grasp) that the words are complete for religious law not religious rituals. There is nothing in the verses to conclude that the Quran supersedes previous rituals given to Abraham. While he is correct in stating, “receivers of every Scripture accountable only to what they were given in their Scripture…,” he fails to mention that it is religious law rather than rituals of religious practices (5:12, 10:87).

[22:67] For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites that they must uphold. Therefore, they should not dispute with you. You shall continue to invite everyone to your Lord. Most assuredly, you are on the right path.
[22:68] If they argue with you, then say, “GOD is fully aware of everything you do.”
[22:69] GOD will judge among you on the Day of Resurrection regarding all your disputes.
[22:70] Do you not realize that GOD knows everything in the heavens and everything on earth? All this is recorded in a record. This is easy for GOD to do.
[22:71] Yet, they idolize beside GOD idols wherein He placed no power, and they know nothing about them. The transgressors have no helper.
[22:72] When our revelations are recited to them, clearly, you recognize wickedness on the faces of those who disbelieve. They almost attack those who recite our revelations to them. Say, “Shall I inform you of something much worse? Hell is promised by GOD for those who disbelieve; what a miserable destiny.”

3- Were the religious practices given to Abraham preserved, and practiced at the time of Muhammad? Were they preserved until today?

Prophet Muhammad learned how to perform salat and the religious practices from his elders as indeed one would presume the writer did. As Quranic verses were revealed, Prophet Muhammad corrected the corrupted inherited rituals. Verses 5:6 and 72:18 are two of numerous examples in which the Quran corrects the inherited corrupted practice. Even today the Muslims can correct their inherited rituals to abide by the Quran corrections with 5:6 and 72:18 as just two examples.

Contrary to the writer’s assertion, prophet Muhammad was commanded to follow the Religion of Abraham. There are numerous verses in the Quran which command us to worship God alone (2:112, 4:36, 8:39, 12:39, 22:31, 39:3, 39:45, 40:12, 40:14, 60:4). It is a futile attempt by the writer to equate millat to creed (“…to follow monotheism and refrain from idol worship…”) when so many verses advocate the worship of God alone and to refrain from idol worship.

The writer also attempts to make a case of “… pure practices as given to Abraham” did not exist at the time of Muhammad. Indeed, all the practices, uncorrupted, did not exist at the time of Muhammad and neither does the Quran make such a claim.
Per 19:59 generations lost the contact prayers. We see the evidence among the descendants of Isaaq, the Christians, and Jews. There are also, in the present day, certain Jews and Christians who carry out salat, as an example, with bowing and prostration.

4- Does the Quran only detail laws that have been changed or corrupted? Is the Quran merely an ‘Amendment book’?

In this section of his write-up, the writer seems to grasp that the Quran is a book of fully detailed law. The crucial factor missing is his conclusion is that rituals which make up religious practices are not part of religious law – they are rituals, not religious law.

The Quran details religious law. The Quran also mentions and provides details of some of the rituals of religious practices. And indeed, we cannot accept any religious law outside the words of the Quran. We accept in accordance with God’s decree and law to practice the Religion of Abraham which details the rituals of the religious practices of our religion.

5- Does the Quran outline only the main concepts while the details are passed down to us from the time of Abraham?

There is nothing much to say here. The Quran is fully detailed for religious law, and the prophet carried on his religious practice rituals as he learned from his elders. When Quran verses were revealed, irrespective of when they were revealed, he would correct his religious practice ritual to correspond with the revealed verses.

6- Do we have any Quranic proof for what was given to Abraham?

“These verses (21:73, 22:27) speak about Salat, Zakat and Hajj in general but do not give the specific details which were given to Abraham in connection to any of these practices.”

“And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation). They will come from the farthest locations.” 22:27

We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers. 21:73

The verses are specific on Abraham being taught how to observe Salat. We are commanded to follow the Religion of Abraham. We have religious law to observe the religious practices, the details of which were given to prophet Abraham with the Quran clarifying some of the rituals.

7- Should we rely on ‘Universal Acceptance’?

The writer utilizes Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s phrase ‘universal acceptance’ from Appendix 9 of his translation. To remind the writer, the 24434 rakas in salat and 2.5% zakat is universal. It is not the majority.

God’s system of preservation of the rituals is perfect. These rituals have come to us from the time of Abraham with the Quran correcting the corrupted rituals of the religious practices.

VERSES CONTAINING THE WORD MILLAT

[2:120] Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion (millatahum). Say, “GOD’s guidance is the true guidance.” If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD. 2:120

Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous. 2:130

They said, “You have to be Jewish or Christian, to be guided.” Say, “We follow the religion of Abraham – monotheism – he never was an idol worshiper.” 2:135.

Say, “GOD has proclaimed the truth: You shall follow Abraham’s religion – monotheism. He never was an idolater.” 3:95.

Who is better guided in his religion than one who submits totally to GOD, leads a righteous life, according to the creed of Abraham: monotheism? GOD has chosen Abraham as a beloved friend. 4:125

Say, “My Lord has guided me in a straight path – the perfect religion of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper.”
Say, “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe. 6:161-162

He said, “If any food is provided to you, I can inform you about it before you receive it. This is some of the knowledge bestowed upon me by my Lord. I have forsaken the religion (millata) of people who do not believe in GOD, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are really disbelievers.
“And I followed instead the religion (millata) of my ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We never set up any idols beside GOD. Such is the blessing from GOD upon us and upon the people, but most people are unappreciative.
“O my prison mates, are several gods better, or GOD alone, the One, the Supreme?
“You do not worship beside Him except innovations that you have made up, you and your parents. GOD has never authorized such idols. All ruling belongs to GOD, and He has ruled that you shall not worship except Him. This is the perfect religion (I-dinu), but most people do not know. 12:37-40

[14:13] Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, “We will banish you from our land, unless you revert to our religion (millatina).” Their Lord inspired them: “We will inevitably annihilate the transgressors.

Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham, the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper. 16:123

You shall strive for the cause of GOD as you should strive for His cause. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in practicing your religion (l-dīni) – the religion (millata) of your father Abraham. He is the one who named you “Submitters” originally. Thus, the messenger shall serve as a witness among you, and you shall serve as witnesses among the people. Therefore, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat) and hold fast to GOD; He is your Lord, the best Lord and the best Supporter. 22:78

The leaders announced, “Go and steadfastly persevere in worshiping your gods. This is what is desired.
“We never heard of this from the religion of our fathers. This is a lie. 38:6-7

VERSES CONTAINING THE WORD DEEN

We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?” 23:23

We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.” 7:159.

Abraham was neither Jewish, nor Christian; he was a monotheist submitter (muslim). He never was an idol worshipper. 3:67

I was commanded: “Keep yourself devoted to the religion (lilddīni) of monotheism (ḥanīfan); you shall not practice idol worship. 10:105

Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion (lilddīni) of strict monotheism (ḥanīfan). Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion (l-dīnu), but most people do not know. 30:30

All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion (l-dīna) absolutely to Him alone (ḥunafāa), observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion. 98:5

The Quran

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‘The Quran’ by Professor Nicolai Sinai at Oxford University, explores the Quran based on the Quran itself. He explores the Quran with a ‘historical-critical’ method with a close reading of the text and other relevant sources of the period when the Quran was revealed.

THE QURAN THAT CONTAINS THE PROOF


The Proof within the Quran was revealed 1400 years after the revelation of the Quran. God distinguishes the Quran from its Proof in 38:1, 36:69 and Sura 98. Although the verifiable Proof does not adorn the corridors of universities yet, it clears up the following predicaments in the book.

Enigmatic or Isolated letters as in 2:1
Becca instead of Mecca in 3:96
Abrogation of proof rather than verse in 2:106
Basmallah omitted in Sura 9
Final arrangement or recension of the Quran
Examining the placement of 74:31
Purified sheets in 98:2

The Proof within the Quran resolves all of the above. The Quran initials in 29 suras are part of the intricate mathematical structure of the Quran. Mecca is spelled as Becca in 3:96 to preserve the count of the letter ‘M’ or ‘Meem’ in the Sura as a multiple of 19. Verse 2:106 refers to abrogation of a proof or miracle rather than abrogation of a verse as the Arabic word ‘ayah’ is a multiple meaning word of either sign, revelation, verse, proof, miracle.


When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent? 2:106


The missing Basmallah while being a component of the miracle of the Quran also is a forewarning that Sura 9 was altered by addition of two false verses 9:128-129. Professor Nicolai Sinai in his discussion on 9:128 points out the verse ‘even attributes to him (Mohammad) the qualities of kindness and mercy that are elsewhere predicated only of God.’ One proof that the two verses are false is ascribing an attribute used exclusively for God to Muhammad.


The proof within the Quran authenticates the final arrangement of the Quran as we have it now. In addition, the Arabic word ‘ummi’ signifies gentiles or people without scripture, rather than illiterate. Prophet Muhammad wrote down the Quran as it was revealed to him. His copy had instructions for the final placement of each verse.


Professor Nicolai Sinai questions the placement of 74:31 next to small verses. Sura 74 deals with the Proof within the Quran. The sura is entitled ‘The Hidden Secret.’ Verse 74:30 states, ‘Over it is 19’ and verse 74:31 gives five reasons for the proof based on the number 19.


Verse 98:2 refers to the messenger (3:81) after all the prophets reciting purified scripture who brought forth the Proof within the Quran and exposed 9:128-129 as false verses inserted in the Quran.

OTHER TOPICS IN THE BOOK

First and third person reference to God


[41:12] Thus, He completed the seven universes in two days, and set up the laws for every universe. And we adorned the lowest universe with lamps, and placed guards around it. Such is the design of the Almighty, the Omniscient.

In the Quran, God gives credit to the angels when carrying out His commands. There are seven universes, with us (the humans and jinns) confined to the lowest universe. Angels carry out duties in the lowest universe and thus the use of ‘we’ in 41:12 is the form used to acknowledge their participation. The seven universes were completed by God alone and thus ‘He’ is utilized. In all the Quran, ‘we’ is used when participation of the angels is involved. Needless to mention, the ‘days’ in the above verse is simply a yardstick.

Creation of Adam

There is a reference in the Quran to events prior to the creation of Adam such as the feud in 38:69.

Abraham’s attempted sacrifice of his son


[37:102] When he grew enough to work with him, he said, “My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think?” He said, “O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, GOD willing, patient.”
[37:103] They both submitted, and he put his forehead down (to sacrifice him).
[37:104] We called him: “O Abraham.
[37:105] “You have believed the dream.” We thus reward the righteous.

The dream was from Satan. God does not advocate evil (7:28) and such a command will not originate from Him. There is nothing in the Quran which supports a point of view that such a command originated from God.

Polemics for Christians and Jews

The Quran is just as polemical to the traditional Muslims as the perception the author has for Christians and Jews. The Quran advocates monotheism and the absolute worship of God alone. The Christians fail to worship God until and unless the name of Jesus is attached to God in some form or fashion. The same applies to traditional Muslims who cannot separate the association of Muhammad next to God in their prayers and religious activities, in defiance of the Quran. Jews uphold the Mishnah and Gamarra instead of the Torah, while traditional Muslims uphold Hadith and Sunnah instead of the Quran. The Quran explicitly forbids upholding any hadith other than the Quran itself.

[39:45] When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.

[17:46] We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach your Lord, using the Quran alone, they run away in aversion.

[57:14] They will call upon them, “Were we not with you?” They will answer, “Yes, but you cheated your souls, hesitated, doubted, and became misled by wishful thinking, until GOD’s judgment came. You were diverted from GOD by illusions.

Obey God and the messenger

The Quran is a book of law. It is also fully detailed and does not provide freedom to follow any other words as a source of religious law (25:1, 6:112-114, 6:19). Obeying God and the messenger boils down to obeying God whose words are fully detailed in the Quran. The Quran gives examples of mistakes made by Prophet Muhammad as well as other messengers.

Basic law regulating relations with unbelievers

[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
[60:9] GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.

Cutting-off of thief’s hand

The commandment in the Quran is to mark the hand of thief, not cut it off. The same word in 5:38 is used in 12:31 and 12:50. It is obvious that the women did not cut-off their hands.

[5:38] The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime, and to serve as an example from GOD. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

[12:31] When she heard of their gossip, she invited them, prepared for them a comfortable place, and gave each of them a knife. She then said to him, “Enter their room.” When they saw him, they so admired him, that they cut their hands. They said, “Glory be to GOD, this is not a human being; this is an honorable angel.”
[12:50] The king said, “Bring him to me.” When the messenger came to him, he said, “Go back to your lord and ask him to investigate the women who cut their hands. My Lord is fully aware of their schemes.”

[27:76] This Quran settles many issues for the Children of Israel; issues that they are still disputing.

Nicolai Sinai points out the ‘removal’ of Adam’s creation in God’s image. He also points to the preeminence of ‘Inviolable House’ from Jerusalem to Mecca. So too is the case with verses 19:16-33 and other verses about Jesus and Mary of settling issues about them and their appropriate standing.

“Intended Prayer Suras” (last few short Suras)

Although traditional Muslims use these last few Suras in their daily sanctioned prayers, it is not correct, Nicolai Sinai presents one reason in the book. Sura 1 is sanctioned, and its words of prayer are to God. The reasoning presented by the author is that the last few sura’s start with ‘Say’. It makes little sense in a contact (Salat) prayer to God to start with ‘say’ or ‘Proclaim.’

The Real Islam of the University of Chicago’s Fred Donner

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The following is a response to Dr. Stephen M Kirby’s criticism of Dr. Fred Donner’s book, Muhammad and the Believers at the Origins of Islam.

Indeed, Dr. Fred Donner’s book, Muhammad and the Believers at the Origins of Islam, is original in its research and certainly based on the Quran.

Stephen M Kirby’s criticism of Donner’s book can be summarized by the following unsavory facts.

  • Traditional Muslims Sources are not reliable. This is Donner’s truthful assertion.
  • Reliance on the Quran.
  • ‘O you who believe’ in the Quran is directed to anyone who believes in God.
  • The Quran makes a distinction between Christians who follow the Gospel and those who follow the Nicene Creed.
  • The Quran makes distinction between Jews who follow the Torah and those who follow the Talmud.

As we point out in our review of Robert Spencer’s book, The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran:

  • The Koran is the only source of law or the only criterion per 6:114
  • The Koran is a fully detailed scripture per 6:114, 10:37
  • The words of God in the Koran are complete per 6:115
  • No words can abrogate God’s words in the Koran per 6:115 and 10:37
  • Koran is Hadith per 7:185, 12:111, 39:23, 45:6, 52:34, 68:44, 77:50
  • The Koran is the only acceptable Hadith per 77:50, 45:6, 7:185
  • The Arabic word sunnah (system) refers only to God’s sunnah and never as the Prophet’s sunnah per 17:77, 33:62, 48:23
  • That God is the Teacher of the Koran per 55:2

Monotheism

The Quran reminds us of the first commandment throughout the Quran.

[3:18] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge. Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.

Numerous verses in the Quran remind us to worship God alone such as 2:112, 3:150, 4:36, 4:146, 7:70, 10:104, 12:39, 22:31, 39:3, 39:17, 39:45, 40:12, 60:4.  This is within the confines of the first commandment and a message preached by all previous messengers including Jesus and Moses.

[ Mark 10:17-18] As he was setting out on a journey a man came running up, knelt down before him and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to share in everlasting life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.’‘

[ Matthew 7:21] “None of those who call me `Lord’ will enter the kingdom of God, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

“…Go to my brothers and tell them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” [ John 20:17]

Idolatry – An unforgivable sin in the Quran

The Quran condemns idolatry which, if maintained until death, is an unforgivable sin.

[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.

[4:116] GOD does not forgive idol worship (if maintained until death), and He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who idolizes any idol beside GOD has strayed far astray.

Thus, any Christian who follows the creed of Trinity created centuries after Jesus’s death in Nicene, commits idolatry.

Any Muslim, who upholds Hadith other than the Quran commits idolatry.

Any Jew who upholds the Talmud instead of the Torah is committing idolatry.

[34:53] They have rejected it in the past; they have decided instead to uphold conjecture and guesswork.*

*34:53 People of all religions tend to forsake the word of God and uphold the words of men. The Jews and the Muslims uphold the Mishnah (Hadith) and Gemarrah (Sunna), while the Christians uphold a trinity invented by the Nicene Conference, 325 years after Jesus.

The following examines Dr. Stephen M Kirby’s charge that “Donner had based his book on his unique, personal version of Fantasy Islam.”

“Donner’s ambivalence about the “traditional” sources”

From a historian’s perspective, documentary evidence from that period is exceedingly limited. From the Quranic perspective, we cannot draw any religious conclusions except from the Quran itself (see above).

“This is an eye-opening claim because according to Islamic Doctrine it is blasphemy for a Muslim to lie about Muhammad.”

The various sects in Islam exist not because of disagreements about the Quran but disagreements about Hadith (stories) of Muhammad or lying about Muhammad. Obviously, all the sects are not right about Muhammad in their respective Hadith and thus they differ.

“.. many other authoritative Muslim sources ..”

By authoritative Muslim sources, Stephen M Kirby, means Hadith and Sunnah written centuries after the death of the Prophet and the revelation of the Quran. Each sect has their own authentic Hadith or “… authoritative Muslim sources …” There is a trove of treasure for Western writers like Robert Spencer as well as Eastern writers, in books of Hadith written 200+ years after the revelation of the Koran. These books are fiction and contain all kinds of nonsense which are utilized by Stephen Kirby.

Christians and Jews in general could be “Believers”?

The answer is yes from the Quran:

[2:62, 5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

The Jews, the Christians and those who received the Quran are free to follow their own scripture (Torah, Gospel or the Quran) and make judgements based on their scripture.

[5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers.

[5:46-47] Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.
The people of the Gospel shall rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations therein. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the wicked.

[5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD’s revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny – all of you – then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

“Here are ten Koran verses that specifically stated that Jews and Christians (People of the Book/Scripture) were not “believers” (I have not included the entire verse but have just noted the differentiations being made)”

Here are the complete verses together with verses prior or after for context.

[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, “What did GOD mean by this allegory?” GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people.

[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[2:117-121] The Initiator of the heavens and the earth: to have anything done, He simply says to it, “Be,” and it is.
Those who possess no knowledge say, “If only GOD could speak to us, or some miracle could come to us!” Others before them have uttered similar utterances; their minds are similar. We do manifest the miracles for those who have attained certainty.
We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. You are not answerable for those who incur Hell.
Neither the Jews, nor the Christians, will accept you, unless you follow their religion. Say, “GOD’s guidance is the true guidance.” If you acquiesce to their wishes, despite the knowledge you have received, you will find no ally or supporter to help you against GOD.
Those who received the scripture, and know it as it should be known, will believe in this. As for those who disbelieve, they are the losers.

[3:98-102] Say, “O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?”
Say, “O followers of the scripture, why do you repel from the path of GOD those who wish to believe, and seek to distort it, even though you are witnesses?” GOD is never unaware of anything you do. O you who believe, if you obey some of those who received the scripture, they will revert you, after having believed, into disbelievers. How can you disbelieve, when these revelations of GOD have been recited to you, and His messenger has come to you? Whoever holds fast to GOD will be guided in the right path. O you who believe, you shall observe GOD as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters.

[3:110] You are the best community ever raised among the people: you advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and you believe in GOD. If the followers of the scripture believed, it would be better for them. Some of them do believe, but the majority of them are wicked.

[5:44-46] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers.
And we decreed for them in it that: the life for the life, the eye for the eye, the nose for the nose, the ear for the ear, the tooth for the tooth, and an equivalent injury for any injury. If one forfeits what is due to him as a charity, it will atone for his sins. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the unjust.
Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous.

[5:51] O you who believe, do not take certain Jews and Christians as allies; these are allies of one another. Those among you who ally themselves with these belong with them. GOD does not guide the transgressors.

[60:8-9] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.

[5:64-66] The Jews even said, “GOD’s hand is tied down!” It is their hands that are tied down. They are condemned for uttering such a blasphemy. Instead, His hands are wide open, spending as He wills. For certain, your Lord’s revelations to you will cause many of them to plunge deeper into transgression and disbelief. Consequently, we have committed them to animosity and hatred among themselves until the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they ignite the flames of war, GOD puts them out. They roam the earth wickedly, and GOD dislikes the evildoers.
If only the people of the scripture believe and lead a righteous life, we will then remit their sins, and admit them into gardens of bliss.
If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.

[5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in GOD and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[5:82-84] You will find that the worst enemies of the believers are the Jews and the idol worshipers. And you will find that the closest people in friendship to the believers are those who say, “We are Christian.” This is because they have priests and monks among them, and they are not arrogant.
When they hear what was revealed to the messenger, you see their eyes flooding with tears as they recognize the truth therein, and they say, “Our Lord, we have believed, so count us among the witnesses.
Why should we not believe in GOD, and in the truth that has come to us, and hope that our Lord may admit us with the righteous people?”

[22:17] Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD witnesses all things.

“Donner said that the Koran was the best source of information about the early Believers’ movement; with these ten verses we can see that a distinction had been made between the People of the Scripture and the “believers” since the early days of Islam.”

The People of the Scripture in the Quran also includes those who received the Quran. The People of the Scripture include Muslims, Christians and the Jews.

[98:1] Those who disbelieved among the people of the scripture, as well as the idol worshipers, insist on their ways, despite the proof given to them.

[5:19] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you, to explain things to you, after a period of time without messengers, lest you say, “We did not receive any preacher or warner.” A preacher and warner has now come to you. GOD is Omnipotent.

[29:46] Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner – unless they transgress – and say, “We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters.”

“We can see then that the Koran’s rejection of the divinity of Christ began in the very early days of the Believers’ movement, so it is difficult to see how Donner could claim that any Christians maintaining a belief in Christ’s divinity could have actually been a part of that movement.”


There are Christians today who not believe in the divinity of Christ just like Christians at the time of Muhammad. There are Christians today who reject the creation of Trinity by men 300+ years after the death of Jesus in the Nicene Creed.

The verses which Stephen Kirby refers to are reproduced below and they are a warning to those who uphold man-made divinity for Jesus. As pointed out above the Quran is equally strong on idolatry of anyone including Muhammad, Jesus, the saints, or scholars.

[5:72-75] Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah himself said, “O Children of Israel, you shall worship GOD; my Lord and your Lord.” Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD, GOD has forbidden Paradise for him, and his destiny is Hell. The wicked have no helpers.
Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is a third of a trinity. There is no god except the one god. Unless they refrain from saying this, those who disbelieve among them will incur a painful retribution.
Would they not repent to GOD, and ask His forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
The Messiah, son of Mary, is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him, and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food. Note how we explain the revelations for them, and note how they still deviate!

[9:30] The Jews said, “Ezra is the son of GOD,” while the Christians said, “Jesus is the son of GOD!” These are blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those who have disbelieved in the past. GOD condemns them. They have surely deviated.

[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.

[4:157-158] And for claiming that they killed the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of GOD. In fact, they never killed him, they never crucified him – they were made to think that they did. All factions who are disputing in this matter are full of doubt concerning this issue. They possess no knowledge; they only conjecture. For certain, they never killed him.
Instead, GOD raised him to Him; GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

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[3:49-51] As a messenger to the Children of Israel: “I come to you with a sign from your Lord – I create for you from clay the shape of a bird, then I blow into it, and it becomes a live bird by GOD’s leave. I restore vision to the blind, heal the leprous, and I revive the dead by GOD’s leave. I can tell you what you eat, and what you store in your homes. This should be a proof for you, if you are believers.
“I confirm previous scripture – the Torah – and I revoke certain prohibitions imposed upon you. I come to you with sufficient proof from your Lord. Therefore, you shall observe GOD, and obey me.
“GOD is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”

[4:171-172]  O people of the scripture, do not transgress the limits of your religion, and do not say about GOD except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. You shall not say, “Trinity.” You shall refrain from this for your own good. GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. GOD suffices as Lord and Master. The Messiah would never disdain from being a servant of GOD, nor would the closest angels. Those who disdain from worshiping Him, and are too arrogant to submit, He will summon them all before Him.

[19:29-36] She pointed to him. They said, “How can we talk with an infant in the crib?” (The infant spoke and) said, “I am a servant of GOD. He has given me the scripture, and has appointed me a prophet. “He made me blessed wherever I go, and enjoined me to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat) for as long as I live. “I am to honor my mother; He did not make me a disobedient rebel. And peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I get resurrected.”
That was Jesus, the son of Mary, and this is the truth of this matter, about which they continue to doubt. It does not befit GOD that He begets a son, be He glorified. To have anything done, He simply says to it, “Be,” and it is. He also proclaimed, “GOD is my Lord and your Lord; you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”

[43:57-59] When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people disregarded it.
They said, “Is it better to worship our gods, or to worship him?” They said this only to argue with you. Indeed, they are people who have joined the opposition.
He was no more than a servant whom we blessed, and we sent him as an example for the Children of Israel.

[61:6] Recall that Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O Children of Israel, I am GOD’s messenger to you, confirming the Torah and bringing good news of a messenger to come after me whose name will be even more praised (Ahmad).” Then, when he showed them the clear proofs, they said, “This is profound magic.”

“What about the Jews? Let’s start off with the first chapter of the Koran, Al-Fatihah. This chapter was revealed in Mecca and was among the first chapters of the Koran to be revealed.”

In his desperation, Stephen Kirby turns completely to fiction. He does refer to some Quran verses reproduced below but relies on “authoritative Muslim scholars.” He has no basis from the Quran. No comment is needed on his “authoritative sources” written centuries after the revelation of the Quran.


[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
[1:3] Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[1:4] Master of the Day of Judgment.
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
[1:6] Guide us in the right path;
[1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.

[2:61] Recall that you said, “O Moses, we can no longer tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions.” He said, “Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that which is good? Go down to Egypt, where you can find what you asked for.” They have incurred condemnation, humiliation, and disgrace, and brought upon themselves wrath from GOD. This is because they rejected GOD’s revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.

[3:110-113] You are the best community ever raised among the people: you advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and you believe in GOD. If the followers of the scripture believed, it would be better for them. Some of them do believe, but the majority of them are wicked.
They can never harm you, beyond insulting you. If they fight you, they will turn around and flee. They can never win.
They shall be humiliated whenever you encounter them, unless they uphold GOD’s covenant, as well as their peace covenants with you. They have incurred wrath from GOD, and, consequently, they are committed to disgrace. This is because they rejected GOD’s revelations, and killed the prophets unjustly. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.
They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture, there are those who are righteous. They recite GOD’s revelations through the night, and they fall prostrate.

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[60:13]  O you who believe, do not befriend people with whom GOD is angry, and who are hopelessly stuck in disbelief; they are just as hopeless as the disbelievers who are already in the graves.

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[2:109]  Many followers of the scripture would rather see you revert to disbelief, now that you have believed. This is due to jealousy on their part, after the truth has become evident to them. You shall pardon them, and leave them alone, until GOD issues His judgment. GOD is Omnipotent.

[3:71] O followers of the scripture, why do you confound the truth with falsehood, and conceal the truth, knowingly?

[3:98-100]  Say, “O followers of the scripture, why do you reject these revelations of GOD, when GOD is witnessing everything you do?”
Say, “O followers of the scripture, why do you repel from the path of GOD those who wish to believe, and seek to distort it, even though you are witnesses?” GOD is never unaware of anything you do.
O you who believe, if you obey some of those who received the scripture, they will revert you, after having believed, into disbelievers.

Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State

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Tarek Fatah provides historical evidence, from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present, of the illusion of an Islamic State. He also points outs that most Muslims would individually prefer to live in the state of islam (submission to God) rather than an Islamic State.

O you who believe, you shall embrace total submission (islam); do not follow the steps of Satan, for he is your most ardent enemy. [2:208]

If GOD renders one’s heart content with Submission (islam), he will be following a light from his Lord. Therefore, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against GOD’s message; they have gone far astray. [39:22]

Moreover, Abraham exhorted his children to do the same, and so did Jacob: “O my children, GOD has pointed out the religion for you; do not die except as submitters (muslims).” [2:132]

Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, “What will you worship after I die?” They said, “We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters (muslims).” [2:133]

Say, “We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters (muslims).” [3:84]

Indeed, the Quran is explicit that an individual has the freedom to make a decision to be a submitter (muslim) and practice the religion of submission (islam) to God.

Tarek Fatah correctly points out that there is nothing in the Quran which even remotely advocates an Islamic State. Neither is there anything in the Quran which allows an individual to accept any source of law (sharia) other than God’s words in the Quran.

  • The Quran is a fully detailed scripture per 6:114, 10:37
  • The Quran is the only source of law or the only criterion per 6:114
  • The words of God in the Quran are complete per 6:115
  • No words can abrogate God’s words in the Quran per 6:115 and 10:37
  • Quran is Hadith per 7:185, 12:111, 39:23, 45:6, 52:34, 68:44, 77:50
  • The Quran is the only acceptable Hadith per 77:50, 45:6, 7:185
  • The Arabic word sunnah (system) refers only to God’s sunnah and never as the Prophet’s sunnah per 17:77, 33:62, 48:23
  • That God is the Teacher of the Quran per 55:2

The above is not acceptable to most who call themselves ‘Muslims’ whether they consider themselves Sunni, Shia or any other sect. The above is not acceptable to the Wahhabis, Salafis, Muslim Brotherhood or the followers of Sayyid Qutb or Abul A’la Maududi.

Belief in God dictates that a person believes God. The Quran, a proven scripture, stands on its own. Worshipping God alone mandates that only God’s words be upheld as the source of law. The path out of misery for Muslims around the world is to believe, accept, obey and submit to God’s words in the Quran. The illusion of an Islamic state will vanish with the acceptance of the Quran as complete, perfect and fully detailed.

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Tareq Fatah’s book is well written and researched. Part one of the book covers the theology of an Islamic State with Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia as examples of woeful states. He examines the mixing of Islamism and Marxism to the Palestine case as weakening of their cause.

Part two covers period after Prophet Muhammad’s death and subsequent empires in Damascus, Cardoba and Baghdad. He correctly points out that the empire flourished in Damascus, Cardoba and Baghdad because of freedom  – God’s gift to mankind in the Quran (2:256, 18:29).

We, however, take issue with history at the time of Prophet Muhammad and the ‘Rightly Guided Caliphs.’ This period and history is presented well by Dr. Fred Donner and his research.

Part three of the book explores Hijab, Jihad and Sharia as understood by the Muslims with that understanding having no support whatsoever in the Quran.

Tareq Fatah ends the book cautioning the West about the Islamists agenda (which has no support in the Quran).

No god but God

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The book is excellent and gives the history from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the current status of Islam in the world.

Reza Aslam rejects Patricia Crone’s conclusion that “everything about prophet Muhammad and rise of Islam is a complete fabrication created by Arab story tellers in the 8th and 9th centuries”, and relies on traditions to an extent, for the history at the time of Prophet Muhammad, and the first few centuries after his death.

Our preference would be Dr Fred Donner’s research on how Islam began. Per Dr. Donner only two documents are authentic from the time of Prophet Muhammad – the Quran and the Medina Agreement  (Mīthāq al-Madīnah) between Muhammad and the tribes of Medina. As pointed out by Donner and Aslan, the Christians and Jews were considered part of the single Ummah together with the followers of Muhammad.

The Quran does not look kindly upon religious scholars (9:31). This book points out the sway of scholars in the eleventh century, “..institutionalize their legal and theological opinions into distinct schools of thought but also to formulate a binding, comprehensive code of conduct called Shariah, forever transforming Islam from a religion into all-embracing way of life: one that the  Ulama claimed the sole authority to define.”

Reza Aslam points out, “But it was the Modernist demand that the Shariah be withdrawn entirely from the civil sphere that cause the greatest concern among the Ulama.”

The book provides an excellent summary of scholarly thought from Iqbal, Maudoodi, Hasan Al Banna, Sayyid Qutb and others in the last 100 years. He traces the world’s first Islamic socialist movement – Muslim Brotherhood, Islamism, Salafism, Wahabism and Jihadism.

All these movements, most of which include violence, claim the Quran and Shariah as their source. However, none of them could claim only the Quran as their source. Adding the Shariah as a source brings in the human element and human words and thus one can choose words of their choosing to justify anything they want.

Reza Aslam mentions Islamic Reformation, “Indeed, one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic movements within Islam today is being led by an international community of Muslims, called Quranists, who reject all sources of authority in Islam – the hadith, the Sunnah, The Shariah – save the Quran.”

We take issue with Reza Aslan on the following:

“Three years after revelation began 613, the declaration of faith was: there is no god but God and Muhammad is God’s messenger.”

The declaration of faith according to the Quran is “there is no god”. The declaration in the Quran does not have Muhammad’s name next to God’s. This ‘double shahaada’ was fabricated by the scholars about 70-100 years after prophet Muhammad’s death. Anyone can verify this by searching for early Islamic coins which had the correct declaration which did not include Muhammad’s name.

“The Quran itself repeatly affirms the importance of blood relations (2:177, 215), and endows Muhammad’s family – the ahl al-bayt – with an eminent position in the Ummah, somewhat akin to that enjoyed by the families of the other prophets.”

Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous. [2:177]

They ask you about giving: say, “The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien.” Any good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof. [2:215]

These verses do not blood relations in Muhammad’s family for significance for political or religious control.

“Verse 2:106”

When we abrogate any miracle, or cause it to be forgotten, we produce a better miracle, or at least an equal one. Do you not recognize the fact that GOD is Omnipotent? [2:106]

The Quran contains a mathematical miracle per verses 74:30-35 plus numerous other verses revealed to the current computer literate generation.

Supporting a point of view by God’s words in the Quran

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CAN YOU SUPPORT YOUR POINT OF VIEW BY GOD’S WORDS IN THE QURAN?

 

Unfortunately, only some submitters adhere to the above, even though the Quran and God’s messenger are clear and explicit about the above.

[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
[6:115] The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[18:27] … Nothing shall abrogate His words, and you shall not find any other source beside it.

“We are people who follow the Quran, the whole Quran and nothing but the Quran. Therefore, anybody and this means anybody who brings any information must conform to the Quran, the whole Quran and nothing but the Quran.  And if anyone, I will underline anyone, who comes up with information that is not confirmed by the Quran, we tell him forget it, we don’t accept it. The criterion is preaching, confirming existing scripture, the Quran and nothing else.” – Rashad Khalifa, Khutba announcing his messengership, April 1988.

NEWCOMERS TO SUBMISSION URGED TO VERIFY FROM QURAN

Most of us, when we were first given the message, verified directly from the Quran. Thus, for the correct Shahadah, we would look at the words of 3:18, 47:19 and others similar verses of the Quran. We verified certain aspects the great mathematical miracle of the Quran like number of Suras or the number of letters in the Basmallah or the total number of verses in the Quran. We looked closely at the words of 3:81 to be validate that a messenger will come after all the prophets or 33:40 to ascertain that Muhammad was not the last messenger. Newcomers are encouraged and expected to do their homework of verifying from the Quran.

“THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ME; YOU SHALL WORSHIP ME ALONE” [21:25]

Like all previous messengers, the message of the messenger after the prophets was to worship God alone (39:45). The messenger made it clear that we worship God by upholding only God’s words in the Quran (17:46, 25:30). God blessed us by providing proof that every word of the Quran is a Proven Word of God. The messenger brought forth other information embedded within the Quran by God’s leave like the age of 40, the feud in the High Society, etc. In the February 1990 Newsletter, Dr. Khalifa states, “As stated in 3:81 and 46:9, God’s Messenger of the Covenant does not bring anything new; everything I receive and pass on to you is already in the Quran.”

The messenger summarized the embedded information in his English translation of the Quran. Thus, an Introduction gives a Quranic basis to the Religion of Submission and answers the question, “why are we here?” Appendices in the translation give details of the mathematical miracle of the Quran, proof of messengership and other issues of relevance. As an example, in Appendix 9, the messenger explains God’s divine preservation of religious duties from the time of Abraham to now with the Quran correcting all corruptions in religious duties and associated rituals. Neither Muhammad nor Rashad Khalifa were ‘given’ the steps for ‘how to perform salat’.

THE QURAN AND THE MIRACLE DID NOT COME TO US DIRECTLY FROM GOD

Dr. Khalifa states in his Book, Quran, Hadith & Islam:

“Only a little thinking leads us to realize that Quran came to us through Muhammad’s mouth, and DID NOT COME TO US FROM GOD DIRECTLY. Hence the commandment that we shall obey the messenger…for he utters the words of God.

“When we seek “religious” instructions from Muhammad, or any other source beside God, we support Satan in his claim that God needs a partner. Therefore, those who worship God ALONE follow the instructions and teachings of GOD ALONE. As shown throughout this book, God’s teachings are complete, perfect, and fully detailed in Quran.”

Similarly, the delivery of the miracle and embedded information did not come to us directly from God.

RESISTANCE TO SUPPORTING YOUR POINT OF VIEW EXCLUSIVELY BY GOD’S WORDS IN THE QURAN

What is the point when a submitter, who in the process of accepting the message and verifying directly from the Quran (17:36), like the examples given above, transform from a submitter into a potential submitter who seeks “religious” instructions from Rashad and supports Satan in his claim that God needs a partner?

The answer is very simple. It is the point when one gets away from worshipping of God alone (inability to uphold God’s complete words in the Quran), and therefore that person is stripped of common sense. The following are some examples of stripped common sense of those who cannot give a point of view based exclusively on Quran.

–           They cannot define the word Quran. To them, it is something other that the Arabic Quran given to Prophet Muhammad.
–           They cannot accept that God’s words are complete in the Quran per 6:115.
–           They cannot accept that those complete words are the only source of law per 6:114.
–           They cannot accept that God’s words which make up the book (Quran) provide explanations for everything per 16:89
–           They cannot accept that God’s words in the scripture (Quran) contains the message per 21:10.

–           They cannot accept that God’s words in the Quran are called Hadith (a lowly word according to them) and that we cannot accept ANY other Hadith per 77:50, 7:185 and 45:6. Even though God calls His Glorious words in the Quran, Hadith, they are unwilling to call Rashad Khalifa’s words as Hadith.

–           They consider the messenger’s words in footnotes, subheadings, appendices, etc. as same as or ‘at par’ with God’s words in the 6346 verses of the Quran.

–           They consider the messenger, Rashad Khalifa as infallible and uphold his words as a source of law thus establishing a partner with God (under the guise of ‘authorized explanations’).

**

The human messenger imparted the message of worshiping God alone in his human words. The messenger’s words comprise of footnotes, appendices, subheadings, audios, videos, books and newsletters.

We can certainly impart the message by giving a potential believer, Dr. Khalifa’s Translation of the Quran, as it contains embedded information including the miracle of the Quran. We can provide the potential believer access to the audios, videos, books, etc.

However, if you worship God alone, can you support your point of view directly by God’s complete words in the Quran? Or do you need a partner to associate (shirk) with God’s words?

The messenger said, “My Lord, my people have deserted this Quran.” [25:30]

**

None of the above, in any way, means that any of Dr. Khalifa’s work should be cast aside nor does it mean that a thorough study of his should not be done nor does it mean that anyone should be discouraged from study of his works/videos, etc.

It simply means, that when a point of view is advocated, can support from the words of the Quran be provided. The source remains the Quran (Statute Book).  For Statute Law explanations and teachings do not become a source of law.

RELATED LINKS

Admission Test Q&A
Idolatry Q&A
Obey God and His Messenger
Rashad Khalifa on Quran alone
Reversion to Idolatry
Quran Text
Appendices in Rashad Khalifa Translation

Equality of Man and Woman in the Quran

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Losing my religion for equality

Former President Jimmy Carter, a practicing Christian all his life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years, has severed his ties with Southern Baptist Convention after six decades. The reason:

“Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God.”

The reference to the Word of God is the Bible. The Bible places the blame on Eve for the original sin. Mr. Jimmy Carter has joined The Elders,  an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, which issued a statement that declares:

“The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable.”

The proven word of God, unaltered and fully preserved since revelation does not place the blame on Eve for the original sin. Both Adam and Eve are blamed equally for that sin in the Quran

[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon them: “Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the devil is your most ardent enemy?”

[7:23] They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers.”

[7:24] He said, “Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall be your habitation and provision for awhile.”

[7:25] He said, “On it you will live, on it you will die, and from it you will be brought out.”

[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD’s signs, that they may take heed.

CREATION IN THE QURAN

In the chapter (Sura) entitled ‘Women’ the very first verse states:

[4:1] O people, observe your Lord; the One who created you from one being, and created from it its mate, then spread from the two many men and women. You shall regard GOD, by whom you swear, and regard the parents. GOD is watching over you.

THE QURAN ON WOMEN

Women were given rights to own property and the right to divorce 1400 years ago; rights which women in the west acquired in the last two centuries.

Men and women are considered as equal in the Quran. The Quran gives the example of Sheba as a righteous believer (Muslim) as a leader of a nation.

The present status of women in the Islamic World is shameful and the laws which suppress them are not in the Quran. The vast majority of Muslims worldwide have deserted the Quran in favor of man-made laws written after more than two centuries after the revelation of the Quran.

 

 

 

Quran alone

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Katie Zavadski writes the The Study Quran project is a source of consternation for the Saudi Arabia domination of the majority of English translations of the Quran.

She details in “The American Quran Pissing Off the Saudis” how the Saudis with their Wahhabi branch of Islam have poisoned religious texts across the Arab world, Asia, Europe and North America. They have exported their religious teachers and control mosques worldwide.

The Study Quran  project is similar to the various translations proffered by the Salafis and the Wahhabis.

Both give primary importance to the scholars (dead or alive) words rather than the Words of God in the Quran. The Words of God in the Quran are dismissed in favor of words of their scholars who no doubt provide them with meanings and interpretations to their liking.

Thus the various sects in Islam have no disagreement about the Quran, but will fight and kill each other based on disagreements among their scholars and religious leaders. Thus they fail to worship God alone as commanded in the Quran, but follow religious laws promulgated by their scholars.

Their consequence of not accepting the Quran alone are horrendous  and is reflected in the state of the Islamic world.

[17:46]  We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you preach your Lord, using the Quran ALONE, they run away in aversion.

[39:45]  When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.

[40:12]  This is because when GOD ALONE was advocated, you disbelieved, but when others were mentioned beside Him, you believed. Therefore, GOD‘s judgment has been issued; He is the Most High, the Great.

[40:14]  Therefore, you shall devote your worship absolutely to GOD ALONE, even if the disbelievers dislike it.

The Study Quran Translation

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And when God is mentioned alone, the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter recoil. But when those apart from him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice. [39:45 – The Study Quran]

The translators of the Quran and the editors of THE STUDY QURAN validate that they do not follow nor observe God’s Words and commandments in the Quran. They demonstrate the condition of the majority of those who call themselves Muslims (the Arabic word Muslim translates in English as Submitter) who have either no knowledge of the Quran or if they do have the knowledge they simply do not obey God’s Words in the Quran.

Their translation (used here) states that the Quran is fully detailed for religious law and the only acceptable Hadith and Sunnah. BELIEF in God dictates that God should be BELIEVED. The editors and translators of this project do not believe nor submit to God’s own Words in the Quran.

QURAN – FULLY DETAILED

Say, “What thing is greatest as testimony?” Say, “God is witness between you and me. And this Quran has been revealed unto me, that thereby I may warn you and whomsoever it may reach. Do you bear witness there are other gods beside God?” say, “I bear no such witness.” Say, “He is only One God, and truly I am quit of that which you ascribe as partners unto him.” [6:19]

. . –We have neglected nothing in the book- . . [6:38]

(Say) “Shall I seek a judge apart from God, when it is He Who has sent down unto you the book, expounded?” Those unto whom We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from thy Lord in truth; so be not among the doubters. [6:114]

The Word of Thy Lord is fulfilled in truth and justice. None alters His Words, and He is the Hearing, the knowing. [6:115]

We have indeed brought them a Book, which We have expounded with knowledge, as a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe. [7:52]

Following a source other than Quran is but idolatry (18:27) as a god other than God is being followed for religious law.

RELIGION OF ABRAHAM

Islam (the Arabic word Islam translates in English as submission) is called the Religion of Abraham in the Quran. We produce the following translated verses from The Study Quran to point out that ours is indeed the Religion (Creed) of Abraham, and to point out that the translators left the Arabic word, a hanif, untranslated. Hanif translates as monotheist.

And who shuns the creed of Abraham, but a foolish soul? We chose him in this world and in the Hereafter he shall be among the righteous. [2:130]

And they say, “Be Jews or Christians and you shall be rightly guided.” Say, “Rather [ours is] the creed of Abraham, a hanif, and he was not of the idolaters,” [2:135]

Say, “Truly my Lord has guided me unto a straight path, an upright religion, the creed of Abraham, a hanif, and he was not of the idolaters.” [6:161]

Then we revealed unto thee, “Follow the creed of Abraham, a hanif, and he was not among the idolaters.” [16:123]

HADITH

Just like the Arabic word Hanif is untranslated above, The Study Quran translators and editors could have left the Arabic Words Hadith and Sunnah untranslated in the following verses. Leaving those two words untranslated would make sense as those words are increasing referred to in the media.

However, had The Study Quran translators and editors left the Arabic Words Hadith and Sunnah untranslated, the bottom would fall out of their entire project. The Quran makes it clear that the only Hadith to be followed is the Quran itself and no Hadith other than the Quran can be followed. We have inserted in the following translated verses the Arabic Word Hadith and the Arabic Word Sunnah.

Certainly in their stories is a lesson for those possessed on intellect. It is not a fabricated account (Hadith); rather, it is a confirmation of that which came before it, and an elaboration of all things, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe. [12:111]

So in what discourse (Hadith) after this will they believe? [77:50]

These are the signs of God that we recite unto thee in truth. So in what discourse (Hadith) after God and His signs do they believe? [45:6]

So leave Me with those who deny this discourse (Hadith). We shall lead them on little by little, whence they know not. [68:44]

So in what discourse (Hadith) after this will they believe. [7:185]

And among mankind are those who purchase idle discourse (Hadith) to lead astray from the way of God without knowledge and who take it in mockery; for them there shall be humiliating punishment. [31:6]

God has sent down the most beautiful discourse (Hadith), a Book con-similar, paired, whereat quivers the skin of those who fear their Lord. [39:23]

SUNNAH

Sunnah means system. The Quran only refers to God’s system and never to the Prophet’s system nor the messenger’s system nor to Mohammad’s system.

[That is] the wont (Sunnah) of God that came to pass aforetime; and you will find no alteration in the wont (Sunnah) of God. [48:23]

But their believing benefited them not when they saw Our Might. [That is} the wont (Sunnah) of God which has been passed among His servants; and the disbelievers were then lost. [40:85]

Thou shalt find no alteration in the wont (Sunnah) of God, and thou shalt find no change in the wont (Sunnah) of God. [35:43]

[That is] the wont (Sunnah) of God with those who passed before; and you will find no alteration in the wont (Sunnah) of God. [33:62]

FIRST COMMANDMENT

The first commandment – you shall not worship except God – is central to The Quran, the Torah, the Gospel and the Creed of Abraham.

God bears witness that there is no god but He, as do the angels and the possessors of knowledge, upholding justice. There is no god but He, the Mighty the Wise. [3:18]

Know, then, that there is no god but God, and ask forgiveness for thy sin and for the believing men and believing women. God knows your coming and going, and your abode. [47:19]

Say, “I am only a warner, and there is no god but God, the One, the Paramount. [38:65]

Indeed, when it is said unto them, “There is no god but God,” they waxed arrogant. [38:65]

NO DISTINCTION AMONG MESSENGERS

The Quran forbids us in making any distinction among God’s messengers. The Religion of Submission (In Arabic: Islam) is a Religion of God. It is not a religion about Mohammad, Jesus, Moses, who among others were merely messengers of God.

Say, “We believe in God, and in that which was sent down unto us, and in that which was sent down on Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in what Moses and Jesus were given, and in what the prophets were given from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them, and unto him we submit. [2:136]

The messenger believes in what was sent down to him from his Lord, as do the believers. Each believes in God, His Angels, His Books, and His messengers. “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. Thy forgiveness, our Lord! And unto Thee is the journey’s end.” [2:285]

Say, “We believe in God, and in that which was sent down unto us, and in that which was sent down upon Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in what Moses, Jesus and the prophets were given from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them, and unto him we submit. [3:84]

But those who believe in God and His messengers and make no distinction between them – unto them He will give their rewards. God is forgiving, Merciful. [4:152]

DESERTION OF THE QURAN

And the Messenger will say, “O my Lord! Truly my people have taken this Quran for foolishness.” [24:30]

And so too have the translators and editors of The Study Quran taken the Quran as foolishness.

The translation has 1996 pages, sure to turn off anyone seeking a study of the Quran, even though the translation itself covers 1584 pages. Less than 20% of the words in the translation are the actual translated words of the Quran.

The translators and editors of The Study Quran suppress the Words of God in the Quran to the words of humans. They attribute reverence to those human’s words written centuries after the revelation of the Quran. They call those human words Hadith & Sunnah. As the Quran and their own translation states the only acceptable Hadith and the only acceptable Sunnah are the words of the Quran.

The Sunnis, Shias and the various sects in Islam have no differences about the Quran. Each sect has its own “authentic” Hadith. Each sect draws conclusions about various verses of the Quran through the lenses of their Hadith. So too have the translators and editors of The Study Quran. The simple and clear verses and the words of the Quran are drowned by the words of humans. The Creator’s Words are secondary to the words of God’s human creatures to the translators and editors of The Study Quran.

By giving the words of men in Hadith and Sunnah abrogation authority, over the Word of GOD in the Quran the translators and editors of The Study Quran have committed the very thing GOD commanded not to do in verses 6:114-115.

The Hadith and Sunnah literature may be valuable as sources of history but none of them can be used to derive meanings of the Quran. All interpretation and meaning should be derived in light of the Quran.

IN LIGHT OF THE QURAN

O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if they were disclosed to you, would trouble you. And if you ask them while the Quran is being sent down, they will be disclosed to you. God has pardoned this, and God is Forgiving, Clement. [5:101]

**

Obey God and His Messenger.
Where do we find details about Salat in the Quran?

Obey God and His Messenger

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In the name of God, most Gracious, most, Merciful

When two or more individuals open a joint account at a bank in USA, they have an option of opening an OR account or an AND account. When they open an OR account either party can withdraw funds by one person’s signature. However, when an AND account is opened, both parties must sign before funds can be withdrawn. In other words for the AND account approval of all parties is required for funds withdrawal or to make any changes to the account.

The Quran commands us to obey God AND His messenger. It commands us in 49:1 not to place our opinion above God AND His messenger. The Quran does not give us the luxury of obeying God OR His messenger. In other words we don’t have the choice of obeying God OR obeying His messenger. Thus, obeying God and His messenger boils down to obeying God as it requires God’s endorsement. God’s endorsement is in the words of the Quran. We obey God by following God’s words in the Quran.  We don’t place our opinion above God and His messenger by not placing our opinion outside the confines of the words of the Quran. We cannot obey God and His messenger until and unless what the messenger says coincides with the words of the Quran.

It is:                       obey God and His messenger.
It is not:               obey God or His messenger.

God has given the example of the use of word OR to mean EITHER. The word OR suggests option.

[23:6] Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.

[70:30] (They have relations) only with their spouses, or what is legally theirs –
[70:31] anyone who transgresses these limits is a sinner.

God specifies in this category that sexual relations are allowed with EITHER their spouses OR what is legally theirs, but not both.

God has blessed us with all the words we need in the Glorious Quran.

**

As submitters to God alone, our discussions and advocacy on any topic should be based on verses of the Quran.

For those interested here is a mathematical explanation for AND & OR for the mathematically structured book – the Quran

The Difference between And and Or

http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/71940.html

Date: 01/23/2008 at 11:59:54

From: Mikki

Subject: and/or

My son had a question that was marked wrong on his paper.  He pointed out to me that by the way it was worded, he felt as though he were correct.  Here is the question:  There are 3 knives, 4 spoons, 4 forks.  What fraction of the utensils are spoons OR forks? He answered 4/11 and was told the teachers edition says 8/11.  I understand the way he read it to be OR meaning one or the other.  If it’s 8/11, shouldn’t it be worded spoons AND forks?  If the answer is 8/11, I want my son to understand why.

Date: 01/23/2008 at 12:24:17

From: Doctor Peterson

Subject: Re: and/or

Hi, Mikki.

The words “and” and “or” can be ambiguous in English, so in math we give them precise meanings.  We have to teach those meanings, but often forget to, which may have happened here.

When we talk about the set of things that are A AND B, we mean that EACH of those things must be BOTH A and B.  Nothing is both a spoon and a fork!  (At least not in this problem.)  So “and” would have been inappropriate.  There are no utensils that are spoons and forks.

When we talk about the set of things that are A OR B, we mean that EACH of them may be EITHER A or B.  That is, we are including in the set BOTH those that are A, AND those that are B.  This is where the confusion and ambiguity come in!  There are 8 utensils that are spoons or forks.

Your son read it in a way that is commonly used in nontechnical English, taking “How many are A or B” to mean two separate questions combined: “How many are A, how many are B”.  I can see how that could be tempting in this case; the two numbers happen to be the same, so he could take the question to mean “How many are A (which is also the same as the number that are B”.  If there had been 3 spoons and 4 forks, that interpretation would not have made as much sense; the best answer he could give would be “3, or 4”.  We don’t combine questions like that in math, to avoid confusion.

So the book was right, but the question is ambiguous if the teacher has not taught (or does not know) the standard mathematical usage. (This usage is important in some later topics, such as probability, so it’s definitely worth teaching.)

If you have any further questions, feel free to write back.

– Doctor Peterson, The Math Forum

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

 

Date: 01/23/2008 at 12:47:17

From: Doctor Riz

Subject: Re: and/or

Hi Mikki –

I’d like to add one piece to what Dr. Peterson wrote.  While this is a slightly different application of the idea, my students always found this particular example of the logical difference between AND and OR helpful.

In logic, an AND statement is only true if both parts of it are true. If I say, “I am in Vermont AND I am in New Hampshire” the only way that can be true is if I am standing on the border with one foot in each state.

An OR statement is true if either part is true.  If I say, “I am in Vermont OR I am in New Hampshire” that statement is true as long as I am in either state (it’s also true if I’m straddling the border).  The only way an OR statement is not true is if both parts are false, such as if I were standing in Massachusetts when I made my statement about being in Vermont or New Hampshire.

With your question about utensils being spoons OR forks, I count every utensil that is either a spoon or a fork, giving 8 of the 11.  If I were asked what fraction of the utensils were spoons AND forks, there would be zero since the utensil would have to be both things.  There IS a utensil you sometimes see in fast food places which is a spoon shape with teeth on the front edge, and it’s generally referred to as a “spork”, a combination of spoon and fork.  That’s what I’d need for a utensil to be considered a spoon AND a fork.

Does that help?  Write back if you have questions on any of this.

– Doctor Riz, The Math Forum

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

 

Date: 01/23/2008 at 13:33:11

From: Mikki

Subject: Thank you (and/or)

Thank you both for your prompt responses.  You have taught me something and definitely given me something to think about.

RELATED LINKS

Idolatry Q&A
Obey God and His Messenger
Reversion to Idolatry
Supporting a point of view by Quran
Rashad Khalifa on Quran alone