The common message of God shared by Jews, Christians, and Submitters, traced through parallels between the Epistle of James and the Quran, with Abraham as the founder of Submission and a call to unity against global suffering. Honesty is examined through trust, truth, and equitable trade. A deadly stampede at the 1998 Hajj is blamed on restricting pilgrimage to a few days instead of the four sacred months.
Anyone who accepts other than
Submission as his religion, it will not be accepted from him, and in the
Hereafter, he will be with the losers. (3:85)
Page 1
Islam is not at all what you see on the television, or in the newspapers.
The current political ideologies of some Islamic nations is not Islam.
The misguided souls who bring misery and suffering to others around them
in the name of Islam do not have the foggiest notion of true Islam. Many
commit the most horrendous atrocities in the name of God, and it is no
wonder that they continue to suffer collectively. The same is true for
people of other religious persuasions who fail to heed God’s commandments,
and choose instead to follow the popular opinion of those around them.
“True” Muslims do not attack unless attacked. “True”
Muslims do not chant death wishes to an entire nation or issue death warrants
over a novel. A Muslim is, by translation, a Submitter.
A believer is one who has submitted to God’s
will and has attained the position of having no doubts whatsoever about
God and strives in His cause. God tells us that as believers we should
tread the earth gently, ignore the insults of disbelievers, forgive those
who wrong us, disassociate ourselves from those who try to harm us because
of our beliefs, and when we speak to anyone, even disbelievers, we should
speak in the best possible manner. If as believers we are forced to defend
ourselves, then we should call on God for help and for victory. If the
enemy withdraws, or asks for forgiveness, believers are not allowed to
continue with aggression.
Islam means submission to God and Abraham is the founder of Islam. As
both James and the Quran state, Abraham was a friend of God.
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
Community of Submitters
There is a small but steady movement by a group of people known simply
as Submitters to educate and enlighten anyone who is willing to learn
more about true Islam. They come from all walks of life, and live both
here and in other countries around the world. Many face persecution from
within their families, as well as from the societies in which they live,
because they oppose the traditional religious stance which is accepted
by the majority that governs. As Americans, we are blessed in that we
have the constitutional right to worship as we choose. It is the aim of
all Submitters to seek universal unity and understanding with all believers,
no matter by what name they may go, and to share God’s message with
any who care to listen.
Continued on page 2
Our God is One and the Same
Page 2
Continued from page 1
To make progress and move forward into the future, we must set
aside that which separates us and seek out those ideas and beliefs
that we have in common. Examples of some wonderful attempts to make
progress include the Promise Keepers, and the people who participated
in the Million Man March. Yes, there are questions that need answering
about the man who initiated the march, but he too will be judged
by God and held accountable in due course. The fact that so many
people were touched in a positive way and joined together in spite
of their differences cannot be ignored. Remember what Jesus said
in the Bible, that he who is without sin cast the first stone.
When I read the book of JAMES in its entirety, I was struck by
the message he was sending to the recipients of his letter! The
Quran states that God has sent the same message down through many
messengers and prophets, some known to us and some not known. For
almost every verse written by James, a passage from the Quran would
come to mind that conveyed the same message. Based on my belief
in what the Quran says, James being a disciple of Jesus knew God’s
message to us; he had been a follower of Jesus and according to
the Quran, had born witness that he was a supporter of God and His
messenger, Jesus, and was himself a submitter.
This was further proof to me of the
truth of the Quran’s claim that all scripture has been sent
by God.
With the comparison that follows, I hope to highlight the common
ground which we all stand upon as Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
God willing, anyone who calls himself or herself Godfearing will
identify with the following material. This attempt does not mean
to exclude others who, as believers, may go by another name. As
our world grows “smaller,” it is imperative that we
find every righteous means to unite and resolve our differences
and recognize the common ground that we share. Instead of focusing
on what separates us, we need to reach out to one another to solve
the problems that inevitably will come back to haunt all of us.
We live in a global neighborhood. Our sons and daughters, brothers
and sisters, mothers and fathers may be in Bosnia, Israel, Lebanon
or Palestine; maybe they are keeping the peace, maybe they are struggling
to escape persecution. Our neighbors in Mexico are crossing our
borders trying to find a better life on our side of the fence. In
Brazil for example, there are people still fighting slavery; in
an attempt to get out of poverty, they are loaned money to get started
in “promising” jobs, then hired to work and underpaid
so that they actually owe more money to their employers than they
earn. Look no further than our own interior — many Native
Americans are still struggling to find themselves on reservations
that seem to offer little or no opportunity.
Look at the ghettoes of the inner cities
where many people of black heritage are struggling against a system
that clearly excludes many of them despite the gains that have been
made since the Civil Rights movement.
People in Africa are struggling against civil wars, famine, political
and religious oppression. Northern Ireland is a travesty—is
it a political war or a holy war? Both sides claim God on their
side, so what is the argument? Just mention the Middle East—again
everybody claims God on their side but everyone is suffering. If
everyone believes in God, why are they fighting? We cannot call
ourselves believers when we turn our backs on the pain and suffering
next door, or worse, if we are guilty of inflicting that pain on
our neighbor. We cannot continue to give God lip service only and
ignore the realities of why we are really here. If we truly believe
in God, then we have to recognize the message He gave us through
all the messengers and prophets He sent to us. First and foremost,
we have to worship God and God alone. Then we have to ask God to
guide us, and as James says, be prepared to follow the guidance.
God willing, we will attempt to build bridges, and continue
to tear down walls. Perhaps if we listen more, and talk less, we
can make this world a better place to prepare for the next world,
which is ultimately, what this life is all about.
Peace to all and God’s blessings.
Anna E. Jordan
HONESTY
A Virtue of Righteous
God will proclaim, “This is
the day when the truthful will be saved by their truthfulness....”
(5:119)
Page 3
Honesty is part of the fabric of which
our society is built. It is the blocks upon which a strong foundation
is built. Honesty breeds trust, truth, support and closeness, and
most of all it is a righteous quality.
Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone you knew was an honest person!
Someone you trusted, whom you would support without hesitation when
they needed support or who would support you when you were in need.
Someone who comes to mind when you need a friend.
These are the qualities that are natural to us. They make us feel
good inside!
It is through experience that we learn not to be honest and for
many, honesty has its limits. We learn to keep things inside and
not to tell anyone, for the devil incites fear and anxiety to those
who do not completely trust in the Almighty. We learn to deceive
for some personal gain, for the devil incites greed and vanity for
those who forget or do not expect to meet their Lord.
It is important to be honest as God advocates honesty. It is something
that we should force upon ourselves. The majority of people on earth
would probably consider themselves honest people, but we well know
that many people are not. This is why we must be careful and set
an example for others.
TRUST
One of the qualities of honesty is trust. God advocates numerous
times in the Quran to trust in Him.
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. (14:12)
Trust is something we learn from childhood; we trust the people
we are
dependent on. Once that trust has been
violated, it is difficult to ever trust someone again. Even though
we may forgive, we never forget, for it has been permanently recorded.
Trust must be earned by maintaining truthfulness. When we have
to judge, we judge equitably. When we trade, we trade equitably.
When we are entrusted with responsibility, we make every effort
to do the best that we can. And when entrusted with material possessions,
we do not conceal it illicitly.
God commands you to give back anything the people
have entrusted to you. If you judge among the people, you shall
judge equitably.... (4:58)
O you who believe, do not betray God and the messenger,
and do not betray those who trust you, now that you know. (8:27)
When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well
as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy. (23:8)
And the believers keep their word; they are trustworthy.
Their testimony is truthful. (70:32-3)
TRUTH
God is the truth, the Quran is the truth. Truthfulness is a quality
of the righteous. We are enjoined to follow what is true and to
condemn what is false. For who wishes to live in a world of deceit?
To knowingly deceive is to listen to the devils who only encourage
us further away from God and to incur His retribution.
Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal
the truth, knowingly. (2:42)
If we are asked about some matter, we
should not substitute other than the truth. If we do so, then our
judgment rests with God who is our witness. If we do something for
which we will knowingly have to deceive or conceal, then we had
better examine our motives for doing so. Ultimately, it is the truth
that will save us.
EQUALITY
Another aspect of honesty is being equitable. It is important for
us to remember to be honest with people when we trade. God says
that we should give “full measure” when we trade. Trade
might be a service in exchange for service, a service for food or
provision, or money for food, provisions or service.
In dealing with people we would always like God to guide us to
people who are equitable. Only God is in full control of things.
With that in mind, we should always be equitable ourselves in any
sort of trade, that we may be treated equitably.
Have you ever had the feeling that if you are ever dishonest or
inequitable, God will ensure that you will be treated in the same
way? Mashallah, this helps most of us to keep out of trouble!
However, if the devil caused us to forget and we did treat someone
unfairly, and as a result we were treated unfairly, this would be
good for us if we recognize it and learn from it. It is a lesson
and a strengthening that only God guides. If it was done maliciously,
then God is seer of everything each of us does!
You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat. You shall
weigh with an equitable scale. (26:181-2)
Shams Umadaly
Accustomed to Tragedy in Hajj!
Page 4
Another tragedy strikes in this year’s
Hajj pilgrimage where scores of people were killed in a stampede. The
following is a partial quote from the report distributed by the Associated
Press.
MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Under a searing desert
sun, Muslim pilgrims were packed so tightly some couldn’t keep their
feet on the ground. The sweating, restless crowd swayed back and forth
with a life of its own.
Still more pilgrims came, searching for space on a
bridge that would take them to pillars symbolizing Satan’s temptations.
There, they hoped to fulfill their duty to “stone the devil,”
throwing seven small pebbles at three columns.
Some pilgrims fainted, exhausted by temperatures that
hovered above 100 degrees (Fahrenheit). Others desperately pushed and
shoved, gasping for air. All waited for police to give signal for the
start of the ritual—not before noon, as Islamic tradition dictates.
At 12:25 p.m. Thursday, the last day of the Hajj, dozens
of Saudi
police made way for the
crowds. That led to a stampede that doctors said killed 180 people
and injured twice as many—another sad chapter in the tragic recurrence
of stampedes, fires and protests at the pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest
site in Mecca.
Very sad indeed! Who is to blame for this tragedy: The restless crowd
of pilgrims or their ignorant scholars and leaders? This year’s
Hajj drew 2.3 million pilgrims from 100 countries. Just on the plains
where the stampede took place, 700,000 had gathered. These large crowds
occur because the scholars and the idol worshippers who control the Sacred
Masjid established only a few days out of the year for pilgrimage., against
the commandment of God. They cram millions of pilgrims at once into the
area of Sacred Masjid in those days for their own convenience and reasoning.
However, it is not supposed to be this way if people followed the revelations
of God.
God’s rule about the pilgrimage period is very clear in the Quran:
“Hajj pilgrimage shall
be observed during specific months...” (2:197).
These specific months are the four sacred months (9:2,36). These months
are Zul-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar and Rabi’I. Therefore, Muslims must
be allowed to do their Hajj during any of these months according to the
Quran.
Because of not following the clear commandments of God, the scholars
and the leaders of Muslim countries restrict Hajj to a few days. This
may be for their own convenience, but it comes at the inconvenience, as
well as the loss of lives of the pilgrims. The tragedies and turmoil during
the Hajj pilgrimage will continue until the “Muslims” realize
that God’s laws are always best. If people choose not to follow
His laws and commandments, they will inevitably suffer the consequences.
Have you considered the watering of the pilgrims and caring
for the Sacred Masjid a substitute for believing in God and the Last Day,
and striving in the cause of God? They are not equal in the sight of God...
(9:19)
About this work
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International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson