Converts to traditional Islam are asked a series of critical questions about scholars, Muslim names, dress, Hadith and Sunnah, ablution, and women at Friday prayer, with a former Sunni psychologist explaining why people cling to false beliefs. A second article sets out the Quran's teaching on charity: the obligatory Zakat, daily giving, its recipients, anonymity, and moderation.
You shall not accept any information, unless you
verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and
the brain, and you are responsible for using them. 17:36
I was a so-called Sunni or traditional Muslim
for four years prior to becoming a submitter, and worshiping God alone.
As a traditional Muslim, I was known among Muslim scholars in America
and abroad. I worked with the Islamic Society in North America (formally
known as the Muslim Students Association), writing articles and giving
lectures about Islam and Psychology.
The questions below reflect the advice and instructions I was given
when I initially embraced Islam. I experienced ongoing subtle and direct
pressure to conform to what was presented as Islam. In my early years
as a Muslim, I had no real sense of the contradiction between some of
my beliefs and behavior,
and the Quran. But, having discarded Christianity
and becoming a traditional Muslim, I continued to pray to God to protect
me from accepting false religious teachings. God Almighty guided me to
True Islam — submission to Him alone.
Critical Questions
1. Do you hold fast to the ulamah (religious scholars),
the writings of Muslim scholars, etc. as much as the Quran?
2. When you reverted (to go back to an original place)
to traditional Muslim practices (presented as true Islam) from Christianity,
Judaism, or another religion, were you advised to change your birth name
and take a so-called “Muslim” name?
3. Were you told that you
had to discard some appropriate clothing in your culture, and not wear
a tie (for men) or cover your head (for women)? Were you expected to wear
specific clothing (e.g., a jalabiyah and a kufi for
men, carry zikr beads)?
4. Were you told that changing your dress and adopting
the above dress makes you “ a real Muslim”?
5. When you met Muslims from traditional Muslim countries,
did you initially think that they know everything about Islam and the
Quran? Were you ever told that you could not really understand the verses
of the Quran until you learned Arabic?
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6. Were you given an
explicit or subtle impression that to be a good Muslim, you have
to be able to quote Hadith and Sunnah? Do other Muslims you know/knew
compete with each other in memorizing and repeating Hadith and Sunnah?
Do you feel that you must mimic every aspect of
Muhammad’s life (appearance - wearing a beard, mannerisms,
dress, and behavior) in order to please God? Were your ever given
the impression that Prophet Muhammad was infallible, and that you
have to repeat his name frequently for blessings from God?
7. Were you ever told or did you read that it
is a sin to walk in the restroom with your right foot, sleep on
your left side, listen to any music, have photographs and pictures,
or buy non-pork meats from the grocery store?
8. Have you been told you must absolutely follow
your leader, sheik, or teacher, if you expect to “grow
spiritually?” Are/were you eager to convince the Muslims around
you that you are growing spiritually by reciting Hadith, and making
tasbih all the time in there presence? Is it forbidden to ask questions
about some behaviors and beliefs, even if they contradict clear
verses in the Quran?
9. Are women prevented from attending Jum’ah
(Friday prayer) in your community?
10. Do you feel that traditional Muslim religious
organizations and schools prepare the best and only
teachers of the Quran?
11. Are there more than four steps in the ablution?
[refer to 5:6]
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you are/were not
aware of the True Islam as revealed in the Quran.
A statement of fact: The majority
of Muslims are misguided just like the followers of other religions.
However, most Muslims think that this could never happen to them.
We are no different from any of the communities that preceded us
in history. We are subjected to tests, in order to distinguish between
those who want to worship God alone, and those who are satisfied
with following cherished innovations and false beliefs. Most converts
to Islam are discouraged from reading the Quran on their own or
asking some legitimate questions. They are told “you don’t
know enough yet...you have a long way to go before you can truly
understand what it means to be a Muslim.” This reminds me
of some Christians who teach one another not to question the validity
of the Trinity. Learning how to pray and learning the shahadah (both
are distorted by traditional Muslims) are presented as monumental
tasks that only the true and sincere can ever do correctly. Many
converts end up mimicking cultural traditions and practices of the
Muslims they befriend. The traditions are entirely unrelated to
Islam and God’s guidance in the Quran. The traditions are
presented to new converts as part of Islam.
The majority of religious leaders are unwilling to admit when
they are incorrect because such honesty means that they do not know
as much as they want their followers to think they know. In addition,
they are deluded into thinking that, as a group, they are privileged
by God. Worst of all, some knowingly mislead the people in order
to maintain their status. God knows our intentions, our secrets,
and our declarations.
When most people are challenged with
truths that expose cherished false beliefs and practices, they cling
to their traditions. When first confronted, they have an overwhelming
psychological need to stand up and fight for their beliefs. They
want to believe they are fighting for God. To not fight for the
beliefs is to say to one’s self, “I never really believed
in the first place.” That is an uncomfortable thought. The
person is actually defending him or her self, or ego in this case.
The person does not want to feel uncomfortable or feel like a hypocrite.
The person does not want to feel “wrong or stupid.”
Psychologically speaking, converts to a cause are frequently the
strongest advocates because of their zeal to believe and prove their
loyalty.
Satan knows that humans do not like to feel uncomfortable. He knows
that humans are weak and too often defend false beliefs just to
keep from feeling wrong. Satan manipulates the feeling of being
wrong to his advantage. He increases the sense of mere dedication
to a belief because he knows that heightened dedication alone frequently
makes a person feel better. Only God can protect you from false
religious beliefs, especially when you have been taught that the
beliefs are correct. When you stop defending yourself (ego), overcome
your zealous dedication to false beliefs, and place your trust in
God, you no longer feel uncomfortable or wrong when you question
false practices.
The most important question: Who are you trying to please
— God or your ego and other Muslims?
God is the best to guide.
E. Douglass Brown, Ph.D.
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The
Charities of the Believer
O you who believe, you shall
give to charity from the good things you earn and from what we have
produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out the bad therein
to give away, when you yourselves do not accept it unless your eyes
are closed. You should know that God is Rich, Praiseworthy. (2:267)
God reminds us so much in the Quran of the importance of charity
in whatever form it takes. The first form of charity is in the form
of Zakat, the obligatory charity that is to be given away, or set
aside, on the day of harvest and is mentioned continually throughout
the Quran (6:141) It has specific recipients; the parents, relatives,
orphans, the poor and the traveling alien. (2:215).
The second form of charity is the day-to-day giving to those around
us we see in need. This can be given in any form: money, deeds,
tasks, goods, words of kindness and compassion etc.
We know from 9:103 that charity acts as a form of purification.
Any charity you give, or a charitable pledge you fulfill, God is
fully aware thereof (2:70). If you declare your charities, they
are still good. But if you keep them anonymous and give them to
the poor, it is better for you and remits more of your sins. (2:271)
God is teaching us that it is of no direct importance to anyone
else
what you give to charity, it is between
the giver of the charity and God. It is not important that anyone
else knows. What is important however, is that you give and that
God witnesses that which you give. After all we give it to please
God and not to please others, or to have the charity that we give,
rewarded or recognized by others.
Any charity you give is for your own good, providing you give
it for the sake of God and not to gain any kind of prominence among
the people, and any charity you give will be repaid to you without
the least injustice (2:272). We are told never to tire of giving
to charity. Give both night and day, secretly and publicly. Give
to those who are needy and never beg from the people persistently
(2:273-274). Do not be afraid that our money will run out if we
repeatedly give to charity in moderation, for God will surely see
to it that we will be provided for without suffering any depravation.
A trait of a believer is to give both with money, goods, deeds
and actions. For it God will repay us both in this life or in the
Hereafter. We must give, but not to the extent of leaving ourselves
without, for that would be classed in the sight of God as excessive.
God informs us that we shall give the due alms to the relatives,
the needy, the poor and the traveling alien, but do not be excessive,
extravagant. The extravagant are brethren of the devils and the
devil is unappreciative of his Lord. (17:26-27). Instead we are
commanded by God not to keep our hands stingily tied to our necks,
nor to foolishly open our hands in excessiveness. God advocates
an
approach that is in-between. (17:29)
When they give they are neither extravagant
nor stingy; they give in moderation (25:67).
Whilst charity can be given to anyone, God advocates it for certain
people, the parents, relatives, orphans, the poor and the traveler.
For those who are suffering in the cause of God and cannot emigrate
(2:273). Charities shall also go to the workers who collect charity,
the new converts, to free slaves and to those burned by sudden expenses
in the cause of God. Such is God’s command. (9:60)
Those of us who are blessed with resources and wealth shall be
charitable towards their relatives, the poor and those who have
immigrated for the sake of God. They shall treat them with kindness
and tolerance. (24:22)
We are encouraged to donate our favorite food to the poor, the
orphan and the captive and inform them that we are feeding them
for the sake of our love for God and that we expect no words of
thanks from them, nor reward. (76:8-9). God informs us that we cannot
attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions
you love. Whatever you give to charity, God is fully aware thereof
(3:92). And we are informed in 7:156 that God’s mercy encompasses
those who give the obligatory charity.
These are obligations placed upon us by God (30:38). This is indeed
a difficult path, but one that if adhered to will be profitable
to us both in this life and in the Hereafter. (91:11-18)
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The Charities of the Believer
God in His infinite Mercy gives us every opportunity of reaching Him.
Unfortunately most of mankind are oblivious to His signs. Therefore, extend
God a loan of righteousness and give of your money and your lives to God.
For this is a loan that will never go to waste.
Surely, the charitable men and women have loaned God a
loan of goodness. They will receive their reward multiplied manifold;
they have deserved a generous recompense (57:18).
Such is God’s promise and God never breaks
a promise. (3:9)
Linda M.
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About this work
Kind
Document
Author
International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson