A former traditional Muslim from Mumbai describes leaving Hadith and Sunna for submission to God alone, explaining the one Shahaadah, the righteous life of 2:177, and freedom from fear and grief in 2:112. A Christian reader reflects on what the Quran says about Christians and on fighting in Mindanao. A closing piece argues that alcoholism is an addiction, not a disease.
I was a “Traditional Muslim.”
Not just an average Traditional Muslim but a staunch Traditional Muslim.
My appearance, my deeds, my religious practices, my lifestyle were all
in accordance with Sunna, Hadith and the supposed lifestyle of Muhammad.
I did believe that there is no god but God; I believed in the angels;
I believed that Quran is one of God’s scriptures and that Muhammad
was one among the various prophets and messengers God sent to this world
with the message “La Elaaha Ella Allah,” and I believed in
the Day of Judgment. But all this was mere lip service. I never actually
observed the five daily Salat (Contact) prayers. I only went to the Friday
prayer [once a week] and “Eid prayer [twice a year].”
It all began in 1992. There was a beggar who
used to pass by my house every morning saying loudly “Rab ne paida
kiya bandagi ke liye” (Translation: “The Lord has created
us to worship Him.”) God made me realise that there was a purpose
of my existence and it is mentioned in Quran in 51:56 “I did not
create the jinns and the humans except to worship Me alone.”
This set the ball rolling and I decided to follow Islam more religiously.
I started saying the five Salat prayers reverently in congregation. I
started attending Ijtema’s (religious meetings). But as per the
traditional Muslims, my source of guidance was Hadith and Sunnah because
according to their
claim it was very difficult to understand
the Quran, and was only meant to be recited. I removed the TV from my
house and changed my dress code. I began to analyse every act and deed
of mine, and if it was not in accordance with Hadith or Sunnah, I would
refrain from doing it.
Despite my doing all this for years, there was no joy in my life. I was
always confused and thought that there was something wrong with this type
of traditional form of worship — something was missing. Wherever
and whenever I attended religious get-togethers, I found them praising
prophets and messengers, especially Muhammad and the Saints.
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I could not digest this practice as this was contradicting verse 1:2
which says “Praise be to God, Lord of the universe.”
After coming into submission by the grace of God, I retrieved the “missing
link” which was Submission to God Alone in the true sense
and not mere lip service as God says in 2:112: “Indeed,
those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading
a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord;
they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.”
Today by the grace of God I have submitted myself absolutely to God Alone.
Now what do I mean by submit? If you look up in the dictionary “Submit”
means surrender or comply. This immediately brings to my mind the
feud in the High Society that was triggered by Satan’s challenge
to God’s absolute authority. This is definitely the most important
event in the history of the human race that I was not aware of when
I was a traditional Muslim. I was not aware that I failed to make
a firm stand regarding God’s absolute authority and this life
represents the third and final chance to redeem ourselves.
So by submitting myself absolutely to God alone, I surrender to
God and accept God’s absolute authority — recognizing
the most important information from the verse 3:18 where God says:
“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.”
The proclamation of faith (Shahaadah) that
is decreed by God is: “There is no god except God,”
— in Arabic “La Elaaha Ella Allah” The corrupted
Muslims insist upon adding a second “Shahaadah” proclaiming
that Muhammad is God’s messenger and that God loves Muhammad
so much that he has added Muhammad to His name in the Shahaadah.
This contradicts 47:19 which says: “You shall know that:
‘There is no other god beside GOD,’ and ask forgiveness
of your sins and the sins of all believing men and women. GOD is
fully aware of your decisions and your ultimate destiny.”
Significantly, this First Pillar of religion is stated in
the Sura entitled Muhammad, and is utterly devoted to God alone.
Muhammad’s name was added by his idolizers against his will.
This is by definition ‘Shirk’ (idolatry) and a flagrant
defiance of God and His messenger. Additionally, it violates the
major commandments in 2:136, 2:285, 3:84, & 4:150-152 prohibiting
any distinction among God’s messengers. By proclaiming that
‘Muhammad is a messenger of God’ and failing to make
the same proclamation for other messengers such as Abraham, Moses,
Jesus, Saleh, and Jonah, a distinction is committed and a major
commandment is violated.
Now we come to 2:112 which says “Indeed, those who submit themselves
absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive
their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor
will they grieve.”
We immediately realize that the words “while leading a righteous
life” mean that submitting ourselves absolutely to God alone
by
itself without leading a righteous life is
not sufficient for our redemption. This may have been sufficient
in the first and second chance but in this life, which represents
the third (and last) chance, it is essential that we accept God’s
absolute authority and also lead a righteous life.
Now how do we lead a righteous life? Let us look in Quran, God’s
Final Testament and the only and sufficient source
of guidance for Submitters. God tells us in 2:177 “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 travelling 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.”
The first part of the verse deals mainly with believing, i.e. believing
in God, the day of judgment, the angels, the scriptures, and the
prophets. The second part deals with giving money cheerfully to
the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the
beggars, and to free the slaves.
The third part of 2:177 deals with observing Contact Prayers (Salat)
and giving of Obligatory Charity (Zakat)— may God help us
in observing Contact Prayers more reverently, punctually and to
give Zakat on harvest as it should be given.
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The fourth part of 2:177 deals with keeping their word whenever they
make a promise. This is one field in which I find myself to be very weak.
All I do about this is ask God who has guided me so far to help me in
analysing the word or the commitment before giving it by applying the
carpenter’s rule, i.e. to measure twice and cut once.
The fifth part deals with steadfastness and persevering in the face
of persecution, hardship and war. This can be handled by holding
fast to the rope of God while you go through the Inevitable Test.
Regarding which God says in 3:186 You will certainly be tested,
through your money and your lives, and you will hear from those
who received the scripture, and from the idol worshipers, a lot
of insult. If you steadfastly persevere
and lead a righteous life, this will
prove the strength of your faith.
As we learn also from the Quran, the proven worshipers of God ALONE
start reaping the benefits of their steadfastness right in this
world, and their recompense in the Hereafter will be even greater.
For example, 16:97 states that Anyone who works righteousness,
male or female, while believing, we will surely grant them a happy
life in this world, and we will surely pay them their full recompense
(on the Day of Judgment) for their righteous works.
Going back to 2:112, it says that those have submitted themselves absolutely
to God alone will receive their recompense from God. And the last
part of the verse says they have nothing to fear, nor will they
grieve. Today if we look around we find that fear and depression
are two problems
spread all over the world. One can find large
collections of books prescribing methods of dealing with them.
I myself was the victim of both these problems when I was not a true
submitter. I bought books of various national and international authors
to solve my problems but all in vain. It gave me a temporary relief and
again I was back to square one. I was fearful, sad and worried until I
entered submission. Therefore, I now have a better appreciation of the
statement “Happiness is Submission to God alone.”
May God help us to read, understand, and practice the verse 2:112
and many such verses in the ultimate book of guidance—Quran,
the Final Testament; and Redeem us back to His kingdom.
Asif M.
Mumbai
Comments
From A True Christian
To those who Believe in and Fear God,
I just went through your website quite by
accident— I was reviewing the position Islam holds on
the use of drugs and alcohol and I noticed that you had something
to say about Jesus and Christians.
I am a Christian, moreover, I am a Christian
who has submitted to the guidance of God. I follow the path
laid down for me by God by recognizing little signs and wonders
that lead me closer to a righteous state of being although,
I will be the first to admit that I am a degenerate sinner
and an ex pagan and worshipper of idols. I trust my instincts
(for lack of a better word) which I believe come from God.
Today, an interesting thing happened. I had always wished
to know exactly what the Quran had to say about my people
and you have provided the answer.
I do not, nor have ever regarded Islam as
any kind of enemy. I am from America and have lived in the
Philippine islands where my wife and children reside and that's
right on the battle lines. On the island of Mindanao Muslims
kill Christians and vice versa. I do not regard these people
as people of God. Neither side is fighting for God but profit.
The Catholics justify their abuse by saying that the Muslims
don't regard Jesus as God while the typical Filipino Muslim
is just interested in ripping somebody off. These Muslim terrorists
(the abu Sayyaf) know absolutely nothing of Islam and have
in fact admitted that. They have taken one or two verses from
the Quran and have declared their cause holy. This is the
same thing the Catholic Church did during the Crusades.
From what you say it would appear that we're
all heading to great End and like I personally believe all
of us (Jews, Christians, Muslims) are numbered with righteous
souls who will live to stand before God in that last day.
After all the fundamentals of the Bible and the fundamentals
of the Quran aren't too different.
Robert S.
Page 4
ALCOHOLISM IS NOT
A DISEASE
Alcohol in the United States kills more people than all the illegal drugs
combined. The apathy to this social malaise is compounded by the fact
that our established medical community has the audacity to call alcoholism
a disease! This even goes so far as to be indoctrinated to nursing and
medical students. But, if alcoholism is to be defined as a disease, then
it is the only disease that:
1) Is sold in bottles and cans.
2) Produces revenue for our government.
3) Has no germ or viral cause.
4) Is advertised all over newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
5) Causes violent death on the highways.
Indeed alcohol (the instrument of oppression) is that which destroys
a nation. Alcohol propels one’s health to self-destruction, destroys
family life and increases crime.
Alcoholism is for sale in this country. Youth
are conditioned to believe that in order to be young, beautiful, and happy
(like the commercials we constantly see associated with every kind of
social activity and sporting event) we can and should drink! This is reflected
in the high rate of teenage alcoholics in this country. Alcoholism rips
at the very foundation of our country, touching virtually every family
in the United States.
There is no gene that predetermines a person to be an alcoholic! There
is no particular predisposition to alcoholism other than the intense social
pressure in this country to drink. When we as a society call “alcoholism”
a disease (besides setting ourselves up to fail), we encourage apathy
and a sense of helplessness within the mind of the individual. Be it sub-conscious
or subliminal, there is that association with the word “disease”
which tells
us that no matter what we do, alcoholism
is something we cannot help because, after all, it is a disease.
Why is it that we do not call cocaine or heroin addiction a disease?
Because, to do that would be absolutely ridiculous in that we know it
not to be the truth! Why is this same standard not applied to the most
dangerous drug manifest in this country, “alcohol”?
Alcoholism is not a disease; but an addiction. It is contracted by the
will of man. (It is Satan’s handiwork). In fact, we freely choose
to bow to pressure and drink to the point of staggering. Therefore, exercise
reason and think; choose not to drink (as you choose to say no to drugs).
Don’t drink!
Robert Tilford
[Quran 2:219] They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say,
“In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people.
But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit….”
About this work
Kind
Document
Author
International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson