Ali Parnian argues from the Quran that God alone judges, urging submitters to stop condemning those with different views or levels of righteousness and to agree to disagree. Letters from prisoners and a prison chaplain describe how the Final Testament and the newsletter changed their worship. Registration and hotel details follow for the 12th Annual United Submitters International Conference in Tucson, August 1997.
Judging is something we do every day. It is
a topic that I feel applies to everyone of us and should be taken into
consideration in our everyday interactions with one another. I am not
talking about judging in general, because we make judgments based on lack
of information to save time. We make judgments about our surroundings
and our spatial orientation constantly. That is why we are easily fooled
by optical illusions because our brain sees some cues that are similar
to something it has seen in the past and it judges the object based on
past experiences.
My concern, however is the judging of other individuals in our community,
as well as in other communities. This form of judgment is uncalled for
because human beings, as we all know, are not static objects but are constantly
changing
their identity and their views.
I will make an example about our own community so that we may all relate.
God willing we are all submitters to God and we are trying to follow His
commandments. But even so, we all have different religious viewpoints.
Although we are from the same community, we don’t all agree on all
minor aspects of Islam. This of course makes our interaction with one
another exciting and gives us an opportunity to look at things from another
viewpoint.
Just as our viewpoints differ, so do our levels of righteousness. It
would be ideal to think that everyone who reads the Quran and believes
it is the word of God would immediately follow a righteous life and never
sin. Of course we know that this is not the case. We are all
at different levels of our belief and, with
God’s help, we are trying to improve.
It is because we are at different levels that it is easy to judge and
condemn others who have different beliefs or hold different levels of
righteousness. This practice, however, should be avoided because as we
see in the Quran, it is not our role to judge or condemn people for their
actions. Verse 7:2 states, “This scripture has been revealed
to you—you shall not harbor doubt about it in your heart—that
you may warn with it, and to provide a reminder for the believers.”
God sent us this scripture so that we may follow it and remind and warn
people with it. It does not say that we are to judge and condemn people
by it. It is my opinion that it is our own egos and insecurity that makes
us want everyone to do and believe as we do.
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God is the Ultimate Judge
In the Quran, verse 5:48 states, “For each of you, we
have decreed laws and different rights. 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.” Thus God did not make all of humankind
one congregation but gave us differences so that we may choose and
have a choice in the way we lead our lives. When given a choice
it is important to make the choice that you feel is right for yourself,
because in the Hereafter we will be our own judges, as stated in
verses 75:14-15: “The human being will be his own judge.
No excuses will be accepted.” Thus we see that you should
judge others in the manner you would want to be judged yourself.
Judging people based on their dress, their religion, or appearances
rather than their individual beliefs and actions is prejudice, and
is not condoned by the Quran.
The Jews said, “The Christians have no basis,”
while the Christians said, “The Jews have no basis.”
Yet both of them read the scripture. Such are the utterances of
those who possess no knowledge. God will judge them on the Day of
Resurrection, regarding their disputes. (2:113)
Islam is not a black and white religion whereby people are either
free of sin, or condemned to go to Hell. There is an in-between,
there is repentance, and there is God who is Most Gracious, Most
Merciful, and who knows our fate. Let us not try to play God’s
role and condemn and judge people based on what we do not know.
I stated earlier that God put differences
among the people of the earth so that we may choose the way we lead
our lives. I would like you to imagine a world in which there were
no choices. A sort of Muslim nation whereby they raised no pigs,
alcohol was not available, men and women were isolated from one
another, no weapons were made, and the people were forced to pray
five times a day to God. Now, the people in this scenario were leading
a righteous life but had no choice in the matter. For if they wanted
to sin or deviate they did not have the means.
Now imagine a country like America where people have easy access
to alcohol and drugs; cult religions and idols are plentiful, sex
and violence are glorified and easily accessible. If someone is
able to lead a righteous life in this atmosphere they are showing
much greater strength and will than a person in the other scenario.
This is because in America we have a choice. Every day we try to
choose the right thing to do and God willing we do it.
In each scenario the person’s actions are that of a righteous
submitter, but what really matters is the intent and understanding
the person has of his or her actions. We need to understand and
follow our religion for ourselves and not for fear of parents or
other people’s opinions. To do so would defeat the purpose.
The only thing we could possibly fear would be God, and if we make
our decisions to the best of our ability then we should have nothing
to fear.
In conclusion I would like to pass on some advice I learned at
a human relations program in which I was a counselor. This program
included people of all different races, religions, and backgrounds.
As you can imagine,
there was much disagreement when we
were asked to present our religious beliefs to the group. However,
there were no problems because we were taught to AGREE TO DISAGREE.
This is a priceless piece of advice because it means you don’t
have to prove the other person wrong, but rather you can present
your beliefs and listen to their beliefs and both parties walk away
with new knowledge gained and a choice. A choice to maintain one’s
own beliefs or follow the others. As I stated earlier, choice is
a good thing.
I feel that if we apply this to our own community we will be better
able to understand one another, less likely to offend one another,
and God willing we all make the right choice.
Say, “If I go astray, I go astray because of
my own shortcomings. And if I am guided, it is because of my Lord’s
inspiration. He is Hearer, Near.” (34:50)
I do not claim that I possess the treasures of God,
nor do I know the future, nor do I claim to be an angel. Nor do
I say to those despised by your eyes that God will not bestow any
blessings upon them. God knows best what is in their innermost thoughts.
(If I did this,) I would be a transgressor. (11:31)
O you who believe, you should worry only about your
own necks. If the others go astray, they cannot hurt you, as long
as you are guided. To God is your ultimate destiny, all of you,
then He will inform you of everything you had done. (5:105)
Ali Parnian
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Letters From the Incarcerated
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Allah, Most Graceful, Most Merciful.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous
donation of the Submitters Perspective. We want to assure you that
this literature will be made available to the Islamic population
on the compound. The staff and Men here at Madison Correctional
Institution are very grateful to you for providing these bulletins
to enhance the spiritual growth and development of these men. Please
keep Madison Correctional Institution in mind for any other materials
you may wish to donate.
May Allah richly reward your efforts to ensure the spread of His
word, especially to those who are presently incarcerated
Sincerely,
Robert Honsted
Superintendent II
Richard D. Prentiss
Senior Chaplain
Madison Correctional Institution
******
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
As-salamu Alaikum:
As always I pray these few lines find you blessed with the grace
and mercy of Allah.
I received your wonderful gift of Quran, Hadith and Islam. May
Allah reward you for your good deeds. The
Final Testament has made profound changes
in the way I worship.
Initially I experienced internal and external opposition in implementing
a “hadithless” style of worship. But after a year with
the Final Testament and Submitters Perspective, my level of spiritual
enlightenment (submission) has increased dramatically, all praise
to Allah.
I pray Allah continues to bless your efforts.
La ilaha ella Allah wah tahu la shari kalah [There is no god except
Allah, and He has no partners]
Reginald Williams
******
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Diin-Allah
...I was very touched by the “Prayer of Submission”
and I am not one to become emotional when alone. I have been here
12 years and looking at 7 more. As you can see though I have a new
address. I consider them all temporary, even though it’s a
possible seven more. However, insha-Allah if the address changes
again in the next 90 days, I will notify you. If there is anything
I can assist you with here (mainly legal and financial research),
please allow me. Though I have a B.A. in radio-TV and film, there
is not much I can do with that here. Please continue the dawah that
you are doing with the avliya of Allah.
Wa alaikum Salam
Abdur Mateen
******
Truth will prosper in due season, every
knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that there is no one
greater than Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
As-salaam Alaikum
Greetings:
I humbly pray that all is well with my fellow Submitters. I write
this letter today to thank you for sending me your monthly bulletin
of International Community of Submitters. They bring great enlightenment
into my knowledge of Islam. I ask that you please continue to send
me the Submitters Perspective. Please keep the knowledge growing.
May Allah be with you.
Ronald Brown
[Editor’s note:
Your contributions in the form of comments and articles to the
Submitters Perspective are welcome. The publication of any article
submitted for the newsletter is based on its content and readability.
It may take for us from a month to a year to publish an article
depending on how well it is written. Any article with minimum editorial
work is more likely to be printed right away.
We appreciate our readers for taking the time and
effort to contribute to the newsletter and for being a part in delivering
God’s message to the world.
Keep up with history in the making. Thank you and
God bless you.]
(Abraham and Ismail prayed together:)...Our Lord,
accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient. Our Lord,
make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be
a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion,
and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful. 2:127-128
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1997 Conference
August 29-31, 1997
Tucson, Arizona
God willing, we are planning to hold the 12th Annual United Submitters
International Conference in Tucson, Arizona. The dates of this conference
are set for August 29-31, 1997.
The conference is by invitation and prior registration only. If you have
not attended one of our conferences before, and would like an invitation,
please contact us.
Deadline for Registration: July 31, 1997.
We made the hotel and the conference site arrangements, and are beginning
to accept registrations for the conference. The registration fees are
$57 for each adult and children over 12 years of age, $29 for children
of ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free.
The registration fee includes two lunches and two dinners on Friday and
Saturday, and child care cost for all three days.
Hotel Accommodations
The registration fee does not include the lodging. Hotel fees are paid
by the registrants at the time of check-out. The hotel rooms are $48 plus
any applicable taxes per room per night. This rate is only for ICS conference
registrants, and is valid also a week before and after the conference
dates. Children 18 and under stay free with their parents. If you are
single, you may ask to share a room with another submitter.
Please mark your calendar and start making your plans to attend the conference.
Remember that this is a great opportunity to be with Submitters from all
around the world. Remember also that the earlier you plan for the conference,
the better air fares you will be able get to come to Tucson (if you are
flying).
You can call or fax to us at (520) 323 7636. God willing, we will hear
from you.
Hotel Services and Amenities
Choice of two queen beds or one king bed in a room
Full All-American hot breakfast buffet 6 - 10 am
Complimentary soft drinks and Hors d’ouevres 5 - 7 pm
“Raid the Fridge” late night snacks from 10 pm - midnight
24-hour complimentary airport shuttle service
Exercise facility, heated pool and spa on property
Irons and ironing boards and hair dryers in all rooms
Note: The conference facilities are limited. Please register early to
guarantee your reservation. God bless.
About this work
Kind
Document
Author
International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson