Righteousness as the Quran presents it, traced through the real prohibitions of Sura 6, the changing of the qiblah, one religion of Submission with different rites, the Hajj pilgrimage, and the dress code, which the article argues requires covering the chest rather than the head or face. Notes follow from the thirteenth annual conference of submitters in Seattle, September 1998.
In studying the Quran, one
often finds important lessons “hidden” between seemingly unrelated
subjects. For example, the Quran discusses idolaters who invented dietary
prohibitions and attributed them to God in Sura (Chapter) 6, Verses 138-144.
In the subsequent verses, God not only answers and nullifies people’s
argument by detailing what the real dietary prohibitions are, but He explains
the essence of the matter as only the Creator can. Verses 145 and 146
of the sura specify in no uncertain terms the four dietary prohibitions.
However, God does not stop there. In Verses 151-153, He goes on to point
out what the real prohibitions and commandments are. These can be summarizes
as follows:
Not to set up idols beside God
To honor our parents
To give Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
Not to kill the children for fear of poverty (abortion) or any person
(except in the course of justice)
Not to commit gross sins obvious or hidden
Not to commit gross sins obvious or hidden
Not to touch orphans’ money except for their own good
Similarly one can find an important concept illuminated
in many different subjects within the book. This exemplifies another aspect
of the Quran’s beauty. In 2:62 and 5:69, we learn that the three minimum
requirements for anybody’s salvation and eternal happiness are:
Belief in God
Belief in the Hereafter
Leading a righteous life
One cannot attain God’s grace without being righteous. How do we
know how to live a righteous life? Within the Quran, righteousness
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Righteousness
is mentioned in the light of discussions about the direction in
prayer (qiblah), the different rites of laws of Abrahamic congregations,
the Hajj pilgrimage, and even in the discussion about dress code,
among others. These provide the sincere seeker a better perspective
and a fuller understanding of the meaning.
The Changing and Restoring of the Qiblah
The fools among the people would say, “Why
did they change the direction of their Qiblah?” Say, “To
God belongs the east and the west; He guides whoever wills in a
straight path.” (2:142)
This verse opens the discussion on the changing of the qiblah during
prophet Muhammad’s time as a test for the people, and actually
hints at the answer. The verses that follow explain why the prayer
direction was changed and restored back to the Sacred Masjid in
Mecca. However, 2:148 sums up the heart of the matter, the true
qiblah:
Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you
shall race towards righteousness... (2:148)
One Religion, Different Rites and Laws
The only religion approved by God is “Submission.”
(3:19)
Anyone who accepts other than Submission as his religion,
it will not be accepted from him... (3:85)
Islam (Submission) is not a name; it is a description: “Total
submission to God—worshipping God, and devoting the worship
absolutely to Him alone.” Anyone who
meets this criterion is a submitter.
Thus one can be a submitter Jew, a submitter Christian, a submitter
Muslim, or even a submitter anonymous. What is required from them,
according to the Quran, is righteousness. [What they call or consider
themselves becomes irrelevant; what they do in relation to God’s
commandments is important.]
For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites
that they must uphold... (22:67)
...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… (5:48)
Provisions for the Hajj Pilgrimage
Hajj pilgrimage, as detailed in the Quran, is the only commandment
that is conditional upon one’s ability. As with all religious
duties in Submission, Hajj was decreed through Abraham (22:26-27),
but only for those who can afford it (3:97). Pilgrims from all over
the world converge in Mecca, and with it comes the chance to buy
and sell goods as a way to help finance the journey. Indeed, seeking
God’s provision through commerce during Hajj is allowed in
2:198. But the following verse makes it clear what the best provision
is:
Hajj shall be observed in the specified months...
As you prepare your provisions for the journey, the best provision
is righteousness. (2:197)
The next verse explains one of rituals in Hajj pilgrimage:
The animal offerings are among the
rites decreed by God for
your own good... Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches God.
What reaches Him is your righteousness... (22:36-37)
Finally, on the subject of Hajj, here is a question to the Arabs:
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. God does not guide the wicked people.
(9:19)
Dress Code
This must be one of the hottest topics of discussion in traditional
“Islamic” countries in the Middle East and throughout
the world. In many of these countries, women are literally “buried
alive” under piles upon piles of garments that cover everything,
from face to toe. Known as the “Muslim” dress code,
it is actually based more on tradition and prejudice than religion.
This dress code is an idolatrous practice because people falsely
claim that it comes from God when in fact it was invented by their
religious scholars—just as the case with dietary prohibitions
mentioned previously. Nowhere in the Quran does God command the
women to cover their heads or faces. The clear commandment in the
Quran is for women to cover their chests (24:31). More importantly,
the motivating idea, directed to both men and women, is given just
prior to this commandment:
Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their
eyes, and to maintain their chastity... And tell the believing women
to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity... (24:30-31)
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Righteousness
Obviously, maintaining one’s chastity is easier if the bosoms—not
the faces—are covered. In addition, God also commands the
believing women to lengthen their garments (33:59). and to maintain
modesty in general (24:60). However, the essence of discussion about
the “best garment,” as in the prohibitions, goes beyond
the mundane dress code:
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. (7:26)
As we learn from the Quran, Satan does not have any power over
God’s servants, those who worship God alone (38:83). The garment
of righteousness protects God’s servants from Satan’s
influence. Breaking God’s commandment results in removal of
one’s garment of righteousness, and the person falls prey
to Satan’s ever-eager hands. This is explained in the verse
immediately after Verse 7:26 quoted above:
O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you
as he did when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise,
and the removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and
his tribe see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils
as companions of those who do not believe. (7:27)
With all the above perspectives on righteousness,
it would be nice to know its clear description. As it turns out,
righteousness is a whole set of moral standards, as the Most Gracious
has defined in the following verse:
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)
Dr. Gatut Adisoma
Dear Readers:
We appreciate your continued support and input. Your comments,
suggestions, and articles related to Submission are always welcome.
If you know anyone who can benefit from this newsletter, let us
know. We can start sending them some complimentary copies of the
newsletter to see how they like it.
Also, if for any reason, you don’t want to receive the newsletter,
just drop us a line. We will gladly take you off of our mailing
list. We stand by what we believe, but we understand and respect
your beliefs if they are not compatible to ours, as long as this
understanding and respect are mutual. It is God’s commandment
that there shall be no compulsion in religion (2:256).
God bless.
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13th Annual Conference Notes
The thirteenth annual conference of submitters was held in Seattle, Washington
September 4-6, 1998. The conference took place at the Embassy Suites.
This is an absolutely beautiful hotel with a central atrium area full
of trees and light. The hotel rooms were large and cozy, the food was
excellent and the conference facilities were spacious and comfortable.
Our thanks to the people who worked so hard to set it all up; great job.
We were expecting a small group this year so we were very pleasantly
surprised to find at least 150 people in attendance. It was very heartening
to see so many familiar faces make the trip from all over the world and
it was wonderful to meet and come to know so many new submitters. It’s
always refreshing to welcome first timers and share their enthusiasm.
The Friday khutba (sermon) was delivered by Amir Kia and it was wonderful.
Amir is eloquent, sincere and enthusiastic, so strong in his devotion
to God and his understanding of submission. Once again we are reassured
that the future is in good hands.
The program of speakers was varied and interesting. Some of the scheduled
speakers could not come to the conference because of the airline strike
or other commitments, but there were always two or three ready to step
up and share their experiences and their excitement. More than 25 speakers
ranging in age from 7 to 70 offered a variety of topics, all of them glorifying
God. It was a time for everyone to re-examine the strength of their faith
and the direction we wish our community to take. We were united in our
determination to keep God’s religion alive and strong, to move forward
on His path. Only with dedication and hard work will God’s message
survive and spread. Those who chose other paths must go their way; that
is their choice. Submitters need to stand up for the practices of submission
and be stern against those who would change and subvert the religion.
We hope to take strength from the support and friendship of fellow submitters
and to remain strongly on God’s true path for another year, until
we meet again, God willing, in 1999.
Lydia Kelley
About this work
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International Community of Submitters
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International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson