Dr. Rashad Khalifa, God's Messenger of the Covenant, was martyred before dawn on January 31, 1990, by disbelievers who broke into the mosque and waited for him.1
The killing of God's prophets and messengers is not new; the Quran teaches that several were killed by disbelievers who rejected their message to worship God alone.1, 2
Believers should trust in God, who guides them, and persevere steadfastly in the face of persecution.1, 2
Many Submitters face persecution from their families and societies because they oppose the traditional religious stance held by the majority.1
Jesus passionately pursued his mission and was ridiculed, persecuted, and arrested simply for telling people to worship God alone, opposed by those whose authority his message undermined.1
Quranic law allows Muslims to wage war only in self defense, to practice their faith freely, and to remove oppression, never for conquest or to impose Muslim rule.1, 2, 3
Believers will certainly be tested through their money and lives and will hear many insults, and steadfast perseverance and righteousness prove the strength of their faith.1
Believers do not ally themselves with disbelievers instead of believers, except when forced to avoid persecution, and they do not befriend outsiders who wish them harm.1, 2
Someone forced to profess disbelief while the heart remains full of faith is excused, because what the heart holds is what counts.1, 2
Fighting is permitted to eliminate oppression and to worship God freely, but if the enemy refrains, believers must not aggress.1
God reminds us that oppression is worse than murder, and Submission practiced according to the Quran is the religion of peace, justice, and freedom for all.1
Truth will prevail and falsehood is bound to perish, and with every difficulty comes relief, so believers must trust God and not compromise the truth.1, 2
Historically, Muslim lands protected Jews and Christians as People of the Book and let them keep their religious practices, and the overall record is one of protection rather than persecution.1, 2, 3
Dr. Rashad Khalifa was stabbed to death at the Tucson mosque on January 31, 1990, after death threats and an uncovered plot, and a suspect was arrested in Calgary in 2009.1, 2, 3
Living in a country where submitters are free to practice and gather without fear of government reprisal is a blessing from God.1
The objective of jihad is not to spread Islam but to subdue tyrannical forces that deny the freedom to worship God alone and to oppose oppression of the weak.1, 2
The arrest of Dr. Ahmad Subhy Mansour is an unjust persecution and a flagrant abuse of human rights, and Egypt's president must choose between pleasing the Saudis and pleasing God.1, 2
A Singapore couple who believed in God alone and the Quran alone steadfastly persevered despite harassment and oppression from the clergy.1
After Islamic clerics declared him an apostate and a disbeliever, Dr. Rashad Khalifa was assassinated in Tucson just before dawn on January 30, 1990.1
Even in secular countries the clergy is desperate to control the mind and spirit of Muslims, and their declaration of apostasy hides the implication that an apostate can be killed.1, 2
Oppression by the religious clergy throughout Islamic history has produced a lack of creativity, extreme fanaticism, hypocrisy, and social, scientific, and technological backwardness in Muslim societies.1
God protects places of worship where His name is commemorated, and He supports those who support Him.1
The prophets and messengers endured abuse and torture without leaving the right path, setting a standard of good behavior that shows it is possible for us to follow.1, 2
Discovering God and joining His kingdom is the greatest human achievement, so a prisoner who finds the true path to God is more fortunate than a billionaire who never finds Him.1, 2, 3
Muslim prisoners are invited to write in with news of their communities, their needs, and their questions, and they may stay anonymous if they wish.1, 2, 3
If Muhammad lived today, Muslim scholars and religious leaders would attack him for following the Quran alone and rejecting the innovations, and he would be a stranger among Muslims.1, 2, 3
God protects believers during war and persecution and is the only Supporter, Lord, and Master.1, 2
Believers are permitted to fight when they are persecuted and forced out of their homes unjustly for saying their Lord is God.1, 2, 3
Oppression means creating disorder and subjugating people through cruelty, coercion, tyranny, and unjust use of force or authority, and it is worse than murder.1, 2
Short of initiating aggression, believers must resist despotism and eliminate oppression with everything at their command, because God does not love the oppressors.1
The underlying principle of war is to eradicate oppression, and all believers must help smother oppression wherever it occurs, not only when they are personally oppressed.1, 2, 3
Emigration can be life saving, and those who emigrate for God's sake because of persecution are generously rewarded in this life and even more in the Hereafter.1, 2, 3
Pharaoh's persecution of a helpless people and his threats to mutilate and crucify the believers are examples of the abuse of power.1, 2
Believers should not take opposition personally, because it is God's revelations that disbelievers mock and reject, as they did with earlier messengers.1, 2, 3
Muhammad kept his mission secret for three years, then endured ten years of severe persecution and an attempt on his life before fleeing to Medina, where persecution and war continued.1, 2
Since 1400 AH, God is distinguishing His special servants who uphold the truth under persecution, exposing His enemies, and giving His messenger time to finish his work before millions join.1, 2, 3
Quran 3:195 teaches that women are absolutely equal to men, and both sexes can work in God's cause, immigrate, be persecuted, fight, and die for God.1, 2
Denying people their God given religious freedom is oppression, which is worse than murder, and there is no compulsion in religion.1
Muhammad and about one hundred followers fled religious persecution in Mecca in 622 and survived by founding a new community in Madinah.1
If you need to emigrate for God, you should do it, and never give up God when you have a choice, even if it requires much hard work.1, 2
We should accept constructive criticism, but when people are unfair, insulting, rude, or intimidating, we must not let their mocking get to us and should hold fast to God.1, 2, 3
Fighting is allowed only against those who attack you or to end oppression and worship God freely, aggression is forbidden, and oppression is worse than murder.1, 2, 3, 4
Believers will never revert to the religion of disbelievers under threat, since that would be inventing lies against God; they trust in God and ask Him to judge.1, 2
Khalifa points to the hundreds of threats on his life and constant abuse he endures as reason to ask why anyone would falsely declare himself a messenger of God.1, 2
Messengers were never popular; every messenger was severely persecuted and many were killed.1