Dr. Rashad Khalifa
Hadith and Sunna are the necessary test separating true Muslims, who accept no source but the Quran, from false Muslims who are attracted to them.1, 2
We were created for the sole purpose of worshiping God alone, which is why idol worship is the only unforgivable offense.1, 2
God created death and brought humans and jinns into this world so they start over without bias and freely choose between God's absolute authority and Satan's polytheism, each receiving messages from both.1, 2
The world is designed to show whether we uphold God's authority or Satan's views, and the changing day and night test our willingness to observe the Dawn Prayer and fast during the hottest, longest days.1
To test Satan's claim, God created seven universes and appointed Satan as a temporary god on the tiny Earth, and the Quran's account of this confirms the previous scripture.1, 2
We are in this world because we committed a horrendous crime, and this life is our chance to redeem ourselves, denounce that crime, and rejoin God's kingdom.1
God willed to permit the invention of Hadith and Sunna as a criterion that exposes those who believe only with their lips, not their hearts.1
After our original sin, God gave us a chance to denounce our crime and accept His absolute authority, but we chose to see a demonstration of Satan's competence as a god.1
People who protest that God created them to undergo this test do not realize that they committed a horrendous crime and chose the test instead of redeeming themselves.1
God deliberately permitted the addition of two verses to Sura 9 to show the code's function, prove tampering is impossible, and distinguish believers from hypocrites, who uphold traditions.1, 2, 3
After giving the rebels sufficient chances, God exiled the hard core rebels to Earth to give them yet another chance to redeem themselves.1
Granting humans and jinns this additional chance to redeem themselves, instead of banishing them, is immense mercy from God.1
In this life, without memory of the heavenly feud, humans and jinns receive messages from God and from Satan and freely choose, and that choice decides redemption or permanent exile with Satan.1, 2
Humans were given a second chance in this world so that those who end up in Hell cannot claim they were not given another chance; all excuses are being nullified.1, 2, 3, 4
Each human made a covenant with God recognizing Him as Lord, so no one can claim ignorance on the Day of Resurrection, and those who break it are the wicked.1, 2, 3
One who worships God conditionally, content in good times and reverting in tribulation, loses both this life and the Hereafter.1, 2, 3
We are on earth to worship God and to discover that God is the only master.1
The creation of the universe is for the test.1
Jinns were given a longer time because they were strongly with Satan, so on the Day of Judgment neither humans nor jinns will have any excuse.1, 2, 3
Every one of us met God before we were born, but we do not remember that meeting because the body obscures that knowledge.1, 2, 3, 4
Adam and Eve were in heaven outside their bodies, which were invisible to them; when they broke God's law by listening to Satan they were drawn into their bodies and sent to earth, Satan's kingdom, to start the test.1, 2, 3, 4
God made Satan a dominion and constituents to expose his claim; those who agreed with Satan became his constituents and the earth became his dominion.1
God's plan is that the rebels are put to death, brought into this world for the test while angels serve and guard them, and afterwards each is redeemed to God's kingdom or sent to hell.1, 2, 3, 4
Satan approaches people from every side and never runs out of tricks, and a place where people worship God alone is his number one target, which ensures God's people are unshakable believers.1, 2, 3, 4
Before the creation of the heavens and the earth our souls bore witness that only God is our Lord, and now body and soul declare it again.1, 2
This life is a test, Satan seeks revenge on us for his eviction, and we must never underestimate his power.1, 2
The tests of believers are brief; if a believer strays from the path he gets a pinch, and should thank God and return to the path.1, 2, 3
Being one of those who believe is not easy.1
Believers know God is with them and are perfectly protected; they may be tested by illness, but they will be restored.1, 2, 3
The believer's life has no pain and suffering; during tests they know they will be restored and the pain forgotten.1, 2, 3
Abraham was not commanded to sacrifice his son; he saw in a dream that he was sacrificing him and took it to be a divine command.1, 2, 3
Changing the Qiblah was a test from God to distinguish those who follow the messenger from those who turn back on their heels.1, 2, 3
Some early Muslims disobeyed the order about the prayer direction because their tribal prejudices were stronger than their belief in God, so it was a tough test requiring complete submission.1, 2, 3, 4
The temporary prayer direction toward Jerusalem was a test to distinguish those who follow the messenger from those who turn back.1, 2, 3
Job and Solomon are mentioned together as the two extremes of testing.1
A person who asks why bad things happen despite praying has come to God seeking happiness, so happiness is his objective and what he worships, instead of God.1, 2, 3
Believers must prove through steadfastness that they are convinced God is the only master and that nothing will change this, whether success, failure, or sickness.1, 2, 3, 4
When people do not need God they pray less, but when they are squeezed they return to God, like those about to drown who forget God once they land.1, 2, 3