Read the Quran …with Understanding for Guidance.

It is the goal and desire of every sincere Muslim to read the Quran… in Arabic… not necessarily to understand what it teaches. This statement may shock many of us … even outrage some of us, but it’s very true. Most Muslims who actually read the Quran in Arabic have no idea of what it says! They can recite the actual words of the Quran but have not taken the time to understand what those words mean. In itself, the act of memorizing the words of the Quran is admirable (and encouraged), but empty memorization (which is currently practiced by Muslims) is detrimental and misleading. Muslims are currently being motivated to learn the Quran in the Arabic language because of “blessings” associated with the task, but no emphasis is placed on understanding what is being memorized. As a result of this practice, Quran illiteracy is widespread within Muslim communities, leading to the existence of zealous but ignorant “believers” easily swayed by the whims and misconceptions of “Muslim scholars”.

It is well-known in the Muslim world that the Arabic text which accompanies most translations is the actual record of the words uttered by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The non-Arabic text is supposed to be an explanation of what the Arabic text means. To many Muslims, this explanation is NOT considered as “the Quran” because of the inability of many languages to translate the depth of meaning conveyed by the Arabic word. Because of this, it is believed by the average Muslim that you have to become an “official” scholar (undertake years of formal study) to personally understand the teachings of the Quran. Therefore, the translations are not considered with the same reverence as the Arabic text. Thus the mental abnormality between “reading” and “understanding” the Quran which is so normal to today’s Muslims.  

It is the understanding of the teachings of the Quran which was responsible for the meteoric rise of Islam during and shortly after the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). It is the guidance received from understanding the teachings and prescribed practices from the Quran that resulted in the formation of the incredible historic Muslim civilizations which today’s Muslims so proudly proclaim. Placing the Quranic command to “read” in its proper context should help to clarify the confusion surrounding the current practice of reading without understanding rampant in Muslim communities. 

Historically, the Quran was revealed to an Arab in the language he understood, so that he could warn the Arabs, in a language they understood, about the consequences of their behavior, and show them a better way of living than what they were used to. The Quran was spoken in public for 23 years to people who could understand what they were hearing. It is therefore logical to believe that the personal transformations that took place within the Arabs and their surroundings were due to the understanding of the Quranic instructions that every believer received as they heard it. Islamic history tells us that when any instruction was unclear to individuals, they questioned the Prophet (peace be upon him) as to what he meant. These incidents are contained in the books of hadith (records of what the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his companions taught and did). So the command to “read the Quran (even with difficulty)”, surely implied “read with understanding” to early Muslims.

Today we have a written record of that same speech. Some of our misconceptions may be due to the fact that now we view the Quran as a book, comparable to other books, not as the stirring, compelling speech it actually is, thereby losing much of its desired effect in the transition. It is the general characteristic of books to be the product of the author’s personal mindset and opinions compiled in a private setting, away from the distractions of others. The history of the Quran verifies its revelation in the public arena with no personal claim from the Messenger (Peace be upon him) as to its authorship.Indeed, in many places in the Quran, the Quran itself states: “It is not Muhammad who teaches you; it is Allah”.

In many verses of the Quran, Allah Himself states that the Quran is “guidance for people with understanding”, not for people who just carelessly listen to it. In fact, Allah condemns those who do not pay attention to the Message of the Quran. He even compares such people to donkeys carrying books. There is no blessed effect to be obtained from ignorance in the face of knowledge. Allah Himself condemns unbelievers in the Message because they “are people without knowledge or understanding.” 

Today’s Muslims are encouraged to persevere to read the Quran in Arabic because there is “blessing” attached to every letter of Arabic that a believer reads in the process of reading the Quran. This advice is attributed the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Taken out of context, this justifies the Quran-reading abnormality that currently promotes reading without understanding. To an Arab of the time, this would have been an encouragement to personally find out what the Quran was teaching, even if it required learning to read (which was not prevalent back then). In Surah 2, Allah reminds Believers: “…Do not treat Allah’s signs as a Jest, but solemnly rehearse Allah’s favors on you, and the fact that He sent down to you the Book and Wisdom for your instruction…” (Quran 2:231). Later in that same Surah, He emphasizes: “He (Allah) grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed an overflowing benefit; but none will grasp the Message except men of understanding” (Quran 2:269). This statement is again repeated in Surah 3: 7 and many other places in the Quran. Should we not consider this a directive to readjust our current approach to reading and teaching the Quran to “regular” Believers?

We can prolong this discussion with many more observations and arguments, but that seems unnecessary. The point of this discussion is simply to highlight the need to restructure the current approach to Quran training in the Muslim community. Too many sincere and dedicated believers are not receiving the benefits of their diligent efforts. May we reiterate that the irresistible force that propelled our Muslim ancestors from the chaotic brutishness of ancient Arab society to the pinnacle of human civilization is the fact that they were people who understood and believed in Allah’s commands as told to them by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)? We’ve got the same speech, by the same prophet, so why don’t we have the same results today?

Open letter to Muslim Apologetics

I cannot stay silent anymore about an issue that is threatening Muslim existence everywhere, and especially here in Western countries. I am talking about the highly visible crop of contemporary Muslim apologetics who materialize every time an incidence of “Islamic terrorism” occurs.

These apologists do not realize that their readiness to “apologize” for “Muslim terrorism” is never going to appease those who despise and hate Muslims. The only effect that their ready condemnation of “Muslim terrorists” has on the ignorant non-Muslim world is the entrenchment of the widespread anti-Islam propaganda that “Muslims are evil people” and “All Muslims are potential terrorists”.  They are effectively the most efficient distributors of anti-Islam propaganda in the World!

This contemporary misrepresentation of Muslims and Islam was the brainchild of the recent Bush Administration, instigated by the highly suspicious “911” incidents. Under the guise of seeking “retribution” for the murder of innocent people, this administration was finally able to make significant political headway in recolonizing Arab nations and illegally destroying sovereign Arab countries with the help of other Western nations.  Although this blatant onslaught on Islam and Muslims is still continuing today, may I remind you that this case has never been resolved?  Detailed examinations of the flimsy “evidence” presented to substantiate these horrible ongoing murders of millions of Muslim men, women and children over the past 14 years indicate a botched internal plot instead of an external “terrorist” attack. Presently thousands of Palestinians are being killed and dispossessed in Palestine before the very eyes of the entire world. Why don’t these Muslim apologetics speak out against this?

Because it is so easy to impersonate a Muslim by donning Arab style clothes here in the West, anyone with a grudge can pin any crime on “Muslim terrorists” simply by donning a costume. When idiots like these apologetics rush to speak on behalf of Muslims without a complete resolution of the facts of the matter, they make fact what is usually a speculation.  Someone once said that a cat born in an oven is not a loaf of bread.  It may do these apologetics well to remember that. Islam needs no apology; neither does it need apologetics for actions for which it is not responsible.  Muslims are being wronged all over the world today and no one is apologizing to us, as blatant as these wrongs are.  Only when the perpetrators of these crimes apologize should we even contemplate a reply.  Allah has spoken about the attitude of apologetics in Surah Bakarah, warning that they only cause mischief when they think they are making peace between Muslims and others.  Please be aware that that is what you are currently doing to your brothers and sisters everywhere in the West.  Please stop it immediately!

The Call of the Prophets

Today’s preachers and “religious” teachers are in no way compatible with the original messengers of Allah.  Their messages do not have the same impact or aims of the messengers they claim to be representing.

For example, modern preachers and “religious” teachers call people towards “spiritual” enlightenment and moral development. Their followers are lulled into a “religious” sleep that does not interact with outward community development. To the faithful, social events are viewed either as “political” or “religious” affairs devoid of any interconnection. God’s Laws are taught as personal and impractical subjective decrees mainly useful for moral character building not for everyday practical management of social life. This method enables the faithful to easily subject themselves to the rule of acknowledged wrongdoers without sparking conflicts. Today’s believers have no expectations of achieving imminent   social change and are being taught not to expect any within their lifetime. According to contemporary “religious” dogma, all scores will be settled in the “hereafter”.

The messengers of Allah did not call towards spirituality. They called for social change, on the personal and community level. They appealed to the individual to change characteristics and behavior from negative traits to positive traits that benefited both the individual and the community. To the leaders they pointed out the destructive trends being encouraged in the society and the imminent or current harm such behaviors were bringing to the people.  The impact of their messages was such that they were recognized as beacons for social change by everyone who encountered them.  They were catalysts for social upheaval and the entrenchment of moral law. Compared to contemporary preachers and “religious” teachers, they would be considered “radical elements” in today’s societies.

This accounts for the hostile reactions that every messenger encountered from the political leaders and beneficiaries of their contemporary societies.  At first the ignorant residents were horrified by the results of the teachings of the messengers. Although they were not calling for any conflict with the rulers, they were directing the people to abandon the harmful traditions and practices that were so profitable to the ruling classes. In many situations, this was automatically considered to be threatening to the contemporary social and community structures and their philosophies elicited a hostile response from the authorities. Using the Biblical story of John the Baptist (peace be on him), portrayed as a rustic preacher in his time, it can be clearly seen that the venomous reaction of the ruling classes clearly resulted in his beheading. Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that John (pbuh) was inciting anyone to riots or social disobedience. Compared to John (pbuh), Jesus (pbuh) must have been characterized as a “terrorist”. He was mobile and outspoken wherever he travelled, educating crowds of listeners as he went. Is it any wonder that he was pursued by spies and hunted by the authorities throughout his mission?

In today’s society, our preachers and “religious” teachers are the rulers’ chambermaids.  They are openly courted by seekers of political power.  Although their congregations are expansive, their social influences are minimal and their political clout is non-existent.  When necessary, the politicians use them to rubber-stamp offensive legislation, thus diffusing any would-be objections from the people.  So many contemptible issues exist within most congregations that followers are too busy rectifying internal conflicts to venture out to correct any immoral issues occurring in their societies.  

 As in times past, Unbelievers everywhere are vigilant against the call of the prophets.  Hidden within organized “religion”, their instigators are ever watchful and ready at short notice to denounce and destroy any deviant from “official” dogma. They are heavily armed and ready to attack “religious fanatics” anywhere. All believers need to recognize that this battle will never stop. But, although the armaments are different now, the rejecters of Faith will never realize that they cannot silence the call of the prophets.

Are We TRULY Made in the Image of God?

 In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:

"Say: He is Allah,

The One and Only;

Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;

He begets not,

Nor is He begotten;

And there is none like unto Him."

(Quran 112)

I recently had a conversation with some co-workers in which we explored the relationship between Humans and our Creator. In the course of the discussion, the old fictitious myth that Man was created in the “image” of God was introduced as the basis for a series of unfounded arguments believed by zealous but ignorant people.  This myth is reinforced by Biblical teachings [Genesis 26 – 27] in which God is reported to have made Man in His own image and likeness. The confusion created by this teaching is further reinforced by the common understanding of these terms:” a physical likeness or representation of a person, animal, or thing, photographed, painted, sculptured, or otherwise made visible (Dictionary.com)”. Likeness = “the fact or quality of being alike; resemblance (Dictionary.com)”. It is no wonder therefore that zealous Christians have been led to accept statuary and other depictions of God as a Man possessing extraordinary powers. It is also no wonder that this deliberate fabrication has been used to establish the idea that Jesus (peace be upon him) could be God’s “begotten” son.

Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) has been credited with the writing of the book of Genesis by some Christians while others claim as many as 10 different authors, including Adam and Noah. As with much of Christian literature, this is nothing but conjecture. The multitude of reinterpretations of the Christian Bible refuses to acknowledge the fact that this book is a political fabrication that owes its creation to Emperor Constantine and did not exist in the lifetime of Jesus (pbuh), whom it claims to glorify. Not only is it a fabrication, but it is constantly being reinterpreted to suit the contemporary political norms and fads of each society it encounters.  Therefore, whatever its current believers understand can realistically be viewed as temporary beliefs. Who originated the myth that Man was created in the “likeness and image” of God may never be known, but common logic can defeat this untenable concept when closely examined with an open mind.

If we use the commonly-understood meanings of the above terms, then every human being encountered on the entire planet looks just like God: in color, ethnicity, height and size. There is absolutely no visible difference between them. Even a blind man knows how ridiculous this idea is.  The insurmountable problem with this idea is that no human being could exist according to Exodus 33:20 (“no man may see me and yet live”); John1:18 (“no man has seen God at any time”), 1 John  4:12  (“at no time has anyone beheld God”). These statements from the Bible are as contradictory as one can find anywhere. This leads to the realization that someone is lying here, the question is who? Unfortunately, the average Christian cannot face the realization that he/she is being duped and shuts down the mental faculties when confronted with this contradiction. Something’s wrong with a philosophy that claims, on one hand, to be “the word of God” yet contradicts itself on the other hand.

Christian Bible students usually approach their biblical studies with the preconceived notion that the contents of the book are true. Despite the wealth of information from Christian historical sources that contradict this preconceived notion, many seek merely to justify their beliefs than to verify their views. Zeal is no substitute for wisdom. Serious students of the Bible need to examine the stories told there for veracity and common sense and they need to be aware that myriads of myths abounded in Jewish society from which these stories came. The First Testament section of the Bible consists mainly of pro-Jewish stories. The New Testament section consists of Jewish and non-Jewish stories about the social turmoil created in the Roman dominated society by the work of Jesus (pbuh). It also reports the response he received from both Jewish and Roman officials. Not all reports were written by eyewitnesses and many doubtful events have been chronicled and included in the book. Students need to be mindful that these writings originate from a time predating universal education, when only select people could read and write, and they have undergone many corruptions in translation, especially into English (see foreword of any English translation). Sufficient documentation exists to enlighten any serious researcher into biblical history as to the dubiousness of all the content of the Bible. There is no reason for Christians to remain zealous and ignorant about their beliefs today.

The fact that humans do not control all the processes of reproduction is proof enough of our creation. Some invisible hand controls aspects of which we have no notion or experience. To acknowledge that being as Allah, the Creator, is not nonsensical or far- fetched. But to insinuate that we are the “image and likeness” of our Creator is ridiculous indeed. To create an image of anything, there has to be a visible reference or mental concept.  Humans are simply one of a myriad of species created on planet Earth by a yet unseen Creator, attested to, throughout history, by a multitude of human messengers endowed with qualifying abilities. The only verifiable pronouncement we can make on the topic of human creation is that we, as are all other creatures throughout the universes, are creations of Allah.