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?

Salaat – One of the Greatest Gifts of Allah to Believers

The Islamic requirement of Salaat – prayer – 5 times a day is one of the greatest gifts of Allah to a Believer. On the surface, Salaat may seem to be an inconvenience for people engaged in the stress of earning a daily living, especially wage-earners. To those of us who view Salaat as a “religious” duty, it may also appear to be a bit much. For new returnees to Islam, it may also seem to be a disruption to their regular living routine because it breaks up the day into 5 prayer zones that must be observed by anyone claiming to be a Muslim. This is so, no matter where in the world we reside. And for those of us living under Kafir systems , the mandatory performance of Salaat 5 times a day is no small matter. But the true blessings of Salaat are precisely related to its 5-times-a-day requirement in the life of every sincere Believer.

To begin to appreciate the significance of Salaat, you have to keep in mind the purpose of the Guidance sent to us by Allah: to develop each sincere Believer into His servant and representative on earth. That relationship requires a personal acceptance of Allah’s guidance and instructions daily and adjusting your behavior to fit them. It also requires a daily accounting of a Believer’s performance of these duties to Allah. Believers live a structured, guided life; conscious of duty to Allah and responsive to this relationship with Him. Salaat is, therefore, an established point of contact with our Lord and True Master.

The structure of Salaat requires that the Believer do several things before and during the prayer. For instance, a Believer must be conscious of what he/she says and does during Salaat.  Each posture during Salaat requires the Believer to make certain affirmations and these affirmations must be sincere to have any value to the Believer. Each performance of Salaat usually ends with personal requests for favors from Allah, the least of which is guidance and forgiveness for wrongs committed during that day. Are you beginning to see the big picture and the true blessings of salaat yet?

This is the opportunity that Allah affords to the sincere Believer 5 times every day of the Believer’s life! In the quest to be righteous, every Believer is given 5 chances to get the job done right every day and to request forgiveness for all shortcomings and any wrongdoing that may be wittingly or unwittingly committed within each fragment of the day! Salaat breaks up each day into 5 time slots, each containing only several hours at a time, making it easier for a Believer to practice righteousness from hour to hour. Each Salaat is an opportunity for the Believer to return to Allah – The Source – and seek a do-over and greater guidance during each period of performance of life. Allah has given the assurance that He hears the prayer of every supplicant and that His is the rule of Mercy. In His Message, the Quran, He assures Believers that He has unlimited resources which He gives to whomever He chooses. Salaat is the doorway to those resources.  How generous is Allah in granting every Believer throughout the world access to those resources 5 times a day?

When viewed from this perspective, can anyone professing to be Muslim still consider Salaat an inconvenience in any way, shape or form? One additional point needs to be highlighted before conclusion of this discussion. Salaat requires approximately 5 minutes to be performed in every due period of time. If the Believer wants to use more time, that is also permitted. Additionally, Salaat  can be performed at any given point during the span of time allotted for its performance, with minor exceptions for Asr prayer. As can be seen, Allah has given Believers every convenience to seek His bounty and forgiveness each day. Therefore, Salaat must be viewed as One of the greatest Gifts and Mercies of Allah to Humanity. And to neglect it should be considered to be one of the worst injustices you can do to yourself.

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.

Belief in God vs Believing God

God's Teachings

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

“O you that believe! Fear Allah and believe in His Messenger,

And He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy;

He will provide for you a Light by which ye shall walk

(Straight in your path), and He will forgive you (your past);

For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(Quran 57: 28)

There is a dichotomy in the minds of many believing souls, of which they may not be aware. It is the misunderstanding that “believing in God” is the same as “believing” God. This may come as a shock to many believers, but these two concepts refer to vastly different stages of faith.

Believing in God is the first step, the awakening in the soul that leads you towards a God-conscious life. It is an introductory phase in your search for truth and real knowledge. This comes about as a realization that there has to be more to life on earth than just careless play and amusement. There is an insatiable hunger within for tangible knowledge of your reality of being, your purpose of life, your humanity. It is the point when you realize that the “knowledge” that has been foisted upon you, so far, is nothing but a lot of speculative junk, devoid of true substance; disconnected from the universal scheme of things. This “knowledge” leaves you ignorant of your reality; who you are and what is your purpose of life. It leaves you earthbound, trapped in the harsh struggle for material subsistence with no concept of a higher purpose or exit strategy. It holds out no promise of a “future”; you live; you die; finito! You become another lump of dirt.

 Your whole existence, according to this “knowledge”, is merely a product of chance. Somehow you simply arrived in this time, on this planet, for no other reason than to claw and struggle to the top of the food chain. And after you arrive, then what? Indulge in distractions for your own amusement and self-gratification until your body can no longer sustain itself and dies; another useless, ungrateful airsucker who lived and died without ever knowing why it existed in the first place. During your lifetime, you may even dabble in “religion”, but on your terms. If the “religious dogma” does not conform to your desires, or attempts to censor your activities, then you openly ignore it. You may even profess “belief in God” but, by your actions, demonstrate that you do not “believe God”. You reinterpret or ignore every command you dislike that emanates from your scriptures and act immorally to achieve your goals, despite the tenets of your scriptures. You justify your actions with the observation that “everyone else does it.” You live your life according to the trend of the majority of society and try to fit in, despite the still small voice within you crying out for answers to reality.

Believing God is the phase where you live according to the tenets of your scriptures. It is the stage in life where you have come to the realization that revelation is not for comparison with your opinions but for direction of your life and actions. The scripture becomes your educational source. You are no longer in competition with your Creator. You are now in submission to Him and allow yourself to be taught by Him. You are willing to discard the speculative, error-prone, earth-bound education you had been previously given and the haphazard actions stemming from it. You no longer mentally subject God to your will; you subject yourself to His Will and hold yourself accountable to Him for your actions and intentions in life. You embrace the purpose and guidance He gave you through His message and His prophets. You reject what He condemns and you practice what He recommends. You remake yourself gradually into the creature that He tells you, through His message, that you were created to be. You believe in the promises He makes to you in His message. You become a “fan”, a believer in the message of your Creator, and dedicate your life to pleasing Him. This does not imply that you recluse yourself from other human beings. On the contrary, it inspires you to reach out to other humans and encourage them to adopt the message of the Creator. 

 

Believing God is a gradual process. It does not happen immediately that you start “believing in God”. It is an educational process that culminates in an unshakeable Faith in the veracity of the teachings of the prophets of God. Like any other educational process, you have to develop faith that the information you are receiving comes from a credible source and is reliably accurate. It requires you to study and ponder over the information you receive and apply its recommendations in your daily life. It also requires you to develop the recommended mindset to fully absorb the implications of the teachings you receive. A closed mind is no friend to an open book; you have to be willing to discard previously-accepted views and inclinations that are inconsistent with the new knowledge. Faith, like most human characteristics, is developed step-by-step. As you replace erroneous knowledge with scriptural knowledge, it becomes increasingly harder for you to indulge in old, harmful behaviors and your life and character changes. You will begin to evaluate your old indulgences by new scriptural values and, over time, shed the incompatible ones. Scriptural knowledge clearly defines the features and characteristics that a human being needs to develop to claim its humanity and the rewards of cultivating them in this life and the upcoming future that God promises us. 

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