Submitters Cont’d from page 1 Some Muslims are very quick with condemning the Christians and the Jews to Hell for not accepting the Quran as the word of God. What they need to think about first however, is how many “Muslims” are there who truly believe in and abide by the Quran after reading it for themselves, as God commands (17:36)? What percent of those who say “I’m a Muslim” have actually read the Quran for themselves (from cover to cover) in a language they understand? How many are simply quoting their parents, their imams, or their friends, without having any real knowledge from the Quran? How many are actually quoting Quran at all, and not other sources? Should we actually be surprised that some people choose to shun Islam when there are “Muslims” killing innocent people while shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great) on our TV screens? Can we blame them for not running to the library in excitement to pick up a Quran – the book these “people of God” claim to uphold and represent? Should we really be surprised at how some people view Islam when there are so-called Islamic governments in this world, claiming to represent the Quran while shooting journalists to death because they don’t print the “right” things, and punishing or killing people for having the “wrong” opinions and/or life-styles? As it turns out, the majority of those who call themselves Muslim today are completely ignorant when it comes to the Quranic message. Instead they follow traditions passed on to them from their parents, friends, their imams, or all
| their books and pamphlets besides the Quran. Their information is based on Hadith and Sunna, which are mostly innovations attributed to Prophet Muhammad. They consist of stories about the prophet gathered over eight generations, and written down some 200 years after his death. What is astounding is that these stories directly contradict most of the Quranic teachings. This explains why many traditionalists become very upset when someone cites the Quran to them, since they feel that it contradicts what they were taught to believe. One God, One Religion God teaches us in the Quran that being Muslim is not something we become by referring to ourselves as such, or by even accepting Islam as it is known to the world today. This sounds confusing at first, and it needs further explanation. God teaches us in the Quran that we are Muslims (Submitters) in His eyes when we believe in Him, believe in the Last Day, and lead a righteous life. This is regardless of what we call ourselves. Leading a righteous life means obeying the information that God has given to each of us. Those who were given the Bible, and who have not familiarized themselves with the Quran are expected to uphold God’s commandments accordingly. This is why we read in the Quran about the righteous Jews and Christians: [5:44] We have sent down the Torah, containing guidance and light. Ruling in accordance with it were the Jewish prophets, as well as the rabbis and the priests, as dictated to them in GOD’s scripture, and as witnessed by them. Therefore, do not reverence human beings; you shall reverence Me instead. And do not trade away My revelations for a | cheap price. Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers. [7:159] Among the followers of Moses there are those who guide in accordance with the truth, and the truth renders them righteous. [5:46] Subsequent to them, we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the previous scripture, the Torah. We gave him the Gospel, containing guidance and light, and confirming the previous scriptures, the Torah, and augmenting its guidance and light, and to enlighten the righteous. Most people who call themselves Muslim today are very confused about these Quranic facts, and actually harbor beliefs which contradict these verses. This is why many rush to harsh judgment and hate towards people of other faiths, instead of seeking all ways and means towards being kind and offering peace, as God commands us to in the Quran in so many verses (16:125, 4:90; 4:94; 4:114; 8:61; 9:6). The religion of Islam (Submission) is not anywhere near what people have been taught. In fact it is a very easy religion to practice: One that decrees total religious freedom for all, one that brings ease after difficulty, not the other way around. The truth is very simple to follow, has full support in the Quran, makes all the sense in the world, and makes people happy. The traditions and innovations on the other hand are difficult to follow, contradict the Quran, don’t make any sense, and make people miserable (5:16; 10:64; 92:7). God teaches us to seek the truth. He wants us to verify with our own God given senses the practices we accept and attribute to God. Cont’d on page 4
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