Salaam to all.
The personal accounts in this thread have been both heart breaking and heart warming for this submitter. I too have had my share of battles with the unkind ways of my brothers and sisters under a wide variety of circumstances, and dealt with them successfully only because of my submission to Allah as He revealed Himself in the Quran. Such battles are never without their share of pain and sorrow.
I shall go ahead and quote some effective suggestions I have found here for all those who find themselves in a position similar to that of Prophet Lot, and endeavor to stay righteous in cruel and intolerant surrounding and the ridicule of those who find ultimately counterproductive satisfaction in making others feel small.
? Just tell them you only trust the Koran and they will shut up. No need to attack hadiths and Sunni Islam. Just make sure they can't attack you. Its actually easy. No Muslim can deny the authority of the Koran. But some here try to attack others and this creates hostility. To each is his own way and what matters is our faith and our sincerity reflected in our deeds.
In light of ?
Salaam,
What I find really funny is that Traditional Muslims only believe in Quranic verses that do not contradict Hadith instead of the other way around. So if there is two contradicting laws between the two, they choose to follow the one that they think comes from their God, Muhammad. ;D
True from what I have seen from some if not most 'Madhabist' Muslims. Some traditional scholars on the other hand, and most of the 'normal' masses of Muslims, especially here in rural Bangladesh, rightly look at the Holy Quran as the primary source in spirit as well as intellectual practice and perceptions. There are also many who also look at the Holy Quran as the ONLY divine source the same ways. Just one man's limited observations here ... )
Anyway, it's all good.
In addition to the excellent suggestions and insights quoted above, I shall humbly suggest that you may also choose to refer them to certain traditional scholars such as Sheikh Hamza Yususf. Here in this interview, he talks about his translation of Imam At-Tahawi's Creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wa Al-Jama'ah and much, much more.
Here are the links to the video -
Part 1
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lJlZeb_tdnY
Part 2
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6SE4_f7FyIU
Part 3
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=h8xm9ndF_Yw
Part 4
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bWnV0XVoMS8
Part 5
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gBQhrxYeNGU
Part 6
http//uk.youtube.com/watch?v=y3kyRCwYydo
After all these years, I still derive a great deal of comfort from his gentle ?qualifications? with regards the 'traditional' Shahadah of Abu Hurairah (Part 3), and his diligent belief in pluralism and 'invitation' rather than the exclusivism and 'imposition' of the ?my way or the highway? types perhaps inadvertently indulging in blasphemy by playing a role they are forbidden to play.
Some 'traditional' scholars like him are keenly aware of their true role in Islam and know how to use their scholarship in order to find common ground and bring people together through the Holy Quran, rather than fuel the fire of sectarianism and hatred.
I shall end with a demonstration of one of my personal responses to a vicious attack during a ?debate? about the Shahadah of Abu Hurairah and its uses as de facto ?shirk? in many if not all cases ? only Allah knows what is truly in the hearts of His creations ? and included the use of resources available in this website.
When the aforementioned ?debate? degenerated into to attacks such as the one quoted here ?
Any idiot who accuses a great Sahabi like Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) of fabrication of Hadith is a deviant imposter. I can clearly see why Sunni muslims are so harsh with some of Shi'i extremists who ritually curses Sayyidina Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman (whom Allah is pleased with)...Talking about "anti-sectarianism"!!!
? I responded by saying -
Such angry and bitter posts fool no one. I for one DO NOT wish for the poster to get banned from this forum despite what I as a member find to be clear violations of the spirit of its rules, and despite the thinly veiled personal and misconceived communal attacks being sifted through a perceived loophole ... )
After you have had enough venting, I would humbly suggest that you revisit the following Islamic etiquette as suggested by the Holy Quran, suggestions which I hope the eminent leaders of the Madhab of your choice will not object to too much. Some of the verses may possibly be somewhat more relevant than others IMHO -
Islamic Etiquette
By Layth (e-mail
[email protected])
Besides the laws revealed by GOD that were designed to govern our lives, the Quran has also indicated a list of 'Etiquette' which we are advised to maintain in our dealings with each other on this planet.
"This Reading (Quran) guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense." (179)
The below list are not LAWS, but when GOD makes a recommendation, it is always very advisable for us to 'hear & obey' in a guarantee that it will lead to happiness for all involved.
Always Respond to a 'Greeting'
"When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. GOD reckons all things." (486)
"O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation "Thou art not a believer!"..." (494)
Always Say 'Good' things
"Do you not see that GOD has cited the example of a good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky. It produces its crop every season, as designed by its Lord. GOD thus cites the examples for the people, that they may take heed." (1424-25)
Be 'Humble', and speak 'Lightly'
"Walk humbly and lower your voice, the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice." (3119)
Invite to GOD with wisdom and kindness
"Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones." (16125)
"It was mercy from GOD that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in GOD. GOD loves those who trust in Him." (3159)
Be Kind to your parents
"Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably. And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy." (1723-24)
Suppress Anger & Forgive People
"who (the righteous) give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. GOD loves the charitable." (3134)
Counter Evil with Good
"Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend." (4134)
"They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Link (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode." (1322)
Do NOT Say 'Bad' things
"And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it firm." (1426)
Do NOT be 'Arrogant' or 'Carefree'
"You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth carefree. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs." (311
Do NOT engage in 'ignorant' talk
"The servants of the Almighty are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace." (2563)
Do NOT Curse the Idolaters
"And do not curse those who call on other than GOD, lest they blaspheme and curse GOD, out of ignorance. We have adorned the works of every group in their eyes. Ultimately, they return to their Lord, then He informs them of everything they had done." (610
Do NOT make fun of others, or call them names
"O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or call each other names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors." (4911)
Do NOT be suspicious, or spy on one another, or backbite
"O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done." (496)
"O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe GOD. GOD is Redeemer, Most Merciful." (4912)
Do NOT be 'Racist'
"O people, We created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant." (4913)
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/q.../etiquette.htm
Being accused of ?blasphemy? for propagating the Holy Quran and ONLY the Holy Quran in other posts from those who perhaps inadvertently set up scholars and imams as de facto partners with Allah - scholars and imams who took it upon themselves to give authority to the Sunnah and the Hadith ALONGSIDE the authority of Allah and His Messenger as revealed and FULLY CONTAINED in the Holy Quran is hardly surprising at all.
For the record, and in good faith response to yet another expected and vicious attack, I am an 'anti-sectarian', 'unitarian' Muslim as per the letter and spirit of the Holy Quran, NOT A SHIA OR SUNNI in terms of my understanding of Islamic sects.
That said, there have been many Sunni, Shia and Sufi scholars, among quite a few ?non-Muslim? ones from other faiths who have added deeply to my faith since my willful submission, and continue to do so with their illuminating and erudite ideas and insights. I have no desire to rule the world, ?convert? anybody to my particular ways, or territorialize their individual Deen in any manner whatsoever. I am simply making information available to everyone in this pluralist forum, and occasionally expressing my views on the information being shared without any ulterior motives or ?hidden?, convoluted and otherwise esoteric agenda, or any malicious intent towards those comfortable in their faith.
This website has been created for all people who have a desire to allow God into their lives and follow His path alone...
This website invites all people of various beliefs (Sunni, Shia, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Bahai, Agnostic, Humanist, and even Atheists) to come and examine for themselves the system of Submission/Islam which is based on God Alone.
Many of you may outwardly be content with your current faith or that which you inherited from your parents and community...but to some out there, there will always be a tugging at the back of their mind that 'there is something more', and that 'some things don't always make sense'...
If you are one of those people, then open your eyes, put on your thinking cap, and welcome to an open examination of the system of Submission/Islam which very few know about...
http//www.free-minds.org/
The key word is INVITE, not ?coerce? or ?impose?.
I shall respond to all attacks from with the following verses from the Quran -
"...We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the submitters/muslims." (1689)
"Shall I seek other than GOD as a judge, when He revealed THIS BOOK FULLY DETAILED? (6114)
"The word of your Lord is COMPLETE in truth & justice." (6115)
"Say (O Muhammad), 'Whose testimony is greater?' Say, 'God is the witness between me and you that THIS QURAN was given to me to preach it to you, and to whomever it reaches.' However, you certainly bear witness that you set up other gods beside. Say, 'I will never do what you are doing; I disown your idol-worship.'" (619)
"When our verses are recited for them, those who do not expect to meet us would say, 'Bring a Quraan other than this, or change it.' Say (O Muhammad), 'I cannot change it on my own initiative. I simply follow what is revealed to me. I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the retribution of a terrible day.' ...Who is more wicked than one who invents lies about God, or rejects His revelations? The guilty never succeed. Yet, they idolize beside God those who possess no power to harm them or benefit them, and say, 'These are our intercessors with God.' ...such is idol-worship." (1015-1
"The followers will say to their leaders, "It was you who schemed night and day, then commanded us to be unappreciative of GOD, and to set up partners to rank with Him." They will be ridden with remorse, when they see the retribution, for we will place shackles around the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they not justly requited for what they did?" (3433)
"Why do they not study the Quraan? Or are their locks on their hearts?" (4724)
"When they are told, "Follow what GOD has revealed herein," they say, "We follow only what we found our parents doing." What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?. The example of those who reject is that of one who repeats what he hears of sounds and calls, without understanding. Deaf, dumb, and blind; they cannot understand." (2170-171)
"And who is more wicked than one who is reminded of his Lord?s verses but he turned away from them, and he forgot what his hands had done. We have made veils upon their hearts from understanding them, and a deafness in their ears. And if you invite them to the guidance, they will never be guided." (The Message 1857)
http//www.free-minds.org/
A gentle reminder to those who fear death and believe that scholars and imams, not good intent complimenting good deeds, will 'intercede" on their behalf when the time comes ?
"Say, 'To God belongs ALL INTERCESSION. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you will be returned.' When GOD ALONE is advocated, the hearts of those who do not believe in the hereafter shrink with aversion. But when idols are mentioned along with Him, they become satisfied." (3945)
"Spend from our provisions to you before a day comes wherein there will be no trade, no nepotism, and NO INTERCESSION." (2254)
"Beware of the day when no soul will help another soul, no ransom will be accepted, NO INTERCESSION will be useful, and no one will be helped." (2/123)
http//www.free-minds.org/articles/gods_system/intercession.htm
And that we are responsible for our own actions ?
"That is because God was not to change anything He bestowed to a people, unless they change what is in themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable." (The Message 853)
This post will be my repeated response to all accusations, name-calling, and no doubt 'refutations' in the future from all those who at times inadvertently try 'refute' something without the in-depth, 360 degree knowledge of what they're 'refuting'. Since this will be a perpetual response to all personal attacks, name-calling, slander, malicious misdirection, and intolerant, attempted imposition masquerading as 'refutation' and debate, please feel free to quote yourself and copy and paste it after such posts. If you don?t, I certainly will.
A good faith, real refutation which displays detailed knowledge of the posts, on the other hand, is most welcome ... )
Peace
The result has been excellent so far, and the brother may even be on his way to finding more peace and tolerance in his heart. Such is the power of Allah.
Thank you for your time and I pray that some may find elements this longish post of use, and apologize with the utmost sincerity if any of it appears self-indulgent in any way.
Peace, Sohel ? )
