How I came to God alone
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Salaamun alaikum dear readers,
I am originally from Pakistan and had considered myself a "muslim" all my life but was under the mistaken impression that the "sunni version" of islam was the right one. Even then, somethings in the "sunni islam" never made sense to me. My mother tongue is Urdu which has the same script as Arabic, so I could read The Qur'aan fluently without understanding it ! I had read the tranlations of some ayaat (verses, signs) of The Qur'aan in Urdu and English but had not read the whole Qur'aan in its entirety through accurate translations. That was my biggest mistake ! That is how I missed reading translations of some key ayaat explaining how The Qur'aan is fully detailed, clear and complete and that Allah has not neglected anything from it relative to the guidance to attain salvation in the life hereafter and that the real hadith is The Qur'aan itself. Because of that I was under the mistaken impression that the so called "hadith" of Prophet Muhammad are needed to clarify and explain The Qur'aan and give us a practical example of how to implement the teachings of The Qur'aan in our life. I never knew that most of those hadith were fabricated and that all the true hadith and the examples of the messengers are in The Qur'aan itself.
I was influenced by and relied upon the faulty understanding of my parents, friends, teachers of "islamic studies" in school and the various so called "muslim" scholars and imams. That is how I ended up following the fabricated hadith and was practicing islam the wrong way. Despite that, all my life I was always suspicious and knew that something was wrong because some things in the traditional islam and some hadith never made sense to me. I was not performing the ritual prayers regularly, went to mosque only occasionally, was not fasting regularly and never performed "the pilgrimage" to the black cube and was very disillusioned and unhappy with the state of islam in the world. I was always surprised how muslims had divided themselves into various sects just like the Christians so I knew that majority of them including myself were somehow misguided. I already knew about the ayaat about sects and knew that there were no sects in Al-Islam and I always told others that I did not belong to any sect.
From an early age I knew and had full faith that The Quran is the true and uncorrupted word of The God. The scientific ayaat in The Qur'aan were the biggest source of my faith and I learned about them through the work of Maurice Bucaille "The Bible, The Quran, and Science". My biggest mistake was not reading The Qur'aan carefully through accurate translations. I had already studied parts of The Bible (Ahmad Deedat's works were very helpful) and had read about all the religions of the world and it was obvious to me that Al-Islam (islam lillah) is the only true system and the straight path by which we can act according to the will of The God and succeed in this life and the hereafter. Even though I only knew the corrupted version of islam, it appealed to me better than all other religions. Now after discovering the true Al-Islam, my faith and belief has increased even more alhamdulillah.
I met a Turkish family about a year ago and slowly became friends with them. The husband by the name of Selim told me about Edip Yuksel and got me curious. I went to Edip's website on the internet and started reading all his articles including the famous article "nineteen questions to muslims" and also found submission.org and free-minds.org websites and read the various articles on these websites.
I was totally shocked to find out all the corruptions, distortions and fabrications created by the so called "muslim" scholars and imams in islam by mistranslating The Qur'aan and fabricating false hadith and following and propagating them and not following The Qur'aan. I started reading the translation of The Qur'aan very carefully, thinking and reflecting on the ayaat and reading up the different posts and actively participating in various discussions on the free-minds forum and that helped me discover and understand the true islam lillah. I purchased "The Message" and "The Natural Republic" by progressive muslims. I also purchased 2 dictionaries of The Quran ("Dictionary of The Holy Quran" by Abdul Mannan Omar, and "Dictionary and Glossary of Koran" by John Penrice) so I can find the real meanings of all the words and avoid the mistranslations. I also use various online Qur'aan browsers to help me study and research The Qur'aan. I have also actively started talking to my family and muslim and nonmuslim friends telling them about the true islam lillah.
Even now I am a little disappointed how certain people on the free-minds website and its forum continue to misinterpret or mistranslate certain ayaat of The Qur'aan even though they claim to be following The Qur'aan only for their guidance. I have also discovered that even "The Message" which is considered to be a very accurate literal translation of The Quran by progressivemuslims.org, contains some errors. However all the errors are slowly but surely being exposed by the healthy ongoing discussions on the forum of free-minds. My current understanding of Al-Islam has been steadily improving alhamdulillah, by reading and understanding The Qur'aan and actively participating in the free-minds forum. Now I have become very careful and I double check everything and research any translation in detail before accepting it as the true translation or interpretation of The Quran. Following is the link to the post in which I have pointed out the various errors I have discovered so far in the PM translation of The Qur'aan
http//www.free-minds.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=49035&highlight=#49035
The Qur'aan is the most amazing book I have ever read in my life. It is very deep and every time you read it you learn something new. I strongly urge all the readers of this forum to continue studying The Qur'aan objectively and with a free mind, and ponder, think, and reflect on its ayaat. In the end only The God guides us
519 God guides with it whoever follows His acceptance, to the ways of peace; and He brings them out of the darkness and into the light by His leave; and He guides them to a Straight Path.
2857 You cannot guide whom you love. But it is God who guides whom He wills; and He is fully aware of those who receive the guidance.
3936 Is God not enough for His servant? And they frighten you with others beside Him. And whomever God sends astray, then for him there will be no guide. And whomever God guides, then there will be none that can mislead him. Is God not Noble, with Vengeance?
Best regards,
Tanveer
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peace brother Tanveer,
Very similar to my beginnings! I read the booklet "Quran, Bible & Modern Science" by M.B. when I was in High School and I was amazed. Like you, I was always questioning certain things about Islam, and after reading that booklet, a shockingly simple premise clicked with me why not study Islam from its source?! It seems so obvious now when I look back, but its a pretty radical view amongst traditionals!
It is very important to realise, as you have, a translation is simply a translation, not 'al quran'.
If I haven't said this before - Welcome.
I hope we can learn from each other.
Wakas
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Peace be with you tanveermd,
Thank you for sharing your story with us, especially the reminder that we need to keep up with the reading and studying. Some of us might think we've arrived at our destination... but we're still on the journey of discovering the truth for as long as we're alive. D
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Peace Tanveer, and a belated welcome,
Thanks for sharing your story. You stated
Even then, somethings in the "sunni islam" never made sense to me.
Isn't is amazing how the soul will simply not submit to falsehood, even when it comes at an impressionable age from people we love and trust? Subhanallah! I think people who ignore this inherent demand for truth suffer in the long run from a sort of inner betrayal. The result is an inability to think freely for onesself.
Peace,
Tayp.s. thanks for the reminder
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Peace Tanveer,
Great story, thanks for sharing...
From an early age I knew and had full faith that The Quran is the true and uncorrupted word of The God. The scientific ayaat in The Qur'aan were the biggest source of my faith and I learned about them through the work of Maurice Bucaille "The Bible, The Quran, and Science".
I agree, it was the same for me, i still have a tattered copy of the same book for sentimental reasons ) It's so easy, yet so difficult to break away from following and simultaneously thinking for oneself...ultimately it's what we have to do...
Nadia
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peace brother Tanveer,
your story is also very simlar to mine. I am also from pakistan and learned urdu as my first language. you can read my story in the following thread.
http//www.free-minds.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2657
Since you speak urdu, what do u think of Allama Pervez works (in urdu) about Al-Quran especially Lugat-ul-Quran and his books on Quranic topic. I find his extensive reasearch on the Quran to be very useful for my own quranic study.
here is their link.
http//www.tolueislam.com/index.htm
go to urdu section where you can read all his books. -
Peace Tanveer,
Great story, thanks for sharing...
From an early age I knew and had full faith that The Quran is the true and uncorrupted word of The God. The scientific ayaat in The Qur'aan were the biggest source of my faith and I learned about them through the work of Maurice Bucaille "The Bible, The Quran, and Science".
I agree, it was the same for me, i still have a tattered copy of the same book for sentimental reasons It's so easy, yet so difficult to break away from following and simultaneously thinking for oneself...ultimately it's what we have to do...
Nadia
Another thing about Bucaille's work is that to me, Bucaille is the first person to show that some hadith does not make sense in scientific terms. Being science-oriented myself I find this position fruitful, because I don't have to try to force or bend either science or hadith to fit each other.
Too bad Bucaille is mostly misunderstood by a lot of Muslims. And while I grew to disregard 'Bucaillism' I still respect some of his views.
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Salaamun alaikum brother Kashif,
Thank you for providing me the link to G. A. Parwez website. I started reading the "aims and objectives of Tolu-e-Islam" and noticed that some of his basic and fundamental assertions contradict the message of The Qur'aan and that is a deterrent for me to keep reading his works. Following are the assertions that I found contradicting The Qur'aan
- God?s revelation in its complete and final form is safely preserved in the Quran. This is the universal and permanent source of guidance for humanity for all time. Therefore, no further revelation, nor any prophet, nor any messenger from God can come now. The Quran is the final book of God and Muhammad (P) His last prophet and messenger.
Muhammad is "khatam" of the prophets but he is not the last "messenger"
3341 Mohammed was not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of God and the seal of the prophets. And God is fully aware of all things.
According to The Qur'aan, The God chooses messengers from humans and "malaika", and the angel of death will still come after Muhammad for all of us
2274 God chooses messengers from amongst the Angels and from amongst mankind. God is Hearer, Seer.
3212 Say "The Angel of death that has been assigned to you will take you, then to your Lord you will be returned."
- The life and character of the Prophet (P) represents the pinnacle of human dignity, decency, and greatness. His exemplary life is the best role model for humanity. There is no doubt about that part of the Prophet?s life which is preserved in the Quran. However, in regard to the part which is outside the Quran, if there are historical narrations which contradict the Quran, or if they go against the high moral character of the Prophet (P), then these narrations are to be questioned and should not be attributed to the Prophet (P). The same applies to the lives of his companions (R).
We should not even consider the part outside The Qur'aan
456 These are God's revelations that We recite to you with truth. So, in which narration, after God and His revelations, do they believe?
6837 What is wrong with you, how do you judge?
6838 Or do you have another book which you study?All the examples necessary for our guidance have been given in The Qur'aan and we do not need ANY OTHER source for that purpose.
- After the PROPHET (P), the rightly guided khalifas continued this system. That is, obedience was due only to the laws and injunctions of the Quran. Matters pertaining to the state, for which the Quran gives only principles, were decided within the limits of these principles by mutual consultation of the Ummah. This form of rule is known as "Khilafat ?Ala Minhaj-e-Risalat" or governance in the footsteps of the Prophet (P).
Were they really "rightly guided" ? Isn't that observation based on history and tradition which is suspect ? Is someone "rightly guided" when one attacks and kills fellow companions of Muhammad ? Once again, only The Qur'aanic example of messenger and Qur'aanic laws are to be followed, not the companions.
- Until this system of "Khilafat ?Ala Minhaj-e-Risalat" is established, no individual has the right to demand change in the way different groups within the Ummah practice the five pillars of Islam, or come up with any new way and call it the way of "Allah and the Prophet (P)."
Here G. A. Parwez is endorsing the so called "five pillars of islam" which has no Qur'aanic basis. How can Mr. Parwez take away the rights of individuals to demand change in the way different groups practice and try to bring them back to the way of The God based on the truth and guidance of The Qur'aan, until a Qur'aan only based government is established ? This right has been given by The God Himself, and is not dependent or conditional upon the existence of "Khilafat 'Ala Minhaj-e-Risalat"
3105 And let there be a nation from amongst you which calls towards goodness, and orders kindness, and deters from evil. And these are the successful ones.
3111 You were the best nation that emerged for the people, you ordered towards kindness and deterred from evil, and believed in God.
3115 They believe in God and the Last Day and order kindness and deter from evil, and they hasten in goodness; these are of the righteous ones.
7182 And from among those We created is a community who guides with truth, and with it they are just.
How can a Qur'aan only based government be established in the first place if no individual has the right to demand change from the false way back to the true guidance of The Qur'aan ?
- As far as ahaadith are concerned, Tolu-e-Islam considers all those ahaadith as true which are in accordance with the Quran or which do not stain the character of the Prophet (P) or his companions (R).
See reply to #4 above. Once again, We should not even consider the part outside The Qur'aan, and all the true ahaadith and examples of the messenger necessary for our guidance are in The Qur'aan itself
456 These are God's revelations that We recite to you with truth. So, in which narration, after God and His revelations, do they believe?
6837 What is wrong with you, how do you judge?
6838 Or do you have another book which you study?I will, however, try to read other works by Mr. Parwez and see what he says. One can always learn from someone else even if some of the things the other person says are wrong, as long as The Criterion is used to differentiate truth from falsehood.
Regards,
Tanveer
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Being coming from a background where religious upbringing was very strict, I had problems with all religions in general, especially Islam and Judaism. But I had no reason to justify my dislike. I was interested in Chrisitianity as a child but met with strict discouragement again. I did not know about other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Zoroasthrianism, let alone my own despite all the teachings I had received.
The idea of finding God without reliance on any religion seemed the most appropriate way to God. I believe in the idea of experiencing God through nature, be like the animals, who are more disciplined than we are, be like humans because humans have the intellect for good manners and knowledge, be like the birds because they know the essence of freedom, be like water because it's transparent (free from hypocrisy) and pure (free from ill thought), so on and so forth.
If I am a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist or Zoroasthrian, would that make me a more acceptable person amongst a group of people than being a good person who simply believes God is everywhere?
Have I found God?
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Peace Fakhra,
Being coming from a background where religious upbringing was very strict, I had problems with all religions in general, especially Islam and Judaism. But I had no reason to justify my dislike. I was interested in Chrisitianity as a child but met with strict discouragement again. I did not know about other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Zoroasthrianism, let alone my own despite all the teachings I had received.
You had problems with those man made religions because they contain a lot of falsehood and partial truths. They have been invented by man and are a corrupted and distorted version of the original truth. Islam (with a capital I) is also one of those religions which is man made and is a corrupted version of al-islam (with a small i), meaning peaceful surrender/submission to The God, which has been chosen by Him not as a religion but as the system/obligation (Deen) for mankind.
53 Today I have perfected your system for you, and completed My blessings upon you, and I have accepted al-islam as the system for you.
319 The system with God is al-islam
For further clarification of "al-islam" versus "Islam" please see the following links
http//www.peopleprogod.org/files/whasislam.pdf
http//www.peopleprogod.org/formuslims.html
The idea of finding God without reliance on any religion seemed the most appropriate way to God. I believe in the idea of experiencing God through nature, be like the animals, who are more disciplined than we are, be like humans because humans have the intellect for good manners and knowledge, be like the birds because they know the essence of freedom, be like water because it's transparent (free from hypocrisy) and pure (free from ill thought), so on and so forth.
You are not saying anything new here. The God gives us the same message in Al-Qur'aan. One cannot find The God by reliance on a man made religion but one can find The God by guidance from His true words, and pondering on the signs around us and within us.
HIS SCRIPTURE
22 This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, a guide for the righteous.
360 The truth is from your Lord, so do not be of those who doubt.
2254 And to let those who have been given knowledge know that it is the truth from your Lord, and they will believe in it, and their hearts will soften to it. And God will guide those who believe to a straight path.
HIS SIGNS
1679 Did they not look to the birds held in the atmosphere of the sky? No one holds them up except God. In that are signs for a people who believe.
2441 Do you not see that everything in the heavens and the Earth glorifies God? Even the birds in formation, each knows its contact-method and its glorification. And God is fully aware of everything they do.
697 And He is the One who made for you the stars, to guide you by them in the darkness of the land and the sea. We have explained the signs to a people who know.
698 And He is the One who initiated you from one person; with a place for stability and development. We have explained the signs to a people who comprehend.133 And He is the One who stretched-out the land, and made in it stabilizers and rivers, and from every fruit He made a pair of two; the night covers the day. In that are signs for a people who will think.
2218 Did you not see that to God submit what is in the heavens and what is in the Earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars and the mountains and the trees and what moves, and many of mankind, and many who have deserved the retribution. And whoever God disgraces, then none can honour him. God does what He pleases.
132 God, Who raised the skies without any pillars that you can see, then He settled to the throne, and He commissioned the sun and the moon; each running to a fixed destiny. He manages all affairs, and He details the signs so that you will be aware of the meeting with your Lord.
163 He created the heavens and the Earth with the truth. He is High above the partners they have set up.
164 He created man from a seed, but then he becomes clearly in opposition.
165 And the livestock He created them for you, in them is warmth and benefits, and from them you eat.
166 And for you in them is beauty, when you relax and when you travel.
167 And they carry your loads to a place you would not have been able to reach except with great strain. Your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
168 And the horses, and mules, and donkeys, that you may ride them and as an adornment. And He creates what you do not know.
169 And to God shall be the path, but some are mislead. And if He wished, He could have guided you all.
1610 He is the One who sent down water from the sky for you, from it you drink, and from it emerge the trees that you wander around in.
1611 He brings forth with it vegetation and olives and palm trees and grapes and from all the fruits. In that are signs for a people who think.
1612 And He committed for you the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, and the stars are committed by His command. In that are signs for a people who comprehend.
1613 And what He has placed for you on Earth in various colors. In that are signs for a people who remember.
1614 And He is the One who committed the sea, that you may eat from it a tender meat, and that you may extract from it pearls that you wear. And you see the ships flowing through it, so that you may seek from His bounty, and that you may be thankful.
1615 And He has cast into the Earth stabilizers so that it does not sway with you, and rivers, and paths, perhaps you will be guided.
1616 And landmarks, and by the stars they use to guide.
1617 Is the One who creates the same as one who does not create? Will you not remember?
1618 And if you count the blessings of God you will not be able to fathom them. God is Forgiving, Merciful.HOW ABRAHAM FOUND THE GOD
673 And He is the One who created the heavens and the Earth with truth, and the day He says "Be," then it is! His saying is truth; and to Him is the sovereignty, the Day the trumpet is blown. Knower of the unseen and the seen; He is the Wise, the Expert.
674 And Abraham said to his father, Azar "Will you take idols as gods? I see you and your people clearly misguided."
675 And it is such that We showed Abraham the kingdom of heavens and Earth, so that he will be of those who have certainty.
676 When the night covered him, he saw a planet, and he said "This is my Lord." But when it disappeared he said "I do not like those that disappear."
677 So when he saw the moon rising, he said "This is my Lord." But when it disappeared he said "If my Lord will not guide me, then I will be amongst the wicked people!"
678 So when he saw the sun rising, he said "This is my Lord, this is bigger." But when it disappeared he said "My people, I am innocent of that which you have set up."
679 "I shall turn my face to the One who initiated the heavens and the Earth, in monotheism, and I am not of those who set up partners."
680 And his people debated with him. He said "Do you debate with me regarding God, when He has guided me? I do not fear that which you have set up except if my Lord wishes it so; my Lord encompasses all things with knowledge; will you not remember?"
681 "And how can I possibly fear what you have set up; yet you do not fear that you have set up partners with God, for which He has not sent down to you any authority! So which of our two groups is more worthy of security if you know?"
682 Those who believe and do not dress their belief with wrongdoing; they will have security, and they are guided.
683 And such was Our argument that We gave Abraham over his people; We raise the degree of whom We please. Your Lord is Wise, Knowledgeable.One should strive to be a muslim (with a small m) and not a "Muslim" (with a capital M).
2278 And strive in the cause of God its truly deserved striving. He is the One who has chosen you, and He has made no hardship for you in the system, the creed of your father Abraham; He is the One who named you 'those who have surrendered' from before as well as in this. So let the messenger be witness over you and you be witness over mankind. So uphold the contact-method and contribute towards betterment and hold tight to God, He is your patron. What an excellent Patron, and what an excellent Supporter.
4133 And who is better in saying than one who invites to God, and does good works, and says "I am one of those who have surrendered."
2131 When his Lord said to him "Surrender," he said "I surrender to the Lord of the worlds."
May The God guide us all to the truth so that we can follow the straight path and serve Him by submitting/surrendering peacefully to Him according to His will.
516 God guides with it whoever follows His acceptance, to the ways of peace; and He brings them out of the darkness and into the light by His leave; and He guides them to a Straight Path.
