Islam ?
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Salaams ,
not sure where i got the following from - but its accurate according to my own findings.
"I don't agree with labeling myself anything these days. Before, I once labeled myself as "muslim" as a religious and political differentiation between my intention to truly submit to the God and the name of someone who follows the Arab Religion called Islam. But I realized that the ultimate judge of whether I am a Muslim or not, whether I am a believer or not, whether I am a submitter or not, lies with Ar Rahman not me or anyone else. I don't have anything to prove to anyone on this Earth. So I choose not to define myself at all. I know that I am fascinated by every facet of this creation and am striving for understanding ...including my own placement and existence while I'm here in this "clay" form....And although everyday is a constant struggle in some capacity, I am definitely at peace. I guess if you are of those who think that Islam means peace, I am a "muslim"
I once looked at that verse from the same perspective until I did some research on the possible meaning of that verse. I originally studied the arabic root and contexts of the words "islam" and "Arabs" and "believers", and a couple others I can't remember right now. Don't get me wrong. I could be wrong, but I decided to sum up what I found.
Situation In 4915 it is clear that the Arabs/Nomads are submitting to God's will without having faith and being "believers". The added condition is that if they obey God and his messenger and do good works, those works would not go to waste.
Problem So what does it mean to submit to God's will when they do not have faith in the God?
Very abbreviated Conclusion of Qur'an study Well, EVERYTHING in creation submits to God's will willingly and unwillingly, so saying you submit is nothing special. Throughout the Qur'an, when people are described to be submitting/ at peace with the God in a way that is similar to the context you are trying to use (i.e. verifying that they are striving to obey God's limits), their intention/consciousness/knowledge/belief was noted by the description used; namely being believers, or submitting their "wills". Neither was the case in 4915 since, undoubtedly, they could not call themselves believers and there is no concrete evidence that they had made a conscious choice to "submit" their "wills". Since it has neither condition, the type of submission that is being described in 4915 is applicable to everything in the universe and does not distinguish the Arabs/Nomads from anything else in creation. This type of submission is not a favor to mankind or anthing else in God's creation.
And, I must add, from the description of the Arabs/Nomads elsewhere in the Qur'an, the idea that the islam in 4915 has nothing to do with righteousness makes sense. From this thinking, the context of the verses surrounding 4915 makes sense
4914 O mankind, We created you from a male and female, and We made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely, the most honourable among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is Knowledgeable, Expert.
4915 The Nomads said "We believe." Say "You have not believed; but you should Say 'We have surrendered', for belief has not yet entered into your hearts." If you obey God and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
4916 Believers are those who believe in God and His messenger, then they became without doubt, and they strive with their money and their lives in the cause of God. These are the truthful ones.
4917 Say "Are you teaching God about your system while God knows everything in the heavens and the Earth? God is knowledgeable of all things."
4918 They think they are doing you a favour by having surrendered! Say "Do not think you are doing me any favours by your surrender. For it is God who is doing you a favour that He has guided you to the faith, if you are being true."
4919 Surely, God knows all the unseen in the heavens and the Earth; God is Seer of everything you do.Who Are the Muslims?
Since GOD has clearly shown us in (4914) that the Submitters & Believers are not one in the same, we must explore the next logical question 'Who are the Muslims'?.
"Who can utter better words than one who 1) invites to GOD, 2) works righteousness, and says, 3) "I am one of the Submitters"?" (4133)
"?My Lord, 1) direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and 2) to do the good works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. 3) I have repented to You; 4) I am a Submitter." (4615)
"Say 'I have been given divine inspiration that your god is One god. Will you then Submit?" (2110
That seems simple enough!.
We are simply to acknowledge the One GOD, appreciate Him, and work *good to be a Submitter/Muslim?- It must be noted that 'idolatry/shirk' nullifies any good work and ends with a person in hell (572)
One GOD?
If the Submitter/Muslim only needs to "accept One GOD" , then how can he/she know about these things/concepts if he/she does not accept GOD's messengers or GOD's Book?.
"Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves "Am I not your Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection,"We were not aware of this. Nor can you say, "It was our parents who practiced idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You punish us because of what others have innovated?" (7172-173)
The issue of believing in 'GOD Alone' transgresses beyond any Books or any messengers?it is an inherent component (Nature/Fitra) of man's very own existence...a part of his 'self'.
GOD is ONE?This is a fact that all mankind has testified to since the beginning of our creation.
"Therefore, you shall devote yourself to the religion of monotheism. Such is the natural instinct placed into the people by GOD. Such creation of GOD will never change. This is the perfect religion, but most people do not know." (3030)
To be a Submitter/Muslim is simply to hold to this 'natural' article of fact and not be swindled into following 'others' who have promoted idolatry and to associating partners with the Almighty?There is no need for a 'Book' or anything to testify to this fact (note how NO people can claim they did not know this fact on J-day - that includes those who received the Quran and those who were on a desert island).Doing Good Works?
If the acknowledging One GOD is ingrained into the human being?What about the other element of a Submitter 'Doing Good Works?'.
When a person has chosen the stay on the path of GOD Alone, then the following elements will determine what he/she considers to be right & wrong (most people on Earth know this without the need for any scripture...i.e. it is INHERENT)
Say, "Come let me tell you what your Lord has really prohibited for you
You shall not set up idols besides Him.
You shall honor your parents.
You shall not kill your unborn children from fear of poverty-We provide for you and for them.
You shall not commit gross sins, publicly or privately.
You shall not kill - GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.
You shall not touch the orphans' money except in the most righteous manner, until they reach maturity.
You shall give full weight and full measure when you trade, equitably. We do not burden any soul beyond its means.
You shall be absolutely just when you bear witness, even against your relatives.
You shall fulfill your oaths to GOD. These are His commandments to you, that you may take heed. (6151-152)
How is it that nearly all of mankind can agree on these things being important (i.e. no one disagrees that killing is bad!), while they all do not agree on Worship or Messengers or Fasting or Pilgrimage?.
Is this not evidence that the knowledge of 'good' & 'evil' has been instilled in the very nature of mankind and that a person who has 'Submitted' will know the truth of what needs to be done simply by referring to himself/herself?Conclusion Submitter/Muslim
It must be mentioned at this stage that MANY of the elements that are 'traditionally' defined as being a requirement for 'Submission/Islam' are not in-fact the case!.
The Submitter is not required to perform any obligatory Worship/Salat, nor give his annual Charity, nor fast for 1-month, nor perform any pilgrimage!.
The Submitter is not required to accept the Quran, or any of the previous Books, or any of the messengers?He simply a) accepts One GOD, and b) does good works.
This has been the way Abraham, the great example to mankind
"Who is better in his religion than one who a) submits himself to GOD, b) while he does good, according to the creed of Abraham monotheism? GOD has chosen Abraham as a beloved friend." (4125)
As alarming as this news may come to the 'traditionalists', it is the absolute truth according to GOD's own words to mankind.
We should not be looking to the 'Sunnis' or 'Shia' or even 'Quran' followers to find the Submitters/Muslims?We should be looking to any person who has taken the path of 'Monotheism' and has devoted himself/herself to GOD Alone and to doing good works.
The Book of GOD has been sent to guide the 'righteous/Mutaqeen' , while the Quran (the book of cosmic laws and facts) has been sent as a beacon to 'mankind'. "Salaams.
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We should not be looking to the 'Sunnis' or 'Shia' or even 'Quran' followers to find the Submitters/Muslims?We should be looking to any person who has taken the path of 'Monotheism' and has devoted himself/herself to GOD Alone and to doing good works.
peace brother
i totally agree with u, sunni, shia, quran followers .... r all words introduced by the human,
but islam is above all these words and above all cultures
it's simply submission to the One Supreme
salams -
Peace
Did I miss something here. Why then such a big book called the Quraan. Did God waste His time and Prophets time for so long. He could have said this in a size of post card.
Salaam warner,
Br if you check the quran it has a lot to do with the instructions just for the nabi and then again there are some for the believers in ganeral .
So most of it is nothing to do with you or i .
So God didn't wast his time and neither the prophets, and yes for us a post card would/is sufficient for the message ---don't you think?
But it is wise to learn from the previouse stories of the people as examples - i think,so the quran is a good guide from that view.
Gods Blessings.
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Salam Simple
Thank you,
Please help me understand your views by answering the following.
What is belief?
Who is a believer?
What do you believe?
Why do you believe?What is submitting to God ?
Who is a submitter?
Why should we submit to God?
How do we submit to God ? -
Salaams warner,
belief
the feeling of certainty that something exists or is true
believe
to think that something is true, correct or real
believer
a person who has confidence in the benefit of something
submit
to offer yourself for a decision to be made by others
I believe in God , the attributes of God.
I believe there are benefits ? to my knowledge-in this for me and others.
Gods Blessings.
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Peace Simple
belief
the feeling of certainty that something exists or is true
What is this something?
From when and where and how did you get this certainty and knowledge ?believe
to think that something is true, correct or real
How do you know that something is true or correct?
believer
a person who has confidence in the benefit of something
What are the benefits?
submit
to offer yourself for a decision to be made by others
Why do you offer yourself for a decision to be made by others while you can be your own master?
I believe in God , the attributes of God.
What attributes?
How do you know these attributes? -
Peace Simple
belief
the feeling of certainty that something exists or is true
What is this something?
From when and where and how did you get this certainty and knowledge ?believe
to think that something is true, correct or real
How do you know that something is true or correct?
believer
a person who has confidence in the benefit of something
What are the benefits?
submit
to offer yourself for a decision to be made by others
Why do you offer yourself for a decision to be made by others while you can be your own master?
I believe in God , the attributes of God.
What attributes?
How do you know these attributes?some good quistions , but i think each of us has a reasoning / learning ability which some learn to utilise and make their own decisions whilst there are those who simply follow others.
i am of the first type - to my understanding.
some times we learn by trial and error other times we can watch and learn from things / behaviours around us -
the clever ones use the second methodology more often .even following books we have to use try and see or watch the practical outcomes of uses of the knowledge from books to see what we make of it - but one must never accept it blindly - as this can be bad if not for us then for others.
Blind followers however do not realise this - i think.Thanks.