Let our name be "AHAD"
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Peace, i agree with you omar. Using the word 'Muslim' puts up in the same basket as those who set up the prophet as partner of God, those celebrate eid, those who follow hadiths. Whatever some might say, that it is an inferiority complex not to want to be called muslims, check any encyclopedia in libraries, muslims are those who follow sunna. MUSLIMS are those who persecute those who reject hadith, MUSLIMS are those who say that to follow quran alone equals disbelief.
HUMANS are those who follow sunna, HUMANS are those who persecute those who reject hadeeth, etc.
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I think quranonly should stick to Muslim, it is given in the Qur'an, there is no reason why they should relinquish it for the benefit of others that associate other books to the Qur'an. Let these change their denomination if they will. If now they say that Quranists are not muslims if the quranists themselves change it they are confirming that yes, they are not muslims.
Good and valid point, but we are not known today as the Muslims but as Quranists etc. It's that name I would change.
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If we do not refer to ourselves with one or two words, others, perhaps our enemies will refer to us with names that we would not like. Thus, it is important to use a word to describe our theological and philosophical position.
I have occasionally described myself as "monotheist," or "rational monotheist" or "islamic reformist" or simply "muslim."
I think, we should stick to the word muslim (those who peacefully surrender himself to God alone) with no qualification since we are advised by God to do so 3918. Besides, those who associate others to God call themselves Sunni or Sunni Muslim, Shiite or Shiite Muslim, Sufi or Salafi, etc.
So, a am one of the muslims, a reformed one, inshallah.
Salaams Edip.
I'm a great fan of your articles and usually tend to agree with you, however the idea here is not to change what we are before God (Muslims) but rather to change what others call us. The hope being that ears would not be clogged to our message by prejudice against Muslims.
Peace,
Edip -
Peace,
I suggest that we do not reduce our identity as students of the Quran to a simple entry in the dictionary. Let us be known to the world, and to each other, by our deeds.
Nadeem
I wish we could do just that. The problem now is that we being Muslims are known for the Misdeeds of Terrorists and stoners of women and Taliban and others who call themselves Muslims. I want a clean slate to write our good deeds on.
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Peace, i agree with you omar. Using the word 'Muslim' puts up in the same basket as those who set up the prophet as partner of God, those celebrate eid, those who follow hadiths. Whatever some might say, that it is an inferiority complex not to want to be called muslims, check any encyclopedia in libraries, muslims are those who follow sunna. MUSLIMS are those who persecute those who reject hadith, MUSLIMS are those who say that to follow quran alone equals disbelief.
Peace Tarikh and grateful for your support.
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That's pretty cool thinking there Nadeem. I agree with you, we should be more concerned with what we do rather than what we call ourselves as the latter serves in reinforcing herd mentality/borg complexes.
Exactly. There is a flip side to this as well, which is people should not be bothered by what he chooses to call himself, rather with what he does etc. Both sides have people wanting to change because of the "other side". Speaking of which I'm reminded of a japanese proverb, "The reverse side also has a reverse side". Peace.
OK Try to exchange the word Muslim for Nazi. Still think it doesn't matter what we call ourselves? How about Islamofascists?
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OK Try to exchange the word Muslim for Nazi. Still think it doesn't matter what we call ourselves? How about Islamofascists?
If muslim in the quran = "Islamofascists" or "Nazis", you'd have a point. One can call themselves whatever, it's the deeds etc that count. Simply put, in day to day living, I don't see the value of trying to label myself differently. I would prefer that religion gets erased from passports for example, and that when people ask me what religion I follow...thats the best opportunity to describe one's beliefs further/discuss in certain circumstances. I also don't think that those calling themselves Muslims/Christians/Jewish etc are what they are, its what they do that makes them what they are and no amount of names or name changes can erase that.
With that said, if it makes sense to one to use a catch-all term, by all means go ahead.
Previous threads (there are more if one searches)
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=12954.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=9149.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13136.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=11740.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=12867.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13977.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=9417.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13896.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=14046.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13007.0 -
If muslim in the quran = "Islamofascists" or "Nazis", you'd have a point. One can call themselves whatever, it's the deeds etc that count. Simply put, in day to day living, I don't see the value of trying to label myself differently. I would prefer that religion gets erased from passports for example, and that when people ask me what religion I follow...thats the best opportunity to describe one's beliefs further/discuss in certain circumstances. I also don't think that those calling themselves Muslims/Christians/Jewish etc are what they are, its what they do that makes them what they are and no amount of names or name changes can erase that.
With that said, if it makes sense to one to use a catch-all term, by all means go ahead.
Previous threads (there are more if one searches)
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=12954.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=9149.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13136.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=11740.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=12867.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13977.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=9417.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13896.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=14046.0
http//free-minds.org80/forum/index.php?topic=13007.0No, it really does not make sense. It says in the quran that Abraham was a muslim, did he assign himself a label in a language yet to exist?
As for me, the best label is "monotheist" but "quranist", misconceptions aside, is the correct word for "us".
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Peace,
I suggest that we do not reduce our identity as students of the Quran to a simple entry in the dictionary. Let us be known to the world, and to each other, by our deeds.
Nadeem
A - So, who are those people who do good deeds?
B - Muslims
A - What? Not doing ...nor...? Muslims do the opposite of that, at least that's what is written in their hadeeth books.
B - mmm. Maybe they do not follow those books
A - Then they are not Muslims. -
Peace,
I suggest that we do not reduce our identity as students of the Quran to a simple entry in the dictionary. Let us be known to the world, and to each other, by our deeds.
Nadeem
I totally 100% agree.
Doesn't it say it's shirk to separate yourselves into a group and hence separate from the rest of mankind, So in a way you are the puritans or something?
God Bless.
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Salam,
I'm sorry, I refuse any name. Father Abraham had already done that.
2278 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!
And strive hard in (the way of) Allah , (such) a striving a is due to Him; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you an hardship in religion; the faith of your father Ibrahim; He named you Muslims before and in this, that the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you, and you may be bearers of witness to the people; therefore keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and hold fast by Allah ...Refuse sects
3105 Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving Clear Signs For them is a dreadful penalty,-
6159- Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects, you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah , then He will inform them of what they did.
People in the world can know us as humans that follow the Quran Alone because God says it's complete and perfect.
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Peace all,
As brother Nadeem has excellently said, deeds/actions are more important than words/names. One can search for the numerous references to "good works" and "good doers" in the Qur'aan.
"Ahad" has been used in the Qur'aan as descriptive attribute of The God, and not of the believers.
Calling ourselves "Ahad" would be nonsensical, and "Ahadie" would be similar to "Allahism".
Let us see what The God's message is concerning this
2132 And Abraham enjoined his sons and Jacob "O my sons, God has selected the system for you, so do not die except as ones who have submitted (muslimoon)."
3102 O you who believe, revere God as He deserves to be revered, and do not die except as ones who have submitted (muslimoon).
5111 "And I inspired the disciples that you shall believe in Me and My messenger; they said "We believe, and bear witness that we have submitted (muslimoon).""
6163 "He has no partner, and it is to this that I was commanded, and I am the first of those who have submitted (muslimeen)."
7126 "And you are only seeking revenge on us because we believed in our Lord's signs when they came to us. Our Lord, provide us with patience, and let us die as submitters (muslimeen)."
1072 "But if you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward, for my reward is with God. And I have been commanded to be of those who have submitted (muslimeen)."
1090 And We helped the Children of Israel cross the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers followed them out of hatred and animosity. But when he was certain to drown, he said "I believe that there is no god except the One in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of those who have submitted (muslimeen)."
12101 "My Lord, You have given me sovereignty and taught me the interpretations of what is narrated. Initiator of the heavens and Earth, You are my protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die as one who has submitted (musliman), and join me with the good doers."
1689 And the Day We send to every nation a witness against them from themselves, and We have brought you as a witness against these. And We have sent down to you the Scripture as a clarification for all things, and a guide and mercy and good tidings to those who have submitted (muslimeen).
16102 Say "The Holy Spirit has sent it down from your Lord with truth, so that those who believe will be strengthened, and as a guidance and good news for those who have submitted (muslimeen)."
2731 ""Do not be arrogant toward me and come to me as submitters (muslimeen).""
2791 "I have been ordered to serve the Lord of this land that He has made restricted, and to Him are all things, and I have been ordered to be of those who submit (muslimeen)."
3912 "And I was commanded to be the first of those who submit (muslimeen)."
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 submitted (muslimeen)."
4615 And We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. His mother bore him with hardship, gave birth to him in hardship, and his bearing and weaning lasts thirty months. So that, when he has reached his independence, and he has reached forty years, he says "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do righteousness that pleases You. And let my progeny be righteous. I have repented to You; I am of those who have submitted (muslimeen)."
AND FINALLY
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 submitted' (muslimeen) from before as well as in this. So let the messenger be witness over you and you be witness over the people. So uphold the communion and contribute towards betterment and hold tight to God, He is your patron. What an excellent Patron, and what an excellent Supporter.
In the above translations, "became peaceful", or "made peace" can be substituted for "submitted", and "peacemaker" or "peaceful" can be substituted for "submitter".
Remember .... muslim is not a title but a description and one can use this description for oneself only if qualified by one's deeds.
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2278 ... the religion of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation) ...
So it's obvious that Muslims have existed before Ibrahim and after him. A title for the people who submit to God Alone. A title created by Ibraheem (pbuh) to refer to those people.
Who is to say who submits to God and who doesn't? "Muslims" is a description / title of the people above.
So anybody anywhere anytime can be muslim. But idol-worship is a different issue that can affect anyone anywhere anytime.
peace
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2278 ... the religion of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation) ...
So it's obvious that Muslims have existed before Ibrahim and after him. A title for the people who submit to God Alone. A title created by Ibraheem (pbuh) to refer to those people.
Who is to say who submits to God and who doesn't? "Muslims" is a description / title of the people above.
So anybody anywhere anytime can be muslim. But idol-worship is a different issue that can affect anyone anywhere anytime.
peace
this is true, Peace. i'm remembering also the term "hanif" being used in the same way. and really, when people ask me, i respond "muslim", assuredly and happily. i believe in One God, i pray five times a day, i rely on the Quran as my guide and as inspiration. if i would describe myself as "hanif", it would be a bit like those Christians who say "i am a follower of Christ, not a Christian". still, really, they are most likely Christians than anything else.
but i'm alright with others describing thsemselves in different ways. if one wants to identif their faith as "hanif" or "tawhidi" or "ahadi", that is ok.