Dear Friends,

I am a professor of Islamic Studies, focusing on the Quran and the religious context of the 7th century Middle East. In scholarly terms I am convinced that the Quran is an ancient text, and that the hadith (and tafsir) come from a later period in Islamic history (at a time when religious rivalry with other groups -- Christians especially -- shaped their development). In personal terms I am a Catholic Christian and a believer in God. I have a high estimation of the Quran, and for all of these reasons I am interested in the Quranist movement. I'd be grateful for some insight regarding the movement. First, what is its relationship with the Submitters movement? Second, does the English term "Quranist" or "Quran-alone" refer to the same group(s) for which the Arabic term "Qur'aniyyun" is used? Third, would Qur'anists generally be open to scholarly studies that involve a discussion of the Quran's relationship with other religious literature of the Middle East (for example, the story of Ashab al-Kahf and the Syriac Christian story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus)? In other words -- would Quranists allow the possibility that the Quran can be better understood by reading earlier religious literature, or would these storts of studies by frowned upon? Thank you for your thoughts!

Gabriel

Greetings! Peace! Welcome!
These are very good questions! There is no way for me to speak for everyone, but I can answer your questions as I understand them, as a former Christian who believes in G-d Alone with the guidance of the Word of the Quran The Submitters have their own movement, and there are some here who can speak about that. I don't know the specific differences in a "Quranist", or "Quran-alone" muslim, or a "Qur'aniyyun". Usually, I call myself a "Quranist" because it is just easier for me. I think some ahadith are great, others are horrible, and then there are the schools of Fiqh. Why does it have to be so complicated???? It doesn't! These are the things (sunnah, fiqh, ahadith) people bind themselves up with and it makes life too hard! If G-d thought we needed something, we'd know. G-d would give us the guidance. That is it! (For me! I'm sure you'll encounter the inevitable Sunnis here) So I'm not going to follow some human-invented rules and put my life in some scholar's hands when according to the Quran, I am responsible for my own actions, and no one else! I find a lot of freedom and responsibility in that, and I welcome this! As for other literature, in my opinion, the Quran has to be contextualized by previous Word such as the Torah, Psalms, Gospels. . . or we wouldn't know who Abraham was, why the conflict in the Middle East goes back to Isaac and Ishmael, what Jesus was trying to change, etc. That is my point of view, and there are many others. )

I truly hope you find some answers here and that you have a blessed day.

Peace,
sun

Thank you! yay bravo peace

Interesting. . . but if you had written and asked for an interpretation, I would have said maybe it is the struggle of yourself (nafs) and your soul (ruh). But you didn't. If you're happy, be happy. But know there are many possibilities layered into dreams. Our subconscious is a complex beast.
peace

hope4,

You may really be on to something there! Very interesting! Thank you!!!
peace sun

Peace,

I was just reading this and had a sudden thought

On the soil/wudu issue. . .

A long time ago when they were traveling and water was scarce, it would make sense to keep the habit of wudu, would it not? Since humans are creatures of habit, right? So knowing humans, G-d gave us a way to keep wudu on our minds, but with soil. Also, not all soil is "unclean" (as in our modern understanding), dishes and cookware were cleaned with "clean" soil for centuries. . . so maybe it all makes sense from a historical/human nature viewpoint?

Just a thought!
peace

Congratulations on your publication! I've only just heard of this very recently and don't know much about it. Thanks for letting us know!
sun

yay Welcome!!! It is so nice to meet you! Thank you for your story! I was at the same Judaism/Islam crossroads at one point too! ) Please hang around and see that you aren't alone! welcome yay sun

Fascinating! Thank you! I do have one question though. . . in an earlier part of your writing in this post you talk about how names are neither male or female and later you say that this name can't be feminized. Is it then male? Or is Ar'Reh'maan gender neutral? (Sorry, but I don't know Arabic very well at all!) )
Thanks!
sun

Thank you all!
sun

welcome So nice to see a grandma on here! Maybe that is why the kids are all being silly, feeling like they are in grandma's presence? laugh

This is a great discussion. I am learning a lot.

A wise person I know once told me that "hell" was separation from G-d. (Isn't that painful? Isn't the worst physical pain we can imagine or have experienced a burning, tearing pain? How painful is that for our soul to experience? Maybe this is just a really good metaphor from G-d. . . however, have you ever lost yourself and felt completely cut off from G-d in this life? Didn't it tear you apart, emotionally?)
She also said that "heaven" was being in the presence of G-d. (Compare any experience you've had of "heaven" (a feeling of unity, or the presence of G-d in your life) and "hell" (that separateness I described above)).
Yes, the Quran says that "to Allah (G-d) we will return.

I dunno. . . makes me think. . . "there are signs for those who think". . . Hmm. . . No, I don't know any of these answers, but it does make me think, and it seems that is to be encouraged, from what I've read.

Thanks for this discussion!

Shalom, Peace

I go only to the most progressive masjid around and I'm treated well. It is an hour's drive for me. I don't go very often anymore because of all the hadith stuff. It is a very open and welcoming masjid, more than the rest in the city & suburbs here (why are the suburbs so fundy for all religions here?). That said, I don't advertise my differences. I'm too tired and old.

Thank you all! It is really nice to feel accepted! Thanks for the link info above too! I've been reading more and I'm so overjoyed to have found this place!
group

Peace,
I am new and maybe I have missed a post on this from the past, but I haven't seen it, so I'm asking two questions

1. Is there an article here or elsewhere that gives a broken down, general guideline to salat (not Sunni or Shia, please)?

2. How do YOU do salat? This is a personal question, and if you would please share that with me, I'd appreciate it.

I am just trying to figure this all out and would like some examples and some friendly advice/thoughts/discussion. Please!

Peace!
sun

Hello & Peace be upon you all group,

I am new here, but I have been reading this site for a while. I really like it. I don't know if I disagree with anything here; if so, I haven't found it yet. I will say that I haven't read the entire forum though. laugh

Here is a little of my history and where my questions originate

When I first converted to Islam, there were only Sunnis around so I said the shahadah (sp?), and the more I read the Quran, the more I didn't understand Sunni ways, especially when some of my new Sunni "friends" told me that I was expected to divorce my husband because he didn't convert with me. (My husband believes in G-d, absolutely. But he questions every religion and says the only thing he really believes is that "There is no G-d but G-d," and that after that, he doesn't know for sure what religions are right or wrong, but lately he has been more open to religion and as a result we have been hanging out with Baha'is a lot because he had a panic attack at the masjid because he suffers from a severe phobia of crowds and he was separated from me My husbands beliefs or lack of them have never been a problem for me. He is very open, kind, and wise. We have a toddler. We have been married for over a decade.) So I started thinking that maybe the community was just wrong since I didn't see anything about divorcing my husband in the Quran. So I sought out other Muslims Sufi ones, Liberal ones, some Shia ones. And for a long time I didn't know where I belonged, but now I am thinking that maybe I belong here, with the G-d Alone crowd. . . So for my question, I guess I am asking if I will be accepted here, given this history?

Thanks!