The Farce of Unanimity of the ''Islamic'' Nation

Was published in Arabic in October 21, 2015

Translated by Ahmed Fathy

He said to me: It's often been said to us that the whole Muslim nation has agreed unanimously on so and so or such and such thing. Is there such unanimity or is it a myth?

I said to him: Unanimity exists in all animal species in following their instincts to get food, to mate, to reproduce…etc. since God has created them in the planet. Such unanimity exists unchangeable until the end of the world. This is the only sort of unanimity we find.

He said: Do you think unanimity is nonexistent among humans?

I said: Human beings have their freedom of thinking and liberty of choice. They have divine/religious orders to follow. Yet, they differ in their response. The ordeal of the human beings lies in this test and this choice. Due to this ordeal, humans differ until now and until the end of the world. God says in the Quran: "Had your Lord willed, He could have made humanity one community, but they continue to differ. Except those on whom your Lord has mercy-for that reason He created them…"(11:118-119), and this difference negates the notion of unanimity among human beings at large.

He said: Can you prove that?

I said: Realistically, let us examine the human condition now and in the past in view of the Quranic text. Do you remember what God says about the vast majority of human beings?

He said: Please remind me.

I said: If you enumerate the repetitions of the word ''most'' in the Quranic text, you will see clearly that the Quran describes most people as they do not know. Let us quote examples among the verses: the phrase "but most people do not know" is repeated three times in Chapter 12, titled Joseph, 12:21, 12:40, and 12:68. In the same chapter, the word ''most'' is repeated in verses such as the following: "…but most people do not give thanks."(12:38) and "And most of them do not believe in God unless they associate other deities."(12:106). Accordingly, in Chapter 12 alone, God asserts that most people do not know, are not thankful and grateful, and are not true believers, and even if they believe, they are polytheists. There are other examples from other Quranic chapters that assert that most people do not understand and discern: "They recognize God's blessing, but then deny it, as most of them are ungrateful."(16:83), ''Or do you assume that most of them hear or understand?..."(25:44), and "…but most people persist in thanklessness."(25:50). Let us be reminded by the Quranic verse addressed by God to Prophet Muhammad: "If you were to obey most of those on earth, they would divert you from God's path…"(6:116). This means that not only most people are misguided, but also they are experts in misguiding people to the extent that even if Prophet Muhammad were to obey them, they would have misled him. Let us assume that, for instance, 70% among humans are misguided. Hence, they dominate the rest to misguide them; they are bent to misguide the remaining 30%. That is why we discern that only a minority among humans stick to their true faith. God says in the Quran: "…except those who believe and do good deeds, but these are so few…"(38:24). After the Day of Judgment, those who will enter Paradise are a few, from the ancient people "A small throng from the ancients, and a small band from the latecomers."(56:13-14), and a few from those on the Right: "A small throng from the ancients, and a small gathering from the latecomers." (56:39-40). Yet, however so many becomes the misguided and the misleading people, Hell will be so spacious to contain all of them: "On the Day when We will say to Hell, "Are you full?" And it will say, "Are there any more?"" (50:30).

He said: Do you mean to tell me that a vast majority in anything does not necessarily mean the right side of things?

I said: I mean that always a vast majority is on the wrong in all cases. This applies to all followers of earthly, human-made, fabricated creeds like Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Buddhists, Sunnites, Shiites, Sufis…etc. They are the vast majority of human beings. They are billions on the planet. What draws our attention here is that there are always a majority and a minority in all issues; this debunks the myth of the so-called unanimity among human beings.

He said: But I am talking here about the unanimity among the so-called the Islamic nation; this is the not a humanity-related unanimity.

I said: This so-called ''Islamic'' nation, or Umma, is part of humanity; what applies to humanity applies to it as well.

He said: This is not a sufficient answer; the so-called Islamic nation regards itself as a unique type of people different from other human beings; it has the so-called unanimity as a source of Islamic legislation, not to be found in other nations' legislations.

I said: The only source of legislation in Islam is the Quran. Yet, Muhammadans in their fabricated creeds have forsaken the Quran and annulled its notions/rulings by the myth of copying/deleting them by the so-called hadiths (sayings). In our research published here on our website, we have proven that the notion of copying in the Quran means reasserting and affirmation, not deletion and annulment. The Muhammadans fabricated the so-called sayings (hadiths) attributed falsely to the Prophet long after his death as if they were  divine revelation written in the Abbasid era! Among the falsehoods of the Muhammadans is the notion of unanimity we are talking about now.

He said: What evidence can you cite to deny the notion of unanimity as a sort of legislation in Islam?

I said: The notion of unanimity is a complete farce; this presupposes the grouping of all imams and clergy of all times and countries in one room to view all issues at hand and vote their opinions. This is comical and farcical, right? Those who adhere staunchly to the illogical notion of unanimity lack reasoning. This Quranic verse applies to them: "And when it is said to them, "Follow what God has revealed," they say, "We will follow what we found our ancestors following." Even if their ancestors understood nothing, and were not guided? The parable of those who disbelieve is that of someone who calls upon someone who hears nothing except screaming and yelling. Deaf, dumb, and blind-they do not understand. "(2:170-171). By the way, describing the vast majority in the Quran as ''do not understand'' is repeated eight times in the Quranic text. Muhammadans have proved the Quranic predictions; they do not understand.

He said: Then, you do not find unanimity among the Muhammadans.

I said: The Muhammadans have been always subdivided into so many denominations: the majority belongs to the 'moderate' Sufi Sunnite creed, the Wahabi/Salafi Sunnites, then the Shiites and Sufis.  Even Sunnites are subdivided into doctrines that are in their turn subdivided into other trends and lines of thought. For instance, the doctrine of Ibn Hanbal is the most fanatical, then the followers of Ibn Taymiyya came as an offshoot that is more violent and bloodier; an offshoot of such followers are the Wahabis in modern times. Even Wahabis are not one monolithic bloc; that the proof of this is the military and political conflicts among them. This has begun by accusing one another of blasphemy and unbelief, then they have fought one another. For instance, the founder of the third, current KSA, Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, enlisted the help of the Najdi Brothers who fought for him and then opposed him politically and theologically and tried to repel against him; but he defeated them. The same conflict has been repeated in the Juhayman Al-Antibi opposition movement in the KSA in 1979 and the movement of Al-Mas'ary and Al-Faqeeh in the late 1890s. This last movement had an offshoot in Bin Laden. Differences begin as theological and develop into accusations of blasphemy and apostasy, then bloodshed follows. All this refutes the myth of unanimity. This is a sort of black comedy, is it not?

He said: What about the Shiites? They are one bloc, right?

I said: politically, they are in one trough against Wahabism and the KSA. Creed-wise, they are subdivided into so many doctrines, trends, thought schools, lines of thought, etc. that are in turn subdivided again in the past and until now in Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen…etc. even Baha'ism is said to be an offshoot of Shiite creeds.

He said: What about Sufis?

I said: Sufi orders are countless in their divisions and subdivisions in a given country. They emerge and mushroom everywhere every now and then.

He said: I agree; Muhammadans subdivided into so many creeds and sub-creeds and denominations, and some of their followers fought one another. This debunks the myth of unanimous view. But let us discuss the so-called unanimity in the imams od the Sunnite creed; the Sunnites consider themselves the only true believers who deserve Paradise.

I said: Such falsehood of being the only group deserving Paradise refutes the notion of unanimity. This is an affront to God. God is the only Owner of the Day of Judgment and of the Invisible and Unknown. No one can predict anything concerning the Afterlife and the Day of Judgment. This is denying the Quran that states clearly that God is Omniscient. Even Prophet Muhammad could not predict anything; see (46:9).

He said: What about the Sunnite view of unanimous view of imams?

I said: This is a farcical hypothesis against the realistic point of view. What about their different contradictory books tomes, and volumes? All Middle-Ages imams have contradictory books linked to their names after their death. This succession of writers of books adds, deletes, refutes…etc. until the so-called unanimity vanishes.

He said: Is there a partial unanimity within one doctrine?

I said: Absolutely not. So many different copies of books holding the same title have been attributed to writers after their death.

He said: There is no agreement even in one book of theology or hadiths, right?

I said: Yes. Even a given book contains contrary views.

He said: Please cite some examples to illustrate this.

I said: All books attributed to ancient imams contain contractions in the same book, you name it. For instance, in one hadiths book attributed to imam Al-Shaybani, there is two hadiths to prove that touching by accident of one's genitals spoils the ablution, then Al-Shaybani cites 16 hadiths refuting this view! Talking about unanimity, indeed!

He said:  What about Al-Bokhary books, they contain no contradictions, right?

I said: Of course not. Al-Bokhary fabricated so many contradictory hadiths covering one subject or issue in legislation. Refer to Tome I and II of Al-Bokhary, and you will find contradictory stances and attitudes of Prophet Muhammad toward prayers, performing ablutions, dogs, his wives, some animals, some superstitions concerning pessimism and jinxed things/people…etc. other details are to be found in our book published here on our website titled "The Quran Is Enough".

He said: But the books of hadiths (sayings) classify them into categories like: weak, certain, good, agreed-upon,…etc., right?

I said: Such classification proves lack of unanimity concerning hadiths. They are falsehoods under doubt all the time. They even cast doubt on narrators of hadiths in countless books. Let alone the mutual slandering and accusations between the Sunnites and the Shiites. The following Quranic verse applies to them: "…The wrongdoers are in profound discord." (22:53).

He said: What is the way out of this discord?

I said: It is the belief in the Quran alone, without differentiation or distinction among prophets of God. God says in the Quran: "  Say, "We believe in God; and in what was revealed to us; and in what was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus; and in what was given to the prophets-from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we surrender." "(2:136). We conclude then that the testimony in Islam is (there is no god but God/Allah) without making distinctions to make Prophet Muhammad stand apart from other prophets. Faith is in the divine message, the Quran, not in the person of the prophet/messenger. Accordingly, there is no such a thing as the nation of Christ or the nation of Muhammad. Faith is to be oriented to God alone and His book, the Quran. This is the only source of guidance. Otherwise, discord reigns supreme as we see now. We find the following verse in the Quran: "If they believe in the same as you have believed in, then they have been guided. But if they turn away, then they are in schism. God will protect you against them; for He is the Hearer, the Knower. "(2:137).

He said: How did discord begin?

I said: It has begun by putting Muhammad in a pedestal apart from other prophets; he has been deified and worshipped as a god. Hence, all literature/histories/hadiths attributed to him are asserted within divinity bestowed upon him after his death by polytheists. Discord ensued within theology and doctrines, and wars and bloodshed followed suit.

He said: How can we avoid discord and disagreement in faith and religion?

I said: By following the Quran alone; there are no other books needed in faith/religion. This is the divine message preserved by God until the Day of Judgment.

He said: What do you mean by following the Quran alone?

I said: The Quranic style is precise, with orders and prohibitions. Among the orders and prohibitions, he major ones concerning following the Quran alone and rejection of other books in faith/religion: "This is My path, straight, so follow it. And do not follow the other paths, lest they divert you from His path. He all this has enjoined upon you, that you may refrain from wrongdoing. "(6:153) and "Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, and do not follow other masters beside Him. Little you recollect." (7:3). God in the Quran  describes division in religion as idolatry and polytheism: "Turning towards Him-and be conscious of Him, and perform the prayer, and do not be of the idolaters. Of those who divided their religion, and became sects; each faction pleased with what they have. "(30:31-32). God says that Muhammad is not related whatsoever to those divided in religion: "As for those who divided their religion and became sects - you have nothing to do with them …"(6:159). This Quranic prediction refers to the fact that in the following ages, after the death of Muhammad, hadiths and views will be attributed to Muhammad as a deity to them to ascribe themselves to him in the phrase (the nation of Muhammad). Yet, the Quran states clearly that Muhammad has nothing to do with them! Is not that ironic?!

He said: What do you mean by judging by the Quran in all issues of faith?

I said: I mean what we, Quranists, do here on our website. We apply the following Quranic verses: "Whatever matter you differ about, its judgment rests with God. "Such is God, my Lord, in Whom I trust, and unto Him I repent." "(42:10) and ""Shall I seek a judge other than God, when He is the One who revealed to you the Book, explained in detail?"… "(6:114).

He said: But Sunnites assert that there are hadiths and cite as evidence the following verse: "O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to God and the Messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is best, and a most excellent determination. "(4:59). What do you think?

I said: Prophet Muhammad used to judge all things in accordance with the Quran all his life. Quran is the remaining message after his death. We are to follow the message of the Quran. Details of that are found in our book (The Quran Is Enough), published here on our website.

He said: What proof do you have of Muhammad judging by the Quran all his life?

I said: Reflect on the whole Quranic context of the verse you have quoted: " O you who believe! Obey God and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to God and the Messenger, if you believe in God and the Last Day. That is best, and a most excellent determination.Have you not observed those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, yet they seek Satanic sources for legislation, in spite of being commanded to reject them? Satan means to mislead them far away.And when it is said to them, "Come to what God has revealed, and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites shunning you completely."(4:59-61). These verses clearly show that Muhammad used to judge matters via the Quran. Otherwise, falsehoods reign. Falsehoods are the so-called hadiths and Sunna that the Sunnites describe as divine revelation!

He said: Islam is universal as you say, and is addressing Jews and Christians who are different and subdivided as well. What do you think?

I said: Many verses are addressed to them in Chapters II, III, IV, and V. The Quran has a role in settling differences among Israelites: "This Quran relates to the Children of Israel most of what they differ about"(27:76). They used to resort to Muhammad to judge in their affairs and disputes, and he used the Quran in this, despite the differences between the Torah and the Quran. Such differences are a way for competition and test to us: "And We revealed to you the Book, with truth, confirming the Scripture that preceded it, and superseding it. So judge between them according to what God revealed, and do not follow their desires if they differ from the truth that has come to you. For each of you We have assigned a law and a method. Had God willed, He could have made you a single nation, but He tests you through what He has given you. So compete in righteousness. To God is your return, all of you; then He will inform you of what you had disputed."(5:48).

He said: God says nothing but the Truth.