One God, one Religion and one Book

Islam is the Qur’an

The primitiveness, the ugliness and the contradictions displayed in the name of Islam make it indispensable to clarify where we stand and what should be done to redirect people who have been diverted from the true path, for nearly 1400 years, described in the Qur’an. If we are resolved to describe Islam as a system of superior values, we are obliged, first of all, to acknowledge that we are not the true representatives of Islam. If the word ‘Islam’ associates in the mind problems, dilemmas and contradictions, this is due not to Islam itself, but to the Muslims. So long as the books taught at Al Azhar and similar publications exert authority, I see no future for this community.

[7:3] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord and follow not any Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!

The spirit needed to awaken the public is inherent in the Qur’an. Everything remaining outside the sphere of the Qur’an is but an obstacle preventing the Qur’an from being understood and experienced.”

[6:38] All the creatures that crawl on the earth and those that fly with their wings are communities like yourselves. We have missed nothing out of the Book– in the end they will be gathered to their Lord.

The famous Turkish poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy had the following to say to describe the plight of Islam that the interpreters had corrupted in total disregard of the clear indications of the Qur’an: “If it is the Qur’an that is understood by the word ‘Islam’, we must be in a position to acknowledge that there is no such thing as Islam, since the Qur’an has been raised back to the heights and the Islam on the earth today has lost all contact with it.”

[25:30] And the Messenger will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur'ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings).

Islam is not represented by the lifestyle and behavior of Muslims, nor is it represented by any one period of history of Islam, nor by any book written on Islam.  Islam is the Qur’an.

The majority of the public among whom the number of thinkers is considerable wants to see Islam in its original garb and cleansed from its corrupted state of today. This is not a populist movement. In other words what is purported here is not to make Islam attractive in the sight of large masses. The origin of it lies in the contradictions created between the Qur’an, which is the only source of Islam, and the actual practices developed throughout the ages ( 1400 years apr.) . The objective is not to shape Islam into a new form that will seem attractive to the general public, but to reinstate the true Islam as revealed by God. The religion propounded in the Qur’an is, in fact, more gratifying for mankind, in which love and tolerance have a larger share. This is why it is generally appreciated. The main objective is not to please the public, but it is one of the consequences.

[41:44] If We had made it a foreign Qur’an, they would have said, ‘If only its verses were clear! What? Foreign speech to an Arab?’ Say, ‘It is guidance and healing for those who have faith, but the ears of the disbelievers are heavy, they are blind to it, it is as if they are being called from a distant place.

A movement whose origin is mere enjoyment by the general masses would be inclined to shape the religious practices as they seem attractive to them, and in this design, cultural traits and political ends have a great share. The renaissance and the reform movement in the wake of the French Revolution may be shown as examples. Whatever is subjective – that is human – cannot be defined as religion.

During the lifetime of the Prophet and the Four Caliphs there was no religious source other than the Qur’an. Men were not members of any particular sect.

[23:51] O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyibât (all kinds of Halâl (lawful) foods and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.[52] And verily! This, your religion is one religion, and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me.[53] But they have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in what with it.[54] So leave them in their error for a time.

They practiced what the Qur’an prescribed to them and were free in points when there was no prescription in the Qur’an, according to their own appreciation, customs and conventions. No opinions were told in the name of such schools as Sunni, Hanafi, Shafi, Shii, Alawi or Jafari.

[30:30] So set you your face towards the religion Hanîf (worship none but Allâh Alone). Allâh's Fitrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illâh ( the creation of Allah): that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. [31] turning in repentance to Him (only), and be afraid and dutiful to Him; and perform As-Salât and be not of Al-Mushrikûn.[32] Of those who split up their religion and became sects, , and followed their vain desires, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.

They simply called themselves Muslims. And this fact satisfied them Even the most illiterate of the Beduoins during the lifetime of the Prophet practiced Islam according to their own interpretations and were Muslims. That is what we are after today: to be simply a Muslim without having to belong to any particular sect and to abide by the Qur’an’s dictates which never change, which involve no contradictions and which are logical and rational as laid down by God.

[4:82] Do they not then consider the Qur'ân carefully? Had it been from other than Allâh, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction.

 Is One God, one Religion and one Book will clear up the confusion that the masses are suffering at present. The aim is to stick to the Qur’an exclusively and to refuse to acknowledge all other sources. To interpret the elbowroom that the Qur’an recognizes as applied in a particular period is not our objective. However, if we conceive the free zone of action about which the Qur’an is reluctant as a place where we are left to our own devices, we can find the true path and correct the mistakes we have committed in the name of religion. The corruptions have been mostly in points where there is no explicit commandment in the Qur’an .

In realizing this we must be conscious of the fact that it is God’s will. We shall presently take awareness of the fact that what has been alleged to be Islam up until now has been but a mixture of elements alien to Islam, a blend of hadiths and traditions and personal views which eventually assumed the garb of religion where truths and untruths have became inextricably mixed. Had the hadiths been a source of Islam like the Qur’an, it would have followed that it was hopelessly contaminated.

 [45:6] These are the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, which We recite to you with truth. Then in which Hadith after Allâh and His Ayât will they believe?[7] Woe to every sinful liar.[8] Who hears the Verses of Allâh (being) recited to him, yet persists with pride as if he heard them not. So announce to him a painful torment!

To make clear that the sayings attributed to Muhammad cannot constitute a source of religion would liberate both Islam and the Prophet from irrelevant authorization. We shall see in the coming article that the hadiths conflict with the Qur’an in many instances, that they are self-contradictory, illogical and that they have a supplementary character. When you see that the Prophet himself and the Four Caliphs were unwilling to see the hadiths written down, you will see once again the rationale behind it and clear the path that leads to the Qur’an.

[39:23] Allâh has sent down the Best Hadith, a Book (this Qur'ân), its parts resembling each other and oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He Guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allâh sends astray, for him there is no guide.

Islam is the Qur’an.