Manifesto for Islamic Reform

Edip Yuksel

BrainbowPress
Iconoclastic Books

© 2008, 2010 Edip Yuksel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, transmitted, or reproduced in any form or by any means whatsoever without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations in reviews and critical articles. For permission requests or other information, contact the publisher or Edip Yuksel electronically at:

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ISBN 978-0-9796715-6-2

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Printed in the United States of America

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CONTENTS

Manifesto For Islamic Reform^[1]

“O people, a proof has come to you from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a guiding light.” (4:174)

“…and do not make corruption on the Earth after it has been reformed…” (7:85)

“It is one of the great ones. A warning to humanity. For any among you who wishes to progress or regress.” (74:36-37)

The influence of the religion concocted by clerics during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties is still dominant in Muslim countries. The idea that the Quran is incomplete, unintelligible, and insufficient for spiritual guidance created a huge demand for religious books, and the scholars and clergymen supplied volumes of them. The masses were told that those books were going to complete, explain, and detail the Quranic revelation. These clerics thus implied that God was not a wise and articulate author; He could not make His message sufficiently clear and He failed to provide guidance on many issues, even issues involving important spiritual principles and practices. Without these supplementary books, the Quran was of limited use to the individual seeking religious guidance. Some even went so far as to declare that reading the Quran alone would mislead the reader. Numerous books of hadith and sectarian jurisprudence (sharia) were labeled “authentic” and for all practical purposes, replaced the Quran. The Quran was not a book to be understood on its own; people needed to read books written by professional narrators, collectors, editors, and scholars of hearsay and speculation. Many people got lost among the volumes of books written to interpret and explain the Quran and did not find sufficient time to study the Quran itself. The privileged few who did find that time had little chance of understanding it, since their minds were tainted with man-made religious instructions, and their logic had been corrupted by contradictory teachings or what we might call “holy viruses.”

Although religious scholars, clerics and their blind followers have always demonstrated the utmost formal respect for the Quran as physical media (the leather or paper on which the verses of the Quran were written), they lost faith in, and respect for its message. Verses of the Quran are hung in high places on the walls, touched and treated with utmost reverence, yet the so-called Muslims rarely refer to them for their guidance. They are too confused by the contradictory and tangled maze of thousands of hadith falsely attributed to Muhammad and lost among the trivial details of sectarian books. When they occasionally refer to the Quran, it is most likely to be in an abusive manner, abusing the verses by taking them out of context and using them as slogans to declare holy wars or to justify aggression. The Quran that liberated people from the darkness of ignorance was transformed, soon after Muhammad’s departure, to a book whose verses were recited for the dead, an amulet carried by the mentally and physically sick, and a paper idol to be revered and feared.

Though the Quran is considered one of the most read books, millions of the followers of Sunni and Shiite sects read the Quran without understanding it. Even if their native language is Arabic, they are taught not to trust their understanding. The Quran might be the most read book, but unfortunately, due to the concerted effort of religious clerics, it has been turned into the least understood and the least appreciated popular book in history.

When the mass reversion from the progressive and enlightening message of the Quran started, those who rejected the fabricated hadith and sunna, the Arab version of the Jewish Mishna and Gemara, were labeled “murtad” (apostates) and were threatened, tortured and murdered by the followers of hadith and sunna. For instance, a critical study of the Muslim history will reveal that Abu Hanifa was one of those courageous monotheists (hanif) who was persecuted during both the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. During his lifetime, he was accused of not accepting hadith. However, the murderers took advantage of his growing reputation after his death and led the creation of a Sunni sect falsely attributed to him.

The Origins of Sectarian Teachings

After the death of the prophet Muhammad, a diabolic event happened. In direct contradiction to the teachings of the Quran, male clerics dedicated the religion not to God alone, but to a “holy” corporation consisting of:

• God +
• Muhammad +
• Muhammad’s companions +
• The companions of Muhammad’s companions +
• Early sect leaders +
• Late sect leaders +
• Early scholars of a particular sect +
• Late scholars of a particular sect, and so on.

The product of this corporation was the hadith (teachings attributed to Muhammad), the sunna (actions attributed to Muhammad), the ijma (consensus of a select group of early scholars), and the sharia (religious decrees by early scholars). The result was numerous hostile factions that afflicted a great amount of division and atrocities in the land about thirty years after the departure of Muhammad (6:159; 23:52-56). This concoction of medieval Arab/Christian/Jewish cultures was introduced to the masses as God’s infallible religion, as delivered by the last prophet. The only thing actually delivered by God to Muhammad, however, was the text of the Holy Quran, which is set out as the final and authoritative divine message to humankind:

75:18-19 Once We recite it, you shall follow such a recitation (Quran). Then, it is We who will explain it. 

Unfortunately, ignorance, intolerance, misogynist teachings, superstitions, and outdated practices have accumulated over the centuries in interpreting and translating the holy book of Islam. It is time to re-introduce the actual message of the Quran. It is time to remove the accumulated layers of man-made dogmas and traditions that have attached themselves to the text (6:21; 7:29; 9:31; 16:52; 39:2,11,14; 40:14,65; 42:21; 45.17; 74:1-56; 98:5).

Under a very cruel theocratic state terror, many men mobilized to participate in the creation that we rightly call Hislam. They did not have much chance to add or subtract to what was considered The Quran, but there was a lot of room for innovations, superstitions, additions and distortions through fabricating hadith. When a man from Bukhara started collecting hearsay more than two hundred years after the departure of the prophet Muhammad, the landscape and social demographics were fertile for all kinds of theological concoctions and mutations. Those people and their parents had participated in numerous sectarian wars and atrocities. Many educated Gentiles, Christians and Jews were converted to Islam for dubious reasons. Most of these converts had never experienced a paradigm change; they just found it convenient to integrate their culture and most of their previous religious ideas with the new one. To justify and promote their version of religion, the elite started packaging and introducing their religious, cultural, and political ideas and practices under the brand names of hadith, sunna, commentaries, and fatwas. Additionally, they fabricated numerous stories called “asbab ul-nuzul” (the reasons for revelation) about why each verse was revealed, thereby distorting the meaning or limiting the scope of many Quranic verses. There was a great effort and competition to distort the meaning of words, taking them out of context to promote the agenda of a certain religion, culture, tribe, sect, cult, or king. Male chauvinists, hermits, misogynists too took advantage of this deformation movement. Hearsay statements attributing words and deeds to Muhammad and his idolized comrades became the most powerful tool or Trojan horse, for the promotion of diverse political propaganda, cultural assimilation, and even commercial advertisement. As a result, the Quran was deserted and its message was heavily distorted.[2]

Soon after Muhammad’s death, thousands of hadiths (words attributed to Muhammad) were fabricated and two centuries later collected, and centuries later compiled and written in the so-called “authentic” hadith books:

• to support the teaching of a particular sect against another (such as, what nullifies ablution; which sea food is prohibited);
• to flatter or justify the authority and practice of a particular king against dissidents (such as, Mahdy and Dajjal);
• to promote the interest of a particular tribe or family (such as, favoring the Quraysh tribe or Muhammad’s family);
• to justify sexual abuse and misogyny (such as, Aisha’s age; barring women from leading Sala prayers);
• to justify violence, oppression and tyranny (such as, torturing members of Urayna and Uqayla tribes; massacring the Jewish population in Medina; assassinating a female poet for her critical poems);
• to exhort more rituals and righteousness (such as, nawafil prayers);
• to validate superstitions (such as, magic; worshiping the black stone near the Kaba);
• to prohibit certain things and actions (such as, prohibiting drawing animal and human figures; playing musical instruments; chess);
• to import Jewish and Christian beliefs and practices (such as, death by stoning; circumcision; head scarf; hermitism; rosary);
• to resurrect pre-Islamic beliefs and practices common among Meccans (such as, intercession; slavery; tribalism; misogyny);
• to please crowds with stories (such as the story of Miraj (ascension to heaven) and bargaining for prayers);
• to idolize Muhammad and claim his superiority to other messengers (such as, numerous miracles, including splitting the moon);
• to defend hadith fabrications against monotheists (such as, condemning those who find the Quran alone sufficient); and even
• to advertise products of a particular farm (such as, the benefits of dates grown in a town called Ajwa).

In addition to the above mentioned reasons, many hadith were fabricated to explain the meaning of the “difficult” Quranic words or phrases, or to distort the meaning of verses that contradicted the fabricated hadith, or to provide trivial information not mentioned in the Quran (such as, Saqar, 2:187; 8:35…).

Islam versus Sunni and Shiite Religions

Let’s first check the Quran and enumerate some of the characteristics of Islam, the system of peace, submission and surrender to God alone.

Islam

• is not a proper name, but a descriptive noun coming from the Arabic root of surrendering/submission/peace, used by God to describe the system delivered by all His messengers and prophets (5:111; 10:72; 98:5), which reached another stage with Abraham (4:125; 22:78).
• is peacefully surrendering to God alone (2:112,131; 4:125; 6:71; 22:34; 40:66).
• is a system with universal principles, which are in harmony with nature (3:83; 33:30; 35:43).
• requires objective evidence besides personal experience (3:86; 2:111; 21:24; 74:30).
• demands conviction not based on wishful thinking or feelings, but based on reason and evidence (17:36; 4:174; 8:42; 10:100; 11:17; 74:30-31).
• esteems knowledge, education, and learning (35:28; 4:162; 9:122; 22:54; 27:40; 29:44,49).
• promotes scientific inquiry regarding the evolution of humankind on earth (29:20).
• rejects clergymen and intermediaries between God and people (2:48; 9:31-34).
• condemns profiteering from religion (9:34; 2:41,79,174; 5:44; 9:9).
• stands for liberty, accountability, and defiance of false authorities (6:164).
• stands for freedom of expression (2:256; 18:29; 10:99; 88:21-22).
• requires consultation and representation in public affairs (42:38; 5:12).
• promotes a democratic system where participation of all citizens is encouraged and facilitated (58:11).
• prohibits bribery, and requires strict rules against the influence of interest groups and corporations in government (2:188).
• requires election of officials based on qualifications and principles of justice (4:58).
• promises justice for everyone, regardless of their creed or ethnicity (5:8).
• acknowledges the rights of citizens to publicly petition against injustices committed by individuals or government (4:148).
• encourages the distribution of wealth, economic freedom and social welfare (2:215, 59:7).
• promotes utmost respect to individuals (5:32).
• relates the quality of a society to the quality of individuals comprising it (13:11).
• recognizes and protects individual right’s to privacy (49:12).
• recognizes the right to the presumption of innocence and right to confront the accuser (49:12).
• provides protection for witnesses (2:282).
• does not hold innocent people responsible for the crimes of others (53:38).
• protects the right to personal property (2:85,188; 4:29; exception 24:29; 59:6-7).
• discourages a non-productive economy (2:275; 5:90; 3:130).
• encourages charity and caring for the poor (6:141; 7:156).
• unifies humanity by promoting gender and race equality. (49:13).
• values women (3:195; 4:124; 16:97).
• values intellect (5:90).
• offers peace among nations (2:62; 2:135-136, 208).
• considers the entire world as belonging to all humanity and supports immigration (4:97-98).
• promotes peace, while deterring the aggressive parties (60:8,9; 8:60).
• pursues the golden-plated brazen rule of equivalence, that is, retaliation with occasional forgiveness (42:20; 17:33).
• stands for human rights and the oppressed (4:75).
• encourages competition in righteousness and morality (16:90).
• stands for peace, honesty, kindness, and deterring from wrongdoing (3:110).
• expects high moral standards (25:63-76; 31:12-20; 23:1-11).
• asks us to be in harmony with nature and environment (30:41).
• teaches that the only system/law approved by god is Islam (3:19,85).

Through hadith, sunna and sectarian jurisprudence, scholars produced various sects, orders, or religions which were later attributed to their names (Shafii, Hanbali, Maliki, Hanafi, Jafari, Vahhabi, etc) to replace God’s system of Islam or surrender and peace. The breadth and depth of distortion is astonishing. Here is a sample list of distortions made by the leaders of Sunni and Shiite sects, despite the Quranic teachings to the contrary. The list below is a selection of anti-Quranic teachings, which are found in the most respected Sunni or Shiite sources:

As we stated above these and many other religious instructions containing idol-worship, misogynistic attitudes and practices, superstitions, and numerous prohibitions that make life miserable for the religious people, replaced the message of the Quran. This was accomplished by claiming that the Quran is incomplete and lacks detail, by distorting several verses of the Quran, such as “obey God and his messenger,” and by taking verses and even phrases out of their context, such as “whatever the messenger gives you take it, and whatever he enjoins you leave it.” To prove their point, they fabricated countless hadiths containing frivolous details, such as how to enter bathrooms, how many stones to use for cleaning yourself in the bathroom, how to hold one’s hands or fingers during the prayers, how long one should grow his moustache and beard, what color is not proper for shirts, how to brush one’s teeth, etc. When people did not find those frivolous or unnecessary details in the Quran, the propagandists of Sunni or Shiite religions would present them with hadith and sectarian jurisprudence as an explanation, complement, or supplement to the Quran. Thus, God’s protected word was deemed to be in need of the unprotected lies and false claims fabricated by ignorant people. God’s system was turned into a religion of limited partners.

Years ago, the Theology Faculty at the University of Istanbul held a panel discussion on “Understanding of Islam.” The participants were prominent professors of theology. The professor of fiqh (sectarian jurisprudence) pontificated that the Quran could not be understood without studying and understanding the Sunni literature on fiqh and usul ul- fiqh (procedure of jurisprudence). The professor of mysticism softly argued that “the Quran could not be understood without studying and practicing mysticism.” According to the professor of hadith, too “the Quran could not be understood without studying and understanding the hadith and its procedures.” Finally, according to the professor of Siyar, history of Muhammad and his companions, “the Quran could not be understood without studying and understanding the history of the time.”

All four participants of the panel were in agreement regarding how meaningless the Quran was. They even had a consensus on this. Their blind followers should just forget about studying the Quran, but they should start digging into hundreds of volumes of contradictory sectarian teachings. Instead of telling people that in order to understand fiqh, hadith, mysticism, and the history of Islam, in order to separate hay from grain, that they should first study and comprehend the Quran, they were arguing for a backward methodology. They were putting hundreds of volumes of contradictory mishmash literature between the individual and God’s word. This led to the creation of a different discipline called the “the science of reconciling the contradictions among hadiths” where silly defenses developed to promote and maintain the authority of the fabrications. They knew well that none would be able to make it to the Quran, and even if they made it, they would be blind to perceive the light of the Quran through their filters, smoke and fog.

The Prophecy of the Quran Regarding
the Quadrinity of Hadith, Sunna, Ijmah and Sharia.

It is interesting that God informs us that Muhammad’s only complaint will be about his people’s desertion of the Quran (25:30). He will not complain that we deserted his sunna, as hadith books want us to believe. Those who are expecting their idol Muhammad to save them in the hereafter through his exclusive power of intercession will be surprised to witness rejection by their idols.

Knowing that ignorant and unappreciative people would ignore the Quran and would trade its enlightening and progressive message with the dark teachings of hadith, sunna, ijma and sharia, God uses these words in a prophetic way:

• It is noteworthy that the word hadith is always used in negative way when it is used to depict human utterances (12:111; 31:6; 33:53; 45:6; 52:34; 66:3).
• The Quran never uses the word sunna in connection with Muhammad. There is only one valid sunna (law, mould, example) and it is sunnatullah (God’s law, mould, example), and God’s sunna for previous generations is usually negative because of their corruption and aggression. (33:38,62; 35:43; 40:85; 48:23)
• Similarly, the Quran does not use the word ijma (consensus) in a positive sense when it is used to describe the actions of people (20:60; 70:18; 104:2; 3:173; 3:157;10:58; 43:32; 26:38; 12:15; 10:71; 20:64; 17:88; 22:73; 54:45; 28:78; 7:48; 26:39; 26:56; 54:44).
• Interestingly, the sectarian teaching that reflects the opinion of the idolized imams is called sharia (law; path) and it is too condemned when it refers to other than God’s law (42:21). We must obey God’s law (42:13; 5:48; 45:18).

Now let us get some details about the astonishing fulfillment of the Quranic prophecy regarding the first idol, hadith.

The following verses describe the early enemies of the truth during the era of Muhammad, but their message did not expire with the passage of time. To the contrary, the language of the verses is prophetic and it describes the misguided people of all times. Here are the prophetic verses informing us about the enemies of Prophet Muhammad who would fabricate lies called hadith:

“And they swore by God using their strongest oaths; that if a sign came to them they would appreciate it. Say, ‘The signs are from God.’ For all you know, once it comes they will not appreciate!’ We divert their hearts and eyesight, as they did not acknowledge it the first time; and We leave them wandering in their transgression. Even if We sent down to them the angels, even if the dead spoke to them, and if We had gathered before them everything, they still would not acknowledge except God wills it. But most of them are ignorant. We have permitted the enemies of every prophet, human and Jinn devils, to inspire in each other with fancy hadith in order to deceive. Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications. That is so the hearts of those who do not appreciate the Hereafter will listen to it, and they will accept it, and they will take of it what they will. ‘Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has sent down to you this book sufficiently detailed?’ Those to whom We have given the book know that it is sent down from your Lord with truth; so do not be of those who have doubt. The word of your Lord has been completed with truth and justice; there is no changing His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower. If you obey the majority of those on Earth, they will lead you away from God’s path; that is because they follow conjecture, and that is because they only guess. Your Lord is sufficiently aware of who strays from His path, and He is sufficiently aware of the guided ones.” (6:109-116)

Knowing that the enemies of Jesus fabricated the doctrine of the Trinity and associated him as a partner with the One God by creating multiple personalities for God, similarly the so-called Muslims too fabricated hadith books and associated Muhammad as a partner with God in His judgment. The Quran informs us about many ways of setting partners with God, or polytheism. A careful reader will notice that the verses quoted above reject all the major excuses used by the proponents of hadith and sunna. These verses describe the followers of fancy hadiths with the following qualities:

• Despite their lip service, they do not appreciate God’s signs. (We have witnessed a modern example of this ingrate reaction to the prophetic fulfillment of chapter 74).
• Most of them are ignorant, blind followers.
• They tell each other fancy hadiths presenting them as divine inspiration or revelation.
• The hadiths that they are narrating to each other are fabrications.
• Despite their lip service, they do not appreciate the hereafter.
• They seek Muhammad and other idols as partners with God’s judgment regarding islam.
• They do not accept that the Quran is sufficiently detailed.
• They do not accept that God’s word is complete.
• They put too much confidence in the numbers of those who follow their sect; they follow the crowd.
• They follow conjecture.

The Quran does not use the word “hadith” negatively in a haphazard manner. The language of the Quran and its choice of words are very precise. God knew that the idol worshipers would call those fabrications “hadith.” It is interesting that they did not call their lies “aqwal = sayings,” “akhbar = narrations,” “hikam = aphorisms,” “athaar = teaching/tradition” or any other word from the rich Arabic language. They unwittingly termed their inventions “hadith” (narrative, discourse, story, or recent event). This is a fulfillment of the Quranic projection. Whenever the Quran uses hadith for other than the Quran, it attaches a negative meaning to it. Since the followers of the fabricated narrations and hearsays are not translating the name of those fabrications into English or other languages, to expose the true nature of their teachings, and to unveil the clear Quranic connection, we will also keep the word hadith untranslated:

12:111   This is not a fabricated hadith. It is a confirmation of previous scriptures, detailing everything, and a guide and mercy for those who appreciate.

The followers of fabricated hadiths claim that the Quran is not sufficiently detailed! They thus reject God’s repeated assertion that the Quran is “complete, perfect, and sufficiently detailed” (6:19,38,114), and thus justify the creation of volumes of hadith, and a library full of contradictory teachings that are supposed to complete the Quran. By reflecting on 12:111 above, one can see God’s answer to those fabricators and their followers. God informs us that we do not need fabricated hadith; that the Quran as a sufficiently detailed guide, is all we need. The Quran is the only “ahsan al-hadith” (best statement) to be followed (39:23).

In 12:111, God the Most Wise, rejects both the “hadith” and the basic excuse for accepting it as a source of Islam. No excuse is accepted from the followers of hadith in this world, nor on the Day of Judgment. God asks them:

45:6       In which hadith, besides God and His revelations do they acknowledge?

They reply, “We believe in Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Kafi, Nahj-ul Balaga, and more besides God’s revelations.” God challenges the idol worshipers:

52:34     Let them produce a hadith like this, if they are truthful.

As a response, they slander the prophet in one of their holy hadith books:

“The prophet, peace be upon him, said, ‘I was given the Quran and a hadith like it’.” (Abu Dawood)

Does the Quran use the word hadith in connection to Muhammad? Yes, the word hadith has been attributed to Muhammad twice. But, not in the way Sunnites and Shiites would hope. These two occurrences have clear implications. First, the Omniscient God uses them for the prophet’s personal statements, not for his religious teachings, which is limited with the Quran alone. Second, in both occasions, God Almighty uses the word hadith with injunctions. Here are the verses:

33:53     . . . When you finish eating, you shall leave; without lingering to hadith (converse). . .

66:3       The prophet had confided some of his wives with a hadith (statement/story/event), then one of them spread it. . .

As you see in the verses above, when the word “hadith” is attributed to prophet Muhammad in the Quran, several interesting points are made. Hadith is the prophet’s personal statements, and we should not seek them (33:53) and we should not transmit them to others (66:3). Unfortunately, those who did not respect the Quran and prophet Muhammad, fabricated many hadiths about Muhammad’s private and sexual life with his wives. Ironically, they attributed the worst insults to Muhammad while they were declaring their love and allegiance to him.

(For an argument titled, “Why Trash All the Hadith?,” see the Articles section of www.IslamicReform.org)

A Sample From Hadith Books:

Below is a sample from various hadith books, collections of hearsay and false teachings:

• “A group from the Uraynah and Uqaylah tribes came to the prophet and the prophet advised them to drink urine of camels. Later on, when they killed the prophet’s shepherd, the prophet seized them, gouged out their eyes, cut their hands and legs, and left them thirsty in the desert” (Bukhari 56/152, Hanbal 3/107,163).
• “I am the most honorable messenger, on the day of the judgment only I will think of my people” (Bukhari 97/36).
• “Do not make any distinction among the messengers; I am not even better than Jonah” (Bukhari 65/4,5; Hanbal 1/205,242,440).
• “Bad luck is in the woman, the horse, and the home” (Bukhari 76/53).
• “If a monkey, a black dog or a woman passes in front of a praying person, his prayer is nullified” (Bukhari 8/102; Hanbal 4/86).
• The hell will be filled with mostly women; women are deficient in intelligence and religion (Muslim, Iman 34/132; Muslim, Iydayn 4; Tirmizi, Iman 6/2613; Ibn Majah, Fitan 19/4003; Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, II/373-374, II/318; Abu Dawud, Sunna 15/4679; Nasai, Iydayn 19).
• “The prophet gave permission to kill children and women in war” (Bukhari, Jihad/146; Abu Dawud 113).
• “The earth is carried on a giant bull; when it shakes its head an earthquake occurs” (Ibn Kathir 2/29; 50/1).
• “Leaders have to be from the Quraish tribe” (Bukhari 3/129,183; 4/121; 86/31).
• “You shall kill all black dogs; because they are devils” (Hanbal 4/85; 5/54).
• “God is the time” (Muwatta 56/3).
• “To prove His identity, God opened his legs and showed the prophet His thigh” (Bukhari 97/24, 10/129 and the comment on the Sura 68).
• “The parchment that the verse about stoning to death for adultery was written on was eaten and abrogated by a goat” (Ibn Majah 36/1944; Ibn Hanbal 3/61; 5/131,132,183; 6/269).
• “A man from the tribe of Banu Aslam came to the Prophet and informed him that he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and he bore witness four times against himself. The Prophet ordered him to be stoned to death as he was married.” (Bukhari, hadith 6814)
• “A tribe of monkeys arrested an adulterous monkey and stoned it to death, and I helped them” (Bukhari 63/27).
• “When the prophet died his armor had been pawned to a Jew for several pounds of barley” (Bukhari 34/14,33,88; Hanbal 1/ 300; 6/42,160,230).
• “The punishment for cutting the fingers of a woman is to pay her: 10 camels for one finger, 20 camels for two fingers, 30 camels for three fingers, and 20 (twenty) camels for four fingers” (Hanbal 2/182; Muvatta 43/11).
• “The prophet had been bewitched by a Jew, and for several days he did not know what he was doing” (Bukhari 59/11; 76/47; Hanbal 6/57; 4/367).
• “Muhammad possessed the sexual power of 30 men” (Bukhari).
• “Do not eat and drink with your left hand, because Satan eats and drinks with the left hand” (Hanbal 2/8,33).
• “The prophet eats odd number of dates on Id-ul-Fitr” (Bukhari 2/73).
• “The Prophet said, ‘Whoever performs ablution should clean his nose with water by putting the water in it and then blowing it out, and whoever cleans his private parts with stones should do it with odd number of stones'” (Bukhari 1/162, 1/163).
• “The prophet said: ‘Do not write anything from me except the Quran. Whoever wrote, must destroy it” (Muslim, Zuhd 72; Hanbal 3/12,21,39).
• “The prophet ordered Amr Ibn As to write everything that he speaks” (Hanbal 2/162).
• “Omar said: Quran is enough for us, do not write anything from the prophet. Everyone in the room accepted what Omar said.” (Bukhari, Jihad 176, Jizya 6, Ilim 49, Marza 17, Magazi 83, Itisam 26; Muslim, Wasiyya 20,21,22).

A Sample From Sharia And Fatwas Of Scholars: Muhammad As Their Potty Trainer

While surfing the Internet, we encountered a fatwa from a renowned cleric who is falsely called alim (knowledgeable person). The field of his expertise, his audience, the extent of his “knowledge,” the relevancy of the information to human life, the number of citations from hadith books, his ignorance of the Quran, and his blind followers, all provide many reasons why Sunnis and Shiites are in such miserable shape in the contemporary world. Those who think they need holy hadiths as a manual on how to go to the bathroom, those who think that potty-training adults was among one of the many missions of prophet Muhammad, those who follow these and many more frivolous rules, will not have brains left to deal with “more important issues.” The Saudi cleric, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh Al-munajjid, who derived 13 holy rules for bathroom etiquette from hadith books, leaves no hope for cure with his closing statement (For the entire fatwa, visit www.islamicreform.org). Instead of being embarrassed about his indulgence in odd bathroom manners and odd numbers of stones, he shows the audacity to brag about these silly instructions:

“If the Shari`ah has paid such minute attention to the details of such a mundane matter, what do you think it has to say about more important issues? Do you know of any other religion or system in the world that has brought laws like these? This is enough, by Allah, to prove its perfection and beauty, and the necessity of following it.”

If this is an example and beauty of Sharia about minute issues, may Allah save humanity from its verdict on important issues! We do not know how many so-called Muslims feel guilty for not being able to follow all these rules. We do not know how many Sunnis urinated in their pants while trying to follow all these holy bathroom rules. Though this particular cleric generously interpreted the hadith to save his flock from this hassle in buildings, we do not know how many scrupulous followers sit backward on the bathroom seats in order not to face qibla (direction of Kaba), or how many of them employ high tech gadgets such as GPS made by the “infidels” to find their direction in the bathrooms. However, we know for sure, that any group of people following these and many other piles and piles of fabricated rules have lost their chance for progress and prosperity. No wonder, the Quran reminds us of the importance of reasoning and the importance of staying away from religious clerics who make up sharia in the name of God:

“No person may acknowledge except by God’s leave. And He afflicts the filth upon those who do not reason.” (10:100)

“Or do they have partners who decree for them a law (sharia) which has not been authorized by God? And if it were not for the word already given, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors will have a painful retribution.” (42:21)

Abusing the verses of the Quran

Many verses of the Quran have been distorted or taken out of context to promote the volumes of hearsay fabrication. Here are the most frequently abused Quranic verses:

• The Quran instructs us to follow the messenger (4:59); so we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.
• The Quran informs us that the messenger explains the Quran (16:44); so we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.
• The Quran informs us that the messenger does not speak on his own (53:3-4); so we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.
• The Quran advises us to take whatever the messenger gives us and abstain from what he forbid us (59:7); so we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.
• The Quran warns us not to put our opinion before that of the messenger (49:1). Thus, we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.
• The Quran tells us that there is a good example in the messenger of God (33:21), so we must follow Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Kafi, Nahj al-Balaga, and many other books.

A careful reader of the Quran would notice that the verses referred to above were subjected to a cunning distortion and abuse to transform Muhammad from being the deliverer of God’s message, from being a mailman of God, to another authority besides God, to God’s partner in authoring God’s system. Not only did they turn the system of Islam into peacefully surrendering to a religion designed by multiple partners, they also promoted various hearsay sources collected centuries after Muhammad, according to their sectarian and tribal preferences.

Here, as an example, we will discuss briefly one of the oft-quoted verses, “A good example has been set for you by the messenger of God” (33:21). Those who wish to produce volumes of hadith books out of this verse ignore the fact that a similar statement is also made about Abraham: “A good example has been set for you by Abraham and those with him” (60:4, 6). If verse 33:21 requires Muhammad’s hadith, then why would not the verses 60:4,6 require Abraham’s hadith? Which books narrate hadiths from Abraham? Obviously, the only reliable source for both examples is the Book of God, which narrates the relevant exemplary actions. It also warns us not to repeat the mistakes committed by Muhammad (33:37; 80: 1-10).

Let us briefly discuss the second example to see better the nature of abuse, and how thousands of hadith rabbits are produced from empty hats. One of the most frequently cited Quranic instructions is “obey God and His Messenger” (4:59). Obeying Bukhari, a narrator of hearsay, is not obeying the messenger. Obeying the messenger is obeying the complete, perfect and fully detailed Quran. Verse 25:73 describes the attitude of truth-seekers towards God’s revelations. But the followers of hadith and sunna are very good in ignoring them. They do not see 6:19, 7:3, and 50:45, which say that the only teaching delivered by God’s messenger was the Quran. They do not think that Muhammad practiced the Quran, and the Quran alone (5:48, 49). They do not hear Muhammad’s only complaint about his people (25:30). They do not understand that Muhammad disowns those who do not understand that the Quran is enough and fully detailed (6:114). The first verse of Chapter 9 states that an ultimatum is issued from God and His messenger. Muslims acknowledge that verses about the ultimatum are entirely from God. God did not consult Muhammad about the ultimatum. Muhammad’s only mission was to deliver God’s message (16:35; 24:54). Thus, the reason that God included the messenger in 9:1 is not because he was another authority in issuing it, but because he participated as the deliverer of the ultimatum. Similarly, because people receive God’s message through messengers, we are ordered to obey the messengers. We also know that the Quran is a permanent messenger (65:11), and the Quran is a reminder and deliverer of good news (41:4; 11:2). 

In Which Flavor and Shape do You Want Your Muhammad to be?

The falsifiers have presented a concoction of medieval Arab, Pagan, Jewish and Christian culture as good examples of the messenger. However, if you look at the context of the verse 33:21, the good example has been described as the messenger’s courage and his constant remembrance of God. They extended this good example to irrelevant individual or cultural behaviors. For instance, they sanctified the beard and turban, ignoring the fact that the Meccan idol worshipers, such as Amr bin Hisham (aka, Abu Jahl) and Walid b. Mugiyra also had long beards and big turbans.

What is worse, the actions and words ascribed to prophet Muhammad have depicted him with a character that is far from exemplary. The hadith books portray the prophet as a phantasmagoric character with multiple personalities. That character is more fictitious than mythological gods and goddesses, such as Hermes, Pan, Poseidon and Aphrodite. He is a pendulous character, both bouncing up to deity, and down to the lowest degree. He is both wise and moronic. He is sometimes more merciful than God and sometimes a cruel torturer. He is both perfect and criminal, humble and arrogant, chaste and a sex maniac, trustworthy and a cheater, illiterate and educated, rich and poor, a nepotistic and a democratic leader, caring and a male chauvinist, an acknowledger and an ingrate, prohibiting hadith and promoting hadith. You find numerous conflicting personalities presented as an exemplary figure. Choose whichever composite character you like out of thousands of different examples. Those with preconceived ideas may go fish out hadith to support any personality or role model they want to carve out of the hero called Muhammad. Want a terrorist? You will find a few hadiths to justify it. He did after all, according to Bukhari, justify killing women and children in battle. Want a lamb? You will again find a few hadiths to depict him that way. When the children of Taif stoned him, he prayed for them. Hadith books contain almost anything you wish, especially about Muhammad. You may find an extremely kind and nice Muhammad besides a cruel torturer one. You may find Muhammad to be a person with great morals on one page and on another page, you will see him a pedophile. You will find Muhammad pointing at the moon and splitting it into two pieces letting one piece fall into Ali’s backyard, and on another page, you will find a Muhammad incapable of reading a simple letter. 

Hadith books, by their very nature, are perfect sources for such abuse. They contain fragments of hearsay that were produced within several centuries with multiple authors, numerous agendas, inconsistent language/terminology, unreliable and fragmented contexts, and divisible or severally liable authorities. An “expert” can subject almost any hadith he dislikes to one of the rules of procedure called usul ul-hadith with multiple standards. The evaluation of the narrator by using another hearsay, partisanship, tribalism, racism, or personal scrupulousness, is called “jarh” and “tadeel” simply meaning, “trash” and “save.” For instance, the most prominent Sunni hadith collector Bukhari who grew up in Bukhara, collected hadiths two hundred or so years after the departure of Muhammad. This story collector, while bragging about how meticulous he was, claims that he once traveled for about a month to hear a particular hadith from a narrator. When he visited him, he saw him deceiving his horse to the barn with an empty bag. Consequently, our meticulous Bukhari gave up from collecting the story he was going to report! In other words, he used the tool of “jarh” (trash) to cross over that particular narrator. Looking at the quality of the 7275 hadiths he allegedly picked out of 600,000 reported hadiths (99% defective material!), we can easily infer that he was not very lucky or did not have very good eyes in witnessing thousands of more deceivers with their horses. Ironically, this Bukhari narrates hadith from drunkard and oppressive Umayyad governors, and hundreds of hadith from Abu Hurayra who according to Bukhari himself was considered a congenial liar and fabricator by his prominent peers such as Omar, Ibn Abbas and Aisha. Either Bukhari was himself a deceived horse or another deceiver.

Let’s sidetrack here and do a simple calculation. Bukhari, in his introduction, uses a first-class sales pitch according to the standards of the medieval era. He, or the later editors and promoters of his collection, try hard to depict the portrait of a devout, genius, scrupulous, and steadfast scholar. Although his Christian counterpart, St. Paul, was more articulate and more cunning in his self-promotion, history is a witness to the fact that Bukhari has done a similarly good job in another market. In the introduction of the collection called Bukhari, we learn that this celebrated hadith collector endured long trips, occasionally from one country to another, just to collect one hadith. We also learn that he was very careful in his evaluation of the chain of narrators; he was so pious that he performed ablution and prayed before recording each of his hadiths. We might be surprised to see, in the same section of this solemn promotional introduction, some funny animated clips too. For instance, we learn that some of the prophet’s companions witnessed a group of monkeys stoning an adulterer monkey in the jungle (perhaps that provided some inspiration and imagination for later hadiths narrations involving the story of the holy hungry goat). Well, let’s do some calculations…Let’s assume that Bukhari told us the truth regarding the 600,000 hadiths he listened to and evaluated. Let’s also be extremely generous to Bukhari and assume that on average it took him only one hour to go, interview, and evaluate each of the 600,000 hadiths, 99% of which he would later trash. Let’s assume that he started wandering around, seeking hadith narrators, listening to them, and evaluating the chain of narrators from dawn until dusk. Let’s assume that all his days were summer days, so that he worked ten hours a day without a break. Since we do not have any claim by Bukhari or another “holy” person regarding Bukhari’s ability to inflate time, create time within time, or slow down time, we assume he worked like a super human being limited by the natural law. With these assumptions, Bukhari who lived 60 years, between 810-870 AC, would need 60,000 days, or 164 years. In other words, he would need more than a hundred years to be able to do what he was bragging about.

Yes, this Bukhari and his ilk have hijacked Muhammad, and have replaced the light of the Quran, with the darkness of ignorance.

Arabic fancy jargon are frequently used to impress non-Arabs to overwhelm them into believing that the “experts” indeed have an incredible amount of special knowledge; perhaps specially granted by God. The “expert” might evaluate the trustworthiness of one of the narrators listed in the chain, by various contradictory rules already established by previous hadith scholars. The hadith can then be classified in one of the numerous ranks of authenticity and thus discarded in favor of another one. Only a handful hadiths, which are called mutawatir (allegedly narrated by many people), may escape ending up in the trash via an arbitrary scrutiny of a determined scholar. Ironically, there is not even a consensus on the mutawatir hadiths. They do not call it “trash can” but they have invented fancy names to label how deep and stinky their cans are, labeling them mursal, hasan, daif, mawdu, etc. If you are a muqallid, that is a blind follower of a particular sect or order, then you pick what they have already picked for you. Your choice might be more limited with the leftover hadiths evaluated by the scholars, but you can be sure that by even staying as a muqallid in a particular sect, you will find plenty of room for wiggling around to make up your own religion. But, you can be sure that your choices will be limited to medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures. If you are living in a modern metropolitan city, you may not be able to escape developing multiple personalities separated from each other by two millennia.

Considering that most of the hadith narrations are ahad, that is allegedly narrated by only one person from Muhammad, their authenticity can always be challenged by how you may personally deem the chain of narrators and the hadith books. This provides many opportunities to hatch and mutate numerous custom-made religions, sects, sub-sects, orders, or sub-orders out of the mishmash collection of medieval culture. This peculiar aspect of hadith collection is well described by the prophetic verses of the Quran:

“Shall we treat the muslims (peaceful submitters/surrenderers) like the criminals? What is wrong with your judgment? Do you have a book where you can find anything you wish?” (68:35-38).

Unappreciative and Arrogant people Do Not Have Access to the Quran

The Quran is a miraculous book. The author of the Quran has put a barrier between the Quran and those who dogmatically and fanatically consider it insufficient for salvation (17:45; 18:57). It is ironic and curious that those who claim that the Quran is difficult to understand do not understand the very verses about the understanding of the Quran. Verses 7:3; 17:46; 41:44; 56:79 are extraordinary works of linguistic art containing both the thesis and its proof simultaneously, since their multiple-meaning language contains a guide to understand the Quran and an excuse for not understanding the Quran. Those who understand the language of these verses experience the fulfillment of a miracle when they witness people unable to understand and glorify their lack of understanding the very verses that condemn those who lack understanding.

You will find on the cover of almost all published Quranic manuscripts a few verses. If you check, you will probably find 56:77-79 written in Arabic calligraphy.

56:77-79 It is an honorable Quran. In a protected record. None can grasp it except those pure.

Why among hundreds of verses describing the Quran, did the convention decided on these verses? Out of more than 50 descriptive noun-adjectives used for the Quran, why would they pick “Karym” (Honorable)? Al-Quran il-Karym? Why not the more frequently used words such as Zikr (Message), Hakym (Wise), Mubyn (Clear), Nur (Light)? Why is this verse highlighted in connection to the Quran? Why are the verses repeatedly reminding us of the easy-to-understand language of the Quran not highlighted (54:17,22,32,40)? Or, why not one of these verses 12:111; 15:1; 17:9; 17:88; 17:89; 30:58; 41:3; 55:2?

We have all the reasons to suspect the intention of those who dedicated Chapter 36 (Ya Sin) to be recited in funerals for the DEAD, the chapter that contains the only verse declaring that the Quran is sent to remind the LIVING beings (36:70)! We have all the reasons to suspect the intention of those who picked the name hadith, a negative word when used for hearsay narrations and teachings other than the Quran, to depict another source besides the Quran! So, why did they pick the word “Karym” as the most common adjective for the Quran and verses 56:77-79 as the most common subtitle for the covers of manuscripts?

Those who appreciate the Quran know the answer of the question very well: The polytheistic clergymen and scholars who betrayed the Quran, reached a consensus in not understanding or misunderstanding 56:77-79, and they thought they could repel others from the Quran according to their misunderstanding. They distorted the meaning of these verses by claiming that those who do not have ablution, including the women who they considered “dirty” because of menstruation, “should not touch” the Quran. Now we may infer why the verse whose meaning has been distorted by consensus is picked for the cover of the Quran manuscripts. Now we may infer why the adjective mentioned in that verse was made the most popular adjective of the Quran. We think that this is a part of a diabolic conspiracy to prevent the Quran from becoming a pocket book, a book of quick reference; they keep the Quran on high shelves or nail it on high walls far away from the reach of people. Unfortunately, this plan has worked successfully. The Quran has been transformed from being a guide, a reference book, a map, a compass, into a dangerous object, a runaway train, a high-voltage transformer station! When the Quran becomes a book too-difficult-to-understand, impossible to ascertain its “high” meanings, and dangerous to touch, then rush in volumes of hadiths, loads of sunna, barrels of hearsay, mishmash heaps of sectarian teachings, piles of nonsense, tons of superstitions, hordes of holy men, and troops of holy merchants. This explains the misery, backwardness, oppression, repression, division, and corruption rampant in the so-called “Muslim countries.”

The religion that “Muslims” inherited from their parents and try hard to practice today, has little to do with the system of peacefully surrendering to God alone, which was delivered by Muhammad through the Quran. These clergymen who arrogated themselves and falsely claimed to be the “ulama” (people of knowledge), polluted the message of Islam with ignorance. They fabricated numerous sharias (laws), prohibitions, veils, beards, turbans, rules for how to clean one’s bottom, rules on how to pee in the bathroom, toothbrushes, right hands, left hands, right feet, left feet, hadiths, sunnas, intercession, holy hair, holy cloths, holy teeth, holy feet traces, hazrats, lords, saints, mawlas, mahdis, innocent imams, orders, sects, rosaries, amulets, dreams, holy loopholes, prayer caps, circumcisions, shrines, extra prayers, extra prohibitions, and numerous Arabic jargon such as mandup, mustahap, makruh, sharif, sayyid and more nonsense. Thus, the religion of Sunnis and Shiites contradict the divine laws in nature and scripture, and condemns its sincere followers to misery and backwardness. The religious leaders and their political allies contribute greatly to the backwardness of the Muslim world. In 1974 our Lord, the Almighty and Wise Creator, fulfilled a great prophecy starting a new era in the realm of theology that aims to reform us and open the path of progress with “one of the greatest” (74:30-37).

The majority of Sunnis and Shiites, hypnotized by their religious leaders, are unaware that the religion they are so passionately trying to follow is no different than the religion which was so passionately upheld by Abu Jahl (the father of ignorance) and Abu Lahab (the father of furious fire) during Muhammad’s era. However, the message of the Quran is again shining and removing the darkness of ignorance and polytheism.

Witnessing that their spider webs and walls of ignorance are at risk, the professional religious men and their blind followers might create loud noise and stir clouds of dust. They might do everything in their power to prevent the masses from reading this translation and the arguments contained in it. They might use all kinds of slander, insults, false accusations, threats, and noise to prevent people from hearing its message.

Their effort will be in vain for the universal light of the Quran is shining again with all its wonders. Neither the borders of states nor the judges and laws of oppressive regimes can prevent this light; neither the fatwas of those with the mentality of the Inquisition, nor the plots and bloody wars of crusaders. The Islamic reform, by God’s will, will occur and the system will once again be dedicated to God alone. Praise be to God.

54:17     And We made the Quran easy to learn. Do any of you wish to learn? 

An Invitation to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and All

In this foreword, we focused on the incredible amount of distortions made in the message delivered by Muhammad. Christianity and Judaism are no different. Today’s Christianity, with its dogmas and practices, is far way from the monotheistic teachings of Jesus, the son of Mary.

If Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad were back today, Jews would condemn the first as Anti-Semite, Christians would denounce the second as Anti-Christ, and Muslims would revile the third as the Dajjal (The imposter).

Imagine a religion that its members worship the murder weapon, perform rituals to pretend that they are drinking the blood and flesh of their heroic victim, claim that 1+1+1 equals to 1, adopt a word as their name which was used by none of the early followers, misspell and mispronounce the name of their hero, follow someone’s teaching who was prophetically condemned by their hero, accept a formula that was coined by a self-appointed commission 325 years after the founder, sing love and peace yet be responsible for most of the blood-shed and weaponry in the world, mobilize even children for centuries of barbarism called Crusades, sell parcels of heaven, excommunicate scientists, burn the first translator of their holy book, burn women in witch-hunt craze, invent ingenious torture devises and torture many in their holy courts, declare the earth as the flat center of the world for more than a millennium, lead and pray for colonialists, defend and practice slavery and racism until the cause was lost, mostly side with kings and the wealthy, deny women from many of their rights, condemn the theory of evolution, support occupations and wars with jingoistic slogans… Yes, how can such a religion, with a fake name, with a fabricated doctrine, with bizarre pagan practices, and with such a miserable historical record and bitter fruits belong to God? How can it be attributed to a philosopher, to a peacemaker, to an advocate of the rights of the weak, to a human messenger of God? (For a more detailed critical evaluation of modern Christianity, see 19 Questions For Christians, by Edip Yüksel)

Idolization of human beings is the epidemic of all religions, and it is the most common tragedy of human history. According to the original teachings of all God’s messengers, idol worship or setting up partners to God, is the biggest offense against God. Besides, the idolization of prophets, messengers, saints and the faith of human intercession creates religious abuse, oppression, conflict and fighting between children of Adam, who are servants of God.

When believers start idolizing their previous religious leaders, they develop the tendency to idolize their living religious leaders too. Instead of seeking the truth, they are attracted to names and titles. The clergymen, in order to take advantage of that weakness and gain more power over their subjects, focus their preaching on praising the departed heroes, instead of God.

These clergymen and their fanatic followers killed many people, destroyed many homes in the name of their incarnated gods. They fabricated many rules and prohibitions in the name of God, and with such a complicated religion, they secured their jobs as professional holy men. They made money and fame in the name of those human gods. And they claimed to have the power of intercession in their names–so much so that they sold keys to the heavens, turned temples and churches to big businesses.

If we want to follow the basic principles common among the Old, the New and the Final Testaments, if we want to stop religious exploitations, if we don’t want to use our God-given reasoning faculties to its maximum capacity, if we want the unity of all the monotheists of all religions, freedom for everyone, including for non-religious people, and if we want to attain eternal salvation, we must start a “Copernican revolution” in theology. Instead of Krishna-centered, Jesus-centered, Mohammed-centered religions, we must turn to the original center, to the God-centered model. To achieve this revolution, each of us must start questioning the formulas and teachings that have created gods out of humans like us.

In a time where religious fanatics are pushing the world for another Crusade or Holy War, in a time where the words Messiah, Rapture, Armageddon, Mahdi invite hostile masses to shed more and more of each other’s blood, in a time when those in power and in positions of making profit from curtailing civil liberties, in a time when wars and occupations are playing on jingoistic and religious emotions, yes in such a time, people of intelligence and good intentions should come together and plant the seeds of tolerance, peace, reason, human rights, and unity of humanity.

On Israel, Palestine, Suicide Bombers, and Terror

Compared to their small population, the Jewish influence is immense in the global arena, financially, politically and culturally. Disproportionate to their population, Jews have exhibited astonishing examples in both good and bad, in both success and blunder, and they have enjoyed vivid presence in world politics for millenniums. This explains why the Quran mentions them so frequently. Well, may be it is also true the other way around.

After being subjected to genocide and atrocious tortures by fascist forces, Jews were scattered around the world as immigrants. Yet, they did not disappear from the global scene or take centuries to recover, as many other nations would do. Not surprisingly, with the help of major powers of the time they were able to establish their own independent state in 1948, soon after their almost utter annihilation; a state not in Germany, but in their historical land, which has once again become the focal point of a global conflict; stirring the world by showcasing human aggression, greed, hatred, cruelty, racism, and terror.

As it seems, victim nations too might repeat the crimes of their predators. One would expect Israel to be the first against racism and colonialism, yet Israel was the last government to cut its relationship with the racist apartheid regime in South Africa, reflecting the depth of its racist policy against Palestinians. One would expect Israel to be the first nation against the weapons industry, yet Israel is one of top weapon manufacturers and exporters in the world. The racist and colonial policy of Israel by no means should be generalized to all Jews. There are more Jews in the world who condemn this policy then those who perpetrate it, and many are ashamed of what is being done in their name. While we should condemn terrorism as a method to get back one’s land and independence, we should also mention that there are many Arabs who are hoping for a just solution and peaceful co-existence with their Jewish cousins.

Jews and Muslims lived together in peace for centuries, and their current conflict is partially due to the early terrorist tactics used by Zionist guerillas, and partially due to a myriad of external forces who are trying to keep the fires burning. These external forces include the ambitions of UK-Inc and USA-Inc, the racist Zionist zealots, corrupt Mullahs, racist Sunni and Shiite zealots, Evangelical Crusaders, Weapon and Oil industries, who make massive amounts of money from the tension in the region. Unfortunately, super powers who mediated the negotiations have not honestly sought justice in this conflict. Perhaps, they deliberately wanted a continuous, yet controlled conflict in the region so that they could exploit its rich resources through puppet regimes.

In their pre-emptive war in 1967, the Israeli soldiers carried the verse 2:249 of the Quran over their tanks when they entered Sinai after defeating the Arabs, and their misguided Arab nationalism. Ironically, the evildoers among them pushed for further land-grab in the East, thereby subjecting Palestinian natives to racial discrimination, dislocation, humiliation, massacres, destruction of property/infrastructure, legalized torture, and assassinations. Israel deliberately did not set a border, rather it kept its borders flexible seeking excuses and occasionally provoking its dehumanized subjects so that it could invade new territories and create more settlements. Decades of suffering under the brutal and humiliating fascist occupation destroyed the hopes and aspiration of a Palestinian population and it gave birth to suicide bombers, which in turn provided more excuses for the occupational force to continue its invasion and barbarism. The West’s propaganda machine distorts the real picture of the conflict and deceives Christendom by depicting the victimized Palestinians as the aggressor. The numbers speak clearly. The number of Palestinian civilians and children killed by Israeli occupying forces far greater than the number of Israeli civilians and children killed by suicide bombers. Palestinians gave up continuing a hopeless fight with slings and rocks against tanks. The world’s indifference against injustice in the region, and on top of that, the support of the super powers of the brutal racist occupation, gave birth to global resentment and hatred among Muslims, triggering a global gang-terrorism challenging the legalized and glorified state-terrorism.

Islam (more accurately, Hislam) has been around for centuries, and compared to other religious groups Muslims do not fare more violent. An objective study of suicide terrorism will inform us that it has more to do with brutal occupations than religions or ideologies. Religion and ideologies are mostly used for justification and propaganda of the political cause. Robert Pape, of the University of Chicago, in his book Dying to Win: The Logic of Suicide Terrorism, rightly argues that suicide terrorism is not driven by religion but by occupations. He provides many examples, such as the suicide attacks of Marxist Tamil Tigers organization in Sri Lanka in 1990’s that inspired Palestinians who were using slings, rocks and rifles against occupying Israeli soldiers and tanks before the Intifada of 2000. In fact, a great majority of suicide-terrorist campaigns carried out in Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Chechnya, Kashmir, and Palestine aimed to compel occupation forces to withdraw. No wonder, Ayman al-Zawahiri and his terrorist organization Islamic Jihad was born after Israel’s occupation during the 1967 pre-emptive war. No wonder, Russian invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, together with the legalized US occupation of Middle East through puppet and oppressive kings and emirs gave birth to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. No wonder, Russian brutal occupation of Chechnya gave birth to Shamil Basayev and his terrorist organization. Again, it is no wonder that US occupation of Iraq gave birth to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and hundreds of other suicide bombers. Though compared to rebels or insurgents, occupiers commit much worse acts of barbarism and terrorism on the population of lands they occupy, that state terrorism is cleverly hidden from the world. Ironically, occupiers who create these terrorist insurgents or contribute substantially to their growth, use the terrorist attacks to justify and continue their occupation. Occupying forces cleverly use fear, xenophobia, and patriotic emotions of the taxpayers and take advantage of their ignorance about foreign affairs. Government agencies work cleverly to depict their brutal and bloody occupation as a justified act against evil and barbarism. Secret agencies are showered with money to stage covert operations, flood the world with misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Talking heads in media and academics are secretly hired to promote the policy of occupations. No wonder, despite all the obvious fraud, deception, and lies, the mainstream American media gave green card to the Neocon-Zionist-Crusader coalition to justify their pre-emptive war against Iraq. The pictures of Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam at the time Saddam was committing his horrendous atrocities against Kurds and Iran as a puppet of US-Inc, somehow became a footnote, rather than an incriminating headline, demonstrating the hypocrisy of warmongers.

The cycle of violence has since been accelerated by religious fanatics on all sides. The Zionist-Crusader-Capitalist coalition on one side, and the Salafi-Mullah-Taliban coalition on the other side, each adding more fuel to the fire. Each with their own agendas. Zionists hope to grab more land, Crusaders pray for a bloody Armageddon followed by Rapture, the capitalist salivates for more profit from wars; and the other gang weep for the Mahdi to come with its sword to seek out Jews hiding behind rocks. Another aspect of recent conflict between Christendom and Muslims is the empty shoes of “evil” after the demise of communism. Global oligarchs, who strengthen their political and financial capital during conflicts and mass paranoia, were looking for a substitute to communism. With a mixture of covert operations, provocations, unjustified wars, tyrant puppets, the lesser-of-two-evil policy, and training future terrorists, the mission is almost accomplished.

Now, Muslims in general, and Arabs in particular will be christened as the new face of evil. Knowing the history, we should not be surprised to witness another genocide and another use of nuclear weapons, followed by tears of regret, confession sessions, and cry of “Never again!” So long as people do not use their God-given reasoning and follow their clergymen and politicians blindly, Satan will use every tool at his disposal to create artificial divisions, hostility and hatred among the children of Adam. And Satan, who has a successful record of enticing since Cain & Abel, has always found religious clergymen and jingoistic politicians to be his best allies in his acts of corruption, destruction, and blood-shed on earth.

To the East, Muslims, and the Middle East 

The following words are not from an enemy of yours, but from someone who shares the same book and the same history. These are the words of someone who cares a great deal about you. Someone who cries at night for your plight, for the tragedies which have befallen you. This is someone who knows your generosity, your sincerity, your unfulfilled dreams, your aspirations, your tragedies, your fears, your follies and delusions. You should listen, at least once. Enough prejudice and bigotry. Enough paranoia and hatred.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free.

Before looking around to point fingers at the cause of your problems, first look at the mirror. I do not mean that you should ignore the imperialistic ambitions of other nations and their open or clandestine interferences with the politics, economy and culture of your people. But, you cannot change your condition unless you change yourself. You cannot glorify the invasions, aggressions, massacres, and imperialistic policy of corrupt Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman caliphs in your history and at the same time morally be critical of others for doing the same. Had God given you the same superiority, perhaps you would inflict the earth with more corruption and destruction than your current powerful enemies. You cannot kick them out from your home unless you reform yourself and your home. You cannot demand mercy from others if you do not have mercy on yourself.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from self-righteousness.

Go check the list of patents issued last year. Check and see how many of them belong to a group, nation, religion you identify with. It should tell you a lot you a lot about your position in a world where information and technological progress is so crucial. Go check the list of prosperous countries. Check see how many of them belong to a group, nation, religion you identify with. Centuries ago, you were a role model for civilization, justice, democracy, and freedom; once you were a pioneer in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. Now look around and look at the mirror; who are you? You followed the religious fatwa of a sheikh ul-islam (highest cleric within the Ottoman Empire) who prohibited the use of printing machine from 1455 to 1727 for 272 years, for 100,000 precious days, in a vast land stretching from North Africa to Iran, from today’s Turkey to Arabian Peninsula. While Europe indulged in learning God’s signs in nature, shared the knowledge via printing machines, and was rewarded by God with renaissance, reform, technology, and prosperity; you devolved and sunk further in your ignorance. While Europeans engaged in philosophical arguments, you recited the holy book no better than a parrot, the book that highlighted the importance of learning, questioning, discovery, and pursuit of knowledge. You marveled at handwritten books of hearsay and superstition, at the lousy arguments developed by Gazzali who with the full support of a king aimed to banish philosophy. While Europe sought for a better system to save themselves from the tyranny of kings and church, you recited handwritten poems to praise your corrupt kings and idols. No wonder why, your land, your name, your face, your religion is now associated with backwardness, ignorance, oppression, violence, and poverty. You have become the bum of the world.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from our ignorance.

Once the religious among you hoped that the theocracy of mullahs would fulfill your dream, would bring back the glorious days of your past. They promised “istiqlal, azadi, hukumat-i islami” (independence, freedom, Islamic government); yet what you ended up with a swarm of leaches with turbans, repression, and a satanic government. Some of you hoped that a Sunni Taliban in Afghanistan would bring dignity and glory to you. What they brought was worse than the Saudi regime: they put women in black sacks, revived the barbaric stoning practice, regressed to the times of tribalism, denied women education, exponentially increased ignorance, and turned Afghanistan into an international farm for opium. You did not question the religion and sect you inherited from your parents or the teachings of the mullah, the sheikh, or the imam. You little examined the nightmare sold to you as dreams.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from our own transgression.

God blessed you with crucial natural resources, so that you could utilize it for your prosperity. Yet, their proceeds are wasted by corrupt, hedonistic, shortsighted, backward and oppressive kings, emirs, tribal leaders, and mullahs. Instead of gaining your freedom, instead of establishing the democratic system instructed by the holy book you claim allegiance, you are wasting your time in cafeterias, on the streets, and in rotten offices of antiquity, which produces nothing but zeros.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from apathy and slavery.

Look at half of your population, your wives, mothers, sisters, daughters. What have you done to them? How can you hope to progress and attain peace, prosperity and God’s mercy, while you have buried many of them alive? You cannot expect happiness, while you despise half of God’s creation, your wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters; while you deprive them from their human rights given by their Creator, turn them to fractionally humans. You cannot tell God that you did all those evil things to please the idols called Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibn Hanbal, Ibn Maja, Abu Dawud, Malik, Kafi, and a herd of other imams, mullahs and clergymen. None of those idols will save you from God’s justice. You are already paying dearly for your misogynistic beliefs and practices. You must apologize to your mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters for treating them like your slaves; you must repent for acting like Pharaohs against them.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from the dark holes of our deception.

The world knows that Israel has transformed from a victim nation to a racist colonial power. Many progressive Jews too are painfully accepting this fact and they are fighting against it. The world sees and most people acknowledge the fascist policy, occupation, atrocities, massacres, and humiliation committed against the Palestinian people since 1948. The world knows that Israel has killed many more Palestinian children than the Palestinian suicide bombers have done. The numbers and events are out there recorded to prove that Israel has used state terrorism against Palestinian people. The world knows that a coalition of Crusaders, Zionists, and weapon/oil and other interest groups, nested in towers of power are using American tax money, military, and political power to perpetuate this tragedy, hoping for the Armageddon, more land, or bloody profits from wars. Nevertheless, again you must look in the mirror. What have you done, what have you become? You have become as racist as the Zionist you condemn. You condemn Jews without discrimination, Jews that raised many great prophets, philosophers, scientists, and inventors whom you revere and admire. You have become a suicidal nation. Though there were more than mere pacifism into Gandhi’s resistance against British colonialism, Gandhi’s struggle provided a great example for you. Instead, you followed ignorant leaders, racist and manipulative politicians, terror organizations, misguided religious clerics, and your hormones. If you had taken lessons from modern history and you had used your mind more than your animalistic instincts, if you had followed the Quran rather than the religious teachings that promote violence and racism, by now you would be living next to Israel sharing Jerusalem peacefully as brothers and sisters. You cannot have God’s mercy if you respond to hatred with hatred, racism with racism, atrocities with atrocities. You cannot attain freedom and peace without sincerely asking the same thing for your enemies. How can you claim to be muSLiMs, while you have taken SiLM (peace), out of it?

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from violence that has surrounded us.

By continuing along the path of denial and sectarianism, you are risking more than just happiness and dignity in this world, but you also risk shame and retribution in the Hereafter…

“Those who had rejected will be told: ‘God’s abhorrence towards you is greater than your abhorrence towards yourselves, for you were invited to acknowledge, but you chose to reject.’ They will Say, ‘Our Lord, You have made us die twice, and You have given us life twice. Now we have confessed our sins. Is there any way out of this path?’ This is because when God Alone was mentioned, you rejected, but when partners were associated with Him, you acknowledged. Therefore, the judgment is for God, the Most High, the Most Great.” (40:10-12)

Unless you are willing to take the necessary and painful steps of reform through self-examination and research, you will be led by the mold of complacency and blind followings into the abyss that is becoming your fate. You must turn to the true system of Islam, as revealed by God through His messenger, and stop blindly following your scholars and leaders into distortions and unauthorized teachings. You have been losing continuously because you have abandoned the word of God and replaced it with other religious laws and teachings which in-turn has caused God to abandon you and leave you to your folly.

This life is not just about fun and games…it is about fulfilling our part of the pledge with God and proving that we can serve Him Alone.

“And when God Alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not acknowledge in the Hereafter are filled with aversion; and when others are mentioned beside Him, they rejoice!” (39:45)

Are you ready to embrace the path of God Alone and abandon all your idolatry? Or, will you continue to lose? We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free.

To the West, Christians, and Americans

The following words are not from an enemy of yours, but from someone who is a member of your society and cares about your interest as much as you care. These are not the words of a politician either, who is ready to break a world record in somersault to appease you; neither the words of a religious leader who lives in a parallel universe of deception and hallucination. These are the words of a common man who left his country behind to seek peace, justice, and liberty. These are the words of a grateful person who found such a refuge in your midst. So, do not treat these words of advice with prejudice, but with care. Do not be scared to hear the truth about your “way of life” which always highlighted the freedom of expression and justice for all. Do not expect me to count the list of the many good things you have accomplished; you hear them frequently from speeches and news in your media, and you celebrate them in your holidays. Sure, you should remember the good things in your past, present, and remember them, so that you can continue repeating those good things. However, you need to hear the other voice too; the voice that you have not yet allocated a holiday to hear. You should open your ears to what you do not hear from those who have invested interest in caressing your ego, nationalism, patriotism, and feelings. I think you do not wish to be aloof to the facts around you and repeat the pattern of all fallen civilizations in history. Do not be arrogant, aloof, self-righteous, and selfish, since they will only inflict you further harm.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free.

Since you have separated the church from state, since you have appreciated the importance of freedom, God has blessed you with progress, abundance and prosperity. Though your history is tainted with wars, oppression, superstitions, and injustices, such as crusades, inquisition, indulgences, sectarian wars, witch-hunt, holocaust, slavery, racism, colonialism, misogynistic practices, sexual abuse, you seem to have learned from the past mistakes and have come up with a better functioning society that tolerates diversity and respects science. Though your society suffers from a myriad of problems such as promiscuous lifestyle, sexually transmitted diseases, high divorce rate, high crimes, videogames teaching violence, addiction with drugs and alcohol, gambling, greed, big gap between rich and poor, children abused by priests, high number of prisoners per capita, homelessness, waste, pollution, jingoism, apathy, etc., your constitutions, courts, congresses, and academic institutions are still functioning. Freedom has its own side effects, and having the freedom of living one’s life according to their own choice, without the fear of government repression is by far the greatest value. The greatest danger to your society is the corruption of the democratic process through the influence of money and lobbies. When big corporations control your finance, media, and congress, your democracy and freedom will be only an illusion. However, there is hope, since you frequently demonstrate the confidence to be self-critical and you are able to acknowledge your weaknesses and shortcomings. You have also demonstrated times and again that you have the ability to find novel solutions for social, economic, and political problems. You have shown grace and generosity against your former enemies.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from self-righteousness.

The world has shrunk due to increase in population, pollution, economic interdependence, mass transportation, and speed and ease in communication; thus, you can no more have a world with half of it eating themselves to obesity while the other half starving to death. You can no more spend billions of dollars on pets, millions of dollars for cosmetic surgeries (including on your pets), gulp world’s limited resources to feed your ever-increasing appetite for consuming, and yet expect love and admiration from the rest of the world to your capitalism, the system you adhere to like a religion. How can you convince the world that you are the bastion of liberty while your prison industry is booming and you have the highest number of prisoners per capita in the world? You can no more support cruel, corrupt, regressive puppet regimes and occupying military forces, and expect not being hurt by those who you have deprived directly or indirectly from freedom, education, progress, prosperity and hope. You can no more self-righteously claim to be a free and civilized nation while spending a great portion of your national production on conventional and unconventional weapons, which transforms you into arrogant beasts running from one war to another, from one occupation to another. You can no more fool yourselves to be a peaceful nation while you have been shedding the blood of millions of people around the globe in more than hundred wars, covert operations and occupations in less than a century! You cannot condemn terrorism without apologizing to humanity for destroying not one, but two cities in its entirety as retaliation to an attack of your enemy to your military base. If terrorism means to intimidate the enemy by aiming at civilians, then you should look in the mirror without trying to find justification for your own aggression and acts of terrorism. You cannot talk about a free and better world while you reject banning landmines that kill and maim so many innocent people every day.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from our own transgression.

Watch out for the right (wrong) wing religious organizations; when they are passionate about a social or political issue think thrice. If their historical record is a measure, they occasionally get it right, but usually they are wrong, very wrong. You cannot let the left-behind fiction fans lead your global policy. However, pay more attention to the other wing, to the other groups, such as Quakers. Their record, their conscience, their heart, their stand for peace and justice, is what you need. We are not telling you to turn your left cheek when you are slapped; but beware of getting intoxicated with power. While you might be pretending to be David, without knowing, your arrogance and transgression might transform you into a Goliath. The change might be slow, so you might not be able to notice it by looking at yourself through the mirror; especially when there are some politician magicians and their entourage whose job is to distort and contort the mirror so that you cannot see yourself as you should.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from our sins.

You can no more give lip service to the Biblical advice regarding the speck and plank in the eyes. You can no more ignore the fact that those who live by sword are destined to die by the sword. You can no more preach, “Love your enemy” while you are out there trying every means possible to hurt your friends, half-friends, and potential friends. You can no more talk about “the golden rule” while you are working hard to justify the “iron rule” under the euphemistic expression, “preemptory strike.” You can no more talk about human rights and freedom while at the same time, you have turned little islands and navy ships into torture centers and you have become the inventors of a diabolic scheme called “offshore interrogation.” How come America that once led the establishment of the United Nations and promotion of Human Rights, now has turned torture into an international enterprise and high tech affair? How can you allow the gulags such as, Abu Gharib and Gitmo happen? Yes, you have not broken the records of Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot; but you should not be competing with them. Your founding fathers did not fight for independence and did not draft one of the best legal documents in human history so that you become a super war machine and be the cowboy of the world. You carpet bombed dozens of countries in your short history, destroying hundreds of cities and killing millions of them. You destroyed two big cities with its civilian population as retaliation to losing less than three thousands of your soldiers in Pearl Harbor. As retaliation to losing less than three thousand civilians by a terrorist organization, which once you trained and financed, you started two wars, killed hundreds of thousands, destroyed many cities, and are still looking for more countries to destroy. How can you label your revenge, your aggression, your disrespect to the lives of other people, as “freedom” or “civilization”? You cannot change the reality by fabricating fancy names in your PR rooms and spinning them as the corporate media your accomplice. You cannot fool the world by replacing one puppet regime with another, by supporting oppressive and cruel tyrants in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Israel, and then congratulate yourselves for being the champion of “freedom” and “democracy.” You cannot preach about morality, rights, and God, as long as you do not value the lives of each innocent human being equally, regardless of their religion, nationality and color. You have been taking wars, destruction, death, horror and terror to many nations around the world without even changing your fancy lifestyle at home. Now, you are enraged and you demand justice from the world because you have tasted a small fraction of what others have tasted.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from the dark holes of our deception.

Why should we treat terrorizing an entire nation, destroying their cities, killing, torturing, and humiliating their children and youth in the name of “democracy and liberty” lightly? Why killing tens of thousands of civilians should be forgiven if the murderers, who are also proven congenial liars, use the magic word “collateral damage?” Why smashing the brains of children with bombs or severing their legs and arms should be considered civilized and treated differently than beheadings? Why destroying an entire neighborhood or city and massacring its population by the push of a button from the sky should not be considered equally or more evil than the individual suicide bomber blowing himself or herself up among his powerful enemies who snuffed out all their hope? Why surviving to push another button to kill more people should be considered a civilized action not the action of those who gave their own lives while doing the killing? Why should the smile of a well-fed and well-armed mass murderer be deemed more sympathetic than the pain and anger of a poor person? How can one honestly call an occupying foreign military force to be freedom fighters? How can one call the native population to be terrorists just because they are fighting against an arrogant and lethal occupation army, which was mobilized against them through lies and deception? Why are the children of poor Americans used to kill the children of poor countries?

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free from violence that has surrounded us.

You should not favor one criminal over another because of their religion or nationality. Your media did not depict the Serbian rapists and murderers as Christian Murderers, nor they labeled IRA terrorists who engaged in a long sectarian terror campaign that took the lives of thousands, as Christian terrorists. The right wing Christian militia that massacred thousands of Palestinian refugees in Sabra and Shatilla camps somehow lost their religion when they became news on your media. The same with terrorist groups who claimed the cause of Zionism. Furthermore, you should know that state terrorism, regardless of the nationality and religion of the population, is much more cruel, dangerous, and sinister than the group or individual terrorism. In your stand against war, violence, and terrorism, you must be consistent and fair. Peacemakers and promoters must protest and condemn the atrocities regardless as to whether those engaged in atrocities have a uniform on them or not. If military uniform justifies the acts of terror, destruction, or genocide, then Nazi soldiers should receive your sympathy.

We must acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free.

One World and Shared Destiny

We must eliminate the nationalistic virus that alienates the children of Adam and turns them into monsters against each other. This does not mean that we should eliminate national borders or abolish the social contracts among groups of people. We must consider the entire world as one community and work accordingly. This is not only morally right, but is the only way we can survive on this little planet. We can no longer be reckless in treating this planet, this precious earth, and can no longer be myopically selfish in our dealings with other nations. Otherwise, we will inhale and poison ourselves with each other’s pollution, we will suffer calamities caused by global warming, we will spend a great portion of our national production, we will overpopulate the land, we will shed the blood of many innocent people, and we will lose our individual freedoms for security because of the economic and political problems in other parts of the world. The world has become smaller and troubles are shared more than ever before. We must act now as a world and revive the spirit of the United Nations with a new vision. We can no long afford jingoism, macho attitudes, another world war, always looking for an “evil” outside us, retaliating against violence and terror with our own version of violence and terror. We should not let terrorists or warmongers define our vision, our destiny, since they will only bring more disasters for humanity. We should not allow evil whisperers to dupe us into inflicting another holocaust against another race; we should have learned our lesson. We should not tolerate authoritarian regimes, corrupt leaders, kings, and emirs in our countries; we must be braver than the corrupt bullies. We should be vigilant against the myopic and greedy interest groups that have grown like cancerous tumors in our democracies, infecting legislation, judiciary, executive branches and the mass media.

Hopefully, this century will be the century of unity under the banner of “God Alone,” so that the children of Adam will greet each other with peace by saying, “your system/religion is for you and my system/religion is for me.” So that, all humanity, including Atheists and polytheists, share this planet in peace and justice.

“The Lord your God is One God. You shall worship the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength.” (Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:4; New Testament, Mark 12:29-30)

“God bears witness that there is no god but He, as do the angels, and those with knowledge, He is standing with justice. There is no god but Him, the Noble, the Wise.” (Quran 3:18)

“Say, ‘O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we do not worship except God, that we never set up any idols besides Him, and never set up each other as gods beside God.’ If they reject such an agreement, then say, ‘Bear witness that we are Submitters.'” (Quran 3:64)

Therefore:

• Let’s reject all manmade religious teachings, and let’s dedicate the system to God alone.
• Let’s stand against marginal elements among us, oppressive puppet regimes, brutal wars, occupations, and clandestine operations.
• Let’s topple the oppressive monarchs, and elect our own leaders so that we can have peace, liberty and justice on our own volition.
• Let’s fight not with bullets or bombs, but with intelligence and wisdom.
• Let’s give up superstitions and medieval culture, and start engaging in scientific enterprise.
• Let’s stop subjugating our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives; let’s give them back their dignity, equal rights, liberty, and identity.
• Let’s unite our voices and prayers with genuine Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Agnostics, anyone who seeks justice and peace, rather than injustice and war.
• Let’s organize local and international conferences to discuss this issue. We may invite religious scholars of every sect or cult, but we should not let them run them, since our experience shows that they have not done a good job in leading.
• Let’s acknowledge the truth so that the truth will set us free.

 
Do These Verses Require us to Follow a Mishmash of Narrations?

(From the 19 Questions for Muslim Scholars by Edip Yuksel)

Distorting the meaning of the Quranic verses, taking them out of context, claiming that some verses abrogate others are some of the tactics used by the followers of Hadith and Sunna. Monarchist theocratic kingdoms have used the ulama to divert “Muslim” masses. The fabricated satanic teachings have transformed the system of God into a mishmash liturgy and a ritual torture. Here, God willing, we will expose their true colors by evaluating some verses most often abused by them.

“Indeed, in the messenger of God a good example has been set for he who seeks God and the Last day and thinks constantly about God.” (33:21)

The falsifiers have presented medieval Arab culture and traditions as good examples of the messenger. However, if you look at the context, the good example has been described as the messenger’s courage and his constant remembrance of God. They extended this good example to irrelevant individual or cultural behaviors. For instance, they sanctified the beard and turban, ignoring the fact that the Meccan idol worshipers, such as Abu Lahab and Walid b. Mugiyra also had long beards and wore turbans.

What is worse, the actions and words ascribed to prophet Muhammad have depicted him with a character that is far from exemplary. The Hadith books portrays the prophet as a phantasmagoric character with a multiple personality. That character is more fictitious than mythological gods and goddesses, such as Hermes, Pan, Poseidon and Aphrodite. He is a pendulous character, both bouncing up to deity, and down to the lowest degree. He is both wise and moron. He is sometimes more merciful than God and sometimes a cruel torturer. He is both perfect and criminal, humble and arrogant, chaste and sex maniac, trustworthy and cheater, illiterate and educator, rich and poor, a nepotistic and a democratic leader, caring and a male chauvinist, a believer and a disbeliever, prohibiting Hadith and promoting Hadith. You can find numerous conflicting personalities presented as an exemplary figure. Choose whichever you like. This peculiar aspect of Hadith collection is well described by the prophetic verses of the Quran:

68:35  Should We treat the ones who peacefully surrendered the same as those who are criminals?

68:36  What is wrong with you, how do you judge?

68:37  Or do you have another book which you study?

68:38  In it, you can find what you wish?

Furthermore, a similar statement is made about Abraham: “A good example has been set for you by Abraham and those with him” (60:4, 6). If verse 33:21 requires Muhammad’s hadith, then why would not the verses 60:4,6 require Abraham’s hadith? Which books narrate hadiths from Abraham? Obviously, the only reliable source for both examples is the Book of God, which narrates the relevant exemplary actions. It also warns us not to repeat the mistakes committed by Muhammad (33:37; 80: 1-10).

“O you who acknowledge, obey God and obey the messenger and those entrusted amongst you. But if you dispute in any matter, then you shall refer it to God and His messenger, if you acknowledge God and the Last day. That is better and a more suitable solution.” (4:59)

Obeying Bukhari, a narrator of lies, is not obeying the messenger. Obeying the messenger is obeying the complete, perfect and fully detailed Quran. Verse 25:73 describes the attitude of believers towards God’s revelations.

25:73  Those who when they are reminded of their Lord’s signs, they do not fall on them deaf and blind.

But the followers of Hadith and Sunna are very good in ignoring them. They do not see 6:19, 7:3, and 50:45 which say that the only teaching delivered by God’s messenger was the Quran. They do not think that Muhammad practiced the Quran and the Quran alone (5:48, 49). They do not hear Muhammad’s only complaint about his people (25:30). They do not understand that Muhammad disowns those who do not understand that the Quran is enough and fully detailed (6:114).

The first verse of Chapter 9 states that an ultimatum is issued from God an His messenger. We know that the verses about the ultimatum are entirely from God. God did not consult Muhammad about the ultimatum. Muhammad’s only mission was to deliver God’s message (16:35; 24:54). Thus, the reason that God included the messenger in 9:1 is because he participated as deliverer of the ultimatum, not as the source.

9:1      This is an ultimatum from God and His messenger to those who set up partners with whom you had entered a treaty.

Similarly, because people receive God’s message through messengers we are ordered to obey the messengers. We also know that the Quran is a permanent messenger (65:11), and the Quran is a reminder and deliverer of good news (41:1-4; 11:2).

41:1    H8M40

41:2    A revelation from the Gracious, Compassionate.

41:3    A book whose signs are detailed, a compilation in Arabic for a people who know.

41:4    A bearer of good news, and a warner. But most of them turn away; they do not hear.

“Nor does he speak from personal desire. It is a divine inspiration. (53:3-4)

Meccan idol worshipers claimed that Muhammad was the author of the Quran (25:5; 68:15). The beginning of Chapter 53 is about the revelation of the Quran. It states that “the Quran is from Him”. It is not Muhammad’s personal claim; it is a divine statement. Therefore, claiming that the pronoun “it” in the verse 53:4 refers to the words of Muhammad, not of God, is an obvious distortion. According to the above verse “it” is revelation, without exception. This can be valid only for the Quran. It is nonsense to claim that Muhammad’s daily conversation was entirely revelation. For example, God firmly criticizes Muhammad’s words to Zayd (33:37). Obviously, the criticism was not about revelation. The beginning phrase of Chapter 97 informs us about the revelation of the Quran: “We revealed it in the Night of Destiny”. The “it” in this verse is the same as the “it” in 53:4.

“With proof and the scriptures… We sent down to you the Reminder to proclaim to the people what was sent to them, and perhaps they would think. (16:44)

People who establish Hadith and Sunna as another source of religious teachings besides the Quran, opted the irrelevant meaning of the Arabic word “BYN”. The word lituBaYyeNa is a derivative of BYN, which is a multiple-meaning word. It means: (1) to reveal what is concealed; (2) to explain what is vague. The first meaning is the antonym of “hide”, the second is the antonym of “make vague”. God orders Muhammad to proclaim the revelation which is revealed to him personally. Indeed, this is the whole mission of the messengers.

16:35     Those who set up partners said, “If God had wished it, we would not have served anything besides Him; neither us nor our fathers; nor would we have forbidden anything without Him.” Those before them did the exact same thing; so are the messengers required to do anything but deliver with proof?*

Prophets sometimes experience difficulty in proclaiming the revelation (33:37, 20:25). If the Quran is a profound Arabic book, if it is explained by God, and if it is simple to understand (5:15; 26:195; 11:1; 54:17; 55:1-2), then the prophet does not have an extra mission to explain it. Indeed, the verse 75:19 does not leave any room for an extra human explanation.

75:16  Do not move your tongue with it to make haste.

75:17  It is for Us to collect it and relate it.

75:18  So when We relate it, you shall follow its revelation.

75:19  Then it is for Us to clarify it.

Thus, the word litubayyena of 16:44 is similar to the one in 3:187.

3:187  God took the covenant of those who were given the book: “You will proclaim to the people and not conceal it.” However, they threw it behind their backs and purchased with it a cheap price. Miserable indeed is what they have purchased.

Verse 3:187 tells us that the people who received the revelation should “proclaim the scripture to the people, and never conceal it.” Also see 2:159 for another informative contrast.

2:159  Surely those who conceal what We have sent down to them which was clear, and the guidance, after God had made it clear in the book; these will be cursed by God and be cursed by those who curse;

The Quran is simple to understand (54:11). Whoever opens his/her mind and heart as a monotheist and takes the time to study it, will understand it. This understanding will be enough for salvation. Beyond this, to understand the multi-meaning verses you do not need to be a messenger of God. If you have a good mind and have studied the Quran as a believer, that is, if you have a deep knowledge, then you will be able to understand the true meanings of multiple-meaning verses. The verse 3:7, which is about the multiple-meaning verses, points this fact in a multiple-meaning way: “. . . No one knows their true meaning except God and those who possess knowledge. . .” (This is a very interesting verse with crucial consequences. It is also one of the verses that is mistranslated by almost all translators. I have discussed it extensively in the first chapter of my book: Running Like Zebras.)

“O you who acknowledge, do not advance yourselves before God and His messenger. Be aware of God. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.” (49:1)

Followers of hadith and sunna claim that God is represented by the Quran, and the messenger is represented by his opinion on the Quran. Thus, they claim that the Quran is not enough for salvation. Some people may not utter this claim straightforwardly. They may even claim that the Quran is complete and enough for our guidance. However, further questioning will reveal that their quran is not “the Quran”. The Quran is the one that consists of 114 Chapters and 6346 verses. It is a mathematically coded book. However, their minds are confused, and their quran is contaminated with human speculations and limited by a snap-shot interpretation. They try to scare the believers by saying “you do not like the messenger”. The belief that God is represented by the Quran, and the messenger by his teaching is a satanic claim. There are several points to remember:

• Quran represents God and His messenger.
• Obeying the Quran is obeying God and the messenger.
• Quran never says: “Obey God and Moses,” or “Obey God and Muhammad.” But, Quran consistently states: “Obey God and the messenger.” This is because the word messenger (rasul) comes from the “message” (risala). The message is entirely from God; messengers cannot exist without the message.
• Messengers as humans make mistakes. Thus, when believers made a covenant with prophet Muhammad they promised to obey him conditionally, i.e., his righteous orders (60:12). Moreover, God specifically orders Muhammad to consult the believers around him (3:159).

3:159  It was a mercy from God that you were soft towards them; had you been harsh and mean hearted, they would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter; but when you are convinced, then put your trust in God; God loves those who trust.

• If nobody can object to the personal decision of the messenger, then consultation is meaningless. However, whenever the final decision is made, it should be followed.
• During their lifetimes, messengers are community leaders. In this regard messengers are not different than the believers who are in charge (4:59); both should be obeyed. But, this obedience is not absolute. It is open for consultation and discussion.
• The position of messengers are different during their lives; they are interactive teachers and curious students as well. We have the chance to ask them further questions, discuss issues, learn their intention, and even correct their mistakes. On the other hand, they have the opportunity to correct our misunderstandings. However, when they pass away their teaching becomes frozen and looses its advancing three-dimensional character. The frozen, snap-shot fragments of knowledge are a dangerous weapon in the hand of ignorant people to stop God’s teachings. They defend every plain error in the name of the messenger. They insult every sincere students of God’s revelation.

“… Say, ‘I do not ask you for any wage, except that you show compassion to your relatives.’…” (42:23)

This verse is mostly abused by Shiite Muslims. They claim that prophet Muhammad was ordered to ask help for HIS relatives. This distortion created a class of blood sucking people surviving on charity. Hundreds of thousands of people in Iran, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries claim that they are descendants of Prophet Muhammad (Sayyeed or Shareef) and they are entitled to obligatory financial help. They abuse the verse mentioned above to exploit people economically. However, the verse does not say “my relatives”. The context of the verse is plain enough to state that Muhammad does not need a wage from the believers and if they can help somebody they should help their own relatives. Indeed, helping the relatives is a divine command repeated in 2:83; 4:36; 8:41; 16:90.

4:36    Serve God and do not set up anything with Him, and be kind to the parents, and the relatives, and the needy, and the neighbor who is of kin, and the neighbor next door, and close friend, and the traveler, and those with whom you have contractual rights. God does not like the arrogant, the boastful.

The special status given to the descendants of Muhammad through Fatima and Ali has created a privileged and “sacred” religious class who exploits their followers politically, economically and mentally. For mere political reasons, the Shiite scholars with do not consider Muhammad’s wife Aisha as a member of his family! Bizarre!

Eager to Fabricate Alternative Revelations

Muslim clerics claim that a part of revelation to Prophet Muhammad was preserved word for word under the title of the Quran. All other “revelation,” according to them, was embodied either in the Prophet’s sayings or in his practices which were “carefully preserved” by the Companions as the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad. The following verses are abused for the purposes of raising the volumes of hadith fabrications to the level of the Quran:

“As such, We have made you a balanced/impartial nation so that you may be witnesses over the people, and that the messenger may be witness over you. We did not make the focal point that you came on except so that we know who follows the messenger from those who will turn on their heels. It was a big deal indeed except for those whom God had guided; God was not to waste your acknowledgement. God is Kind and Compassionate over the people.” (2:143)

Sunni clergymen claim that God Himself had appointed Jerusalem as the initial Qiblah (i.e. direction faced when praying) for the Prophet in the past and there is no verse in the Quran which commands the Prophet to face Jerusalem at the beginning of his mission. Therefore, they continue, the Prophet must have received this guidance from God in a form other than the Quran. They claim that this alternative revelation has been preserved in the Sunna.

A careful study of the verses in their context reveals the distortion of Sunni scholars. Muhammad was ordered by the Quranic verses to switch his qibla to Mecca (not to Jerusalem), and this revelation ordering believers to turn back to Mecca was the test, not the other way around.

The “change” referred in 2:142 is not about changing to Jerusalem but it is about changing to Mecca. After escaping from Meccan oppressors, prophet Muhammad and believers decided to change the qibla to Jerusalem, as a sign of good relation with Christian community in Medina. Since there was no expressed divine commandment at that time, they considered it as a discretionary matter. However, when God Almighty ordered them to turn back to Kaba in Mecca, it became a distinguishing test for the Muslim community. Some could not accept this divine commandment, since they have established strong social and economic ties with Christians and Jews in Medina. They wanted to please them (2:145). Thus, God Almighty uses this issue to expose hypocrites.

In brief, there was no revelation out of the Quran requiring believers to follow. The revelation that was testing the Muslim community was the very verses 2:142-146. Verse 2:145 clearly explains the nature of the test. Those who preferred pleasing Christians, instead of following the revelation, had difficulty in turning back to Mecca.

“When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives, and she then spread it, God made it known to him. He confirmed a part of it and repudiated a part. Then when he informed her, she said, ‘Who informed you of this?’ He said, ‘I was informed by the Omniscient, Most Cognizant.'”66:3

Sunni scholars asks, “How did God make it known to him and tell him?” They claim that he learned about this issue not via the Quran, since there is no mention of it anywhere else in the Book of God. Therefore, they conclude, the Prophet must have been told via revelation from God which is not part of the Quran.

“It is we who will collect it into Quran. Once we recite it, you shall follow such a Quran.” (75:17-18)

Eager to find “alternative revelations” to the Quran, mushrik scholars develop arguments on unpredictable verses. This is one of them. They acknowledge that God took it upon Himself to collect the Quran. They argue that Prophet directed the scribes of the Quran to arrange its suras (chapters) in the order found today; this is not the order in which they were revealed. Therefore, since this was God’s responsibility, it shows that He guided the Prophet with respect to the order of the sura.

AN ANALOGY

The Quran broadcasts a very clear message. However, the problem is with our receivers. If our receiver does not hear the broadcast or cannot understand it well, then something is wrong with our receiver and we have to check it. If the signal is weak, we need to recharge our batteries, or reset our antennas. If we do not receive a clear message, we need to tune into the station, to the station of Quran alone, in order to get rid of the noises and interference from other sources. We may ask some help from knowledgeable people or experts for this task. If the receiver does not work at all, then we have to make a sincere effort to fix the broken parts. However, if we believe that the problem is in the broadcast, then nobody can help us. The divine broadcast can be heard in detail only by those who sincerely tune in, i.e., those who take it seriously and act accordingly.

The condition of our receiver and the antenna, the power of the battery, and the precision level of our tuning are very important in getting the divine message properly.

DETAILED QUESTIONS

2.1. If the verse 33:21 requires Muhammad’s hadith, then why would not the verses 60:4,6 require Abraham’s hadith? Which books narrate hadiths from Abraham?

2.2. You try to justify your collections of hadiths by using 33:21. Ironically, your collections do not provide an exemplary character. How can you claim that an eye-gouger, a urine-prescriber, a sex maniac is a “good example”?

2.3. The Quran states “Obey God and the messenger.” How can you twist this commandment and make Bukhary, or Al-Kafy and many other story books as the second source of Islam? According to verse 4:59 we have to obey the people in charge too. Thus, does it mean that Islam is a co-authored religion by at least three sources?

2.4. The first verse of Chapter 9 states that an ultimatum is issued from God an His messenger. We know that the verses about the ultimatum are entirely from God. Muhammad was not the co-author of the ultimatum. Muhammad’s only mission was to deliver God’s message (16:35; 24:54). Thus, the reason that God includes the messenger in verse 9:1 is the messenger’s participation as a deliverer of the ultimatum.  Why don’t you apply this explanation to other verses where the word “messenger” is mentioned after God?

2.5. Why do you distort the meaning of 53:3,4 by taking it out of context?

2.6. By claiming that it is the mission of the messenger to explain the Quran, you contradict 16:35; 55:2; 75:19 and many other verses. In order to support your claim you opt a different meaning of litubayyena in 16:44.  In fact, the word litubayyena of 16:44 is no different than the ones in 3:187 and 2:159. This verse tells us that the people who received the revelation should “proclaim the scripture to people, and never conceal it.”  How can you claim that the meaning of litubayyena in 16:44 is “to explain”, but not “to proclaim”?

2.7. You have created a privileged class out of descendents of the prophet Muhammad by misinterpreting 42:23. What are the Arabic equivalence of “the relatives” and “my relatives”? Which one is mentioned in that verse?

“How Can we Observe the Sala Prayers by Following the Quran Alone?”

“How can we observe the Sala prayers by following the Quran alone?” is a favorite question among the adherents of Sunni and Shiite sects who follow derivative texts, religious instruction, teachings and laws, all of which were authored by men. With this question, both sects try to justify the necessity and proliferation of contradictory sectarian teachings, medieval Arab culture, oppressive laws filled with numerous prohibitions and regulations–all falsely attributed to God and His prophet. Perhaps, the best answer for those who direct that question is the following:

If you are expecting the intercession of Muhammad and many other saints, if you are associating your religious leaders as partners to God in authoring your system, justifying authoritarian regimes, violating women’s rights and putting them in black sacks, showing no tolerance for the expression of opposing ideas and cultures, justifying the punishment of stoning to death for adulterers, adhering to numerous superstitions, entering the restroom with left foot, forcing your child to eat with right hand, prohibiting music and visual arts….. In short, if you are condemning yourself and your society to a backward and miserable life just because you learn from those sectarian sources how to bend your belly or where to put your hands, then it is better for you not to pray at all. Such a prayer (more accurately, physical exercise), is not worth exchanging monotheism with polytheism, reason with ignorance, light with darkness, peace with conflicts, universalism with tribalism, progress with regression.

But, this answer may not be able to wake them up and save them from the cobwebs of clergymen. They will still challenge us to produce a manual for prayer. How and how many times to bow, where and how to put their hands, what to do with their fingers, where and how to stand on their feet, etc. For many adherents of Sunni or Shiite sects, the question is just an excuse to avoid the pain of reforming themselves. They know that the Quran does not provide extensive explanation on every itsy bitsy spiders crawling in their minds. So, the question is usually asked in a rhetorical sense: “You cannot find in the Quran how many times to bow and prostrate, or how to hold my index or pinki finger in Sala prayer, so I will continue following all those volumes of contradictory books filled with silly stories and outrageous instructions!”

As a result, Monotheism is redefined as a Limited Partnership, in which the recognition and submission to God alone becomes an oxymoron; a contradiction in terms in which other ‘partners’ are submitted to and accepted by these ‘believers.’ The most common set-up for Sunni shirk is: the Quran (God) + hadiths and sunna (messenger) + the practice of the Prophet’s companions + the practice of the companions of the Prophet’s companions + the opinions of emams (ijtihad) + consensus of ulama in a particular sect (ijma‘) + the comments and opinions of their students + the comments and opinions of early ulama + the comments and opinions of later ulama + the fatwas of living ulama.

In Shiite version of shirk, in addition to the aforementioned partners, the 12 Infallible Emams (all relatives and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad starting with Ali) and the living substitute emam is added to the board of directors of the Holy Limited Partnership. The Quran is usually considered an ambiguous book and is basically distorted and aused for their justification of this shirk, that is, setting partners with God.

Islam, which means Submission to God in peace, is the state of mind of all people who submit to God alone. All messengers, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Jesus and all previous monotheists were Submitters ( 2:131; 5:111; 7:126; 10:72,84; 22:78; 27:31,42,91; 28:53; 72:14). Thus, the only system approved by God is Submission to God (3:19). It is God Almighty who uses this attribute to describe those who submit to His law (22:78). Islam is referred to as the “System of Abraham” in many verses since Meccan idol worshipers were claiming that they were following their father Abraham (2:130,135; 3:95; 4:125; 6:161; 12:37-38; 16:123; 21:73; 22:78). And Muhammad was a follower of Abraham (16:123).

Ignorant of the fact that Abraham observed the contact prayers (21:73), many contemporary muslims challenge God by asking where we can find the number of units in each contact prayer. Ignorant of the fact that God claimed Quran to be complete (6:11-116), they do not “see” that ALL religious practices of Submission/Monotheism were established and practiced before the Quranic revelation (8:35; 9:54; 16:123; 21:73; 22:27; 28:27). Messengers after Abraham practiced Sala prayers, obligatory charity, and fasting (2:43; 3:43; 11:87; 19:31,59; 20:14; 28:27; 31:17).

The Meccan mushriks used to believe that they were followers of Abraham. They were not worshipping statutes or icons as claimed by hadith fabricators, but they were praying for shafaat (intercession) from some holy names, such as al-Lat, al-Uzza, and al-Manaat (53:19-23). So, contrary to their false assertion of being monotheists (6:23), they were accused of being mushrik or associating partners to God (39:3).

Sunni and Shiite scholars subsequently fabricated stories in an attempt to erase any similarities between themselves and the mushriks, but in doing so exposed their own inherent lies in contradictory descriptions of those statutes (For instance, see Al-Kalbi’s classic book on statutes: Kitab-ul Asnam). Meccan mushriks who were proud of Abraham’s legend could not practice the literal observance of idol-worship; they settled for a more metaphysical satanic trap by accepting intercession and man-made religious prohibitions (6:145-150; 39:3). They were metaphysical or spiritual idol worshipers.

Meccan Mushriks, during the era of Prophet Muhammad were respecting the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham (9:19). They were practicing the contact prayers, fasting, and pilgrimage (2:183,99; 8:35–the meaning of this verse is deliberately distorted in traditional translations–; 9:54; 107:4-6). Although they knew Zaka (obligatory charity) they were not fulfilling their obligation (53:34). During the time of the Prophet Muhammad people knew the meaning of Sala, Zaka, Sawm, and Hajj. They were not foreign words.

God sent the Quran in their language. As with each proceeding Book, the revelation was given in it’s time, in the language of the people receiving the revelation. God commands and reveals in a manner which can be both understood and observed, and then He details His requirements of His people throughout His Book (16:103; 26:195). Moreover, if God wants to add a new meaning to a known word, He informs us. For instance, the Arabic word al-din in 1:4 is explained in 82:15-19.

Verse 16:123 is a direct proof that all religious practices in Islam were intact when Muhammad was born. Thus, he was ordered to “follow the system of Abraham.” If I ask you to ride a bicycle, it is assumed that you know what a bicycle is and you know or would learn from others how to ride it. Similarly, when God enjoined Muhammad to follow the practices of Abraham (16:123), such practices must have been well known.

Nevertheless, contrary to the popular belief, the Quran details contact prayers. While neither Quran nor hadith books contain illustration for Sala or video clips showing how the prophets observed their Sala, Quran does describe prayer. The Quranic description of Sala prayer is much more superior for the following reasons:

• The language of the Quran is superior to the language of hadiths. Hadiths are collections of narration containing numerous different dialects and are inflicted with chronic and endemic linguistic problems. The language of the Quran is much simpler as witnessed by those who study both the Quran and hadith. The eloquence of the Quranic language is emphasized in the Quran with a repeated rhetorical question (54:17, 22, 32, 40).
• Hadith books may contain more details. But are those details helpful and consistent with the Quran? How does a believer decide between conflicting details? Does he just pick the word of his favorite Imam? If we follow the words of a particular, favorite imam, does that mean that we are really following the practice of the prophet? For instance, you may find dozens of hadiths in Sahih Muslim narrating that the Prophet Muhammad read the first chapter of the Quran, al-Fatiha, and bowed down, without reading any additional verses from the Quran. You will find many other hadiths claiming that the Prophet read this or that chapter after al-Fatiha. There are also many conflicting hadiths regarding ablution which is the source of different rituals among sects. Hadith, more or less of them compounding God’s Word with contradictory details, cannot guide to the truth. It has become a necessary evil for ignorant believers and community leaders who manipulate them.
• Hadith books narrate a silly story regarding the times of Sala prayer and its ordinance. The story of Mirage is one of the longest hadiths in the Bukhari. Reportedly, after getting frequent advice from Moses by going up and down between the sixth and seventh heaven, Muhammad negotiated with God to reduce the number of prayers from 50 times a day (one prayer for every 28 minutes) to 5 times a day. This hadith portrays Muhammad as a compassionate union leader saving his people from God’s unmerciful and impossible demand.

SALA PRAYER ACCORDING TO THE QURAN

• Observing Sala prayer is frequently mentioned together with giving charity and thus emphasizing the social consciousness and communal responsibility of those who observe the prayer (2:43,83,110; 4:77; 22:78; 107:1-7).
• Sala prayer is observed to commemorate and remember God alone (6:162; 20:14).
• Sala remembrance protects us from sins and harming others (29:45).
• Sala prayer should be observed continuously until death (19:31; 70:23,34).
• Sala is for God’s remembrance (20:14).
• Sala is conducted regularly at three times each day (24:58, 11:114, 2:238, 17:78).
• Sala is for men and women (9:71).
• Sala requires a sober state of mind (4:43).
• Sala requires cleanliness (5:6).
• Sala is done while facing one unifying point (2:144).
• Sala is done in a stationary standing position (2:238-239).
• Sala involves the oath being made to God (1:1-7) followed by the Scripture being recited (29:45).
• Sala requires a moderate voice (17:110).
• Sala involves prostration (4:102).
• Sala is ended by prostrating and saying specific words (4:102, 17:111).
• Sala can be shortened in case of war (4:101).
• Sala can be done on the move or sitting in case of worry (2:239).
• Sala is to be prescribed to your own family (20:133).
• Sala is also performed with congregation (62: 9-10).

Ablution

To observe prayer one must make ablution (4:43; 5:6). Ablution is nullified only by sexual intercourse or passing urine or defecation. Ablution remains valid even if one has passed gas, shaking hands with the opposite sex, or a woman is menstruating. A menstruating woman may observe contact prayers, contrary to superstitious cultural beliefs (5:6; 2:222; 6:114-115).

Dress Code

There is not a particular dress code for prayer, in fact, if you wish you may pray nude in your privacy. Covering our bodies is a social and cultural necessity aimed to protect ourselves from harassment, misunderstanding and undesired consequences (7:26; 24:31; 33:59).

Times for Prayer

Quran mentions three periods of time in conjunction with Sala prayer. In other words, the Quran qualifies the word “Sala” by three different temporal words: (1) Sala-al Fajr (Morning Prayer), (2) Sala-al Esha (Evening Prayer), (3) Sala-al Wusta (Middle Prayer). The Morning Prayer (24:58) and Night Prayer (24:58) should be observed at both ends of the day and part of the night (11:114). (We will discuss the times of Sala prayers later in detail at the end of this article).

Direction for Prayer

For the prayer one should face the Sacred Masjid built by Abraham, the Ka’ba (2:125, 143-150; 22:26). To find the correct qibla a person should keep in mind that the world is a globe, far different from Mercator’s flat map. Since the prayer during emergency and fear is reduced to one unit, in normal conditions the prayer should be at least two units and during the prayer one must dramatically reduce his/her contact with the external world (4:101-103). Prayers, unlike fasting, cannot be performed later after they are missed; they must be observed on time (4:103).

Congregational Prayer

Believers, men and women, once a week are invited to a particular location to pray together every Juma (Congregational) Day. They go back to their work and normal daily schedule after the Congregational Prayer which could be led by either man or a woman (62:9-11). The mosques or masjids should be dedicated to God alone, thus, the invitation should be restricted to worship God alone, and no other name should be inscribed on the walls of masjids and none other than God should be commemorated (72:18-20). Those who go to masjids should dress nicely since masjids are for public worship and meetings (7:31).

Position for Prayer

One should start the Sala prayer in standing position (2:238; 3:39; 4:102) and should not change his/her place except during unusual circumstances, such as while riding or driving (2:239). Submission to God should be declared physically and symbolically by first bowing down and prostrating (4:102; 22:26; 38:24; 48:29). This physical ritual is not required at the times of emergencies, fear, and unusual circumstances (2:239).

Comprehension and Purpose of Prayer

We must comprehend the meaning of our prayers, as these are the moments in which we communicate directly with God (4:43). We must be reverent during our contact prayers (23:2). Along with understanding what we say, we can recall one of God’s attributes, depending on our need and condition during the time of our prayer (17:111). Prayer is to commemorate God, and God Alone (6:162; 20:14; 29:45). Prayer is to praise, exalt and remember His greatness, His Mercy and ultimately our dependence on each of these attributes (1:1-7; 20:14; 17:111; 2:45). So that even mentioning other names besides God’s contradicts our love and dependence on Him (72:18; 29:45).

Recitation during the Sala Prayer

Preferring the Quran for recitation has practical benefits since believers from all around the world can pray together without arguing on which language to chose or which translation to use. The chapter al-Fatiha (The Opening) is the only chapter which addresses God in its entirety and is an appropriate prayer for Sala. For non-Arabs it should not be too difficult to learn the meaning of words in al-Fatiha, since it consists of seven short verses. Those who are unable to learn the meaning of al-Fatiha should pray in the language that he or she understands. I see no practical reason for reciting in Arabic during individually observed prayers.

We should recite Sala prayers in moderate tone, and we should neither try to hide our prayers nor try to pray it in public for political or religious demonstration (17:111). If it is observed with congregation, we should listen to the recitation of the men or women who leads the prayer (7:204; 17:111). After completing the Sala prayer, we should continue remembering God (4:103). 

Units of Prayer

The Quran does not specify any number of units for prayers. It leaves it to our discretion. We may deduce some ideas regarding the length of the prayers from verses 4:101 and 102. Verse 101 allows us to shorten our prayers because of the fear of being ambushed by enemy during wars. The following verse explains how to pray with turn; it mentions only one prostration, thus implying one unit. If shortening the prayers is considered as reducing the number of their units, then one may infer that prayers at normal times should consist at least of two units. The units of the Congregational Prayer being 2 are revealing, since it is more likely to be accurately preserved. Again, the units of prayer are not fixed by the Quran; it is up to individual and groups.

Funeral Prayer

There is no funeral Sala prayer. However, remembering those who died as monotheists and providing community support for their relatives is a civic duty.

Sectarian Innovations

There are many sectarian innovations that differ from sect to sect. Some of the innovations are: combining the times of prayers, performing the prayers omitted at their proper times, shortening the prayers during normal trips, adding extra prayers such as sunna and nawafil, innovating a paid cleric occupation to lead the prayers, prohibiting women from leading the prayers, while sitting reciting a prayer “at-Tahiyat” which addresses to the Prophet Muhammad as he is alive and omnipresent, adding Muhammad’s name to the Shahada, reciting zamm-us Sura (extra chapters) after the al-Fatiha, indulging in sectarian arguments on details of how to hold your hands and fingers, washing mouth and nose as elements of taking ablution, brushing the teeth with misvak (a dry branch of a three beaten into fibers at one end as a toothbrush) just before starting the prayers, wearing turbans or scarves to receive more credits…

HOW MANY PRAYERS A DAY?

Only three Contact Prayers are mentioned by name in the Quran. In other words, the word “Sala” is qualified with descriptive words in three instances. These are:

1. Sala-al Fajr-DAWN PRAYER         (24:58; 11:114).
2. Sala-al Esha-EVENING PRAYER   (24:58; 17:78; 11:114)
3. Sala–al Wusta– MIDDLE PRAYER (2:238; 17:78)

All of the verses that define the times of the prayers are attributable to one of these three prayers. Now let’s see the related verses:

DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS by their names:

“. . . This is to be done in three instances: before the DAWN PRAYER, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the EVENING PRAYER. . .” (24:58).

For other usage of the word “esha” (evening) see: 12:16; 79:46

The times of DAWN & EVENING PRAYERS defined:

“You shall observe the contact prayers at both ends of the daylight, that is, during the adjacent hours of the night. . . ” (11:114)

Traditional translators and commentators consider the last clause “zulfan minal layl” of this verse as a separate prayer indicating to the “night” prayer. However, we consider that clause not as an addition but as an explanation of the previous ambiguous clause; it explains the temporal direction of the ends of the day. The limits of “Nahar” (daylight) is marked by two distinct points: sunrise and sunset. In other words, two prayers should be observed not just after sunrise and before sunset, but before sunrise and after sunset.

Furthermore, the traditional understanding runs into the problem of contradicting the practice of the very tradition it intend to promote. Traditionally, both morning and evening prayers are observed in a time period that Quranically is considered LaYL (night) since Layl starts from sunset and ends at sunrise. The word Layl in Arabic is more comprehensive than the word “night” used in English.

If the expression tarafayin nahar (both ends of the day) refers to morning and evening prayers which are part of Layl (night), then, the last clause cannot be describing another prayer time.

The time of NOON and EVENING PRAYER defined.

“You shall observe the contact prayer when the sun goes down until the darkness of the night. You shall also observe the Quran at dawn. Reading the Quran at dawn is witnessed.” (17:78).

The decline of the sun can be understood either its decline from the zenith marking the start of the Noon prayer or its decline behind the horizon marking the start of the Evening prayer. There are two opposing theories regarding the purpose of the usage of “duluk” (rub) in the verse; nevertheless, either understanding will not contradict the idea of 3 times a day since both Noon and Evening prayers are accepted.

MIDDLE PRAYER (Noon)

“You shall consistently observe the contact prayers, especially the MIDDLE PRAYER, and devote yourselves totally to God.” (2:238).

Verse 38:32 implies that the time of the Middle prayer ends with sunset.

We can easily understand the MIDDLE prayer as a prayer between the two other prayers mentioned by name (Dawn and Evening).

The Old Testament has at least three verses referring to Contact Prayers (Sala) and they confirm this understanding. Though we may not trust the Biblical translations verbatim, we may not consider them as errors since both internal and external consistency of the Biblical passages regarding the Contact Prayers are striking.

“And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.” (1 Samuel 20:41)

“As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalms 55:16-17) (PS: crying aloud apparently means praying with passion).

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)

The followers of Shiite sect observe 5 prayers in 3 times: morning, noon and evening. This strange practice perhaps was the result of a historical compromise with the dominant Sunni 5-times-a-day practice.

***

ADDENDUM (2009)

Though the 3 times of prayer is my current understanding, I do not find fault in praying five times a day. Since we have decided to devote ourselves to God alone and uphold the Quran alone as a sufficient authority for eternal guidance, we have exposed and rejected numerous false teachings. During this process of purification, we have been passing through internal debate, both individually and as groups. The debate on Sala, prayer have been one of the longest lasting and more contentious. Sometimes, we tend to ignore our agreement on so many issues and focus on our differences. I have received accusations of being a “divider” from some of the followers of the Quran alone as divine source, and engaged in numerous debates on this issue.

With bigotry and expectation that everyone must understand everything exactly like we do has been one of the main causes of division. Furthermore, the great majority of those who follow the Quran alone as divine source have so much in common… But the dividers focus on the marginal ones and focus on the few issues that are still being discussed: they scream division! Their obsession with the military-style lock-step and uniform walk is perhaps the very cause of the division they complain about…

If we make different understandings/practices of a detail that is not even mentioned in the Quran (such as rakaas, that is units of the sala prayers, or the position of our hands during standing in sala), as the cause of hostility and division among ourselves then we are doomed to be divided into many sects and sub-sects. Interestingly, we are following a book that contains verse 2:62 among others.

May God guide us, teach us, and help us to show the courage and wisdom to accept the truth and correct ourselves. 20.114.
Why Trash All the Hadiths as Secondary Authority Besides the Quran?

After witnessing the comparison between the hadith and the Quran, how can a sound mind still insist on hadith? How can people still call those books sharif (honorable), or sahih (authentic)? How can they forgive the hadith narrators and collectors who sold them all kinds of lies and stories, containing so much ignorance and distortion? How can they get mad at Salman Rushdi, while much worse insults charged against Muhammad by hadith narrators and collectors?

When followers of hadith and sunna cannot defend the nonsensical and contradictory hadiths (narrations) abundant in their so-called authentic hadith books, they suggest picking and choosing those hadiths that are not contradictory to the Quran. The following brief argument with a Sunnite shows how deceptive and meaningless this apparently innocent suggestion. We call these people compromisers, or Selective Sunnis. Let’s now follow a debate between a Selective Sunni and a Monotheist Muslim:

Sunni:

1. How can you claim that several thousand sahih hadiths are necessarily false while you cite only a few sahih hadiths which have debatable contents? Is this not generalization from scanty data?

2. Why do you assume that either all sahih hadiths should be rejected or all of them should be accepted? Why not judge each hadith based on its individual merit according to all the available data about its isnad, its transmitters, and so on?

3. Suppose we cease to use hadith as a source of information about the Prophet, his life, and his career. Then we notice that the Quran itself says very little about the Prophet’s life. It also says nothing about how it was complied.

4. The historicity of the Quran is based on hadiths. It is from hadiths that we know how the Quran was complied. It is also from hadith that we know about the life of the Prophet.

Muslim:

1. If any book contains a few lies (and we have more than just “a few”), then, the endorsement of that book is not reliable. If you see dozens of repeated fabrications introduced as trustworthy (sahih) hadith, then how can you still rely on other narrations of the same book? How can you trust Bukhari, Muslim, and Ibn Hanbal who narrate the LAST HADITH of the prophet Muhammad in his death bed, rejecting the recording of any hadith through a declaration from the mouth of Omar Bin Khattab and the acquiescence of all prominent muslims that “Hasbuna kitabullah” (God’s book is enough for us)? (Bukhari: Itisam 26, Ilm 39,49, Janaiz 32, Jihad 176, Jizya 6, Marza 17, Magazi 83; Muslim, Janaiz 23, Vassiya 20-22; Hanbal 1/222,324,336,355).

2. Judging each hadith on its individual merit may seem attractive for those who are not satisfied with God’s book, but it is a waste of time and a deceptive method. If the signature of narrators (sanad) cannot provide authenticity about the source of hadith, then our only guide to decide on the content of hadiths (matn) will be our personal wish or our current inclinations. How can we decide which hadith has merit? How can we decide which hadith is accurate? We may say “by comparing them with the Quran!” But, what does this really mean? If it is “me” who will compare a hadith to the Quran, if it is again “me” who will ultimately judge whether it contradicts the Quran or not, then, I will end up with “hadith” which supports “my” personal understanding of the Quran. In this case a hadith cannot function as an explanation of the Quran. It will be confirmation or justification of my or someone else’s understanding of the Quran; with literally tasteless, grammatically lame language…. Furthermore, what about hadiths that bring extra duties and prohibitions?

3. Again, there are many hadiths about the prophet’s life, which you cannot accept with a sober mind. They are narrated repeatedly in many so-called authentic books. We cannot create a history out of a mishmash of narration by a subjective method of pick and choose. We can create many conflicting portraits of Muhammad out of those hadiths. As for pure historical events that are isolated from their moral and religious implications, they are not part of the system, and we don’t need them for our salvation. I never said “we should not read hadith.” In fact, we may study hadith books to get an approximate idea about the people, culture and events of those times. We can even construct a “conjecture” about the history, without attributing them to God or his prophet. Please don’t forget that “history” is not immune to filtration, censorship and distortion by the ruling class. You can see many different versions of histories (!) regarding the era of early Islam. Just read Sunni and Shiite histories.

4. We cannot disregard God’s frequent assertion that the Quran is sufficiently detailed, complete, clear, and easy to understand. What do you think about the verse 12:111? “In their stories is a lesson for the people of intelligence. It is not a hadith that was invented, but an authentication of what is already present, a detailing of all things, and a guidance and mercy to a people who acknowledge.” Or, what about 17:46? “When you preach your Lord, in the Quran ALONE, they run away with aversion.”

5. Hadith books are full of contradictory teachings. They eventually lead us to a sanctified and justified sectarian division in the name of the Prophet. Their very nature is another proof that hadith collections cannot be divine, since God, characterizes his word and system as not having contradiction: “Why do they not study the Quran careful? If it were from other than God, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.” (4:82). This verse clearly refutes the traditional argument that hadith books contain other revelations besides the Quran, since the followers of Hadith and Sunna confuse some of the reference to Quran with hadith, as in: “Your friend (Muhammad) is not astray, nor is he deceived. Nor is he speaking out of a personal desire. It is a divine inspiration.” (53:2-4). Furthermore, verses 39:27-28 describe the Quran and the following verse distinguishes the divine teaching from other teachings. “God cites the example of a man who deals with disputing partners, compared to a man who deals with only one man. Are they the same? Praise be to God; most of them do not know.” (39:29). Obviously, hadith narrators and collections are “disputing partners,” while the Quran is a consistent source.

6. Our conviction regarding the divinity of the Quran and even its protection does not come from our trust in the number of people, but from the evidence contained in the book, which is another number, a number that is not appreciated by those who determine the truth based on the number of heads with turbans. (Wonder about that number? See 74:30).

7. We reject Hadith because we respect Muhammad. No sound person would like to have people born several centuries after him roam the earth and collect a bunch of hearsay attributed to him. Besides, if Muhammad and his supporters really believed that the Quran was not sufficient for guidance, an ambiguous book, or lacked details, then, surely they would be the first ones who would write them down and collect them in books. After all, their numbers were in tens of thousands and they had plenty of wealth. They could afford some ink, papyrus paper or leather, and some brain cells, for such an important task. They would not leave it for a guy from far Bukhara or his ilk who would come more than two hundred years to collect hadiths in a land soaked with blood because of sectarian wars. Besides, Muhammad had many unemployed or handicapped people around who could gladly volunteer for such mission. The traditional excuse fabricated for Prophet Muhammad and his supporters is absurd. Supposedly, Muhammad and his followers feared that people would mix the Quran with hadiths. This is nonsense. They were smart enough to distinguish both, and there were enough people to keep track of them. Besides, what is the use of separating both, if we will need the second for our salvation as much as we need the first? In practice, the followers of Hadith have perfectly mixed both. Worse, in most instances they have preferred hadith over the Quran.

Furthermore, it is the followers of hadith and sunna themselves who claim that the Quran was a “literary miracle”. If their claim of “literary miracle” were true, then it would be much easier to separate the verses of the Quran from hadith. Let’s assume that they could not really distinguish the text of the Quran from Muhammad’s words, then couldn’t they simply mark the pages of the scripture with the letter Q for the Quran and letter H for Hadith, or let some record only the Quran, or simply color code their covers? Or allocate leather for the Quran and paper for hadith, or vise versa? They could find many ways to keep different books separate from each other. They did not need to study rocket science or have computer technology to accomplish that primitive task. The collectors of hadiths wished that people would accept their assertion that Muhammad and his supporters did not have ink, paper or leather, mind, and care to collect hadith before them. No wonder, they even fabricated a few hadiths claiming that Muhammad’s companions were competing with dogs for bones to write on the verses of the Quran!

Well, most likely, Muhammad feared that people would mix his words with the Quran. Not the primitive way that is depicted by the Sunnis and Shiites, since as we pointed out, there were many ways to eliminate that concern. But the real concern was different. Because of the warnings of the Quran, he had all the reasons to fear that Muslims would follow the footsteps of Jews and would create their own Mishna, Gomorra, and Talmud: hadith would be considered as an authority, as another source besides the Quran, setting him as partner with God! Ironically, the followers of hadith and sunna accomplished exactly that. They did not need to publish the text of hadith together with the Quran–though they have done that in many commentaries–they have been doing worse. Though they usually have kept hadith separate from the Quran physically, as far as for the purpose of guidance and religious authority, they mix it with the Quran. Even worse, they make the understanding of the Quran dependant to the understanding of hadith, thereby elevating hadith to position of authority over the Quran. Thus, if indeed Muhammad was worried about people mixing his words with the Quran, the followers of hadith proved his worries right: centuries after him, they did not only mix his words with the Quran, they mixed thousands of fabrication and nonsense attributed to him. See 25:30; 59:7.

8. Give me one, only one “hadith” that you think is necessary for my salvation besides the Quran. If you are not ready to discuss the necessity and accuracy of a single hadith, then please give inviting people to hadith and Sunna.

Further Discussion

Sunni: The bound collection of testimony from any court is certain to contain some lies and some errors. The reliability of any piece of evidence remains debatable. Where the narrators agree, where there is no irreconcilable conflict with the Quran, where the hadith is not offensive to tawhid, etc., we may well be justified in accepting it as reliable. And if a collector collects a thousand hadith and makes a few errors, neither is he to be condemned as unreliable.

Muslim: Not a single court will accept the testimony of Bukhari who collected contradictory hadiths about the Prophet Muhammad, narrated from generation to generation 200 years after his departure. You try to minimize the number and size of errors. There are hundreds of lies, not “a few errors.” And they are grave ones. They attribute silly and contradictory laws and words to God. They create a manmade religion in the name of God! They are full of insult to God and his messenger. They are not trivial, since God Almighty does not accept those “few errors” as trivial:

” . . . Who is more evil than the one who fabricates lies and attributes them to God?” (29:68)

Sunni: If the hadith are not mutawatir, the monotheist Muslim should know by now that most scholars would say that one is free to disregard it, though not necessarily without peril. The issue the Muslim raises about the difficulties of decision regarding hadith also apply to personal interpretation of the Quran. No, the Quran makes it clear, we cannot disregard any evidence out of hand, not even the evidence of an unrighteous man; how much less the evidence of those against whom we have no evidence of unrighteousness or lack of caution?

Muslim: First, can you please tell us how many mutawatir (accepted with consensus) Hadith are there. What are they and where are they? Second, can you give me a few names of those “most scholars” who would say that I am free to disregard non-mutawatir hadiths? As far as for evidences…. Sure, we cannot disregard evidences for our daily affair, even of an unrighteous man. But, God’s system is not left to the mercy of those evidences. God explained and sufficiently detailed his system in his book, which is described as complete, detailed, and perfect. It does not contain any doubt. Furthermore, God promised to preserve it. And He did it with a unique mathematical system which hypocrites and disbelievers are unable to see.

Sunni: I have answered The Muslim about of a number of these hadith. Certainly, I personally have trouble with certain hadith; however, I must always ask myself whether or not it is my own view which is in error, rather than the hadith. Perhaps there is something I have not thought of.

For example, there is a hadith, which The Muslim loves to cite mentioning the drinking of camel’s urine, which he seems to believe, is particularly ridiculous. Does he base this on a scientific study of the virtues of drinking camel’s urine? I think not. Nor does he ever mention that nomadic peoples, not just Arabs but including them, often consume the waste products of their animals. So “cannot accept” is definitely culturally conditioned. But no one has claimed that drinking camels’ urine is required of any Muslim.

Muslim: Well, prescribing camels’ urine is the minor problem of that hadith. You can even find some Sunni doctors who pontificate that camel’s urine is a panacea for every disease. The big problem was about gouging their eyes after pruning all their legs and hands, etc. You craftily skipped that part.

Sunni: The Muslim confuses Hadith and Sunna. Hadith is only one of a number of major sources of Sunna, other major sources being the Qur’an and the practice of the community. The latter is how we generally learn to pray, by the way. To answer the question about necessity of hadith without going deeply into the whole concept of necessity is impossible.

But I will answer this way: if a hadith transmits a wisdom necessary in a particular situation, and one turns away from that wisdom merely because it was a hadith (and not some other preferred modality), then one becomes culpable for failure to act correctly in the situation. This could, indeed lead to hell-fire. Of course, the same is true of the Qur’an, or even the preaching of a Christian.

Muslim: If you think that some one is wrong and even misguided because of his rejection of hadith and that person challenges you with that question you don’t answer like you did above. You did not or could not answer my challenge. Answering questions is not an act of writing irrelevant lines after the question. Please come to the point.

A Progressive Revolution Led by a Gentile Peacemaker

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both religious and secular levels.”

— Michael H. Hart, Citadel, The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Revised edition, 2000, p. 3)

Muhammad is one of the most misrepresented leaders in the world history. Like Jesus Muhammad was a revolutionary philosopher, a prophet. Those who followed the crowds and status-quo initially ignored him, then violently opposed him, and then when his message found more support, they converted to it. His ardent enemies were religious fanatics who had vested interest establishment.

It was 570 years after Christ when Muhammad was born in Mecca. At the age of 40 he made a declaration that shocked his people. During the month of Ramadan of 610, he claimed that he was visited by Holy Revelation (a.k.a. Jibreel or Holy Spirit) delivering him a message from God. This claim was first kept secret; he shared it only with a few close friends and relatives. A few years later he publicly declared his messengership and his opposition to the religious and political establishment of Mecca. An era of revolution and reformation that would change world history had started.

Muhammad, a member of a powerful tribe and a successful international businessman, was not an ordinary citizen of Mecca. With his sound judgment and trustworthy personality, he had won the respect of the theocratic oligarchy. His uncles were the leaders of one of the prominent tribes and were active in social, political, economic, and religious affairs.

Arabs living in the Hijaz region were brethren of the Jews, and Abraham was their common forefather. Mecca or Bacca was the valley where Abraham had immigrated, after his exile from Babylon.[1] There is only one reference to this important city in the Old Testament:

“Blessed is the man whose strengths in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also fills the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appears before God. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.” (Psalms 84:5-8)

Meccan Arabs had deep respect for the struggle of Abraham whose courageous stand for his monotheistic belief was legendary. Therefore, they were very protective of his reputation, religious practices, and the Kaba. Knowing that Abraham rejected worshiping the statues besides God, contrary to common belief among Muslims, Arabs never worshiped statues or symbolic objects.[2] Nevertheless, they had holy names, such as Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat from whom they would ask intercession and help. Their association of other authorities and powers to God and their fabrication of myriad prohibitions and laws in the name of God is called shirk[3] and the Quran repeatedly criticizes this mindset and practice as polytheism, the source of all evil.

53:19-26   What do you think about Al-Lat (The Goddess), Al-Uzza? And Manat, the third one. Do you have sons, while He has daughters? What a fraudulent distribution! These are but names that you made up, you and your forefathers. God never authorized such a blasphemy. They follow conjecture, and personal desire, when the true guidance has come to them herein from their Lord. What is that the human being desires? To God belongs both the Hereafter, and this world. Not even the angels in heaven possess authority to intercede. The only ones permitted by God are those who act in accordance with His will and His approval.

39:43-45   Have they invented intercessors to mediate between them and God? Say, “What if they do not possess any power, nor understanding?” Say, “All intercession belongs to God.” To Him belongs sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you will be returned. When God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned besides Him, they rejoice.

However, those who accept other authorities besides God never accept their crime. They vehemently deny their shirk. Though the majority of “believers” follow the teachings of their clergymen and assign divine authority to others besides God, they usually do not accept that they are committing shirk; they claim to be monotheists. If you question a Hindu who worships hundreds of gods and goddesses, you will learn that he or she is really a monotheist! A Christian who puts his full confidence in St. Paul’s polytheistic teaching which was formulated in 325 CE by the Nicene Council as the Doctrine of Trinity (i.e., God with three personalities) will still claim to be a monotheist!^[4] Muslims who elevated Muhammad to the level of God by making him the second source of their religion and by putting his name next to God in the Statement of Testimony will also insist that they are monotheists.

6:22-23    On the day when we summon everyone, we will ask the mushriks, “Where are those whom you claimed partners?” Their only response will be, “By God our Lord, we never were mushriks.”

16:35       Those who commit shirk say, “Had God willed, we would not have worshiped anyone besides Him, nor would our parents. Nor would we have prohibited anything besides (what was prohibited by) Him.” Those before them have done the same. Can the messengers do anything but deliver the message?

Arab mushriks (those who accept other authorities besides God) never claimed that those holy names were gods, they were merely praying for their intercession. They believed that the saints and angels were mediators between them and God.

39:3         The system absolutely shall be devoted to God ALONE. Those who set up masters besides Him say, “We worship them only to bring us closer to God; they are in a good position!” God will judge them regarding their disputes. God does not guide any liar, unappreciative.

The Quran clearly rejects association of any authority besides God, whether in making religious laws or providing eternal salvation.

42:21       They follow those who decree for them religious laws never authorized by God. If it were not for the predetermined decision, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.

9:31         They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of God. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one God. There is no God except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

According to the information given by the Quran, Meccan Mushriks preserved their forms of religious practices while losing its monotheistic and spiritual meaning. They were praying, fasting, and performed pilgrimage.^[5] These were the most popular religious practices.

Mollarchy in the City State of the Arabian Peninsula

There were some characteristics of Mecca that distinguished it from other Arabian towns and cities. Mecca, with Abraham’s temple, was the center of religion, politics and business. Abraham’s temple, the Kaba, is described by the Quran as “People’s House” or “Sacred Place of Prostration.” Abraham, as I mentioned above, was a legendary ancestor for both Arabs and Jews. During the four consecutive sacred months,^[6] Arabs dwelling in the region would visit Mecca for pilgrimage. Meanwhile, the occasion was also used for an international trade fair. Merchants from neighboring countries would participate in a lengthy business and cultural activity. During these religious months, besides trading, cultural and athletic competitions such as poetry and wrestling would take place. Mecca was the center for economic, political, and cultural activities of a vast land.

Prominent tribal leaders like Abu Hakem (a.k.a., Abu Jahel), Abdul Uzza (a.k.a., Abu Lahab), Abu Sufyan, Umayy Ben Halef, Nadr Ben Haris, and Valeed Ben Mugiyra could not tolerate any reformation movement that would change the status quo and risk Mecca’s crucial position in the political and economic landscape. They were determined to follow the traditional religion they inherited from their ancestors who had distorted Abraham’s monotheistic system to shirk. Preservation of the traditional religion and the status quo was vital for the theocratic government of Mecca. Questioning the orthodox belief system and the common practice could be interpreted as a foreign attack on the unity of Mecca or as a betrayal to the fabric of its society.

A teaching that rejects the idea of intercession and the sacred role of professional clergymen, a teaching that promotes the human rights of slaves and the oppressed, that seeks economic justice by objecting to monopoly and usury, that is concerned about the poor, that condemns ethnic and racial discrimination, that protects the rights of women, that advocates democratic governance through consultation, and encourages people to use their reasoning and questions tradition, surely, such a system would pose a serious threat to the economic and political interest of the ruling elite.

Social, Economic, and Political Structure Criticized

It is a well-known fact that the early revelations of the Quran use strong language in criticizing the theocratic oligarchy, which did not care about the poor, orphans and aliens; did not free the slaves; did not treat women as equal to men; and did not consult people in public affairs.

107:1-7    Do you know who rejects The System of God Alone? That is the one who mistreats the orphans. And does not advocate the feeding of the poor. And woe to those who observe the contact prayers, Who are totally heedless of their prayers; they only show off. And they forbid charity.

89:17-20   Wrong! It is you who brought it on yourselves by not regarding the orphan. And not advocating charity towards the poor. And consuming the inheritance of helpless orphans. And loving the money too much.

90:6-20    He boasts, “I spent so much money!” Does he think that no one sees him? Did we not give him two eyes? A tongue and two lips? Did we not show him the two paths? He should choose the difficult path. Which one is the difficult path? The freeing of slaves. Feeding, during the time of hardship. Orphans who are related. Or the poor who is in need. And being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind. These have deserved happiness. As for those who acknowledged our revelations, they have incurred misery. They will be confined in the Hellfire.

16:58-59   Thus, when one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes darkened with overwhelming grief. Ashamed, he hides from the people, because of the bad news. He even debates: should he keep the baby grudgingly, or bury her in the dust. Miserable indeed is their judgment.

42:38       And they respond to their Lord by observing the contact prayers and by deciding their affairs on the basis of consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give.

4:1-5        O people, observe your Lord; the one who created you from one being and created from it its mate, then spread from the two many men and women. You shall regard God, by whom you swear, and regard the parents. God is watching over you. You shall hand over to the orphans their rightful properties. Do not substitute the bad for the good, nor shall you consume their properties by combining them with your properties. This is a gross injustice. If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, three, or four of them. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. This way, you are more likely to avoid inequity. You shall give the women their due dowries, fully. If they willingly part with anything, then you may accept it graciously. Do not give immature orphans the properties that God has entrusted you with as guardians. You shall provide for them therefrom, and clothe them, and talk to them nicely.[7]

59:7         Whatever God restored to His messenger from the (defeated) communities shall go to God and His messenger (in the form of a charity). You shall give it to the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien. Thus, it will not remain monopolized by the strong among you. You may keep the spoils given to you by the messenger, but do not take what he enjoins you from taking. You shall reverence God. God is strict in enforcing retribution.

Corrupt, Oppressive and Superstitious Tradition Criticized

The population of Mecca was afflicted with many social problems caused by individual abuses of time, money, brain, body and exploitation of God’s name.

For instance, gambling was transferring money from the poor to the wealthy, thereby creating financial nightmares for many families. Alcohol was the cause of many personal and social problems such as domestic violence, inefficiency, loss of intellectual capabilities, alcoholism, rape, criminal activities, accidents and a myriad of health problems. The Quran, though acknowledging some financial and personal benefits of gambling and alcohol, encouraged acknowledgers to abstain from these addictions without criminalizing them via a penal code.

2:219       They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.” They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.” God thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect.

4:43         O you who acknowledge, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying.…

5:90         O you who acknowledge, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed.

16:67       And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who understand.

Sexual promiscuity or adultery were contributing to the destruction of families and was a major health threat for the public by transmitting sexual diseases. The Quran encouraged men and women to be loyal to their marriage contract. Though polygamy is permitted to take care of fatherless children and their widowed mothers, monogamy was encouraged.

17:32       You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behavior.

4:3           If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.

A lengthy list of dietary prohibitions concocted in the name of God was wasting many food resources. The Quran prohibited only four items related to animal products and considered any additional religious prohibitions to be fabrications and shirk.

6:145-151 Say, “I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except: (1) carrion^[8], (2) running blood, (3) the meat of pigs, for it is bad,^[9]and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than God.” If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful. For those who are Jewish we prohibited animals with undivided hoofs; and of the cattle and sheep we prohibited the fat, except that which is carried on their backs, or in the viscera, or mixed with bones. That was a retribution for their transgressions, and we are truthful. If they disbelieve you, then say, “Your Lord possesses infinite mercy, but His retribution is unavoidable for the guilty people.” The idol worshipers say, “Had God willed, we would not practice idolatry, nor would our parents, nor would we prohibit anything.” Thus did those before them disbelieve, until they incurred our retribution. Say, “Do you have any proven knowledge that you can show us? You follow nothing but conjecture; you only guess.” Say, “God possesses the most powerful argument; if He wills He can guide all of you.” Say, “Bring your witnesses who would testify that God has prohibited this or that.” If they testify, do not testify with them. Nor shall you follow the opinions of those who reject our revelations, and those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, and those who stray away from their Lord. 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 children from fear of poverty—we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins, obvious or hidden. You shall not kill—God has made a person’s life sacred – except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you that you may understand.”

The Quran dealt with many other issues such as protection of the environment and ecological balance and protection of God’s creation from unnecessary mutilation. For instance, the Quran prohibited hunting during pilgrimage (5:95-96). It also criticized Meccan Arabs for cutting the ears of animals for religious reasons, which has a negative implication regarding the custom of circumcision.

4:119       “I will mislead them, I will entice them, I will command them to (forbid the eating of certain meats by) marking the ears of livestock, and I will command them to distort the creation of God.” Anyone who accepts the devil as a lord, instead of God, has incurred a profound loss.

The chapter “Ben Israel” (Children of Israel) contains a series of commandments aiming to change the mindset, attitude, and actions of individuals:

17:23-39   You shall not set up any other God beside God, lest you end up despised and disgraced. Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, “Uff” (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably. And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy.” Your Lord is fully aware of your innermost thoughts. If you maintain righteousness, He is Forgiver of those who repent. You shall give the due alms to the relatives, the needy, the poor, and the traveling alien, but do not be excessive, extravagant. The extravagant are brethren of the devil, and the devil is unappreciative of his Lord. Even if you have to turn away from them, as you pursue the mercy of your Lord, you shall treat them in the nicest manner. You shall not keep your hand stingily tied to your neck, nor shall you foolishly open it up, lest you end up blamed and sorry. For your Lord increases the provision for anyone He chooses, and reduces it. He is fully Cognizant of His creatures, Seer. You shall not kill your children (infanticide) due to fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense. You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behavior. You shall not kill any person—for God has made a person’s life sacred—except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be helped. You shall not touch the orphans’ money except for their own good, until they reach maturity. You shall fulfill your covenants, for a covenant is a great responsibility. You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous. You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the mind, and you are responsible for using them. You shall not walk proudly on earth – you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains. All bad behavior is condemned by your Lord. This is some of the wisdom inspired to you by your Lord. You shall not set up another god beside God, lest you end up in Gehenna, blamed and defeated.

The Quran aims to reform both society and the individual and it invites individuals to undertake a substantial reformation. The description of acknowledgers in the last verses of the chapter Al-Furqan (The Distinguisher) reveals the desired characteristics of Muslims:

25:58-77   You shall put your trust in the One who is Alive—the One who never dies – and praise Him and glorify Him. He is fully Cognizant of His creatures’ sins. He is the One who created the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, in six days, then assumed all authority. The Gracious; ask about Him those who are well founded in knowledge. When they are told, “Fall prostrate before the Gracious,” they say, “What is the Gracious? Shall we prostrate before what you advocate?” Thus, it only augments their aversion. Most blessed is the One who placed constellations in the sky, and placed in it a lamp, and a shining moon. He is the One who designed the night and the day to alternate: a sufficient proof for those who wish to take heed, or to be appreciative. The worshipers of the Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace. In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate. And they say, “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous. It is the worst abode; the worst destiny.” When they give, they are neither extravagant nor stingy; they give in moderation. They never implore beside God any other God, nor do they kill anyone—for God has made life sacred—except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay. Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated. Exempted are those who repent, acknowledge, and lead a righteous life. God transforms their sins into credits. God is Forgiver, Most Merciful. Those who repent and lead a righteous life, God redeems them; a complete redemption. They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it. When reminded of their Lord’s revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind. And they say, “Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous.” These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace. Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode. Say, “You attain value with my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences.”

Meccan Leaders Lose Their Sleep

Mecca could have remained an independent center of commerce because of its unique geopolitical situation. Mecca was located in a region where the influence of the two super powers of that era, the Byzantine and Persian Empires, collided. This balance of powers created such a vacuum that Mecca could have survived without submitting itself to either hegemony as it was a default capital of the Arabian Peninsula. The population of Mecca and surrounding towns did not follow any scripture but only oral traditions and practices. Religion and politics were inseparable affairs. Though the Meccan population had many literate people, they were considered “UMMY” (gentiles) as they did not have a scripture or written law as their Christian and Jewish neighbors had. Muhammad was a literate gentile.[10]

When Muhammad declared that he had received a message from God, the Meccan oligarchy first did not take him seriously. They just ignored him. However, when they noticed the potential power of his message and the rate of the new converts, their reaction varied between mockery and insinuation. Soon their reaction escalated to slander and the threat of eviction and death. Though Muhammad’s personal history and his tribal relationship provided an indirect protection against physical attacks, some of his followers did not have the same tribal support. For instance, those subjected to torture included Bilal, an Ethiopian slave who was freed by one of Muhammad’s friends. The first convert[11] who was killed was Sumayya, a woman. Slaves and women—victims of racist and misogynistic laws and religions.

Partly as a result of their economic and political interest in man-made religious teachings, clergymen augmented and manipulated the religious fanaticism of the ignorant masses. This fatal combination of ignorance and arrogance, which in the past had taken the lives of many messengers and prophets, was again at work. The words uttered against previous messengers appeared against Muhammad, this time in Arabic. Muhammad’s situation was no different from that of Saaleh, a messenger to a community which perished a long time ago.

11:62       They said, “O Saaleh, you used to be popular among us before this. Are you banning us from serving what our parents are worshiping? We have a lot of doubt concerning everything you tell us.

Muhammad’s message was focused on monotheism (tawheed), which is the main theme of Mosaic teaching crowning the Ten Commandments.

And God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shall have no other gods before me. Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.… Thou shall not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. (Exodus 20:1-4, 7)

Ironically, despite the popularity of the Ten Commandments among Jews, Christians and Muslims, practices negating and defying the first two commandments have become part of their basic dogmas.

Muhammad delivered the words of the Quran, critical of the traditional religion of the Meccans who had transformed Abraham’s monotheistic system into polytheism by  blind conformity to the opinions of ancestors, as well as adherence to innovations, superstitions, numerous cleric-made religious laws falsely attributed to God, and a belief in spiritual intercession.

6:161       Say, “My Lord has guided me in a straight path: the perfect system of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper.”

Flocking on the Glorious Path of their Ancestors

Mushriks, whether in ancient times or modern times, attempt to justify their religions through their popularity, their ancestors’ glory, and their saints’ fame. When approached with arguments based on logic, scientific investigation and analysis of historical documentation, their common defense is the miserable argument from authority: “this and that holy clergymen said this,” “most of our ancient scholars have decided this way,” or some other similar variant.

43:22-24   Instead, they said, “We found our parents carrying on certain practices, and we are following in their footsteps. Invariably, when we sent a warner to a community, the leaders therein said, “We found our parents following certain practices, and we will continue in their footsteps.” He would say, “What if I brought to you better guidance than what you inherited from your parents?” They would say, “We are disbelievers in the message you brought.”

31:21-22   When they are told, “Follow these revelations of God,” they say, “No, we follow only what we found our parents doing.” What if the devil is leading them to the agony of Hell? Those who submit completely to God, while leading a righteous life, have gotten hold of the strongest bond. For God is in full control of all things.

Universal characteristics of mushriks include idolization of differently titled ancestors and conformity to dogmas and superstitions that are attributed to them as a religion. Religious idols vary according to religions and languages. For instance, idols in America include Jesus, Mary, or Saints; in Turkey we find Ata, Evliya, Sheik, or Hazrat. In India Mahatma, in Pakistan Maulana, in Iran the names of idols are Imam Hussein and Ehl-i Bayt. Religious masses do not seek the truth through their brains or their senses. Instead, they blindly follow the teachings that bear sanctified signatures. Mushriks are like parrots; as they repeat words without understanding their meaning.

2:171       The example of those who disbelieve is like those who parrot what they hear of sounds and calls, without understanding. Deaf, dumb, and blind; they cannot understand.

Ironically, it is the religious leaders themselves promote blind imitation. Through institutionalization of ignorance in religious terms, the diabolic “saints” lead masses astray from Truth.[12] The messengers and prophets, who invited people to question their popular religion and traditions, almost invariably found the clergy fighting and plotting against them.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many acknowledged in him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. (John 12:42-43)

38:6-8      The leaders announced, “Go and steadfastly persevere in worshiping your gods. This is all you need. We never heard of this from the religion of our fathers. This is a lie. Why did the message come down to him, instead of us?” Indeed, they are doubtful of My message. Indeed, they have not yet tasted My retribution.

The Black Campaign Waged by Those with White Turbans

The message delivered by Muhammad baffled and bewildered the bearded and turbaned Meccan clerics. They first tried to attack his character. They accused and insulted him, labeling him a “wizard,” a dreaming “poet,” or “a crazy man.”

51:51-53   Do not set up besides God any other god. I am sent by Him to you as a manifest warner. Consistently, when a messenger went to the previous generations, they said, “Magician,” or, “Crazy.” Did they make an agreement with each other? Indeed, they are transgressors.

37:35-36   When they were told “La Elaaha Ella Allah [There is no other God besides God],” they turned arrogant. They said, “Shall we leave our gods for the sake of a crazy poet?”

68:51-52   Those who are ingrates show their ridicule in their eyes when they hear the message and say, “He is crazy!” It is in fact a message to the world.

The Quran encouraged Muhammad not to give up against this negative propaganda. Muhammad’s mission was to deliver this message at the cost of loss of his popularity.

52:29-33   You shall remind the people. With your Lord’s blessings upon you, you are neither a soothsayer, nor crazy. They may say, “He is a poet; let us just wait until he is dead.” Say, “Go on waiting; I will wait along with you.” Is it their dreams that dictate their behavior, or are they naturally wicked? Do they say, “He made it all up?” Instead, they are simply disbelievers.

The Reaction and Plans of Ingrates

We find tyranny and terror to be prevalent characteristics among mushriks. Terror and violence serve as defense mechanism for those who prefer not to use their brains. The polytheistic elite of Athena convicted Socrates to death for questioning the absurdity of their polytheistic religion. Persian priests tried to get rid of Zoroaster. Jewish clerics conspired with Romans to kill Jesus for his threat to their religion. In defense of his theocratic and oppressive regime, Pharaoh mobilized his generals and religious leaders to eliminate Moses. Shuayb’s life was threatened by his people. Noah was stoned. Abraham was rejected by his own father and was thrown into a fire. Some messengers were evicted and others were killed. Muhammad, who declared intellectual war against slavery, the subjugation of women, racism, superstitions, ignorance, illiteracy, ancestor-worship, and the exploitation of religious beliefs, would not have been treated differently.

8:30-31    The disbelievers plotted and schemed to neutralize you, or kill you, or banish you. However, they plot and scheme, but so does God. God is the best schemer. When our revelations are recited to them, they say, “We have heard. If we want to, we can say the same thing. These are only tales from the past.”

Forerunners, who took risks through alliance with Muhammad encountered difficult tests. They were excommunicated. They were rejected by their families and relatives. They experienced economic hardship. They were subjected to torture and insults by mushrik Arabs. They were oppressed and banished from their land, and they were viciously attacked. Many were killed but they did not give up their convictions or cause.

9:97         The Arabs are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and the most likely to ignore the laws that God has revealed to His messenger. God is Omniscient, Most Wise.^[13]

Muhammad was the main target of mushrik Arabs. He had he lost his popularity among his people; his life was in danger. However, he was ordained by the Lord of the Universe to deliver the Message without compromise. He became the recipient of one of the greatest possible honors, a receiving revelation from God.

4:113       God has sent down to you the scripture and wisdom, and He has taught you what you never knew. Indeed, God’s blessings upon you have been great…

While the multifarious aggressive campaign by the Meccan government and its regional allies continued, Muhammad and his comrades promoted the freedom of expression as well as the freedom of religious beliefs.

109:1-6    Say, “O you disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor do you worship what I worship. Nor will I ever worship what you worship. Nor will you ever worship what I worship. To you is your system, and to me is my system.”

The leaders with jeopardized economic and political interests at well as the ignorant followers responded to this message of “leave us alone” with violence. But, their bloody terror and noise could not prevent the light from piercing and destroying the layers of darkness.

Adventures of an Islamic Reformer at Oxford, London, and Istanbul

Edip Yuksel

To publicly discuss my recent book, Manifesto for Islamic Reform, I was invited to give four lectures in November 3-10, 2008. The topics were: A Manifesto for Islamic Reform, and Why Quran Alone through Reason:

MECO, Oxford University, November 3.

MECO, Oxford University, November 4.

The Muslim Institute, London, November 5.

TUYAP Book Fair, Istanbul, November 8.

Prof Taj Hargey, the founder of MECO (Muslim Educational Center of Oxford), picked me up from the airport with an old diesel Volkswagen. I had picked the wrong airport and thus he had to drive more than two hours in a heavy traffic to pick me up. Like all bloody Britons[4], he drove on the wrong side of the road, which made me experience constant anticipation of an imminent bloody traffic accident. Though Taj is a scholar in a prestigious school, he is not a stereotypical one. To my delight, I found him not be a pretentious snob living in ivory towers; he was a humble and a committed activist, a veteran who had tasted victory against the apartheid regime during his years in South Africa. His dedication to the message of rational monotheism or islam appeared to be exemplary. He is both a general and a soldier; a professor and a student; a leader and comrade. Almost single-handedly, with a shoe-string budget, he is putting a good fight against the powerful forces of Sunni and Shiite establishment, and at the same time fighting against the aggression of the British government. Forces of corruption from Saudi, Iran and Pakistan are spending hundreds of millions of pounds to keep the Muslim minority ignorant and backward. The bloody mullahs have interest in keeping the Muslim minority in ghettoes and Taj is struggling to create a British Muslim identity.

Taj told me that his organization lost about fifty percent of its membership for letting Prof. Amina Wadud lead the congregational prayer two weeks before my arrival. Though I find inconsistencies in Amina Wadud’s theological position, she is a brave sister who is reminding Sunni and Shiite population the Quranic verse 49:13, a universal maxim of their holy book, which they have abandoned for the sake of fabricated teachings called hadith and sunna.

As it seems, a woman leading the prayer was the last straw on mullah’s back; they unanimously excommunicated Taj and his organization. I was happy to learn that Taj was not naïve about the regressive powers against the reform movement and he was even more determined to fight against misogynistic mullahs. While he was hosting me, he was busy preparing for the upcoming annual music festival. Of course, music too is another divine blessing that mullahs prohibit. Imagine a singing muslim woman in front of men! Music + woman + spotlight! That would be a triple nightmare for them and Taj was going to organize it with an international flavor. Kill those self-righteous hair-splitting mullahs with beauty and music!

Multiple Choice Test or Theological Acid Test

My first lecture at Oxford University was received very well. We had productive discussions. A graduate student argued for historicity, that is, reading and usually limiting the Quran with its historic context. His friend criticized our reliance on science in understanding the Quranic verses. Citing a few abuses of such an approach, she wanted to refute any understanding of Quranic verses according to scientific facts. It took about ten minutes to show her the problems with her allergy against science and the problem with doubting proven mathematical statements. If there is any book on earth that should have complete compatibility with proven scientific facts and mathematics, it would be the books sent by the creator of the universe. I knew that their hidden distrust in Quran was the main factor in their rejection of science and mathematics. It is interesting that they employ impressive academic jargons to make such arguments.

I had prepared a test containing 45 multiple choice questions just the night before my travel. I duplicated them on both sides of a single sheet and I distributed to the audience before the lecture… They were asked to write their name, age, occupation, email address, favorite authors, and their sectarian affiliation. It was a bit awkward to test an audience that consisted of students and professors at one of the world’s top universities. The multiple-choice test proved to be a powerful instrument to deliver the message of Islamic Reform under the light of the Quran. The correct answer for each multiple choice question was the E option, and for the Yes or No questions was the B option. So, it would take me a few seconds to evaluate the tests after they were returned to me.

The Sunni or Shiite test-takers found themselves in quagmire of contradiction with their own sectarian teachings. They learned that they were thirty, forty or even more than fifty percent infidels or heretics. Some of those who marked Sunni as their sectarian affiliation contradicted the Sunni teachings on most of the issues. According to their own confessed sects, their lives were worthless; they deserved to be killed! I did not let this mirror or sect-o-meter remain an individual experience; I publicly declared the overall results. Many got all answers correct, including Eric, a monotheist from Unitarian church who already had a copy of the Quran: a Reformist Translation in his possession. Eric knew the original message of islam better than all the mullahs and the so-called “ulama” combined. And Eric was one of those muslims from among the People of the Book described by 2:62 and 74:31.

Let’s Have Just One Percent Please, Just One Percent!

A Sunni professor who attended the lecture together with his wife could not handle the questions; he stopped after answering a few. It was amusing how during the discussion session he tried to bargain with me about the teachings of Hadith and Sunna. He realized that he could not defend most of the hadiths and sectarian teachings, so he begged for a compromise: “What about just 1% hadith?” I did not yield. I told him that we did not need to add even a tiny drop of coli bacteria into our food. Even one percent of shirk (partnership with God) is evil, and that one percent would mean that we still rejected God’s repeated assertion that His book is detailed, complete, clarified and sufficient for guidance. Furthermore, that one percent hole in the book would be small; yet, it would allow insects, then mice and then get even bigger enough for a litter of pigs, perhaps bearded ones, to intrude. I reminded him that there was no difference between associating one partner or hundred partners to God.

The following night was the continuation of the previous lecture. I focused on the importance of critical thinking and using our God-given 19 rules of inference. I warned them against developing schizophrenic personalities, which almost all religious people do. I started with the following words:

Before putting anything in our mouths we observe the color, smell its odor. If it looks rotten or smells bad we do not touch it. If food passes the eye and nose tests, then our taste buds will be the judge. If a harmful bit fools all those examinations, our stomach come to rescue; it revolts and throws them up. There are many other organs that function as stations for testing, examination, and modification of imported material into our bodies. They ultimately meet our smart and vigilant nano-guards: white cells. Sure, there are many harmful or potentially harmful foods that pass all the way through our digestive system into our blood, such as alcohol and fat.  Nevertheless, without using our reasoning faculty much if at all, we have an innate system that protects our body from harmful substances. It would be a mystery then how we can input information and assertions, especially the most bizarre ones, into our brains without subjecting them to the rigorous test of critical thinking. Our brains should never become trashcans of false ideas, holy viruses, unexamined dogmas and superstitions. We should be wise!

How can we protect our minds and brains? Do we have an innate system that protects us from harmful or junky ideas, especially dogmas or jingoisms that could turn us into zombies or self-righteous evil people? Yes we do: our logic is the program that detects and protects us against the most harmful viruses, which usually find their way when we are hypnotized by crowds, salespeople, politicians or clergymen.

The Prominent Imam with an Illiterate Role Model

For the third lecture, Taj took me to London. There I was going to give a lecture at Muslim Institute. I met some of familiar names, authors that I have known decades before, such as Dr. Ziyauddin Sardar and Dr. Ghayasudding Siddiqui. I also met some young reformers such as Farouk Peru, and Yusuf Desai and Nosheen Oezcan of Forward Thinking. I was positively surprised that with the exception of an imam there, who was considered a moderate and open minded one, they did not react in angry temper tantrums to my invitation to follow the Quran alone.

The imam rejected the Manifesto for Islamic Reform wholesale with a passionate opening. He accused me of distorting the facts. To substantiate his opposition, Imam Abduljalil Sajid picked one out of my assertions. He argued that Muhammad must have been illiterate. He did not provide an alternative take against my depiction of such illiteracy to be either an insult to Muhammad’s intelligence or his intention. He did not bother to explain how a role model, a divinely selected messenger would not be able to recognize 28 Alphabet letters in 63 years of his life (two years for each letter!), or during the 23 years he received revelation that encouraged its audience to attain knowledge by reading. He did not deal with the problem of the alternative explanation, that is, how a role model could deliberately keep himself illiterate for all his life! Somehow, our imam, like all other religious leaders, had great tolerance for contradictions. His brain was filled with so many; he had perhaps given up from resolving them… A perfect example of intellectually boiled frog syndrome! I had empathy for him, since in my youth I was one of them. I let him vent his frustration.

Imam Abduljalil argued that the word Iqra did not mean read, but it meant recite. So, according to him, despite the instruction of verse 96:1, Muhammad could still have been illiterate. It was a late Monday night and we did not have time to engage in a lengthy discussion. For instance, I could remind him his own hadith which reported the first encounter of Muhammad and Angel Gabriel. According to that hadith report, when he was instructed with the first verse of chapter 96, Iqra, to make Muhammad read the visually displayed Quran, the angel squeezed him like a lemon several times when Muhammad claimed  “wa ma ana biqarin” (I cannot read). Obviously that hadith report did not mean that Muhammad was incapable of repeating a word with two syllabi; it meant that he could not recognize the letters… He was contradiction with the hadith that was the basis for his assertion. I picked another argument.

— Let’s assume that you are right regarding the meaning of Iqra. Then, what is the Arabic word for “read”?

— ???

— Well, there must have been a word for reading in Arabic, since the Quran talks about books, about pen, about writing…

— ???

Our imam who started his criticism with a loud denunciation suddenly turned mute. He could not even come up with a single word. I did not wish to push him further, since everyone in the room realized that he either did not know what he was arguing about or he realized that he was wrong. I remembered the most ridiculous praises in human history, where Muhammad is praised by millions for his illiteracy with the distorted meaning of the word “ummy” uttered together with another distorted word “sally“.  Thinking about the low illiteracy among the so-called Muslim population, I did not let the issue go away without a conclusive ending. I wanted to prove to him and everyone else that Muhammad was literate.

So, I used one of my successful teaching tools, which I employed first time in 1987 to convince Ali Bulaç, a prominent and prolific Muslim thinker who has numerous books and a Turkish Quran translation. After following my instructions, Ali was convinced in less than a minute that Muhammad must have been literate. Imagine the power of debunking the consensus of all Sunni and Shiite scholars in less than a minute! Imagine convincing a famous and popular Sunni author that all his Sunni scholars were wrong about an important issue. All in less than a minute! Yet, this proof has been implicitly provided in the Quran with the revelation of its first verses, through the very verses instructing how to read the Quran. What a marvelous book!

So, I tried that Quranic educational tool. I asked the imam to grab the pen and write down the beginning of chapter 96: “Bismillahirrahmanirarrahim. Iqra bismi rabbika allazi khalaq” That’s it. Surprise: he did not wish to write it. Perhaps he was scared to continue engaging in a Socratic dialog. Had he written those few words, I would ask him why he wrote both words the same. Surely, he would be justified to spell them the same, since both were pronounced the same and meant the same. Then, I would ask him to look at the spelling of the Quran. He would notice that the one in Bismillah was consisted of three letters, BSM, but the one in the following verse was spelled with an extra aleph, BISM. So, even if we assume that Muhammad did not write the revelation of the Quran with his own hand, even if we believe in the stories of him dictating to scribes, he must have at least known the letter Aleph. If he knew Aleph, then he was at least 1/28^th literate! “I proved that he knew the letter Aleph and now it is your turn to prove that he did not know the letter B, the second letter in alphabet,” I would nicely ask. If our imam got stuck again, I would perhaps go forward and ask him about the different spelling of Mecca and Becca or the curious spelling of Bastata in verse 7:69.

I wanted to end the argument with the imam with an exposition. I knew his problem and I knew the fastest way to expose it. I told the audience that the gentleman was arguing about God’s system without knowledge and without an enlightening book. I announced that I was going to prove that he did not in fact have respect for the Quran. I started reading from verse 6:145 and then posed him my question:  “Do you have any other source or any other witness that adds more dietary prohibitions to the four items listed in this verse?” If he said no, he would contradict numerous hadiths and all sectarian teachings. If he said Yes, he would contradict this verse and would be exposed by the following verses as a “mushrik” (polytheist) for attributing the manmade religious prohibitions to God. He did not rush into saying Yes, as most of the Sunni scholars recklessly do. To my question regarding additional dietary prohibitions, he responded with extreme caution: “May be or may be not!” What? You are an “imam” in your fifties and you have eaten thousands of meals and you still do not know what is prohibited? And you are refuting the Quran alone for a “may be or may be not”? Do you exist? “Maybe or may be not?” Is eating shrimp haram? “Maybe or maybe not!” Is eating lobster haram? “Maybe or maybe not!” Are you okay? “Maybe or maybe not!”

For some of the audiences, that was the last straw that broke their already stressed respect for the imam. Several people got frustrated with him. One of them loudly yelled at him with animated arms: “If you do not know such a simple thing, then why are you debating with the guest speaker? Let him talk.” Hearing his own people reprimanding him, the imam quietly left the room. I felt bad for him, but what he was doing was very wrong. He was trying to keep people in the darkness of ignorance. He was promoting shirk (polytheism) under the guise of monotheism. He was pretending to respect the prophet Muhammad while he was disrespecting the only book he delivered. He was insulting his intelligence by claming that he remained illiterate until his death. Yet, he insisted putting Muhammad’s name next to God every time he uttered the monotheistic maxim. I hope that after hearing the message, he will show courage and wisdom to reject the fabricated Hadith and Sunna and uphold the Quran alone.

Detention at the Airport by the Turkish Police

The moment I arrived at the airport in Istanbul, I was immediately arrested by half a dozen young police officers who appeared to be celebrating the catch. After a boring day, they had a Turkish author (again) from the USA. I was informed about three charges against me, all involving political criticism of Turkish government and its policies. Some consisted of distortions of my published articles, exaggerations, or words taken out-of-context. And most did not even belong to me; they belonged to anonymous people who visit my websites and post their political opinions and criticism at the forums.

They took me to a nearby police station. When I entered the room, I noticed a poster filled with flags under the title: Independent Turkish Republics. Yes, in plural! I have no problem with such a sense of Turkish idealism. In fact, years ago, when the Turkish nations declared independence from Russia, I hoped and promoted an aggressive Turkish policy to create a unified block. Unfortunately, Turkey missed such an opportunity. However, when I heard the phone ring of an officer, I started getting a bit concerned. It was playing the Yeni Çeri march, “Ceddin deden, ceddin baban… hep kahraman Türk milleti…” (Your ancestors your grandparents, your ancestors your fathers… The Turkish nation has always been heroic…) At that point, I knew that I was among an openly racist police department. I have suffered from Turkish racism in many ways. For instance, my young brother Metin Yüksel, a legendary youth leader, was killed by Turkish fascists in 1979. I know first hand the evil of racism.

To my surprise and delight, the Turkish police was very kind and respectful. I am not sure how much of it was because of my American passport, but I think they had a radical change in attitude. They followed the legal procedure to the letter. They informed me about my right to stay silent, my right not to stay more than 24 hour in jail without going to the court. They were music to my ears; I felt as if I was dealing with a nice American police officer. The jail, which I spent the night, was very clean. I laid down on the floor, reading the Newsweek Magazine, a book on Evolution and Intelligent design, and Professor Stewart’s Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities. It was the best night ever I spent in a Turkish jail! Sure, this was a very low traffic police station and they could keep it cleaner than usual. Regardless, I could not believe in such a change, since it was very different from my experience with the Turkish police and jails years ago. During my heydays, in 1977-1987, I was a frequent host of those jails and they were horrible. Some would have raw sewer passing through, rats mingle with detainees, and when I get out, I would always get lice as souvenir. Compared to those Turkish jails, this one was like a five star hotel. I command the Turkish government for this great progress in respecting human dignity and rights.

Kurds, the Oppressed Minority

Well, I had also a bad experience, and should share that too. The chief of the police station treated me like a guest. He took me to his office and ordered food for me where I watched the Turkish TV for about an hour. This made me feel uncomfortable; I was kept unjustly yet I was feeling indebted to my captors. The weekly news program 32^nd Day was on. The topic of the discussion was the chronic Kurdish problem. The panel had two Turkish politician or author. There was a good debate about the problem which was the making of the racist Turkish policy. The official racist ideology initially denied the existence of Kurds. Before 1970’s, you could not find the word Kurds in the newspapers. The Turkish history text books still consider the Kurdish minority as non existent. Even the great Kurdish leader Salahaddin Ayyubi is described as a Turkish leader. Later, when denial became impossible, the racist Turkish oligarchy described them as Mountain Turks. They did not have a different language, there was no such a language called Kurdish.

Yet, they later shamelessly tried to ban the non-existent language and secured the ban of the language through an article in the Constitution of 1982, which was drafted by the generals who interrupted the young and fragile Turkish democracy, for the third time. The paranoid Turkish racism terrorized those Kurds who were politically active through contra-guerillas, mafia, and Gray Wolf fascists. They kidnapped, tortured and assassinated numerous Kurdish authors and leaders… In a journal article titled “Yes, I am a Kurd,” I exposed the racist Turkish policy against Kurds. “My people are denied their identity, their culture, language, naming their own children, using their own land and living in freedom and security.” (See: http://www.yuksel.org/e/law/kurd.htm ) Kurds were even denied to celebrate their cultural holidays, such as, the Newroz (New Year). Its celebration was banned. When the racist policy politicized Kurds and led to the creation of various Kurdish political movements, including the terrorist PKK organization, the Turkish government was forced to recognize Newroz. Not as a Kurdish holiday, but a newly discovered ancient Turkish holiday! Since like religion, racism is capable of turning smart people into stupid people, they could not even think about the name of the holiday: The name of the officially hijacked Kurdish holiday was made of two Persian or Kurdish words: New (new) Roz (Day). In last decade, Kurds have received many rights, but with a huge cost, after losing the lives of tens of thousands and destruction of thousands of towns in South Eastern Turkey. The desire of Kurdish people for equality and dignity is still an ongoing struggle.

Back to the TV program… While listening to the panelists, the young police officer who had been treating me so nicely suddenly confessed: “If I did not have any expectation from life, I would get a machine gun and kill all of them.” The other police officer, who was as young and nice, joined him by declaring his solution for the Kurdish problem: “We should just adopt the ways of our Ottoman ancestors; we should erect hundreds of stakes on the streets and hang hundreds of them on them. Then, you will not hear any Kurdish problem!” Now I knew why their phones were singing Ottoman military marches.

I did not raise objection. It would be futile to discuss with a group of racist police officers while they had me in their possession. Ignorance and arrogance feed each other, and they had plenty of both. Well, later I would be engaging in a Socratic dialogue with a bored nationalist police officer who stood by curiously asking some questions through the bars. Like most racists, he was in denial of his racism. But, all his arguments were biased and Turkish-centered. According to him, there was no problem in forcing Kurdish children to say “My existence should be a sacrificial to the existence of Turkishness” or “One Turk equals to the World,” or “How happy is he who says ‘I am a Turk'”.  Our discussion lasted about two hours until he was tired standing on his feet. I think, I was able to penetrate his consciousness, showed him the mirror and placed major doubts in his mind about nationalism, which is one of the worst mental diseases of modern times.

Tried in two Continents in one Day

The Turkish police shuttled me between two courts, one in Asian the other in the European part of Istanbul, rushing to beat the deadline so that I would not stay in jail until the next Monday. I was not handcuffed during this travel; except briefly while I was taken to the car by a new police officer whom later was asked by his superior to unlock the handcuff.

I was also very impressed by the temperament of the judges and their just decision to release me and continue the court. When we arrived in Sultanahmet Adliyesi we rushed to the court’s secretary’s office. The judge happened to be sitting there. When he heard my name, he ordered the secretary that he knew where was the thick folder was. He pointed at one of the shelves on the wall. Indeed the folder was filled with papers, that is, copies of the hundreds of articles posted by hundreds of people at the forums of 19.org.

The judge initially worried me by telling me that he would continue the ban for my exit. But, he turned to be a very reasonable person. Perhaps he was just bluffing. Not knowing his intention I asked time for my attorney to come. The judge happily postponed the court to 2 pm afternoon. He read the illegal statements copied from my website’s forums. They were primitive and colloquial insult words that I never use. I am puritan and I never use cuss words even in my privacy. They were, according to the complaint prosecutor, insulting Turkishness, insulting Turkish flag, insulting Turkish generals, insulting Turkish National Congress, insulting Turkish judges, insulting Turkish prosecutors, and insulting Turkish police officers. The prosecutor had agreed with the informant citizen that I had violated the article 301 of the Criminal Code and a few others. The charges were based on a complaint letter and supportive documents of an attorney defending a cult leader, whose name was recognized by my attorney who has been defending the victims of this cult leader. (This cult leader has used the repressive Turkish laws to ban 19.org and many other popular sites, such as wordpress.com, youtube.com, and richarddawkins.net. Following his instructions, his followers are spamming the Internet with ugly false accusations against me.)

As later Taj would comfort me during my return to London, “if they did not accuse you of insulting Turkish pizza, Turkish bath, and Turkish coffee, no problem.” Well, I had problem with the accusations. First, I would never insult Turkish race, since I am not a racist person. I believe that God allowed the children of Adam to diversify in color, culture and language in order to enrich our lives. I know that the superiority is not by color or ethnic group, but by righteous acts. Besides teaching philosophy at college, I was also teaching Turkish classes at my younger son’s K-12 school in Arizona. According to the cultural attaché at the Turkish embassy in Washington, I was the first person in America that started teaching Turkish at a public K-12 school. I display a Turkish flag, its map, the picture of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, and several beautiful pictures from Istanbul on the walls of the class I teach. Some parents traveled to Turkey just because of their children’s exposure to Turkish language and culture. Perhaps, those who accused me of insulting Turkishness would never serve the interest of Turkish people as much as I have done. If I had wanted to retaliate against what the racist Turks had done to me and my family, perhaps I should have joined the ranks of PKK terror organization. I am a Kurd whose mother tongue was banned by the racist Turkish laws, whose brother was killed by Turkish nationalists, and who was imprisoned and tortured for four years for expressing opposing political views, and was forced to serve in Turkish military for 18 months as a “dangerous soldier.”… As a rational monotheist, as a non-sectarian muslim, I could not have acted as my racist enemies. I promote unity and friendship between Kurds and Turks in all my writings on the issue.

I have written numerous articles critical of authoritarian generals who meddle with the Turkish democracy, or have written satires critical of flag-worshiper jingoists, or criticized the unjustified ban on women’s headscarf, but they were never crude insults as they were stated. “Those words could not have written by me,” I told the judge and the prosecutor on the bench. I was a skilled author and accusing me of authoring those primitive insults were in fact insult to my profession. “If I wished to insult those things,” I said, “I could have insulted in style, in a much better language.”

Though I find some of the Turkish laws suppressive of freedom of expression, I am very pleased that the legal system and police conduct have dramatically improved to the better. When it became clear that most of the “criminal words” did not belong to me, but belonged to the forum members at www.19.org , I was blamed for not censoring the postings of Turkish or Kurdish people who had expressed insults to Turkish government and national symbols.

The judge was a reasonable person and perhaps had problem with the article 301, which is now under consideration to be discarded. He dictated my statement, and instructed for my release and lifting the ban on my exit from Turkey. He wished to rule on the other two charges too, but they were not under his jurisdiction. We had to rush for the court at Kartal-Pendik region, on the Asian section of the city. We had less than an hour to beat the deadline of 5 pm. Otherwise I had to remain in jail until Monday, the day of my departure from Turkey. I would experience the fastest travel in Istanbul’s heavy traffic. The police officers used the siren and zigzagged through the traffic, occasionally using the shoulder, made it to the court just seven minutes before 5 pm.

The middle-aged judge, while browsing my files, looked at me and asked me whether my brother was killed about thirty years ago. I was worried that he could be affiliated with the nationalists. Well, after asking me a few questions, he instructed my release. I am very thankful to the police officers who did their best to make my release possible by the end of the day. I had very little chance to get a release from the three charges.

The following day, I had a great reception at the book fair. This was my third real public appearance since my immigration to the USA, about 19 years ago. For security reasons, I had to limit my activities with TV programs that allowed me to encounter religious scholars through live debates. The lecture room was filled with enthusiastic audience. The reporter from the weekly Tempo magazine later told me about his impression. He was surprised to see a diverse demographics: young and old, men and women, women with headscarves and women wearing modern attire… They were very peaceful and friendly to my arguments.

During the remaining two days in Istanbul, I had an interview for Tempo Magazine’s upcoming cover story on Islamic Reform movement, and I met with various groups, including an elite group from another Turkic republic. Contrasting my first night on the floor of the cell, a friend of mine gave me the key of one of his luxury apartments looking at the Bosporus Straight just above Bebek…

I was relieved the moment my airplane departed to London. When I arrived at Atlanta airport, I knew that I was at home. As much as I dislike some of the policies of the US government, especially its imperialistic and Zionist-controlled foreign policy and its promiscuous affairs with big corporations, I consider myself a very lucky person for living in a country with such a Constitution that has allowed me not to worry about expressing my progressive and liberal political and religious views. After my experience during my recent short trip, I became even more appreciative of the Constitution that protects individuals from the tyranny of government. May God reward Jefferson with eternal bliss!

You may duplicate the Theometer on the front and back of a single page, by directly copying from the book, two pages at a time.
Theometer or Sectometer

(First conducted on the participants of my lectures at Oxford University in November 3-5, 2008)

Edip Yuksel

Name: _________________________________________________

Email Address: __________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________ Age: ______

Occupation: _____________________________________________

Nationality: _____________________________________________

Have you read the Manifesto for Islamic Reform? ______________

Favorite Books/Authors: ___________________________________

Your Sect: (a) Sunni (b) Shiite (c) Salafi (d) Other (d) No sect

Please put a CIRCLE around the letter of your choice:

1. According to the Quran, which one of these is not and cannot be idolized by people?

1. Prophet Muhammad
2. Desires or Wishful thinking (Hawa)
3. Crowds or peers
4. Ancestors or children
5. Reasoning (Aql)

2. Which one of these is a true statement?

1. The Quran is not sufficient to guide us; in addition we need Hadith and Sunna.
2. The Quran is not sufficient to guide us; we need Hadith, Sunna and follow the teaching of a Sunni sect.
3. The Quran is not sufficient to guide us; we need Hadith, Sunna and follow the teaching of a Shiite sect.
4. The Quran is not sufficient to guide us; we need Hadith, Sunna, follow the teaching of a sect and join a religious order.
5. The Quran is sufficient to guide us when we understand and follow it through the light of reason.

3. Which one of these hadiths narrated by Bukhari, Muslim and other “authentic” hadith books, do you think are fabricated:

1. Muhammad was illiterate until he died.
2. Muhammad married Aisha at age 54 while she was only 9 or 13 years-old.
3. Muhammad dispatched a gang of fighters (sariyya) to kill a woman poet secretly during night in her home, for criticizing him publicly through her poems.
4. Muhammad slaughtered 400 to 900 Jews belonging to Ben Qurayza for violating the treaty.
5. All of the above.

4. Which one of these laws or rules does not exist in the Quran?

1. Stone the married adulterers to death
2. Do not play guitar
3. Men should not wear silk and gold
4. Men are superior to women
5. All of the above

5. The Quran instructs us to follow the messengers. Following the messenger means:

1. Follow Hadith and Sunna; Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Hanbal, etc.
2. Follow his Ahl-al-Bayt.
3. Follow hadith, sunna, consensus of sahaba, ijtihad of imams and fatwas of ulama.
4. Follow Muhammad.
5. Follow the message he was sent with, which was Quran alone.

6. The Quran is God’s word, because:

1. There are verses of the Quran stating that it is God’s word.
2. The Quran is a literary miracle. None can bring a sura like it surpassing its literary qualities.
3. I do not need to have a reason. Reason is not reliable. I have faith in the Quran.
4. The moral teaching of the Quran is the best for individual and humanity.
5. The Quranic signs (aya) do not have internal contradiction nor does it contradict the signs in nature. Besides, it is numerically coded book with an extraordinary mathematical structure integrated with its composition and Arabic language.

7. Which one of the following is correct for Muhammad:

1. Muhammad was the final messenger and prophet.
2. Muhammad had the highest rank above all humans.
3. Muhammad demonstrated many miracles such as splitting the moon, healing the sick, and crippling a child
4. All of the above´
5. Muhammad was a human messenger like other messengers.

8. In what year he Bukhari started collecting hadith for his hadith collection known as the Sahih Bukhari, the most trusted Sunni hadith collection?

1. During the life of Muhammad in Medina
2. Ten years after Muhammad’s death.
3. 130 years after Muhammad’s death.
4. 200 years after Muhammad’s death
5. 230 years after Muhammad’s death.

9. According to Bukhari himself, he collected the 7,275 hadith among the 700,000 hadiths he collected. If each hadith, together with its isnad (the chain of reporters) and sanad (the text that was attributed to Muhammad) took about half a book page, how many volumes of books with 500 pages would they take to record all those 700,000 hadith allegedly collected by Bukhari?

1. 7 volumes
2. 10 volumes
3. 70 volumes
4. 100 volumes
5. 700 volumes

10. What are the last statements in the Farewell Sermon (Khutba al-Wida) which was reportedly witnessed by more than 100,000 sahaba, making it by far the most authentic hadith among the thousands of hadiths?

1. I leave you my sahaba; you may follow any of them.
2. I leave you the Quran; you should follow it.
3. I leave you the Quran and Sunna; you should follow both.
4. I leave you the Quran and Ahl-al- Bayt (my family); you should follow them.
5. All the last three versions mentioned above.

11. According to some “authentic hadith” found in Bukhari and other hadith books, there was a verse instructing muslims to stone the married adulterers to death: “Al-shayhu wal-shayhatu iza zanaya farjumuhuma nakalan…” According to hadith reports, what happened to those verses?

1. After the Prophet Muhammad’s death, Umayyad governor Marwan burned the pages where those verses were written.
2. Angle Gebrail came down and deleted it from the scripture.
3. Ibni Abbas forgot it yet Abu Hurayra never forgot it.
4. There is no reference to such a verse in any authentic hadith books.
5. After the Prophet Muhammad’s death, the skin which the verse was written on was protected under Aisha’s bed. A hungry goat ate it. Thus, it was abrogated literally yet kept legally.

12. According to both Bukhari and Muslim, when Muhammad was in his death bed, he asked his comrades around to bring him a paper and pen to write something for them so that they would not divert from the right path. According to the same “authentic” Sunni hadith books, Omar bin Khattab stopped a sahaba who was hurrying for a paper and pen and said the following: “The prophet is sick and has fever. He does not know what he is saying. God’s book is sufficient for us.” According to the hadith, all the prominent comrades (sahaba) agreed with Omar and Muhammad passed away without writing down his advice. What do you think about this hadith?

1. If it is narrated by both Bukhari and Muslim, then it must be true
2. If it is true, then, Omar and all other Sahaba must have betrayed Muhammad and committed blasphemy.
3. If it is true, then, Omar and all prominent Sahaba were followers of the Quran alone.
4. If it is false then all other hadith too should be rejected.
5. C and D must be true

13. Do we need to SAY “sallallahu alayhi wasallam” after Muhammad’s name?

1. Yes, every time Muhammad is mentioned we have to praise his name.
2. Yes, but we need to say only once in our lifetime.
3. Yes, the more we say the better.
4. Yes, and those who do not say it after Muhammad’s name disrespect him and they will not receive his intercession.
5. No, the Quran does not ask us to say anything after Muhammad’s name; muslims were asked (salli ala) to support him, as he was also asked to support them (salli alayhim) as God promised to support monotheists (yusalli alaikum).

14. What is the correct Testimony (shahada) according to the Quran:

1. I bear witness that there is no god but the God and the Quran is God’s word.
2. I bear witness that there is no god but the God and Muhammad is His messenger.
3. I bear witness that there is no god but the God and Muhammad is His messenger and His servant.
4. I bear witness that there is no god but the God and Abraham, Jesus, Moses and Muhammad are His messengers.
5. I bear witness that there is no god but the God.

15. Should Muslims who do not observe daily prayers be beaten in public?

1. Yes.
2. No.

16. Should Muslims who are caught for consuming alcohol for the fourth time be killed?

1. Yes.
2. No.

17. Did the prophet give permission to kill women and children in the war?

1. Yes.
2. No.

18. According to the Quran, are women banned from reading Quran and pray during their menstruation periods?

1. Yes
2. No.

19. In the daily Sala prayers, do you recite “attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu …. as salamu alayka ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu”?

1. Yes
2. No

20. Does the Quran justify taxing Jewish and Christian population under Muslim authority with extra or different taxation called Jizya?

1. Yes
2. No.

21. Does the Quran instruct women to cover their hair?

1. Yes.
2. No.

22. Are woman restricted from leading congregational prayers?

1. Yes.
2. No.

23. Are women mentally and spiritually inferior to men?

1. Yes.
2. No.

24. Does the Quran restrict women from initiating divorce?

1. Yes.
2. No.

25. Is polygamy with previously unmarried women allowed?

1. Yes, up to four women.
2. No, polygamy is allowed only with the widows who have orphans.

26. Do pilgrims need to cast real stones at the devil?

1. Yes.
2. No.

27. Is the black stone near Kaba holy?

1. Yes.
2. No.

28. May a muslim own slaves?

1. Yes.
2. No.

29. Is circumcision a required or encouraged practice in Islam?

1. Yes.
2. No.

30. Should converts change their names to Arabic names?

1. Yes.
2. No.

31. How much zaka charity one should give away?

1. 2.5%
2. As much as one can afford, without making themselves needy.

32. Are those who break their fast during Ramadan before the sunset required to fast 60 consecutive days as a punishment for not completing the day?

1. Yes.
2. No.

33. Is leadership the right of Quraish tribe?

1. Yes.
2. No.

34. Is drawing pictures or making three dimensional statutes a sin?

1. Yes.
2. No.

35. Are there more dietary prohibitions besides pork, carcass, running blood, and animal dedicated to idolized names?

1. Yes.
2. No.

36. Is displaying Muhammad’s name and the names of his closest companions next to God’s name in the mosques idol-worship?

1. No.
2. Yes.

37. Did Muhammad advise some sick people to drink camel urine?

1. Yes.
2. No.

38. Did Muhammad gauge people’s eyes with hot nails?

1. Yes.
2. No.

39. After following the advice of Moses, did Muhammad, bargain with God about the number of prayers, lowering down from the impossible-to-observe 50 times a day to 5 times a day?

1. Yes.
2. No.

40. Does Muhammad have the power of intercession?

1. Yes.
2. No.

41. Was Muhammad sinless?

1. Yes.
2. No.

42. Did God create the universe for the sake of Muhammad?

1. Yes.
2. No.

43. Did Muhammad have sexual power of 30 males?

1. Yes.
2. No.

44. Was Muhammad bewitched by a Jew?

1. Yes.
2. No.

45. Do some verses of the Quran abrogate other verses?

1. Yes.
2. No.