About Prima Qur’an: Ibadi perspectives on Islam

Bismillah ir rahman ir raheem, With the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.”(Qur’an 25:30)

As salamu ‘alikum warahmutallahi wabarakuth (May the Peace, Mercy of Allah and Blessings descend upon you in tranquility).

“Have you considered those who were asked to accept judgment from Allah’s Book? When they are asked to accept judgment from Allah’s Book, some of them turn their backs and walk away!” (Qur’an 3:23)

With the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All types of true and perfect praise are due to Allah, Lord, Cherisher and Sustainer of all existence. I ask that peace and blessings be upon the last and final Messenger, our Noble Prophet (saw).

Everything that is good and beneficial with in this web site, all the praise is due to Allah (swt). All of the mistakes are mine. Whom ever Allah (swt) guides no one can misguide them. Whom ever Allah (swt) leaves to stray no one can guide them.

WELCOME TO PRIMA-QUR’AN. -VIEWS AND PERSPECTIVES FROM THE IBADI SCHOOL OF ISLAM.

The opening verses of the Qur’an sets the tone. I feel strongly that we the Muslims have gone far from the primary source of our faith, namely the Qur’an.

This web site is more about my own personal views and reflections. You could even say a personal journey of my thoughts and feelings on matters related to Islam.

I will also be talking about how and why my journey eventually led me to embrace the Ibadi school of thought within Islam. It is the one school that I feel puts the Qur’an first as the primary source of Islam as it should be.

I would like very much for people to be able to take something useful from this web site. If this website can be a voice for the voiceless than all praise belongs to Allah (swt).

I feel there maybe many Muslims out there struggling with their faith. It could be a particular issue in theology, or jurisprudence that has given them many sleepless nights. It could be that a person may have suffered severe emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of seemingly benign Sufi tariqah. A tariqah that demanded absolute obedience, and allegiance. This could have ended up being a severely traumatic experience for that person. Rather than being spiritually liberating, it could have been spiritually draining.

It could be that a person was confronted with a view with in the Islamic paradigm that focused so much on legalism that it left the person feeling hopelessly encumbered. ‘Islam is such a burden ’they may feel.

It could be that some Muslims are on the verge of leaving their faith. They may well feel, ‘Well, if this is Islam than I want no part of it.’

Some Muslims are maybe so disgusting by the sectarianism and the infighting. They may ask, ‘Is there really a way through this madness?‘

Fear not! I believe that together we will discover that Islam is more vast than anyone faction with in the Islamic paradigm would have any one of us to believe.

What is the tone of this web site?

I would like us to take a look at the following verses of the Qur’an:

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammed], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude and harsh in heart, they would have fled from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him. (Qur’an 3:159)

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” (Qur’an 16:125)

The example of Pharaoh.

“O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a god other than me.” (Qur’an 28:38)

“Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed.” (Qur’an 20:24)

So we can see that Pharaoh has committed the highest form of sin against Allah (swt) namely the claim of divinity! Allah (swt) also says that he was a transgressor!

Nonetheless look at the way in which Allah (swt) ask Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them both) to conduct themselves while speaking with him.

“And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear Allah.” (Qur’an 20:44)

“Virtue and evil are not equal. If you replace evil habits with virtuous ones, you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends. (Qur’an 41:34)

“If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His Servants. (Qur’an 35:45)

Allah (swt) is the Most Merciful! If Allah (swt) was to exact his justice upon us (frail humanity) he would have wiped out everyone and everything.

As one Imam has stated, “Do not look down upon others because their sins are different than yours.” How true is this?

So with this being quite the lengthy preamble let it be known that I am weak and only human. It is my hope that we could avoid sarcasm, snark, and malicious comments. It is important to realize that the goal of us all is Allah (swt).

“Verily, you (O Muhammed) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are guided.” (Quran 28:56)

If the best example the Blessed Messenger (saw) could not guide whom he liked to the truth, it would be the epitome of arrogance and futility to think that anyone of us could force another to capitulate to our position.

I think that once we recognize and respect that guidance is the sole jurisdiction of Allah (swt) we can take the ego and the ‘I‘ out of our discussions and exchanges. Because then what this becomes is a journey about truth to The Truth. It does not become about ‘you’ and ‘I’, but about us on a mutual journey of inquiry and exchange.

With that said I sincerely hope and pray that Allah (swt) would bless us with his guidance and grace. I hope that if there is something in Prima-Qur’an that is factually wrong or in error that Allah (swt) would open my heart and my eyes to accept this. It will never be my intention to misrepresent another school of thought’s understanding of Islam.

So what is Prima-Qur’an: Views and perspectives from the Ibadi School?

The Ibadi school of Islam is neither Sunni or Shi’a. The Ibadi school of Islam is the oldest legal school of all Muslims.

The Ibadi school uses the Prima-Qur’an approach as a methodology when deriving proofs and evidence from the primary and secondary sources of Islam.

Prima is from the Latin word which simply means ‘First’ or ‘foremost’.

Prima Qur’an is about using the Qur’an, primarily for guidance in matters of theology, jurisprudence and spirituality.

The Ibadi school rejects any source that clashes with the teachings of the Qur’an. It is about Muslims going back to the Qur’an first. It is about Muslims looking to the Qur’an first and foremost for guidance and healing.

So no matter the disagreements that may arise between Muslims we must always start with the book of Allah (swt).

It will never make sense to start with something that is not common between parties.

The Ibadi school in Islam derives this understanding from the book of Allah (swt)

Here are some of the proofs:

“Those whom you worship beside Him are but names which you have named, you and your fathers. Allah has revealed no authority for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who has commanded you that you worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.” (Qur’an 12:40)

This verse is not negating the fact that Allah (swt) can and has given authority to people. It is simply stating that unless that authority is authorized by what Allah (swt) authorized it is null and void.

Another proof.

“But those who hold fast by the Book and are steadfast in prayer – verily, We will not waste the wages of those who do right.”(Qur’an 7:170)

Another proof.

“Have they not seen that We set up the land, reducing it from its borders? And Allah decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And he is swift in account.” (Qur’an 13:41)

There is no other authority that can over ride what Allah (swt) has commanded.

“Do you not consider, [O Muhammed], those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They are invited to the Book of Allah that it should arbitrate between them; then a party of them turns away, and they are refusing.” (Qur’an 3:23)

Would it not be strange for the Jews and Christians to settle their disputes by the book of Allah and we Muslims do not do the same?

So this is in regard to our approach to disagreements within the Muslim community.

Is there another source of guidance other than the Qur’an for Ibadi Muslims?

Yes.

The secondary source of authority for Muslims is As-Sunnah. These are the words, deeds, and actions of the Blessed Messenger (saw)

In fact in the Qur’an, Allah (swt) has told us that to obey the Prophet Muhammed (saw) is just like obeying Allah (swt) .

“He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah, but those who turn away-We have not sent you over them as a guardian.” (Qur’an 4:80)

However, it is important that while both are authoritative sources in Islam, they do not, in fact, carry equal authoritative weight. Allah (swt) has complete authority over all his creation in every regard.

EXAMPLES:

“And when you said to the one whom Allah bestowed favour and you bestowed favour, “Keep your wife and fear Allah,” while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right than you fear Him.”(Qur’an 33:37)

This verse is a crystal clear example of Allah (swt) over riding a decision that the Blessed Prophet Muhammed was about to take.

Another example:

“Oh Prophet, why do you prohibit yourself from what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 66:1)

By taking a Prima-Qur’an approach the Ibadi school is quite unique. This is distinction to a Supra-Qur’an approach.

WHAT IS SUPRA-QUR’AN?

Supra is from Latin and means ‘above’ ‘over’ or ‘preceding something else’.

That is to say to put as anything as authority above or even superseding the Qur’an in matters of theology, jurisprudence and spirituality.

Supra-Qur’an is easily the position adopted by most of the world’s Muslims today. Though my wager is most Muslims have not even reflected upon this or even investigated it.

So for illustration purposes, you can see that the Qur’an and As-Sunnah are authoritative sources in Islam.

“Blessed is He who sent down the Furqan (The Filter) upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds one who admonishes.” (Qur’an 25:1)

This verse makes it clear that the Qur’an is the filter.

Another illustration to demonstrate this point is as follows:

I believe the approach of the Ibadi school can be summed up in the sublime oral tradition which has been transmitted as follows:

Harith ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, sent Mu’adh to Yemen and he said, “How will you judge?” Mu’adh said, “I will judge according to the Book of Allah.” The Prophet said, “What if it is not in the Book of Allah?” Mu’adh said, “Then with the tradition (sunnah) of the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, “What if it is not in the tradition of the Messenger of Allah?” Mu’adh said, “Then I will strive to form an opinion (ijtihad).” The Prophet said, “All praise is due to Allah Who has made suitable the messenger of the Messenger of Allah.”

Source: (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1327)

For those who are interested this is a critique I wrote concerning the ‘Supra-Qur’an‘ position here:

https://primaquran.wordpress.com/2019/08/08/the-soundness-of-the-prima-quran-view/

Vital points concerning the Ibadi school’s approach to the Qur’an.

These are vital points concerning the Ibadi school’s approach to the Qur’an. We find them to be fundamental in respecting the timeless wisdom, beauty, and integrity contained within our most guarded revelation.

#1) The Qur’an is the last divinely protected revelation from Almighty Allah. It is a self evident revelation.

#2) The Qur’an is complete.

#3) The Qur’an is inimitable.

#4) The Qur’an is not abrogated by anything, including itself.

#5) The Qur’an is created.

Prima-Qur’an endorses the Amman Message. I would highly encourage you to read it.

The ‘Amman Message’ was endorsed by scholars, and notable Muslim preachers and representatives of various Muslim theological, and juristic approaches. It states:

“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad and his pure and noble family

1. Whosoever is an adherent to one of the four Sunni schools (Mathahib) of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi`i, and Hanbali), the two Shi’i schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Ja`fari and Zaydi), the Ibadi school of Islamic jurisprudence and the Thahiri school of Islamic jurisprudence, is a Muslim. Declaring that person an apostate is impossible and impermissible. Verily his (or her) blood, honour, and property are inviolable. Moreover, in accordance with the Shaykh Al-Azhar’s fatwa, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to the Ash`ari creed or whoever practices real Tasawwuf (Sufism) an apostate. Likewise, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare whosoever subscribes to true Salafi thought an apostate.
   Equally, it is neither possible nor permissible to declare as apostates any group of Muslims who believes in God, Glorified and Exalted be He, and His Messenger (may peace and blessings be upon him) and the pillars of faith, and acknowledges the five pillars of Islam, and does not deny any necessarily self-evident tenet of religion.

Sectarianism is categorically forbidden in Islam.

“As for those who divide their religion and break up into shias (sects), you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (Qur’an, 6:159)

“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them” (Qur’an 3:105)

The sectarianism has deeply divided the Muslim community. It has not allowed us to ‘think outside the box’. It does not allow us to consider the fiqh (jurisprudence) and approaches that others may take, simply because we consider them ‘the other’.

Prior to the conflict among the early Muslims, we as Muslims were known only as Muslims. There was no other distinctive appellation. However, after the civil wars among the Muslims they split into groups.

Question: What kind of Muslim are you?

Answer: Hopefully a good one Allah-Willing.

Allah (swt) has not given us as Muslims a more beautiful name other than Muslim.

“And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation]that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people.” (Qur’an 22:78)

Question: Why do you call yourself Ibadi?

That is a good question. The fact is that Allah (swt) does not give weight to any title other than Muslim. It should be pointed out that most people who others call ‘Ibadi‘ are simply content with being called Muslims. After all it is what Allah (swt) has named us.

I personally follow the Ibadi school for several reasons which I outlined in an article here: https://primaquran.wordpress.com/2018/11/24/why-i-now-follow-the-ibadi-school/

For the purposes of Prima-Qur’an I will say that I find the Ibadi school the most honest in regards to the history of Muslims. I find it the most rooted in the Qur’an.

This will become apparent to the reader as you will begin to see where positions in theology and/or jurisprudence are often at odds with what Allah (swt) has ordered upon us as Muslims.

I find it the most accepting of other schools of thought with in Islam.

Prima-Qur’an: Ibadi perspectives on Islam is a dialogue with in the paradigm of Islam. We encourage Muslims to pray in all Masjids. We encourage Muslims to have fellowship with all Muslims. We encourage Muslims to trade and do business with all Muslims.

This web site is simply to give you views and perspectives from the Ibadi school that you may not readily find available in English or anywhere else.

It is simply to enlighten others on another methodology or approach that I think will be helpful to many and Allah (swt) knows best.

The purpose here is not to come along and change everything you know. This is not the purpose of Prima-Qur’an. Ibadi perspectives on Islam.

We are simply sharing our narrative. The narrative of Ahl al Haqq Wal Istiqamah

“And obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away, then Our Messenger is responsible only for conveying the message clearly. (Quran 64:12)

“O mankind! The Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe: it is better for you. And if you disbelieve, to Allah belongs what is in the heavens and in the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 4:170)

“Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided” (Qur’an 16:125)

We ask Allah to keep us humble, and sincere. Welcome to Prima-Qur’an: Ibadi perspectives on Islam. I hope that Allah enriches you by this site and that you yourselves enrich others through your contributions.

Sincerely, yours.

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Feel free to contact me jasonatreides11@gmail.com