We mentioned in that review the following concerning Dr. Brown’s book:
The section “Western debates over historical reliability” is an absolutely essential read for those highly critical of Hadith literature.
Especially the section on ‘Western Evaluation‘.
Where he quotes from the works of Nabia Abbott, David Powers, Fred Donner, and Harold Motzki, all who do not dismiss Hadith literature outright.
These are the names of scholars that those people who reject the hadith in totality would prefer you do not know about.
In fact, one of the claims by people who reject the hadith in total is that that textual hadith came along some 250–300 years after the Blessed Messenger (saw).
Here is a German orientalist, Dr. Harald Motzki, who takes the followers of the ‘Qur’an only Religion‘ to task for this assertion.
The following entry is a must-read for anyone who holds the assertion of textual hadith coming some 250–300 years after the Blessed Messenger (saw).
We have yet to see anyone from the ‘Qur’an Only’ movement interact with any of Dr. Motzki’s material in any meaningful way at all.
This is worth a read if we are looking at being fair and honest.
Again, we feel that the Prima-Qur’an approach, as embodied by the Ibadi school, is a middle ground between rejecting the traditions in their entirety, and accepting the traditions in their entirety.
“The Musannaf of Abd al-Razzaq al-San’ani as a Source of Authentic Ahadith of the First Century A.H.” – by Harald Motzki
“And if you differ in any matter among yourselves, then refer it back to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day.” (Qur’an 4:59)
“Say: “O People of the Book! You have no ground to stand upon unless you stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.” It is the revelation that comes to you from your Lord that increases most of them in their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow you not over (these) people without faith.” (Qur’an 5:68)
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We are not going to leave Islam for the Religion for the federation of shallow and vacuous sects that are collectively known as the “Hafs Qur’an only religion.” A federation of competing sects that say we ignore what Allah (swt) says.
They themselves cannot even agree on what the prayer is. They supposedly believe that Allah (swt) is clear. They supposedly believe that Allah (swt) wanted us to pray…..something….somehow…. That simply is not clarity.
Allah (swt) clearly told us to accept “all the revelation” that has come to us.
“So do you believe in part of Scripture and disbelieve in part?” (Qur’an 2:85)
In reality, these Qur’an rejectors (for that is what they are) do exactly this. They accept certain parts of the Qur’an and reject others. In fact, we do not think it is right to even call them “Qur’an Only” because the truth is, they are Qur’an partially, which renders them disbelievers.
“Whosoever judges not according to what Allah has sent down—they are the ungodly.” (Qur’an 5:47)
“Whoso judges not according to what Allah has sent down—they are the ungrateful.” (Qur’an 5:44)
“Whoso judges not according to what Allah has sent down—they are the evildoers.” (Qur’an 5:45)
Very powerful verses. Whoever does not judge according to what Allah has sent down are ungodly, ungrateful and evildoers. An apt description for the Qur’an rejectors. And what exactly is it that Allah has sent down?
Well, Allah (swt) has alsosent down the following verses:
“And if you differ in any matter among yourselves, then refer it back to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day.” (Qur’an 4:59)
Allah has also sent down the following:
“It is not for any believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, to have the choice in the affair. Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has gone astray into manifest error.” (Qur’an 33:36)
“When they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them, lo, a party of them swerve aside; but if they are in the right, they will come to him submissively. What, is there sickness in their hearts, or are they in doubt, or do they fear that Allah and his Messenger may be unjust towards them ? Nay, but those—they are the wrongdoers”. (Qur’an 24:48-50)
“All that the believers say, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger, to judge between them, is that they say, `We hear, and we obey’; those—they are the successful.” (Qur’an 24:51)
Allah AND his Messenger have decreed a matter. Allah AND his Messenger. Why the redundant language? Why not simply say Allah alone?
So do those who follow the Qur’an only religion (Qur’an rejectors) accept these verses or not? In reality, they do not. They believe that the sovereign Creator of the universe uses redundant language! May Allah (swt) guide them!
They clearly do not judge by what Allah (swt) has sent down because in what Allah (swt) has sent down is the Qur’an, which says that we are to submit to the judgement of Allah and his Messenger.
So let us unpack this. When we take the Qur’an as a whole. We can see that there is:
The judgement of Allah (swt).
“So judge between them according to what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their caprices.” (Qur’an 5:48)
The judgement of the Messenger of Allah (swt). “If they come to you, judge you between them, or turn away from them; if you turn away from them, they will hurt you nothing; and if you judge, judge justly between them; Allah loves the just”. (Qur’an 5:42)
Both are sources of judgement.
However, the judgement of Muhammed (saw) can be over-ruled by the judgement of Allah (swt). We made this abundantly clear in our article here:
The judgement of the Blessed Prophet (saw) cannot overrule the judgement of Allah (swt).
Out of all judgements, the judgement of Allah (swt) is the best and Allah (swt) has made that clear here:
“Is it the judgement of the times of ignorance they are seeking? Yet who is fairer in judgement than Allah, for a people having conviction?” (Qur’an 5:50)
Who is fairer in judgement than Allah? Again, it is not that others cannot judge, it’s just that Allah’s judgement is the best judgement and no one argues against that.
Just like the Qur’an nowhere, and we repeat nowhere says that we are to reject all the hadith, it simply tells us that there is no better hadith than that of Allah, and no one can argue against that.
Allah (swt) has made it clear that when he has given his judgement on a matter, that is what we are to go by. Allah (swt) has made that clear here:
“Surely We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, so that you may judge between the people by what Allah has shown you. So be not an advocate for the traitors”. (Qur’an 4:105)
Which is exactly the Prima-Qur’an position. Not to not take anything above the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the filter.
So what about what Allah (swt) has not shown therein?
Well, unlike what the Qur’an only religion teaches, we believe that Allah (swt) is very clear about this. Allah (swt) says:
“But no, by you Lord! They will not believetill they make you the judge regarding the disagreement between them and then find in themselves no impediment touching your verdict, but surrender in full submission”. (Qur’an 4:65)
The above verses clearly explain the sacred duty of litigants in a disagreement or dispute to take recourse to the Messenger of Allah (swt) and no other person. It also places upon the litigant the solemn duty of complete submission to his judgement.
What is interesting is that the followers of the “Qur’an only religion”, also known as Qur’an rejectors, are to take their own interpretations of the scripture as guidance and yet reject the guidance of the Messenger of Allah!
“O two companions of the prison! Are many different deities better, or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him, except names which you and your ancestors have forged, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The Judgement is for none but Allah.He has commanded that you worship none except Him. That is the standard religion. But most of humanity does not know.” (Qur’an 12:39-40)
So is Allah (swt) saying that no one can judge but Allah?
It would be very weird to give human beings laws about punishing adulterers and fornicators, protecting the rights of orphans, property, bringing forth witnesses and testimony and having no court system, no laws and no judges.
“Consume not your goods between you in vanity; neither proffer it to the judges, that you may sinfully consume a portion of other men’s goods, and that wittingly.” (Qur’an 2:188)
So, is Allah (swt) saying that no one can judge but Allah?
It is very clear that when Allah and his Messenger have given clear-cut rulings we are not to contravene them at all.
It would be very curious to give human beings laws about punishing adulterers and fornicators, protecting the rights of orphans, property, bringing forth witnesses and testimony and having no court system, no laws and no judges.
“Consume not your goods between you in vanity; neither proffer it to the judges, that you may sinfully consume a portion of other men’s goods, and that wittingly.” (Qur’an 2:188)
“And if there should be a group among you who has believed in that with which I have been sent and a group that has not believed, then be patient until Allah judges between us. And He is the best of judges.” (Qur’an 7:87)
Allah (swt) has clearly mentioned other judges than him. First and foremost are the verses that have already mentioned the Blessed Prophet (saw) also being a judge.
Allah (swt) has clearly mentioned the steps that believers are to take when having disagreements.
“And if you differ in any matter among yourselves, then refer it back to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day.” (Qur’an 4:59)
“And whatever you are at variance on, the judgement thereof belongs to Allah. That then is Allah, my Lord; in Him I have put my trust, and in Him I turn penitent.” (Qur’an 42:10)
Just like those who have misrepresented the position of the Ibadi school in the following verses:
“Moreover, if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Qur’an 49:9)
So it is not that we do not believe in arbitration but that we do not concede to arbitration on a matter in which Allah (swt) has already made the law clear
. We seek the judgement and the guidance and the arbitration of the Blessed Messenger, the Prophet Muhammed (saw). We do this because it is the judgement of Allah (swt) that we do so on any matters in which Allah (swt) has not shown us.
It is not that no one on Earth has the ability to heal, but Allah is the best of healers.
It is not that no one on Earth can assist, but that Allah is the best of helpers.
It is not that no one on this earth can give love, but Allah is the best of those who give love.
It is not that no one on this earth can give mercy, but Allah is the best of those who give mercy.
It is not that we cannot take hadith, but that the hadith of Allah is the best.
It is not that we cannot take from other sources that claim to be revelation, but Allah is regulator muhayminun over them.
It is not that we cannot take judgement from other than Allah, but that when Allah has made his judgement clear, we do not take other than it.
It is not that we cannot take judgement from other than Allah, it’s just that Allah’s is the best and final judgement.
“O you who have believed, fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate justice.” (Qur’an 33:70)
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We find the “Hafs Qur’an Only”Religion to be intellectually bankrupt.
Beyond the idea of saying that ‘I bear witness that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah’ upon entering Islam, or saying Salawat upon the Blessed Messenger (saw) to be acts of shirk—or association of partners with Allah (swt), they really have little more to offer in theology.
We find no attempt at all to discuss theological issues about the attributes of Allah in any meaningful way.
No discussion on issues like free will and determinism, no discussion on whether we see Allah in the hereafter, rather souls remain in hell or are released, rather Allah is divinely simplistic in being or unity, rather the Qur’an is created or uncreated, rather than who or what creates actions, nor any meaningful definition of the sifat of Allah (swt).
Just rail against Hadith. It is all they can bring to the table as to the rest….good luck!
As regards the Quraniyoon.
We can’t think of a greater diabolical system for the systematic dismantling of Islam.
We are talking about communal worship and communal bonding and the masjid as a place of khutbah calling for social justice. Erased.
At what point is this platform not a sting or intelligence operation to dismantle islam as a political and ideological source that challenges western hegemony?
Look how fragmented Protestant churches are.
But imagine now, we don’t even have a church. Just private study circles that splinter into another private study circle. You are left with your translation of the Qur’an and your own individual speculations.
The claim they make is that the Qur’an is sufficient and clear, yet we keep seeing YouTube videos of them popping up wanting to explain Allah’s kitab and in the process refute other Qur’an only views.
The Arabic language itself becomes the ultimate arbiter of truth and not the Qur’an.
Allah doesn’t need a book, he can give direct gnosis.
What is the degree of fluency that you need before you start telling people what Allah is and is not saying based upon your personal speculation?
Look at all other faith traditions; Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, etc….
Why is it they all have structure, ritual and suddenly these people want to come along and dismantle it?
The success of that movement = handing over the so-called third world over to complete dominion of the West.
At the end of the day, this movement turns the Qur’an into a simple self-help book. You could find it in the same section as a book with the title ‘a road to a better you.’
In fact, one of them mentioned recently that you don’t even need the Qur’an! The Qur’an is just a shortcut!
Nor have we seen among those who follow the Hafs Qur’an Only Religion any meaningful attempt to engage in theological issues.
Yet the only thing that the adherents of the “Hafs Qur’an Only Religion” can offer is constant railing against Hadith literature.
We have a feeling that many of these people (at least those we met) are well-educated but don’t really have insight and wisdom. It is possible that many of them were exposed to the very heavy-handed tactics of traditional Muslims. It would make anyone want to run away from it all.
The fact that many of the adherents of the “Hafs Qur’an Only Religion” rely heavily upon orientalist writings is very telling.
When we announced what our intentions were for this blog, a Quraniyoon follower approached us. She was (is) a level-headed woman. Her husband is of Pakistani origin. They raise money for charitable causes… and work with NGOs.
Her husband was quite excited to learn that we put emphasis upon the Qur’an.
Yet, he was unable to answer questions about the textual history of Islam, that the concept of the number (19) MIGHT work for certain qir’aat of the Qur’an, but not for others.
That we can’t even speak about “over it are 19” until we have established that the basmallah is indeed a verse over every surah of the Qur’an.
How do we do that?!!
Submission.org has appealed to extra-Qur’anic material to prove their claims.
We respected their identity, but we parted ways, telling the husband (who got easily irritated) that we did not believe in their ‘Hafs Qur’an only Religion.’
We turned down funding from this couple because we will not promote a cause that we don’t believe in nor do we find to be intellectually viable at all.
We have found that many among the ‘Hafs Qur’an only Religion’, for the most part, are as easily agitated, turned up, and unfocused as are many traditionalist Muslims.
So yes, the ‘Hafs Qur’an Only Religion’ may be a rallying cry for Muslims who have had it up to their neck with ‘traditionalists’.
Yet it is important for those Western Muslims, those in Turkey, Kuwait, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Egypt, or anywhere else who are enamored with the ‘Hafs Qur’an Only Religion’ to understand just how intellectually bankrupt the position is. It’s just almost like they have these small support groups which become echo chambers for their ideas. All we ever see is railing against the hadith.
A movement that cannot interact with the compilation and transmission of the Qur’an in any meaningful way, nor a movement that interacts with the theological questions that have gripped the Muslim ummah is not a movement or position we would want to invest my trust in.
“They have taken their rabbis and monks as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, as lords besides Allah, even though they were commanded to worship none but One God. There is no god except Him. Glorified is He above what they associate!” (Qur’an 9:31)
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“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you, judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in submission.” (Qur’an 4:65)
“With clear proofs and divine Books. And We have sent down to youthe Reminder, so that you may explain to people what has been revealed for them, and perhaps they will reflect.” (Qur’an 16:44)
“They have taken their rabbis and monks as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, as lords besides Allah, even though they were commanded to worship none but One God. There is no god except Him. Glorified is He above what they associate!” (Qur’an 9:31)
The above verse does not tell us in what way they have taken their rabbis or monks (basically their learned people as lords besides Allah). It only tells us that they have done this. However, when one goes to the places of worship of the Jews and Christians, we do not find them worshiping their scholars.
It is through the Sunnah that this information is made known to us.
(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and the Messiah, son of Maryam) 9:31.
Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded a Hadith via several chains of narration, from `Adi bin Hatim, may Allah be pleased with him, who became Christian during the time of Jahiliyyah. When the call of the Messenger of Allah reached his area, `Adi ran away to Ash-Sham, and his sister and several of his people were captured. The Messenger of Allah freed his sister and gave her gifts. So she went to her brother and encouraged him to become Muslim and to go to the Messenger of Allah. `Adi, who was one of the chiefs of his people (the tribe of Tai’) and whose father, Hatim At-Ta’i, was known for his generosity, went to Al-Madinah. When the people announced his arrival, `Adi went to the Messenger of Allah wearing a silver cross around his neck. The Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah
(They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah). `Adi commented, “I said, `They did not worship them.”’ The Prophet said (Yes they did. They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them (Christians and Jews) and allowed the prohibited, and they obeyed them. This is how they worshipped them.)
The Messenger of Allah said to `Adi,(O `Adi, what do you say? Did you run away (to Ash-Sham) so that ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Great) is not pronounced Do you know of anything greater than Allah What made you run away? Did you run away so that `La ilaha illallah’ is not pronounced? Do you know of any deity worthy of worship except Allah? The Messenger invited `Adi to embrace Islam, and he embraced Islam and pronounced the Testimony of Truth.
The face of the Messenger of Allah beamed with pleasure, and he said to `Adi,(Verily, the Jews have earned the anger (of Allah) and the Christians are misguided.) Hudhayfah bin Al-Yaman, `Abdullah bin `Abbas and several others said about the explanation of (They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah…) that the Christians and Jews obeyed their monks and rabbis in whatever they allowed or prohibited for them. This is why Allah said,(while they were commanded to worship none but One God), Who, whatever He renders prohibited is the prohibited, whatever He allowed is the allowed, whatever He legislates, is to be the law followed, and whatever He decides is to be adhered to;(None has the right to be worshiped but He. Hallowed be He above what they associate (with Him).) Meaning, exalted, sanctified, hallowed above partners, equals, aids, rivals or children, there is no deity or Lord worthy of worship except Him.
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden open and secret indecencies, sinfulness, unjust aggression, associating with Allah —a practice He has never authorized—and attributing to Allah what you do not know.” (Qur’an 7:33)
The Hafs Qur’an Only Religion has already splintered into several sects. Each of these sects coalesce around their favourite preacher or public figure. This preacher or public figure is the one who expounds, explains, proposes, elucidates, expands on, elaborates on, spells out, describes, tells them to cease and desist.
The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic.
“Certainly, We have made it a Quran in Arabic, so perhaps you will understand.” (Qur’an 43:3)
The Qur’an is an Arabic Qur’an. The Qur’an does not tell us what degree of fluency is needed before one starts instructing people on what Allah is permitting and forbidding.
Say, “My Lord has only forbidden open and secret indecencies, sinfulness, unjust aggression, associating with Allah —a practice He has never authorized—and attributing to Allah what you do not know.” (Qur’an 7:33)
So, given that the vast majority of people who follow the Hafs Qur’an Only religion do not go to the Qur’an directly but depend upon these figureheads to tell them what is haram and halal, they are in the same position as the Jews and Christians.
Even those who tell them what the Qur’an says (an irony considering they claim it is self-sufficient), even those themselves, are not really proficient in the Arabic language.
However, you know what is better than this? Proficiency in the Arabic language coupled with the fact that Allah (swt) has directly appointed you to teach the people.
“But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you, judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in submission.” (Qur’an 4:65)
“With clear proofs and divine Books. And We have sent down to youthe Reminder, so that you may explain to people what has been revealed for them, and perhaps they will reflect.” (Qur’an 16:44)
This is what happens when one detaches themselves from the Sunnah of the Blessed Prophet (saw).
“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” (Qur’an 3:190)
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The above image is an ‘Islamic’ Globe dated from the early 1800s.
For those who do not know, follower of the Qur’an Only Religion and translator of the Qur’an, Sam Gerrans believes that in his deep study of the Qur’an that his conclusion is the following:
The Qur’an is clear. We live on a stationary, flat earth, with a solid firmament above us.
You can see his full discussion here:
Sam Gerrans pictured above.
This is the picture that Sam uses in the thumbnail to the video above (with his own modifications).
Now it is not clear if Sam Gerrans believes that we have a universe or if that is also part of the deception. In his thumbnail he puts God “outside” of Creation, or so it seems. On his thumbnail (not included in the picture above) he has the “Heaven of Heavens” and then God is “above” it. Or so it seems. Because if it’s all flat, we don’t really know if God is “above” the Creation or below it.
Theology is not a strong point of those who follow the Qur’an Only Religion; thus, it is hard to glean whether Sam believes that Allah(swt) is outside of space/time.
This was the belief of the ancient people that the Earth that we live on is flat.
“The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, whose top reached the sky and was visible to all the earth.” (Daniel 4:20)
This is the belief of those who believe in a flat Earth. No such tree has existed or ever will exist, because in a spherical world it is impossible to see such an object. Not to mention the fact that objects appear smaller/larger via distance to that object.
“When he had reached the departure of the sun and found it departing in a murky spring, he found people nearby. We said: O Dhu’l-Qarnayn: thou shalt either punish or take concerning them good.” (Qur’an 18:86)
Why Sam feels the need to translate into English “thou shalt” in the 21st century is beyond us.
Now we would personally offer to do this for Sam Gerrans, and we hope others will join in on this fun little project. That we get different people who live in different time zones (unless that too is part of the conspiracy) and as the sun “sets” in our area someone else who is experiencing 1:00pm can tell us if the sun has “departed” or not.
Now, the only place on Earth (with our limited knowledge of topography and geography) that might fit this description would be Iceland, where they experience the “midnight” sun with 6 months of darkness. Yet, we are really hoping that Sam does not believe that, during those 6 months of darkness, that the rest of us who do experience sunlight are under some mass hallucination.
This is how many of the translations of the Qur’an look like when dealing with the verse of the sun “setting in a murky spring.”
“When he had reached the departure of the sun and found it departing in a murky spring, he found people nearby. Allah said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish or else adopt among them goodness.” (Qur’an 18:86)
This is side by side with Gerrans translation:
“When he had reached the departure of the sun and found it departing in a murky spring and found people nearby
We said: O Dhu’l-Qarnayn: thou shalt either punish or take concerning them good.” (Qur’an 18:86)
Now either the Qur’an is using language that describes how some human beings perceive their reality (which is very damaging to the claims of Sam Gerrans), or we are confronted with the reality that the Qur’an contradicts observable phenomena. Observable phenomena which is tawatur — continuous mass testimony.
The sun neither sets nor departs. It is part of the language that is used even in the 21st century, unlike “thou shalt”. For example:
For example, it was part of the language of the people when welcoming the Blessed Prophet (saw).
ṭala‘a ‘l-badru ‘alaynā -The full moon rose over us
min thaniyyāti ‘l-wadā‘ -From the valley of Wada‘
The people of Mecca did not believe that the moon rose from the valley of Wada. This was with in the poetic expression of the people. However, from their observable perspective, they likely did believe that the moon literally rose (though not necessarily from the valley of Wada).
Now if we had to choose between the following:
1) 1) There is a massive conspiracy out there to deny the truth about a flat Earth, where the water somehow doesn’t fall off the edge, and there is some ice wall /or barrier we cannot penetrate.
OR
2) Sam Gerrans is part of some psy-op that is out to make the Qur’an look absurd.
If we had to choose between the two, we would say that 2 is more likely. The problem is that science itself is often not very bright, not very intelligent at all when interacting with people who believe the Earth is hallow, or the flat-Earth people like Sam Gerrans.
Take, for example, this video by Neil Tyson whose first point is very dumb. So Neil’s first point is that Flat Earthers believe that other planetary bodies are spherical/round. Actually, we know some that don’t believe that at all. They don’t believe in other planets or that we even have a universe! (Not sure Sam Gerrans stance on this.) However, look at this image and study it for a moment. Why do you think it is not very bright to use 2D images of 9 discs pointed one way and one 2D image of a disc pointed another way to prove that all 10 of the discs are spherical?
Whereas the next point is more cogent and people like Sam Gerrans really struggle to explain this.
So, yes, we are more likely to believe that Sam Gerrans is a part of a psy-op that wants to make the Qur’an look bad than we are willing to believe there is a massive conspiracy to deny that our Earth is flat. However, one’s beliefs need to stand on the merit of their own claims.
It’s fascinating that the people who claim that the Qur’an alone is sufficient for complete guidance are at the same time making videos for their followers offering ‘guidance’, commentary and responding to doubts or questions about what the Qur’an is saying or teaching, like the Qur’an on its own is actually not sufficient for complete guidance. Or how about the fact that these same individuals then start disagreeing or refuting other ‘Qur’an alone’ teachers due to not considering one another’s understanding and interpretation of certain verses to be correct, despite both sides claiming the Qur’an alone is sufficient.
You may also be interested in reading the following:
“The Jews say, “Uzair is the son of Allah,” while the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of Allah.” Such are their baseless assertions, only parroting the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah condemn them! How can they be deluded ‘from the truth’?’ (Qur’an 9:30)
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Imagine for a moment that you are a follower of the Hafs Qur’an only religion. Your understanding of the Qur’an as a follower of this religion is that:
It is the only source of guidance, not the primary source.
That it is highly detailed, and your understanding is that it, and it alone contains absolutely everything you need.
Have you ever seen a meaningful discussion between a follower of the hafs Qur’an only religion and a follower of Judaism on the question of Uzair being the son of Allah, where the Quranist uses the Qur’an alone?
Let’s look at what the Qur’an does tell us.
It mentions an individual named Uzair (mentioned once in the entire Qur’an) whom the Jews would call the son of Allah.
Now let us look at the situation with the Christians. This is an easier claim to engage with. The Christians will openly admit they believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that he is the son of God. Even if they are Unitarians or Jehovah’s Witnesses. We have yet to come across any Christian who does not make this baseline claim about Christ Jesus. Secondly, we can look to their sacred text and see these claims being made about Jesus there.
So how does a follower of the Hafs Qur’an only religion use only the above text to engage with a follower of Judaism on the issue of the claim of Jews that Uzair is the son of God?
That is, how do those who claim to follow the Hafs Qur’an only engage with Jews in a meaningful way?
“The Jews say, “Uzair is the son of Allah,” while the Christians say, ‘The Messiah is the son of Allah.” Such are their baseless assertions, only parroting the words of earlier disbelievers. May Allah condemn them! How can they be deluded ‘from the truth’?’ (Qur’an 9:30)
The above verse is sufficient for belief. However, it is not sufficient for proofs and evidences.
“Produce your proof if what you say is true.” (Qur’an 2:111)
Imagine a world where Allah (swt) tells the Blessed Prophet (saw) to ask the Jews and Christians to produce the proofs of what they say, but we are under no obligation to do so?
“And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or denies His verses? Indeed, the wrongdoers will not succeed.” (Qur’an 6:21)
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Now one thing you will immediately notice when dealing with the hafs Qur’an only religion is that most of them do not even speak Arabic. Most of them try and appeal to converts (who have very poor or weak Arabic). They have a reason for doing this, because they prey upon the fact that you do not understand the Arabic and thus, are able to manipulate what the text says.
A prime example is their manipulation of this verse:
“We did not leave anything out of this book.” (Qur’an 6:38)
Now, as this website is directed primarily to an English-speaking audience, let us ask you this.
You will note that ‘The Monotheist Group’ -a quranist translation has rendered the Arabic as:
“And there is not a creature on the earth, nor a bird that flies with its wings, except they belong to nations like you belong. We did not leave anything out of the record; then to their Lord they will be gathered.” (Qur’an 6:38)
The verse in full actually states:
“All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.” (Qur’an 6:38)
Is there a difference between saying:
“We did not leave anything out of this book.” and
“We did not leave anything out of the book.”
If one were to say ‘the book‘, then this is vague. What book are we actually referring to? If we say ‘this book‘, then we are referring to a book that is actually with me.
The Arabic word used here is l-kitabi. L-kitabi need not necessarily be a reference to the Qur’an at all.
It is the same word that is used in the following verses:
“And there followed them successors who inherited the book, taking the commodities of this lower life and saying, “It will be forgiven for us.” And if an offer like it comes to them, they will take it. Was not the covenant of the book taken from them that they would not say about Allah except the truth, and they studied what was in it? And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah, so will you not use reason?” (Qur’an 7:169)
It is very obvious that l-kitabi is not a reference to the Qur’an in the above text.
“And We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the book that, “You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach haughtiness.” (Qur’an 17:4)
It is very obvious that l-kitabi is not a reference to the Qur’an in the above text as it was sent down to the Blessed Prophet Muhammed (saw).
“And do not argue with the People of the book except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our Allah and your Allah is one; and we are Muslims to Him.” (Qur’an 29:46)
It is very obvious that l-kitabi is not a reference to the Qur’an in the above verse.
“Have you not considered those who practice hypocrisy, saying to their brothers who have disbelieved among the People of the Book, “If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will not obey, in regard to you, anyone – ever; and if you are fought, we will surely aid you.” But Allah testifies that they are liars.” (Qu’ran 59:11)
Can you imagine Allah (swt) calling (ahli Qur’an) people of the Qur’an liars? Obviously, l-kitabi above is not a reference to the Qur’an.
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the book and the polytheist will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.” (Qur’an 98:6)
Can you imagine Allah (swt) saying those who disbelieve among the (ahli Qur’an) will be with the polytheists in hell forever? It is obvious that l-kitabi above is not a reference to the Qur’an.
The logical contradiction.
“We did not leave anything out of this book.” (Qur’an 6:38)
In order for this verse to be true in the way that those who follow the Qur’an only religion would have us to believe, this verse would have to be the last verse revealed in the Qur’an. If any other verses come after it, this entails a logical and absolutely devastating blow to their position.
The Qur’an was not sent down all at once.
“And those who disbelieve say: Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus, that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.” (Qur’an 25:32)
Also, if they don’t know the last verse of the Qur’an to be revealed that is also a logical and devastating blow to the way they understand the verse. Because it means that what was revealed first and last has been left out of the Qur’an! This is important for their argument.
Allah (swt) has clearly told us that he has not included everything in the Qur’an.
“And messengers, We have mentioned unto you before, and messengers, We have not mentioned unto you; and Allah spoke directly to Moses.” (Qur’an 4:164)
So how exactly do we understand this verse in a way that is consistent with not only logic but with the Qur’an itself?
“And the book will be placed open, and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, “Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?” And they will find what they did present before them. And your Lord does injustice to no one.” (Qur’an 18:49)
Are we really to understand this to mean: “So as for he who is given the Qur’an in his right hand, he will say, “Here, read my Qur’an!” No. That is ridiculous.
It is very obvious that l-kitabi (this book) above is not a referee to the Qur’an at all. Rather, it is a reference to the book that contains each and every single act that we have done. The Qur’an, for example, obviously does not contain each and every evil small or great that humans have done.
So as for he who is given his book in his right hand, he will say, “Here, read my book! (Qur’an 69:19)
“But as for he who is given his book behind his back.” (Qur’an 84:10)
Are we really to understand this as “But as for he who is given his Qur’an behind his back?”
It is best if we understand (Qur’an 6:38) in light of a verse that will help bring clarity to the confusion of those who follow the myriad of sects of the Qur’an Only Religion.
It is crystal clear that the above text is a reference to the book of deeds. The verse is talking about disbelievers on the day of judgement.
If only they were guided to reflect upon the following verse:
“There is no creature on earth whose sustenance is not undertaken by Allah. He knows where it lives and where it rests. Everything is in a Book that is clear.” (Qur’an 11:6)
It should be more than obvious that both the verses above refer to some celestial register where the minutia of all things are kept, and not to the Qur’an.
Prima Qur’an Conclusion:
The verse (Qur’an 6:38) itself does not indicate if it is talking about the Qur’an or not.
There is no way out of this airtight argument from an intra-Qura’n perspective. Accept that the verses mentioned above are talking about the book of deeds that is with Allah (swt).
The followers of the Qur’an Only Religion don’t want to accept this because it completely nukes one of their central talking points. It takes a talking point away from them that they use to scam the masses.
Dear readers, those people who follow the Qur’an only religion more often than not have very poor and weak knowledge of the Arabic language. Many of them can barely speak it, if at all. You do not see them offering to recite to you the Qur’an in Arabic, with proper recitation. The level of understanding of Arabic among them is quite atrocious. This is not to be mean; however, to be brutally honest. This is why they rely upon such very weak arguments to present their case.
Prima Quran 