Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Authentic Source of Islam

S. A. wrote and asked: 
Dear Sister,
There is only one authentic source of Islam and that is alQuraan. The very belief in the second source is the rejection of the first one and that is a serious crime leading straight out of the heavens of ALLAH taala.
Please confirm if that is your chosen path.
وَهَـذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ 6:155
6:155 And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy. 
S.A. ,
Muslim.

My Reply: 
Brother S. A., 
Salam. 

Yes, of course, the arabic Quran is the authentic and primary source of guidance for Muslims. 
As it states in the Quran that all things have been explained in detail in the Quran[1], it is an article of faith for me to believe that it contains guidance in all matters.  
As it states in the Quran that we have been given but little knowledge [3], I humbly believe that there is much left to know and learn. 
As the Quran directs us to ask those who 'follow the reminder' [4], I do refer to the interpretations of various scholars to help broaden my perspective and understanding. 
As it states in the Quran itself that belief in the revelation of the prior scriptures (reminders) is a pre-requisite for the God-conscious (muttaqin) [5], hence I also believe that the prior scriptures have been sent by Allah, the Ar-Rehman, who has been guiding humanity, as promised, since our exile here on Earth [2]. 
However, as the Quran also informs us that those to whom the prior scriptures were entrusted have corrupted their scriptures, as well as hidden portions of it, thus I only refer to or abstain from consulting the prior scriptures, as guided in the Quran [6]. Hence, I have kept this in consideration when researching, as mentioned in my blogposts [7]. 
As regards the hadith attributed to our dear Prophet (may peace be upon him), I think it is a monumental human effort to try to document and preserve the sayings of our dear Prophet. However, as all human efforts are riddled with errors and mistakes, I do not take hadith works as an article of faith. However, I do try to follow the example and some of the teachings. For more on my position on hadith, please see: [8].   

Please find listed below the verses and links to my blogposts, as referenced above. 
[1] All Kinds of Similitudes: 
Quran 17:89 And verily We have displayed for mankind in this Qur'an all kind of similitudes, but most of mankind refuse aught save disbelief. 
Abstract
Starting with verses 7:52 and 7:58, the relevant verses of the Quran have been collected in this post to help realise the significance of the Quran’s insistence upon itself being well-explained. Life is an open-book exam, and we cannot afford to put off taking guidance from the Quran. As verse 7:53 begins with the question: ‘Do they await except its result?’  

[2] Guidance promised: 
Quran 2:38 We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.  

[3] Little Knowledge 
Quran 17:85 They are asking thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little. 

[4] Consult those who Know 
Quran 16:43 And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men whom We inspired - Ask the followers of the Remembrance if ye know not! - 
Quran 21:7 And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men, whom We inspired. Ask the followers of the Reminder if ye know not? 

[5] Belief in prior scriptures: 
Quran 2:4 And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. 
Quran 4:136 O you who have believed, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger and the Scripture which He sent down before. And whoever disbelieves in Allah , His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day has certainly gone far astray. 

[6] Changes in Prior Scriptures, and when to or not to take guidance from People of the Book: 
Quran 5:15 O People of the Scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which ye used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. now hath come unto you light from Allah and plain Scripture, 
Quran 18:22 They will say there were three, the fourth of them being their dog; and they will say there were five, the sixth of them being their dog - guessing at the unseen; and they will say there were seven, and the eighth of them was their dog. Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few. So do not argue about them except with an obvious argument and do not inquire about them among [the speculators] from anyone." 
Quran 29:46 And do not argue with the People of the Scripture 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 God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."  

[7] Relevant Blogposts
Al-Qur’an Chapter 18 starts with the statement that Allah has sent this Book and allowed therein no crookedness. It then goes on to relate three very strange stories, the first of which is about the People who slept in a Cave, in verses 9-26. The following is an attempt to understand these verses in the light of what scientists have discovered so far.  As verse 22 warns us that there are debates & guesswork regarding the number of Sleepers, and expressly forbids us from entering into controversies regarding them, comparisons with similar stories in other religions have been deliberately avoided.

Biblical Predictions 
Quran 29:43 asserts that though these examples are being presented, none will understand it except the learned / knowledgable. Quran 29:46 states that: And (do) not argue (with the) People of the Book except by which [it] (is) best, except those who (do) wrong among them,and say, "We believe in that (which) has been revealed to us and was revealed to you. And our God and your God (is) One, and we to Him submit.” 
So, what do the books of the People of the Book say about these past civilisations? The following passages of the Bible help comprehend the meanings of the Quranic passages further:
Matthew 24:37-39 and Luke 17:26-30 both foretell that as was in the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man be. The Luke 17 passage compares the coming to the days of Lot as well. 
What was the sin of these civilisations?...  

[8] Hadith 
My understanding, as explained in various posts over the years [http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/search?q=hadith]

May Allah guide us to a clearer understanding and perfect our light for us. 
Hope the above answers your question.  
at

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