LESSON 10: “Sample answer to the “Combat kit against the ‘Qur’an-Alone’ Muslims”
1) How do you know how to pray using the Qur’an alone?
Please study “Islam for Kids: Lesson 3”.
Can you prove that when Muhammad (SAW) said “Pray as you have seen me praying” (assuming that this is authentic) he did not mean the Qur’anic prayer as juxtaposed to that of the idolaters? Where is the hadith that says we have to pray with rakats? The context of the “pray as you have seen me praying” hadith was that he actually said this to non-Muslims who did not possess a Qur’an of their own. They had stayed with the Prophet for 20 or so days and they were leaving. It goes to show he had not already taught them. He told them to enjoin prayer on others and to do good deeds, too. i.e. follow the Qur’an and do not pray like idolaters. The prayer of the ahadith is stitch-work. Can you read the Qur’an and honestly deny that Allah (SWT) does not define the purpose of salaat (17:110-111, , 29:45), and that the instructions relating to it do not satisfy? Is it not true (from your sources) that Muhammad (SAW) would recite sometimes 60-100 ayat, and that sometimes during his tahajjud he would pray 11 rakat and stay prostrated for long enough to recite 50 ayat? Is this not merely example in the same way that his ablution was example (he never actually said that method was mandatory)? The Qur’an says that he would remain standing for much of the night, so can you prove that rakat are actually relevant? To do this, can you explain 12:111 where Allah (SWT) said that the Qur’an is a distinct explanation of all things (for our guidance (16:89))? If we can pray on horseback or on foot when in danger, does this not prove that salaat is actually about remembering Allah (SWT) by standing, bowing and prostrating whilst glorifying and remembering Him? Are rakat not merely “extenders” for those who have not memorised much of the Qur’an? Is it not logical to begin a new rakat only when we recite a different sura? Why cannot I perform seven rakat?
Please study “Islam for Kids: Lesson 3”.
Can you prove that when Muhammad (SAW) said “Pray as you have seen me praying” (assuming that this is authentic) he did not mean the Qur’anic prayer as juxtaposed to that of the idolaters? Where is the hadith that says we have to pray with rakats? The context of the “pray as you have seen me praying” hadith was that he actually said this to non-Muslims who did not possess a Qur’an of their own. They had stayed with the Prophet for 20 or so days and they were leaving. It goes to show he had not already taught them. He told them to enjoin prayer on others and to do good deeds, too. i.e. follow the Qur’an and do not pray like idolaters. The prayer of the ahadith is stitch-work. Can you read the Qur’an and honestly deny that Allah (SWT) does not define the purpose of salaat (17:110-111, , 29:45), and that the instructions relating to it do not satisfy? Is it not true (from your sources) that Muhammad (SAW) would recite sometimes 60-100 ayat, and that sometimes during his tahajjud he would pray 11 rakat and stay prostrated for long enough to recite 50 ayat? Is this not merely example in the same way that his ablution was example (he never actually said that method was mandatory)? The Qur’an says that he would remain standing for much of the night, so can you prove that rakat are actually relevant? To do this, can you explain 12:111 where Allah (SWT) said that the Qur’an is a distinct explanation of all things (for our guidance (16:89))? If we can pray on horseback or on foot when in danger, does this not prove that salaat is actually about remembering Allah (SWT) by standing, bowing and prostrating whilst glorifying and remembering Him? Are rakat not merely “extenders” for those who have not memorised much of the Qur’an? Is it not logical to begin a new rakat only when we recite a different sura? Why cannot I perform seven rakat?
Is it not also true that Allah (SWT) taught Muslims how to pray (2:239), and since no warner had come to these people before (32:3) the fully-detailed Qur’an (12:111) must contain all details?
Having said that, it is of course better to agree on a method for congregational salaat and thus there will inevitably be a “standard” or pre-arranged method. Can you prove that rituals beyond the Qur’anic salaat are obligatory? State the Sura and ayah number, with an explanation of 12:111, 45:6, (as a start).
2) How do you know how much Zakaah to pay using the Qur’an alone?
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder.”
Qur’an 2:219
Ideally, it would be a progressive tax system (2.5% previously having been agreed upon for the average-individual). However, the tax would probably serve as a state tax on income and so Muslims should give any surplus (after their personal living expenses) to charity. This fulfils the Qur’anic injunction.
3) Has not the Qur’an been passed to us from the same sources we received our authentic ahadith?
Does this make them equal?
Unlike the Qur’an, less than a dozen scattered reports out of several thousand can be classified as possessing the evidence of the Qur’anic standard. As per the rules of the “Science of Hadith”, each and every ayah of the Qu’ran would have to be classified as “mutawatir bil lafz” (verbatim) and sahih.
When we compare this to reports ascribed to the Prophet (SAW), we find that less than a dozen can be classified as such. That is to say, less than half a dozen will be mutawatir when we add bil lafz (verbatim) onto them.
The second flaw in the argument is that Allah (SWT) explicitly took it upon Himself to preserve the Qur’an and not any other source of our deen. If this does not satisfy you, then your iman comes from ahadith and not the Qur’an. That is not my concern.
The third flaw is that if both were to be considered equal on any terms, why is it that the Qur’an was passed on to us verbatim by the same group of people (group because it was not always the same players – important!) and yet the same group mysteriously had bouts of memory leaks whilst reporting the ahadith?
The fourth flaw is that there are no contradictions in the Qur’an and many in the hadith literature.
Fifthly, if one were to assume that the plan was to use the same people to preserve the Qur’an and ahadith, why did not the Prophet (SAW) use Abu Hurairah, Anas ibn Malik, Abdullah ibn Umar or Aisha to write down the Qur’an? More than half of Bukhari’s compilation consists of these four.
Sixthly, the Qur’an is a distinct explanation of all things for guidance (2:159, 12:111, 16:89). Can you provide a mutawatir hadith that contains something not in the Qur’an, and that I need for guidance?
Seventhly, why should we have to rely on reports written down 150-200 years after the Prophet (SAW) passed away? How do you know that Bukhari et.al. was trustworthy and then infallible? Does Allah (SWT) not state that whoever accepts a lie as religious truth is a hypocrite?
“And who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against Allah, or gives the lie to the truth when it has come to him? Will not in hell be the abode of the unbelievers?”
29:68
The Qur’an is the truth (-42, 2:91, 2:119, 2:147, 2:176, , 16:102). Whoever follows something else as a source of religious law/guidance follows a lie (-33).
Not only this, but it is forbidden to accept sources of religious law besides the Qur’an (2:63, 2:91, 2:176, 6:19, 6:114-115, 6:157, 7:144-147, 7:169-171, 12:111, 17:9, 18:27, 20:123-124, 21:27, 21:45, 22:16, 22:54, 23:49, 23:73, 28:49, 28:56, 39:23, 45:6 etc.). Those who deny this must take up the challenge in , , 17:88 and 28:49. After all, Muhammad (SAW) only followed what was revealed to him () and so all Revelation should be assessable by its comparison to the Qur’an.
How can you fear Allah (SWT) by putting more faith in the scholars than in Him ()?
“And from among those who are round about you of the dwellers of the desert there are hypocrites, and from among the people of Medina (also); they are stubborn in hypocrisy; you do not know them; We know them; We will chastise them twice then shall they be turned back to a grievous chastisement”
Qur’an 9:101
4) Why would Allah preserve the Qur’an and not preserve the meaning?
Are you denying that the Qur’an is clear (3:7, 12:111, 15:1, 16:89, 2:159) and that the Messenger was but a warner (, 35:23)?
5) How much is the Jizyah that the People of the Book have to pay?
As a follower of the Qur’an alone, I cannot agree that the jizya is anything more than a recompense. However, it has inevitably taken the form of a normal state tax which should be equal to/less than the state-tax “zakat” that the Muslims pay:
“O you who believe! Be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety, and he careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is aware of what you do.”
5:8
“if they come to you, judge between them or turn aside from them, and if you turn aside from them, they shall not harm you in any way; and if you judge, judge between them with equity; surely Allah loves those who judge equitably.”
Having said that, it is of course better to agree on a method for congregational salaat and thus there will inevitably be a “standard” or pre-arranged method. Can you prove that rituals beyond the Qur’anic salaat are obligatory? State the Sura and ayah number, with an explanation of 12:111, 45:6, (as a start).
2) How do you know how much Zakaah to pay using the Qur’an alone?
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder.”
Qur’an 2:219
Ideally, it would be a progressive tax system (2.5% previously having been agreed upon for the average-individual). However, the tax would probably serve as a state tax on income and so Muslims should give any surplus (after their personal living expenses) to charity. This fulfils the Qur’anic injunction.
3) Has not the Qur’an been passed to us from the same sources we received our authentic ahadith?
Does this make them equal?
Unlike the Qur’an, less than a dozen scattered reports out of several thousand can be classified as possessing the evidence of the Qur’anic standard. As per the rules of the “Science of Hadith”, each and every ayah of the Qu’ran would have to be classified as “mutawatir bil lafz” (verbatim) and sahih.
When we compare this to reports ascribed to the Prophet (SAW), we find that less than a dozen can be classified as such. That is to say, less than half a dozen will be mutawatir when we add bil lafz (verbatim) onto them.
The second flaw in the argument is that Allah (SWT) explicitly took it upon Himself to preserve the Qur’an and not any other source of our deen. If this does not satisfy you, then your iman comes from ahadith and not the Qur’an. That is not my concern.
The third flaw is that if both were to be considered equal on any terms, why is it that the Qur’an was passed on to us verbatim by the same group of people (group because it was not always the same players – important!) and yet the same group mysteriously had bouts of memory leaks whilst reporting the ahadith?
The fourth flaw is that there are no contradictions in the Qur’an and many in the hadith literature.
Fifthly, if one were to assume that the plan was to use the same people to preserve the Qur’an and ahadith, why did not the Prophet (SAW) use Abu Hurairah, Anas ibn Malik, Abdullah ibn Umar or Aisha to write down the Qur’an? More than half of Bukhari’s compilation consists of these four.
Sixthly, the Qur’an is a distinct explanation of all things for guidance (2:159, 12:111, 16:89). Can you provide a mutawatir hadith that contains something not in the Qur’an, and that I need for guidance?
Seventhly, why should we have to rely on reports written down 150-200 years after the Prophet (SAW) passed away? How do you know that Bukhari et.al. was trustworthy and then infallible? Does Allah (SWT) not state that whoever accepts a lie as religious truth is a hypocrite?
“And who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against Allah, or gives the lie to the truth when it has come to him? Will not in hell be the abode of the unbelievers?”
29:68
The Qur’an is the truth (-42, 2:91, 2:119, 2:147, 2:176, , 16:102). Whoever follows something else as a source of religious law/guidance follows a lie (-33).
Not only this, but it is forbidden to accept sources of religious law besides the Qur’an (2:63, 2:91, 2:176, 6:19, 6:114-115, 6:157, 7:144-147, 7:169-171, 12:111, 17:9, 18:27, 20:123-124, 21:27, 21:45, 22:16, 22:54, 23:49, 23:73, 28:49, 28:56, 39:23, 45:6 etc.). Those who deny this must take up the challenge in , , 17:88 and 28:49. After all, Muhammad (SAW) only followed what was revealed to him () and so all Revelation should be assessable by its comparison to the Qur’an.
How can you fear Allah (SWT) by putting more faith in the scholars than in Him ()?
“And from among those who are round about you of the dwellers of the desert there are hypocrites, and from among the people of Medina (also); they are stubborn in hypocrisy; you do not know them; We know them; We will chastise them twice then shall they be turned back to a grievous chastisement”
Qur’an 9:101
4) Why would Allah preserve the Qur’an and not preserve the meaning?
Are you denying that the Qur’an is clear (3:7, 12:111, 15:1, 16:89, 2:159) and that the Messenger was but a warner (, 35:23)?
5) How much is the Jizyah that the People of the Book have to pay?
As a follower of the Qur’an alone, I cannot agree that the jizya is anything more than a recompense. However, it has inevitably taken the form of a normal state tax which should be equal to/less than the state-tax “zakat” that the Muslims pay:
“O you who believe! Be upright for Allah, bearers of witness with justice, and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety, and he careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is aware of what you do.”
5:8
“if they come to you, judge between them or turn aside from them, and if you turn aside from them, they shall not harm you in any way; and if you judge, judge between them with equity; surely Allah loves those who judge equitably.”
The “jizya” was actually a recompense to be paid by the People of the Book (paid for a certain amount of time as a tax) who fought against the Muslims. If it applied to everyone, the Qur’an would specify this. It applied only to those specific idolaters (of that time) and only to those who disregarded the entire concept of Allah and the Last Day (). Their identity was explained in -36.
6) Does the Qur’an say that cross-dressing is haram?
“Say: Every one acts according to his manner; but your Lord best knows who is best guided in the path.”
17:84
Firstly one must fulfil the basic dress-requirements of 24:30-31. Since the question would be very one-dimensional if you were referring to clothing (culture-relativity), I will assume that you mean: “Is it haram for a man to deliberately look like a woman, or vice-versa?”
A male is not like a female:
“So when she brought forth, she said: My Lord! Surely I have brought it forth a female-- and Allah knew best what she brought forth-- and the male is not like the female, and I have named it Marium, and I commend her and her offspring into Thy protection from the accursed Shaitan.”
3:36
Thus to deliberately intend to look like the opposite sex is illogical and against the logic of the Qur’an (which a Muslim would follow).
7) The Qur’an says that men can beat up their wives. But we know from ahadith that this is a spiritual beating and not a harmful physical one. What is to stop a man from misinterpreting the Qur’an and beating the hell out of his wife?”
Which ahadith are you reading? A spiritual beating hahahaha.
Please study “Islam for Kids: Lesson 8”.
8) Is it permissible for a man to look at a naked man?
“Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do.”
24:30
9) Can I pray Salaah naked?
“O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful.”
“O children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.”
10) How do we know the order of the alcohol revelations? Maybe the first of the Qur’anic revelations said it was haram and then the later ones came saying that is was okay except during prayer times. How do you know the order of its revelations by using the Quran alone?
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder.”
2:219
The precepts of Islam are clarified by the Qur’an (it is the Criterion). Zakat is what we can afford. This ayah also shows that there is no abrogation concerning alcohol. Revealed before and 5:90-91, it clearly states that consuming alcohol is a sin. merely mentions the conditions for prayer (state of mind, ablution etc.) whilst 5:90 declares that intoxicants are the work of Iblis. Why would Allah (SWT) wait until 5:93 to declare this? Did intoxicants only become the work of Iblis at that moment? No, 5:90-91 is a reminder for the inhabitants ofMedina
“O you who believe! intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the Shaitan’s work; shun it therefore that you may be successful. The Shaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then desist?”
5:90-91
The words “Will you then desist?” confirms that it is a reminder. To a new ayah, 16:67 should not be considered an allowance for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Rather, it states that alcoholAND goodly provision is obtained from the palm and grapes. One is that which is pure and wholesome food for us, and the other is that which turns into alcohol after it rots. It has been left to our choice to obtain pure, healthy food from this providence or to drink it as an intoxicating wine (exciting us and making us lose self-control). This also contains a hint as to the prohibition of wine.
Overall the order of the Revelations does not matter.
11) It says in the Qur’an to shorten the prayer when you travel. How long do you have to travel? How short to cut the prayer?
“And when you journey in the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve will cause you distress, surely the unbelievers are your open enemy.”
4:101
The shortening of salaat is only if you are in danger (or there is an emergency). You would shorten it according to the severity of the situation. I could ask the same question of hadithers – e.g. why only shorten it by rakats? Why not shorten it by reciting less? You could perform one rakat and recite enough to take the same time as seven rakats! The first question is ill-conceived whilst the answer to the second depends upon circumstances. You may ask the minimum time that should be spent on salaat from the Qur’an, but I would say that it is quality over quantity (why not seven minutes?). It is between the person and Allah (SWT) (not people and Sunnis), and obviously the longer that we spend (whilst it is appropriate) is better. Generally I would pray seven rakats (or the general length of) each time to symbolise the effort of ascending “seven heavens” and reaching Heaven.
12) In Surah 66:3, the Prophet told his wives that he knew because Allah had informed him about it. Show me a Qur’anic verse where Allah had informed the Prophet about it. You cannot. Does this not prove that there are revelations to Prophet Muhammad besides the Qur’an?
According to basic Muslim belief, everything happens by Allah’s (SWT) will. If something good happens we will thank Him. See 9:14:
“Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands…”
9:14
As you see, 66:3 does not necessarily mean that Allah (SWT) literally spoke to Muhammad (SAW). Besides, it is an empty question for the reason that non-legislative “Revelation” was not always “the Qur’an” (10:87, ).
13) Surah 2:173 shows that Allah (swt) gave an order for the Muslims to change their Qibla from (Bayt Al Maqdis inJerusalem Mecca Jerusalem
Firstly it is 2:143.
6) Does the Qur’an say that cross-dressing is haram?
“Say: Every one acts according to his manner; but your Lord best knows who is best guided in the path.”
17:84
Firstly one must fulfil the basic dress-requirements of 24:30-31. Since the question would be very one-dimensional if you were referring to clothing (culture-relativity), I will assume that you mean: “Is it haram for a man to deliberately look like a woman, or vice-versa?”
A male is not like a female:
“So when she brought forth, she said: My Lord! Surely I have brought it forth a female-- and Allah knew best what she brought forth-- and the male is not like the female, and I have named it Marium, and I commend her and her offspring into Thy protection from the accursed Shaitan.”
3:36
Thus to deliberately intend to look like the opposite sex is illogical and against the logic of the Qur’an (which a Muslim would follow).
7) The Qur’an says that men can beat up their wives. But we know from ahadith that this is a spiritual beating and not a harmful physical one. What is to stop a man from misinterpreting the Qur’an and beating the hell out of his wife?”
Which ahadith are you reading? A spiritual beating hahahaha.
Please study “Islam for Kids: Lesson 8”.
8) Is it permissible for a man to look at a naked man?
“Say to the believing men that they cast down their looks and guard their private parts; that is purer for them; surely Allah is Aware of what they do.”
24:30
9) Can I pray Salaah naked?
“O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you clothing to cover your shame, and (clothing) for beauty and clothing that guards (against evil), that is the best. This is of the communications of Allah that they may be mindful.”
“O children of Adam! attend to your embellishments at every time of prayer, and eat and drink and be not extravagant; surely He does not love the extravagant.”
10) How do we know the order of the alcohol revelations? Maybe the first of the Qur’anic revelations said it was haram and then the later ones came saying that is was okay except during prayer times. How do you know the order of its revelations by using the Quran alone?
“They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder.”
2:219
The precepts of Islam are clarified by the Qur’an (it is the Criterion). Zakat is what we can afford. This ayah also shows that there is no abrogation concerning alcohol. Revealed before and 5:90-91, it clearly states that consuming alcohol is a sin. merely mentions the conditions for prayer (state of mind, ablution etc.) whilst 5:90 declares that intoxicants are the work of Iblis. Why would Allah (SWT) wait until 5:93 to declare this? Did intoxicants only become the work of Iblis at that moment? No, 5:90-91 is a reminder for the inhabitants of
“O you who believe! intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the Shaitan’s work; shun it therefore that you may be successful. The Shaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then desist?”
5:90-91
The words “Will you then desist?” confirms that it is a reminder. To a new ayah, 16:67 should not be considered an allowance for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Rather, it states that alcohol
Overall the order of the Revelations does not matter.
11) It says in the Qur’an to shorten the prayer when you travel. How long do you have to travel? How short to cut the prayer?
“And when you journey in the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten the prayer, if you fear that those who disbelieve will cause you distress, surely the unbelievers are your open enemy.”
4:101
The shortening of salaat is only if you are in danger (or there is an emergency). You would shorten it according to the severity of the situation. I could ask the same question of hadithers – e.g. why only shorten it by rakats? Why not shorten it by reciting less? You could perform one rakat and recite enough to take the same time as seven rakats! The first question is ill-conceived whilst the answer to the second depends upon circumstances. You may ask the minimum time that should be spent on salaat from the Qur’an, but I would say that it is quality over quantity (why not seven minutes?). It is between the person and Allah (SWT) (not people and Sunnis), and obviously the longer that we spend (whilst it is appropriate) is better. Generally I would pray seven rakats (or the general length of) each time to symbolise the effort of ascending “seven heavens” and reaching Heaven.
12) In Surah 66:3, the Prophet told his wives that he knew because Allah had informed him about it. Show me a Qur’anic verse where Allah had informed the Prophet about it. You cannot. Does this not prove that there are revelations to Prophet Muhammad besides the Qur’an?
According to basic Muslim belief, everything happens by Allah’s (SWT) will. If something good happens we will thank Him. See 9:14:
“Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands…”
9:14
As you see, 66:3 does not necessarily mean that Allah (SWT) literally spoke to Muhammad (SAW). Besides, it is an empty question for the reason that non-legislative “Revelation” was not always “the Qur’an” (10:87, ).
13) Surah 2:173 shows that Allah (swt) gave an order for the Muslims to change their Qibla from (Bayt Al Maqdis in
Firstly it is 2:143.
“The fools among the people will say: What has turned them from their qiblah which they had? Say: The East and the West belong only to Allah; He guides whom He likes to the right path.”
2:142
“And thus We have made you a medium (just) nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Messenger may be a bearer of witness to you; and We did not make the qiblah that which you formerly observed but that We might distinguish him who follows the Messenger from him who turns back upon his heels, and this was surely hard except for those whom Allah has guided aright; and Allah will not make your faith to be fruitless; most surely Allah is Affectionate, Merciful to the people.”
2:143
“Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do.”
2:144
It is important to note that the sequence from 2:135 to 2:145 refers to Jews and Christians. From this we see it is logical to assume that the “fools” in 2:142 either refer to the Jews and/or Christians (who see that Allah (SWT) has changed their qiblah) or to spectators who see that Allah (SWT) has changed the qiblah of Muhammad (SAW) and expects the People of the Book to follow. The phrase “will say” in 2:142 suggests that they will complain after the impending announcement of 2:144.
2:143 is likewise a prelude to 2:144 in that it is preparing the Muslims for the commandment. “We did not make the qiblah that which you formerly observed but that…” indicates that Allah (SWT) has designated a new qiblah but has still yet to confirm it. This is similar to 5:3 where Allah (SWT) says that He has “perfected the system” although there are still more rulings to come. According to 2:144 the qiblah which Muhammad (SAW) once observed was the Sacred Mosque, but it is evident that this was his choice (2:115). This explains why the Sacred Mosque is a qiblah which he would like (2:144). It should be noted that “Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven…” further indicates the freedom of choice which Muhammad (SAW) enjoyed (although he had chosen another for strategic purposes).
“We did not make the qiblah…” in 2:143 could be read as “We have made the qiblah…” meaning that the new official qiblah (the Sacred Mosque) has been appointed as a test for believers. That is to say, Allah (SWT) has decided to appoint the qiblah so that He can expose the unbelievers. “…this was surely hard…” should be translated as “this is surely hard for the believers” as the Arabic word “kanat” is a perfect verb in present tense. Thus, the test is ongoing and has not been decided since it has yet to be implemented, but the test itself is difficult such that believers will find it so. Nevertheless, Allah (SWT) will not let faith go unrewarded.
2:144 begins with the word “indeed” (qad) confirming that this ayah is the “peak” of the build-up. The actual commandment to follow the Sacred Mosque as the official and permanent qiblah begins the great test.
It seems Muhammad (SAW) formerly sometimes or always observed the Sacred Mosque as his qiblah, but at some stage (perhaps after his disassociation with
14) The Qur’an is passed on to us by Mutawatir narrations. Mutawatir narrations are narrations by so many people that it is just impossible for all of them to get together and plot and lie. However, we have so many Mutawatir hadith (http://hadith.al-islam.com/bayan/Index.asp?Lang=ENG&Type=3) that teach things that are not in the Qur’an. How can you reject their authenticity with no objective evidence?
It is ironic but you should not ask this question until you can prove that the Qur’an is not complete or fully-detailed. If you can do that then the “Qur’an-alone” Muslim might not need to continue. I browsed the first fifty on that site and found not one new teaching. I did come across the “law” of stoning adulterers to death, and that would lead to hellfire. There were also many examples of Muhammad (SAW) describing the unseen, for which you must answer (please see “Islam for Kids: Lesson 7).
In short the mutawatir ahadith provide us with non-verbatim fluff which has only ruined your religion and the world. The Qur’an actually is clear, complete and fully-detailed, but it is of course not enough for those who are hungry for their own dressy identity. My challenge to you is simply to provide me with something from the mutawatir ahadith (or ahadith in general) which a Muslim requires for salvation. If you succeed, you might then prove why you did not disprove Islam.
I cannot responsibly reply to your question without providing these references (just as a start):
http://www.tolueislam.com/Parwez/mh/mh.htm
“Hadith: A Re-Evaluation” by Kassim Ahmed
“Introduction to Hadith” by John Burton
“Rethinking Tradition in Modern Islamic Thought” by Jonathan Brown
http://www.globalwebpost.com/farooqm/study_res/islam/fiqh/hallaq_hadith.html (focuses upon mutawatir ahadith)
The Qur’anic ayat you listed below have been addressed. Please download the “Qur’an-alone Commentary”:
YAHOO ID: quranalone89@yahoo.com
PASSWORD: roadgoeson89
Your remaining argument is the “prophecies” in the ahadith. “Islam for Kids: Lesson 7” provides ayat where Muhammad (SAW) clearly did not follow anything except the Qur’an, and neither did he have knowledge concerning WHEN the Hour would come (or OF the Hour itself). Let us not forget these:
“Say: I am not the first of the messengers, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you: I do not follow anything but that which is revealed to me, and I am nothing but a plain warner.”
46:9
(No future-telling there. This rules out any mutawatir ahadith describing “intercession” (and there is quite a number). Any hadith where the plight of Messengers or people is described should henceforth be discarded, especially those describing Muslim conquests.)
“They ask you about the hour, when will be its taking place? Say: The knowledge of it is only with my Lord; none but He shall manifest it at its time; it will be momentous in the heavens and the earth; it will not come on you but of a sudden. They ask you as if you were solicitous about it. Say: Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most people do not know.”
7:187
(The Day of Judgement is sudden, and therefore there can be no “warning signs”.)
The ahadith provide vague prophecies which either came from the Book of Revelations or are so general that anything can “prove” them. For example, competing to build higher buildings is quite predictable since most or every leader in history was a megalomaniac (see Pharaoh’s monuments). Moreover, the theme was already there (“
The signs of the End Times had already happened:
“Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?”
47:18
47:10 provides an idea of this:
“Have they not then journeyed in the land and seen how was the end of those before them: Allah brought down destruction upon them, and the unbelievers shall have the like of it.”
47:10
The first “prophecy” you provide is odd and has no references. It seems you are using hearsay to prove hearsay, so it needs no comment.
The second also has no references. We need more information than this, for instance who wrote the ahadith down and why Islam did not conquer all of these lands during Muhammad’s (SAW) lifetime (since the key was his).
The third is another fairytale. The invasion of
The fourth prophecy is yet another prophecy simply because someone wrote it after the event. You admit that it is a prophecy only of the conquest of
For the fifth, you provide still more hearsay. I can give you another prophecy about
“The holy Prophet (pbuh) told Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA):
From the Umat there will be a rise of Battalions from Sindh (
Now according to this hadith there was no prophecy because of the “if” word. I do not have to provide references of course. It should be recalled that these ahadith provided by Bassam Zawadi contradict 46:9 of the Qur’an.
Another one:
“The holy Prophet (pbuh) Told Hazrat Suban (RA):
Two groups in my Umma will be freed by Allah from hell fire, One which will conquer India and the other which will be with Hazrat Esa (AS).”
Contradicting 46:9.
The prophecy about the “fire” was (of course) recorded after the event. You would have your readers believe that there was only an eruption over 600 years after the Prophet (SAW) died, but you are dishonest:
“ …the volcanic lava field of Harrat Rahat between Makkah and Al Madinah has experienced volcanism in historic times. The oldest lavas near Madinah are only about 2 million years old, and the youngest lavas (less than 6000 years old) resulted from 11 eruptions, with 2 historic eruptions in AD 641 and AD 1256. The 641 AD eruption resulted in a small line of cinder cones to the southwest of the city.”
Taken from the “Saudi Geological Survey” site:
http://www.sgs.org.sa/English/NaturalHazards/Pages/Volcanoes.aspx
641 AD was nine years after the Prophet (SAW) supposedly died, and well before the hadithers emerged. Note that this is one of the two well-documented eruptions.
Your next weapon is the conquest of
“Book 37, Number 4281:
Narrated Mu’adh ibn Jabal:
The Prophet (pbuh) said: The flourishing state of Jerusalem will be when Yathrib is in ruins, the ruined state of Yathrib will be when the great war comes, the outbreak of the great war will be at the conquest of Constantinople and the conquest of Constantinople when the Dajjal (Antichrist) comes forth. He (the Prophet) struck his thigh or his shoulder with his hand and said: This is as true as you are here or as you are sitting (meaning Mu’adh ibn Jabal).
Book 37, Number 4282:
Narrated Mu’adh ibn Jabal:
The Prophet (pbuh) said: The greatest war, the conquest of
Book 37, Number 4283:
Narrated Abdullah ibn Busr:
The Prophet (pbuh) said: The time between the great war and the conquest of the city (
The hadith-writers also believed in a young Earth and that the Day of Judgement would occur shortly after Muhammad (SAW) died:
“According to Ibn Humayd- Yahya b. Wadih- Yahya b. Ya’qub- Hammad- Sa’id b. Jubayr- Ibn Abbas: This world is one of the weeks of the other world - seven thousand years. Six thousand two hundred years have already passed. (The world) will surely experience hundreds of years, during which there will be no believer in the oneness of God there. Others said that the total extent of time is six thousand years.” (Tabari, pp. 172-173)
Let us look at Sahih Muslim:
“Book 41, Number 7044:
This hadith has been reported by Sahl b. Sa’d that he heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I and the Last Hour are (close to each other) like this (and he, in order to explain it) pointed (by joining his) forefinger, (one) next to the thumb and the middle finger (together).
Book 41, Number 7046:
Shu’ba reported: I heard Qatada and Abu Tayyab narrating that both of them heard Anas as narrating that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I and the Last Hour have been sent like this, and Shu’ba drew his forefinger and middle finger near each other while narrating it.
Book 41, Number 7049:
Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I and the Last Hour have been sent like this and (he while doing it) joined the forefinger with the middle finger.”
Now according to Tabari’s commentary, the world was less than 7000 years old. Moreover, there is a number of ahadith in Bukhari suggesting that the Hour was to occur just after Muhammad’s (SAW) demise:
“Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 3, Number 116:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar:
Once the Prophet led us in the ‘Isha’ prayer during the last days of his life and after finishing it (the prayer) (with Taslim) he said: “Do you realize (the importance of) this night? Nobody present on the surface of the earth tonight will be living after the completion of one hundred years from this night.”
There is a wealth of such material, and I am sure that the hadith-writers made many more wrong guesses than right ones. Unless Bassam Zawadi wants to go through every hadith in detail, he should put up his white flag. We contend that the “Science of Ahadith” is but smoke and mirrors, and the evidence supports our view.
Supposing that even one of these prophecies was actually made by Muhammad (SAW), it would not prove anything except that maybe Allah (SWT) revealed something extra during the “Night Journey”. However, if he did make such prophecies it is unfortunate since Islam would make zero sense with many false prophecies having been made. That is Sunni Islam.
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