Islam Needs to "Reform"

Salaam;

I am new to the forum but I have a specific focus. I would be classified as a "Qur'an-Alone" Muslim and now before asking me any questions such as how to perform salaat etc. please visit my main page by Googling “Mesmorial Youtube” (taking you to my Youtube page) and then clicking on the second link under my picture called “A Qur'an-Alone Commentary (of the Qur'an):”.

(After all I cannot post links here yet.)

There is an article detailing the 5 pillars as described in the Qur'an as well as one dedicated to salaat. You will also notice a commentary of the first 21 Sura (it is work in progress but covers over half of the Qur'an) examining the meaning of each verse relevant to the argument of "Qur'an-Alone" and "Qur'an + Ahadith". The annotation of the first 9 Sura covers all arguments used in support of the ahadith.

However, the point of this post is to encourage all Muslims to firstly ask themselves: Is Islam an aggressive religion, or a system that takes a stance against immorality, injustice and aggression (in all their forms)? Those who can answer this will do so because they are familiar with the content of the Qur'an, and not simply with the Qur'an as "the Qur'an". Some non-Muslims (following the example of some Muslims) attempt to use the Qur'an to justify aggression and hatred in the name of Islam. The articles “Does Islam Intend to Conquer the World” (please read part II also) and “Explaining the Explanation” are responses to discussions with non-Muslims who attempted to prove that Islam was by default at war with non-Muslims.

Having read and assessed these so that my attitude to ahadith is clear (focus on the second), I would invite everyone to read (especially) “Picking Up the Pieces”.

(Any objections to "Qur'an-alone" ideas should come from the Qur'an itself in which case please look up the relevant Sura and verse commentary to find the reply. I have read Bassam Zawadi's "rebuttals" page and critiques against it (the "Qur'an-Alone" view), but I would not be here if such arguments were not already covered. People (e.g. some Sunnis!) claim that their interpretation of Islam is the only correct one, but for such people their religion is simply not enough. They put their opinion above Allah (SWT) and are not real Muslims.

In the meantime, I have no personal prejudice against the following of ahadith (except a few) although I disagree strongly that they should be elevated to "Divine Revelation". They are simply examples some of which are fabricated and some of which are useless or unsavoury (though I think there is more good than bad). My opinion can be summed up by suggesting that they should be accepted according to their relevancy and cohesion with the Qur'an (e.g. there is no "real" reason to reject the traditional prayer aside from when it contradicts a small detail in the Qur'an (tone of voice)). It is just common sense and would result in retaining the ahadith whilst not letting them divert us from the Qur'an. After all, there is only one Qur'an:


"Say: What thing is the weightiest in testimony? Say: Allah is witness between you and me; and this Quran has been revealed to me that with it I may warn you and whomsoever it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods with Allah? Say: I do not bear witness. Say: He is only one Allah, and surely I am clear of that which you set up (with Him)."

Qur'an 6:19


Examples of notes in the commentary:

The Qur’an is the truth (2:40-42, 2:91, 2:119, 2:147, 2:176, 5:48, 16:102). See 10:32-33 and the notes. The Qur’an is the sole guidance (2:63, 2:91, 2:176, 6:19, 6:114-115, 6:157, 7:144-147, 7:169-171, 12:111, 18:27, 21:45, 39:23, 45:6 etc.)


“Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do good that they shall have a great reward.”

Qur’an 17:9


Yet more guidance is required?


The main point that I am making is in the article "Picking Up the Pieces" since it outlines what I see as the problem with Islam. It is easy to lose site of the crux of the Message and become overly concerned with "order" and "method". Islam should be a vehicle of Good in the world, but to do this it must be united. It can never be united until all Muslims adopt an open attitude to every Muslim and non-Muslim alike (my attitude to "Bassam Zawadi" is open to be challenged with a good basis). The ahadith problem is not just about "authenticity", but also "authority" and "context". It does not matter (to me) as long as people are nice to each other and do not compel to their way using their own "definitions", but of course I must offer my ideas.


Khuda Hafiz