Fwd: [Shia-Network] THE MEANING OF "ISLAM" IN THE QURANIC CONTEXT / READER'S COMMENT

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Shahnawaz Merchant

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Feb 12, 2007, 4:32:57 AM2/12/07

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: STUDENT of THE QURAN <irt...@yahoo.com>
Date: Feb 11, 2007 4:47 AM
Subject: [Shia-Network] THE MEANING OF "ISLAM" IN THE QURANIC CONTEXT / READER'S COMMENT
To: folksan...@yahoogroups.com

Islam's best source <> wrote:

Peace be upon you dear Irtaza,

Thank you for pointing out the correct meaning of Islam. I agree that it is indeed a famous misconception to think that Islam means peace. Now, love, tolerance and harmony etc... are added to the meaning of this word! We don't want to repeat these wrong claims. You have provided enough back up argument for the correct meaning of "Islam" using the context of all these beautiful and clear verses (attached in your response). I'd like to provide my back up argument based on the Arabic language which is the language God has chosen for the Quran:

[39:28] An Arabic Quran, without any ambiguity, that they may be righteous.

[12:2] We have revealed it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.*

It is true both words (Islam and salaam), share the same root with the exact same three letters ( Sa la Ma), but the meanings, the nouns, and the verbs of both words are entirely different and they mean totally different acts. This is why most Muslims confuse both meanings while the use of both words (Islam and salaam) are clearly demonstrated in the Quran.

Another noun that means salaam is selm (peace). It is used in numerous verses like 4:90-91 and 8:61. The same noun could be also a noun for the word Islam and would mean Submission and not peace depending on the context ( 2:208: you shall embrace total Submission /Selm) . Other nouns for Islam is "tasleem", "Isteslam" (Submission). The verbs for Islam is aslam or Istaslama, the present tense is youslem or yastaslem, the order tense is aslem . All formats only mean "to submit". On the other hand, the only verb for salaam and selm ( peace) is sa llam and the present tense is Yusallem, and the order tense is sallem ( with acentuated lam that connot be ignored and makes a whole difference in the prounciation and the meaning). These formats only means "to greet".

The concept of peace in the Quran is emphasized clearly in resorting to non-violence or offering the greeting of peace. No one should confuse this with the concept of submission to the One and Only God. Here are some verses that are exclusively demonstrating peace in the Quran. The Arabic word used is either salaam or selm:

[8:61] If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[47:35] Therefore, you shall not waver and surrender in pursuit of peace, for you are guaranteed victory, and GOD is with you. He will never waste your efforts.

[10:10] Their prayer therein is: "Be You glorified, our god," their greeting therein is, "Peace," and their ultimate prayer is: "Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe."

[13:24] "Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny."

A good student of the Quran will not miss the fact that God's love is not conditional. If God's love was unconditional, this would defeat the whole purpose of our existence on earth - a final chance to choose Him over Satan.. His love would serve as permission to commit all kinds of evil. There would be no straight or crooked path, no point behind any clear commands, because God's love would be awaiting at the end of the road to save us all. This is a myth about God that is based on conjecture and ignorance.

It is our duty as believers to seriously study the boundaries set for us in the Quran in order to pursue love in a safe and constructive manner - the manner that would please God alone within His guidelines and make us EARN His love and compassion:

- God loves those who repent when they make a wrong choice and transgress the limits of God set in the Quran ( 2:222). He even reward them by transforming their sins into credit ( 25:70).

- He loves the good doers (3:148) and he dislikes the evil doers (5:64). He loves the righteous (3:76), and righteousness is defined only by God through His teachings and commands in the scripture (2:189).

- God advocates justice and loves those who are just (49:9) and equitable (5:42). He doesn't love the unjust (3:57).

- He loves the steadfast (3:146) and He loves those who put their trust in Him (3:159).

- God loves the charitable (2:195) and doesn't love the transgressors (7:55, 5:87), the corruptors (28:77) or any betrayer, unappreciative ( 4:107, 22:38).

- He doesn't love those who are arrogant (16:23, 4:36, 31:18) nor does He love those who are boastful, proud (57:23).

- God loves those who are clean (2:222) and doesn't love the gluttons (7:31).

- God loves those who strive in His cause (61:4), with no fear of any blame (5:54), united on His word (3:103). The kind of believers God loves are the ones who are kind among one another and stern with the disbelievers (5:54). These three verses together explain the concept of unity loved and dictated by God.

By our own volition, we end up either close or favored by God (Heaven), or far from Him (Hell). We either follow His criteria of love or face the consequences of our own criteria. This system is clearly spelled out in the following verses:

[3:30] The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they were far, far removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him alone. GOD is Compassionate towards the people.

[3:31] Proclaim: "If you love GOD, you should follow me." GOD will then love you, and forgive your sins. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[3:32] Proclaim: "You shall obey GOD and the messenger." If they turn away, GOD does not love the disbelievers.

I just wanted to elaborate on your beautiful reminder.

Thank you and God bless you,

Submitter to God alone,

http://www.submission.org/Q-T.html

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STUDENT of THE QURAN <> wrote:

[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[27:44] ... She said, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. I now submit with Solomon to GOD, Lord of the universe."

Peace be upon you,

Our statements on religious issues must be supported by the Quran. Personal opinion is condemned!

[6:119] Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD's name has been mentioned? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors.

[38:26] O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of GOD. Surely, those who stray off the way of GOD incur severe retribution for forgetting the Day of Reckoning.

Some will say Islam means peace and some will think Islam means love. God and His messenger provide us clear understanding what "submission" (in Arabic Islam) really is:

[2:112] Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[2:128] "Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

[2:131] When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I submit to the Lord of the universe."
[2:133] Had you witnessed Jacob on his death bed; he said to his children, "What will you worship after I die?" They said, "We will worship your god; the god of your fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; the one god. To Him we are submitters."

[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[3:20] If they argue with you, then say, "I have simply submitted myself to GOD; I and those who follow me." You shall proclaim to those who received the scripture, as well as those who did not, "Would you submit?" If they submit, then they have been guided, but if they turn away, your sole mission is to deliver this message. GOD is Seer of all people.

[3:43] "O Mary, you shall submit to your Lord, and prostrate and bow down with those who bow down."

[3:83] Are they seeking other than GOD's religion, when everything in the heavens and the earth has submitted to Him, willingly and unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned?

[3:84] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[4:125] Who is better guided in his religion than one who submits totally to GOD, leads a righteous life, according to the creed of Abraham: monotheism? GOD has chosen Abraham as a beloved friend.

[6:71] Say, "Shall we implore, beside GOD, what possesses no power to benefit us or hurt us, and turn back on our heels after GOD has guided us? In that case, we would join those possessed by the devils, and rendered utterly confused, while their friends try to save them: `Stay with us on the right path.' " Say, "GOD's guidance is the right guidance. We are commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe.

[6:163] "He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."

[11:88] He said, "O my people, what if I have solid proof from my Lord; what if He has provided me with a great blessing? It is not my wish to commit what I enjoin you from. I only wish to correct as many wrongs as I can. My guidance depends totally on GOD; I have put my trust in Him. To Him I have totally submitted.

[16:87] They will totally submit to GOD on that day, and the idols they had invented will disown them.
[20:111] All faces will submit to the Living, the Eternal, and those who are burdened by their transgressions will fail.

[22:34] For each congregation we have decreed rites whereby they commemorate the name of GOD for providing them with the livestock. Your god is one and the same god; you shall all submit to Him. Give good news to the obedient.

[27:44] She was told, "Go inside the palace." When she saw its interior, she thought it was a pool of water, and she (pulled up her dress,) exposing her legs. He said, "This interior is now paved with crystal." She said, "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. I now submit with Solomon to GOD, Lord of the universe."

[30:31] You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever fall into idol worship.

[31:22] Those who submit completely to GOD, while leading a righteous life, have gotten hold of the strongest bond. For GOD is in full control of all things.

[39:54] You shall obey your Lord, and submit to Him totally, before the retribution overtakes you; then you cannot be helped.

[40:66] Say, "I have been enjoined from worshiping the idols you worship beside GOD, when the clear revelations came to me from my Lord. I was commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe."

[42:10] If you dispute any part of this message, the judgment for doing this rests with GOD. Such is GOD my Lord. In Him I trust, and to Him I submit.

[49:9] If two groups of believers fought with each other, you shall reconcile them. If one group aggresses against the other, you shall fight the aggressing group until they submit to GOD's command. Once they submit, you shall reconcile the two groups equitably. You shall maintain justice; GOD loves those who are just.

[60:4] A good example has been set for you by Abraham and those with him. They said to their people, "We disown you and the idols that you worship besides GOD. We denounce you, and you will see nothing from us except animosity and hatred until you believe in GOD ALONE." However, a mistake was commited by Abraham when he said to his father, "I will pray for your forgiveness, but I possess no power to protect you from GOD." "Our Lord, we trust in You, and submit to You; to You is the final destiny.

We must obey God and His messenger, and submit to God alone. And that is Islam.

[3:79] Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.

[12:106] The majority of those who believe in GOD do not do so without committing idol worship.

[4:13] These are GOD's laws. Those who obey GOD and His messenger, He will admit them into gardens with flowing streams, wherein they abide forever. This is the greatest triumph.

Peace and love can only be achieved through true submission to God Alone.

[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.

[60:6] A good example has been set by them for those who seek GOD and the Last Day. As for those who turn away, GOD is in no need (of them), Most Praiseworthy.
[60:7] GOD may change the animosity between you and them into love. GOD is Omnipotent. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Thank you and may God guide us,

M. Irtaza

http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/frames/index.html

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Mohammad Jalaluddin <> wrote:

Dear Raihan and Yoke:

Right! Raihan has been quite interesting and ingenious in this. Loving all mankind is basically Islamic; and in fact Islam is worldly. No one will need Islam before and after this short period of worldly life. So, if any one do not like Islam, virtually will not like life, or perhaps the liking has been misdirected.

M. Jalaluddin

From: Yoke Sudarbo <>
Reply-To: progressive-muslim@yahoogroups.com
To: progressive-muslim
Subject: Re: [Progressive-Muslim] The meaning of "ISLAM"
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 18:40:54 -0800 (PST)

Hi, Raihan,

I like the meaning you give to Islam. It sounds worldly, though.

Raihan <> wrote:

I

Sincerely

Love

All

Mankind

Do you know "ISLAM" is the ONLY religion that contains the letter "L" for "Love"?

Do you know the word "ALLAH" contains the letter "L" twice?

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