Peace.
I agree with this to a certain degree, but there are also problems with this notion. If we look at things from the perspective of the Sunni and/or Shia, the so-called Qur'an-Alone movement looks insanely "divided", even when it comes to basic ideas. Both of those groups embrace principles regarding the 5 Pillars of Islam. When it comes to Qur'anist groups as a unit, in comparison to a 5-Pillar ideology:
1. They don't agree on the "shahaada" - some of the differences there are pretty stark.
2. They don't agree on "salaat", or (in some instances) even what the term means and implies. For those who believe it to refer to prayer, they can't agree on whether they're supposed to do 2 prayers, 3 prayers, 5 prayers, or even 7 prayers! Some people believe it refers to a general type of communion or meditation with God or with others, and some people have different meanings altogether.
3. They don't agree on "zakaat", or (again) even what the term means. Some people say it refers to 'purity', and some people say it refers to 'charity'; some people say it means something completely different than both of those concepts. For the ones who say it refers to charity, some believe it means a certain percentage of one's income (like the traditional-Islamic 2.5%), while others say that it simply refers to the 'excess' of what you have. There are many variances in what this even implies.
4. There's vast disagreement on "siyaam". Most people I've talked to say that this refers to fasting, but some people even disagree with that notion. For those who believe in fasting during the month of Ramadhan (and some don't believe in that either, citing that "ramadan" isn't referring to a month at all), there's still disagreement regarding the degree of fasting. Some believe that people should fast for a 30-day month, while I've seen other people believe that the timeline of fasting is as low as 3 days.
5. There's even a massive disagreement on "hajj" and what this means. Some people believe it doesn't refer to a pilgrimage at all, and many of those who do believe it to be a pilgrimage don't know whether this pilgrimage goes to Makkah, Jerusalem, India, or even Egypt!
My overall point is this: the Qur'an-Alone group is extremely "divided", in nearly every sense of the word. They don't even agree on what it means to follow the "Qur'an Alone" in a general sense - some believers follow traditional (historical) connotations inherent in the hadiyth and sunna, while some follow the Appendices of Dr. Rashad Khalifa, etc. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that there really isn't a Qur'an-Alone "movement" at all; they're just a bunch of random people believing whatever they want to believe. In order for there to be a movement of any sort, there has to be a unifying factor to establish a connection between the group. In this case, there really isn't.
Peace,
Ahmad
Quote from: good logic on January 24, 2018, 03:18:26 AM
People are individuals and no two people are exactly the same or have the same views in all the subjects/topics. This is a fact in all sects/religions/races...etc.
So, if people have disagreements ,this is natural. It does not mean "divided" .
Qoran confirms this ,but asks that we respect our differences and find a common ground in "GOD Alone" and the basics of being good and having good morals.
Respecting others includes respecting their choice providing they do not aggress.
I agree with this to a certain degree, but there are also problems with this notion. If we look at things from the perspective of the Sunni and/or Shia, the so-called Qur'an-Alone movement looks insanely "divided", even when it comes to basic ideas. Both of those groups embrace principles regarding the 5 Pillars of Islam. When it comes to Qur'anist groups as a unit, in comparison to a 5-Pillar ideology:
1. They don't agree on the "shahaada" - some of the differences there are pretty stark.
2. They don't agree on "salaat", or (in some instances) even what the term means and implies. For those who believe it to refer to prayer, they can't agree on whether they're supposed to do 2 prayers, 3 prayers, 5 prayers, or even 7 prayers! Some people believe it refers to a general type of communion or meditation with God or with others, and some people have different meanings altogether.
3. They don't agree on "zakaat", or (again) even what the term means. Some people say it refers to 'purity', and some people say it refers to 'charity'; some people say it means something completely different than both of those concepts. For the ones who say it refers to charity, some believe it means a certain percentage of one's income (like the traditional-Islamic 2.5%), while others say that it simply refers to the 'excess' of what you have. There are many variances in what this even implies.
4. There's vast disagreement on "siyaam". Most people I've talked to say that this refers to fasting, but some people even disagree with that notion. For those who believe in fasting during the month of Ramadhan (and some don't believe in that either, citing that "ramadan" isn't referring to a month at all), there's still disagreement regarding the degree of fasting. Some believe that people should fast for a 30-day month, while I've seen other people believe that the timeline of fasting is as low as 3 days.
5. There's even a massive disagreement on "hajj" and what this means. Some people believe it doesn't refer to a pilgrimage at all, and many of those who do believe it to be a pilgrimage don't know whether this pilgrimage goes to Makkah, Jerusalem, India, or even Egypt!
My overall point is this: the Qur'an-Alone group is extremely "divided", in nearly every sense of the word. They don't even agree on what it means to follow the "Qur'an Alone" in a general sense - some believers follow traditional (historical) connotations inherent in the hadiyth and sunna, while some follow the Appendices of Dr. Rashad Khalifa, etc. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that there really isn't a Qur'an-Alone "movement" at all; they're just a bunch of random people believing whatever they want to believe. In order for there to be a movement of any sort, there has to be a unifying factor to establish a connection between the group. In this case, there really isn't.
Peace,
Ahmad