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[57:27] Subsequent to them, we sent our messengers. We sent Jesus the son of Mary, and we gave him the Injeel (Gospel), and we placed in the hearts of his followers kindness and mercy. But they invented hermitism which we never decreed for them. All we asked them to do was to uphold the commandments approved by GOD. But they did not uphold the message as they should have. Consequently, we gave those who believed among them their recompense, while many of them were wicked.
These profound Quranic lessons apply to all past, present and future generations who strive to worship and please God Alone (16:104-106, 12:111); no one is exempt from falling into traligion:
(16:104-106) Enlightenments have come to you from your Lord. As for those who can see, they do so for their own good, and those who turn blind, do so to their own detriment. I am not your guardian. We thus explain the revelations, to prove that you have received knowledge, and to clarify them for people who know. Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord, there is no god except He, and disregard the idol worshipers.
(12:111) In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not fabricated Hadith; this (Quran) confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.
Below is a list of common modern-day traligious practices. Keep in mind that the intention here is not to insult or criticize other faiths, but to point out the fact that none of these beliefs or practices are supported in the Quran:
Eid Celebration: Originally a tradition amongst the Muslims, but eventually became confused as part of God’s religion. Thus Eid evolved from tradition to traligion.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday:
Celebrating a dead person’s birthday is harmless, but when we call this celebration a “religious” holiday, then it becomes a traligious practice.
Religious Superstitions: Believing that black cats have jinns inside of them and they are bad luck, or wearing certain accessories to protect us from envy. Believing that angels are not present where dogs dwell so we shouldn’t be around dogs, or holy water keeps demons away. The list is endless… There is no fundamental scriptural support for any of these beliefs.
Traligious Rituals: performing certain prayers not ordained by God (i.e. Eid prayer, Taraweeh, Istikhara). Adding or omitting steps to the ablution. Dances or other rituals not mentioned in the Quran (i.e., walking under the Quran three times and spilling water on the ground to ensure safe traveling).
No one (including the followers of Quran alone) is immune from traligion if they are not consciously aware of it. Thus, it is paramount to heed God’s words and seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected to protect ourselves from mixing traditions —whether it be a community, family, or personal tradition—with God’s religion.
Using a factual example: it is a tradition for some Submitter groups to recite the Fatiha in unison before and/or after a Quran study. There is absolutely no harm in this practice since we know it is a tradition and not a requirement by God. However, the obvious traligious harm would be to say, “you MUST recite the Fatiha before starting the study,” or “God tells us to recite the Fatiha before starting a Quran study.” Additionally, over time, this tradition may evolve into a traligious practice if we do not acknowledge that it is a tradition and not some religious ordinance.
The key in distinguishing whether our practice or belief is religion-based or traligion-based is by asking ourselves two questions:
1) Is my belief or practice supported by the Quran?
2) Have I made this belief or practice part of God’s Religion?
The criterion for traligion here is if the answer is ‘no’ to the first question, and the answer is ‘yes’ to the second.
Finally, traligion is a form of idolatry because it assimilates man-made sources with God’s Religion. As we know, the Quran is a complete and fully detailed scripture (7:2),
and God forbids us — in the strongest words —from following any other sources besides it (6:114-115). All divine religious duties, laws, and beliefs are found in the Quran Alone. All else is purely man-made.
(7:3) You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed.
(6:114-115) Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
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To Whom It May Concern,
Hello. I have been a follower of the spiritual teachings found in the Holy Quran for some time now and always look for any information that promotes the beautiful messages found in this great scripture.
I would like to take the time to thank you for putting together a website that promotes religious tolerance and unity. May Allah bless all who seek peace and brotherhood. Could I please be signed up to be on your mailing list?
Thank you for your time concerning this matter. I look forward to receiving your newsletter in the mail, so I can read and learn more about something that is dear to my heart as well as soul. May peace and many blessings be upon all of you.
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