This is my Refutation to the Quranists at "http://www.free-minds.org/", they claim that they are the only ones who follow Islam, and that none of the majority of the 1.2B (1.5B)   Muslims in the world are really   Muslims, as they have said: “…what they know and what they practice is not Islam, but is a different religion…”.  But, the fact remains that they (the Quranists) are the ones who are trying to change the whole religion, the very foundation, by abolishing the five pillars of Islam, among other things legalizing intoxicants, and they even claimed that there are only two prayers during the day instead of five according to the Qur'an.  In this paper I have addressed some of their claims, and I believe I have proved (InshaAllah) with clear proofs their claims to be wrong.  They have made many outrageous and illogical claims throughout their website, but I have specifically chosen to address the claims they made about the salat {http://www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/salat.htm}.  I also address their whole theological concept of rejecting the hadith and sunnah of the prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sellem).  If I am able (InshaAllah) to debunk their concept of rejecting hadith and sunnah, then any other claims made by this line of reasoning would therefore be outmoded.

As well as presenting solid proofs and evidence from the Qur'an, I have also included hadiths that have some significance pertaining to the issue (even if they do not accept that, they should still appreciate their historical accuracy and accuracy of predictions).

The refutation below has 7 parts to it:  The first part gives hadiths talking about the signs before Yaum-id-deen and the divisions in the Ummah, the second part gives my own theological questions to them, the third part mentions two verses from the Qur'an that benefit from hadith supplementation, the fourth part mentions more hadiths about the signs before Yaum-id-deen specifically predictions of future events, the fifth part gives evidence from the Qur'an that Hadith are part of the message and should be accepted, the sixth part gives evidence from the Qur'an that topples their "two prayer a day" theory, and the seventh part gives my response to some of their other absurd claims.

 

 

Part 1: hadiths about the signs before Yaum-id-deen and the divisions in the Ummah:

 

Please read the following with an open heart and an open mind.  I will mention a few ahadith about yaum-id-deen, and then only a few examples of Qur'an verses that need explanation from the ahadith, and finally, I have presented evidence from the Qur'an that refutes your "two prayer a day" theory:

 

Some of the signs of the coming of Yaum-id-deen [The Day of Judgment]:

 

- People will claim to follow the Qur'an but will reject hadith & sunnah (Abu Dawood)

- When the last ones of the Ummah begin to curse the first ones (at-Tirmidhi)

 

- 'Abd Allah said, "The Prophet said, 'Just before the Hour, there will be
days in which knowledge will disappear and ignorance will appear, and
there will be much killing.' " (Ibn Majah; also narrated by Bukhari and
Muslim, from the Hadith of al-A'mash.)

 

- "...The Prophet said, 'The Hour will come when leaders are oppressors, when people believe in the stars and reject al-Qadar (the Divine Decree of destiny) when a trust becomes a way of making a profit, when people give to charity (Sadaqah) reluctantly, when adultery becomes widespread - when this happens, then your people will
perish."

 

- Anas ibn Malik said, The Prophet was asked, O Messenger of Allah, (what
will happen) when we stop enjoining good and forbidding evil? He said,
When what happened to the Israelites happens among you: when fornication
becomes widespread among your leaders, knowledge is in the hands of the
lowest of you, and power passes into the hands of the least of you. (Ibn
Majah.)

 

- 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam) came
to us and said, 'O Muhajirun, (emigrants from Makkah to al-Madinah) you
may be afflicted by five things; God forbid that you should live to see
them. If fornication should become widespread, you should realize that
this has never happened without new diseases befalling the people which
their forebears never suffered. If people should begin to cheat in
weighing out goods, you should realize that this has never happened
without drought and famine befalling the people, and their rulers
oppressing them. If people should withhold Zakat, you should realize that
this has never happened without the rain being stopped from falling; and
were it not for the animals' sake, it would never rain again. If people
should break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, you should
realize that his has never happened without Allah sending an enemy against
them to take some of their possessions by force. If the leaders do not
govern according to the Book of Allah, you should realize that this has
never happened without Allah making them into groups and making them fight
one another." (Ibn Majah).

The Divisions in the Ummah:

 

- Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman said, "People used to ask the Prophet (sallallahu
alayhe wa sallam) about good things, but I used to ask him about bad
things because I was afraid that they might overtake me. I said, 'O
Messenger of Allah, we were lost in ignorance (Jahiliyyah) and evil, then
Allah brought this good (i.e. Islam). Will some evil come after this good
thing?' He said, 'Yes' I asked, 'And will some good come after that evil?'
He said, 'Yes, but it will be tainted with some evil' I asked, 'How will
it be tainted?' He said, 'There will be some people who will lead others
on a path different from mine. You will see good and bad in them. I asked,
'Will some evil come after that good?' He said, 'Some people will be
standing and calling at the gates of Hell; whoever responds to their call,
they will throw him into the Fire.' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah,
describe them for us.' He said, 'They will be from our own people, and
will speak our language.' I asked, 'What do you advise me to do if I
should live to see that?' He said, 'Stick to the main body (jama'ah) of
the Muslims and their leader (Imam). I asked, What if there is no main
body and no leader?' He said 'Isolate yourself from all of these sects,
even if you have to eat the roots of trees until death overcomes you while
you are in that state.'"

 

- "...By Him in Whose hand is my soul, my Ummah
will split into seventy-three sects: one will enter Paradise and
seventy-two will enter Hell." Someone asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who
will they be?" He replied, "The main body of the Muslims (al-Jama'ah)."
'Awf ibn Malik is the only one who reported this Hadith, and its isnad is
acceptable.

-[It is said because never will the majority of the Ummah be lead astray.]

 

(-You know very well that that the majority of the Muslims in this world follow the Sunnah of Rasululah sallallahu alayhi wa sellem. [Africa (Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, Chad, etc etc), Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc), the largest majority in the Middle East, as well as the majority of Muslims in all western countries, I could keep going...etc etc etc.)

 

- "...Verily the Israelites were divided into 72 sects but my people will be divided into 73 sects, all of them will be in the fire except one.' The companions asked. 'Who are they O Messenger of Allah,' Holy Prophet (pbuh) said. `They are those who will be like me and my companions.’ (Tirmidhi - Kitabul Eeman)

 

-'Ali ibn Abi Talib said, "The Prophet said: 'If my Ummah bears fifteen
traits, tribulation will befall it.' Someone asked, 'What are they, O
Messenger of Allah?' He said, 'When any gain is shared out only among the
rich, with no benefit to the poor; when a trust becomes a means of making
a profit; when paying Zakat becomes a burden; when a man obeys his wife
and disobeys his mother; and treats his friend kindly whilst shunning his
father; when voices are raised in the mosques; when the leader of a people
is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because they
fear some evil he may do; when much wine is drunk; when men wear silk;
when female singers and musical instruments become popular; when the last
ones of this Ummah curse the first ones - then let them expect a red wind,
or the earth to swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.'"
(Tirmidhi)
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Part 2: My own theological questions for Quranists:

 

Some questions for you to think about:

 

-Do you really think that you know better (more about the religion) than the Sahaba (the companions of the prophet saws), and even better than the prophet sallallhu alayhi wa sellem himself??? Furthermore why do you (by you I am referring in general to "Quranists/Quranites") detest the prophet sallallhu alayhi wa sellem, and accuse him of wrongs when the Qur'an says that Rasullulah sallallhu alayhi wa sellem never committed any wrong.  If a particular follower of a religion believes their prophet was wrong, then how can they follow his religion?

 

-Also, Rasullulah sallallhu alayhi wa sellem said not to criticize his companions, because they have done more (good) than you could ever hope or imagine.

 

-Also, why is it on your website that you dislike to use the name of Allah, and instead you prefer the created english word "God" as a substitute?

 

-Furthermore, why do you accuse the followers of the prophet sallallhu alayhi wa sellem [the sunnah], of being polytheists and apostates? You know very well that we worship none but Allah subhana wa ta'ala, and do not associate any partners with him; yet you accuse us of such a thing...How???

 

- In another hadith, the prophet sallallhu alayhi wa sellem said never to accuse another muslim of being a kaafir, that whosoever accuses another of being a kaafir, if it is the truth, then nothing will happen to him, but if it is false, then the accuser will be the one who would become a kaafir.

 

-Do you not realize that you have introduced a new thing in the religion that has never ever been introduced until these recent times? Let me ask you an honest question, if you were to die today, would you feel safe and secure in your beliefs, and do you think that your version of Islam would be the one that is accepted in paradise, even though the Muslims since the beginning and throughout history (& recent times) held a different belief? Do you think that by introducing a new thing (bid'ah), and leading people to your own interpretation and desire will save you?

 

-On what authority do you choose yourselves over the prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sellem and his companions to judge and interpret the Qur'an for mankind?

 

-If anyone has the authority to interpret the Qur'an for himself, then many mistakes would be made (such as already has happened by people killing innocents, mistreating women, and many other incidents by their misinterpretation).  If anyone can just open the book and make their own judgments based on their whims and desires, then almost anything could be made permissible or not based on that reasoning.  If that is the case, then why have the need for prophets to explain it to you, if that is the case, then why have any scholars or Imams to ask them any questions? If that is the case then why have any schools at all? - I mean why go to college and take courses when you can just read the textbooks for those classes??? Why have any professors or scholars that have knowledge on any subject when you can just read that information for yourself and interpret it any way that pleases you???

 

 

 

Part 3: two examples of verses from the Qur'an that benefit from hadith supplementation:

 

- If anyone's interpretation of the Qur'an was to be accepted and there was no hadiths at all, then we would not know why certain things were mentioned in the Qur'an.  :

 

-For example, there are some kafirs (disbelievers) and as well as some Muslims who are weak in faith that question the prophet's (saws) character and morals after reading the Quranic verse about his marriage to Zainab. But from the hadith we know the story behind this verse, that she was a cousin, and the prophet saws actually was the one who persuaded her in the first place to marry Zaid. The Qur'an gives a clear and precise reason for this marriage in that it was to break the arab customs of treating their adopted sons as real sons and break the superstitions that you could not marry their wives if they divorced them or died, because as the Qur'an says they are not your real sons.

Part of what Dr. Jamal Badawi had written on the subject:

"Zainab, after all was a cousin of the Prophet and he saw and knew her for decades as a close relative.  She would have been most honored to accept to marry the Prophet if he wished.  Why would the Prophet persuade her to marry his former slave to dwell with her as her husband, and then divorce her so that the Prophet can marry her?  Why not marry her before living with another man as a wife?"

Also the Qur'an mentions how the prophet saws had told Zaid several times not to divorce Zainab. Now, if there was no hadith, how would we have known any of this information??? This Quranic verse also proves that not only it is permissible to marry the divorced or widowed wives of "adopted" sons, but that also cousin marriages are permissible in Islam {whereas western society does not accept that}. Now if there was no hadith, how would we have known (if they were even cousins or not, or if the prophet had convinced her to marry Zaid in the first place)?

 

There are many verses of the Qur'an that need hadith to supplement it. Another example is Surat An-Nisaa’ verse 34, where many kafiir interpret that Quranic verse to mean that muslim men can beat their wives whenever they wish.  But upon a further examination of the hadith we find the following: "The word “beating” or “hitting” is used in the verse, but it does not mean "physical abuse". The Prophet explained it by "dharban ghayra mubarrih" which means "a light tap that leaves no mark". He further said that face must be avoided. Some other scholars are of the view that it is no more than a light touch by a siwak, or toothbrush."
"To confirm the above concept, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then embrace (sleep with) her?” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
In another hadith, he is also reported to have said, “Do not beat the female servants of Allah.” and also "Some (women) visited my family complaining about their husbands (beating them). These (husbands) are not the best of you." and also "The best amongst you, are the best for their wives, and I am the best of you for my wives." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself was a wonderful, kind, tolerant, and nice husband. He never shouted at or hurt any of his wives, nor did he hit any of them despite the mistakes committed by some of them.  The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) calls upon husbands to be nice, kind, and friendly to their wives. He declared in one of his hadiths that the best among you are those who are kind and nice to their wives. 

Generally, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to discourage his followers from taking even this measure. He never hit any female, and he used to say that the best of men are those who do not hit their wives. In one hadith he expressed his extreme repulsion from this behavior and said, "How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then embrace (sleep with) her?” (Al-Bukhari, English Translation, vol. 8, Hadith 68, pp. 42-43)
It is also important to note that even this "light strike" mentioned in the verse is not to be used to correct some minor problem, but it is permissible to resort to only in a situation of some serious moral misconduct (or lewdness) when admonishing the wife fails, and avoiding from sleeping with her would not help. If this disciplinary action can correct a situation and save the marriage, then one should use it."" - excerpts from Islamonline.net

 

-Now, if it was not for the ahadith, how would we know that the prophet Mohammed sallallahu alayhi wa sellem had never ever beaten any woman and was very kind and loving towards his wives? And that he had disdain for people who did beat their wives, and that this Quranic injunction is to be interpreted to be used only under extreme moral infractions after all other possibilities have been exhausted? Also how would we have known if it means lightly "without leaving a mark," or if it means to beat to death?  How in the world would we have known this background crucial information if it had not been mentioned for us in the hadith???

 

[these are only two examples of Qur'an verses that need supplementation from the hadith in order to interpret and explain it more clearly, but there are many more verses of the Qur'an that would remain a mystery, such as which are the four sacred months, as well as many others, if it had not been interpreted and explained in the ahadith.]

 

-Another hadith:

'Umar radi Allahu anhu remarked: "By Allah, we did not give any position to women in the Jahiliyyah period until such time that Allah sent His command in respect of them and apportioned for them the role that was to be theirs." (Muslim)

 

-If we did not have any hadith, furthermore, how would we know any history about the society, or societies of the past, or anything about any of the prophets (especially about the life of prophet Muhammad saws)??? If you want to go into the life and history of the prophet (saws), and many other events in his life and the life of many of the other prophets, then you must delve into the ahadith.  Do not forget that the ahadith also contains the contents of the salat and how to perform them, which is mentioned many times in the Qur'an but not the methodology of how to perform it. 

 

 

 

Part 4: More hadiths on signs before Judgment, specifically predictions of future events:

 

-Also, can you not admit to yourself that the few hadiths that I referred to earlier on the Judgment contain many truths that have come to pass that the people could not have possibly known about back then (approx 1500 years ago)? Here are a few more to ponder upon:

·        Books/writing will be widespread and knowledge will be low (Ahmad)

·        Adultery and fornication will be prevalent (The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that this has never happened without new diseases befalling the people, which their ancestors had not known.) (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, & Al-Haythami)

·        When fornication becomes widespread among your leaders (The Prophet, peace be upon him, said that this will happen when the people stop forbidding evil) (Ibn Majah)

·        The nations of the earth will gather against the Muslims like hungry people going to sit down to a table full of food. This will occur when the Muslims are large in number, but "like the foam of the sea".

·        The people of Iraq will receive no food and no money due to oppression by the Romans (Europeans) (Muslim) [could be referring to the 12 year economic sanctions?]

·        People will hop between the clouds and the earth [Now, how could they possibly even remotely conceive of airplanes back then???]

·        The leader of a people will be the worst of them (at-Tirmidhi)

·        Time will pass rapidly (Bukhari, Muslim, & Ahmad)

·        Earthquakes will increase (Bukhari & Muslim)

·        There will be attempts to make the deserts green

·        Arrogance will increase in the earth (at-Tabarani, al-Hakim)

·        Among my ummah there will certainly be people who will permit zina, silk, alcohol...

[These are only a few of the many signs before the day of Judgment]

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Part 5: Evidence from the Qur'an that Hadith are an established part of the message:

 

Now Take evidence from the Qur'an (which you claim to follow so perfectly):

 

He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah: But if any turn away, We have not sent thee to watch over their (evil deeds). (The Noble Qur'an 4:80)

 

“Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him."(The Noble Qur'an 53:2-4)

 

When Allah made (His) covenant with the prophets, (He said): Behold that which I have given you of the Scripture and knowledge. And afterward there will come unto you a messenger, confirming that which ye possess. Ye shall believe in him and ye shall help him. He said: Do ye agree, and will ye take up My burden (which I lay upon you) in this (matter)? They answered: We agree. He said: Then bear ye witness. I will be a witness with you. 003.081

 

O Messenger! Let not them grieve thee who vie one with another in the race to disbelief, of such as say with their mouths: "We believe," but their hearts believe not, and of the Jews: listeners for the sake of falsehood, listeners on behalf of other folk who come not unto thee, changing words from their context and saying: If this be given unto you, receive it, but if this be not given unto you, then beware! He whom Allah doometh unto sin, thou (by thine efforts) wilt avail him naught against Allah. Those are they for whom the Will of Allah is that He cleanse not their hearts. Theirs in the world will be ignominy, and in the Hereafter an awful doom;  005.041 

If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell,- what an evil refuge! 004.115 

Whoso is wont to think (through envy) that Allah will not give him (Muhammad) victory in the world and the Hereafter (and is enraged at the thought of his victory), let him stretch a rope up to the roof (of his dwelling), and let him hang himself. Then let him see whether his strategy dispelleth that whereat he rageth!. 022.015

 

We have not instructed the (Prophet) in Poetry, nor is it meet for him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur'an making things clear: 036.069

"Those who follow the messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), - in the law and the Gospel; - for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper." 007.157

[Notice here that it says “those who follow the Messenger,” it is NOT saying “those who follow the Qur’an (only)”.  When it says “He commands for them…He allows for them…and prohibits them from…He releases them from…” All of these are referring to the prophet Muhammad SAWS.  “…believe in him, honour him, help him, AND follow the light (the Qur’an) which is sent down WITH him…”]

 

And We did not send any apostle but that he should be obeyed by Allah's permission; and had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Apostle had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful. 004.064

 

O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination. 004.059

And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, these are with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favors from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the good, and a goodly company are they!  004.069

Those are limits set by Allah: those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the supreme achievement. 004.013

[You must notice that for all of these verses, it says “Allah AND his Messenger”  - Now think, why would so many verses of the Qur’an stress this point??? Why did it not just say “obey Allah (only)”?? – Therefore the Qur’an is indicating two sources of information and authority – the word of Allah (the Qur’an) and prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sellem.]

{There are still many more verses of the Qur’an that say to obey Allah and his Messenger, they are too many to list all here, so I will just list some of the other verses by number: 3.32, 3.132, 5.92, 8.1, 8.20, 8.46, 9.71, 24.47, 24.51, 24.52, 24.54, 33.33, 33.66, 33.71, 47.33, 48.17, 49.7, 49.14, 58.13, 64.12}

 

O Ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger; but fear Allah: for Allah is He Who hears and knows all things.  O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not. 049.002

 

When it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah Hath sent down, " they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" yet they reject all besides, even if it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?" 002.091
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Part 6: Evidence from the Qur'an that topples Quranists’ "two prayer a day" theory:

Now, I will present evidence from the Qur'an that topples your "two prayer a day" theory - your bid'ah (invention) that there are only two prayers instead of five!!!?? You have argued (http://www.free-minds.org/articles/quranic/salat.htm) many outrageous claims that I have never ever heard of before. Lets address one at a time:

 

You have also claimed that these two prayers should be said at the exact timing of the rising of the sun and the setting of the sun (which is something that the prophet Muhammad SAWS specifically prohibited at those time durations b/c of the people that used to worship the sun at those times).  It normally takes approx 15 minutes for the sun to arise over the horizon, and similarly to set, so those are the times that we should avoid praying, but this is what you have written: {"The recitation is to last for the length of time it takes for the period to change which is normally 10-15 minutes (i.e. dawn becomes morning, and dusk becomes night)."}

 

Your words that the "two" prayers: "are fundamentally linked to the movement of the sun and the cross-over of day and night, thus eliminating any hardship or difficulty..."  -You are basically saying that there is only the Fajr and Isha prayers (you did mention those two specifically- even though you did change the timings for them), and that there are no specified prayers during the daytime itself; well let me prove you wrong, from the Qur'an:

 

030.017
YUSUFALI: So (give) glory to Allah, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise in the morning;

PICKTHAL: So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning -

SHAKIR: Therefore glory be to Allah when you enter upon the time of the evening and when you enter upon the time of the morning.
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030.018 [This Ayah clearly addresses the midday prayers Zuhr and Asr]
YUSUFALI: Yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.

PICKTHAL: Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth! - and at the sun's decline and in the noonday.

SHAKIR: And to Him belongs praise in the heavens and the earth, and at nightfall and when you are at midday.
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002.238  [Ayah about the Asr prayer] {This topples your theory once and for all - if there are only "two prayers," then how can there possibly be a middle prayer???}

YUSUFALI: Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).

PICKTHAL: Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost prayer, and stand up with devotion to Allah.

SHAKIR: Attend constantly to prayers and to the middle prayer and stand up truly obedient to Allah.
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002.239
YUSUFALI: If ye fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding, (as may be most convenient), but when ye are in security, celebrate Allah's praises in the manner He has taught you, which ye knew not (before).

PICKTHAL: And if ye go in fear, then (pray) standing or on horseback. And when ye are again in safety, remember Allah, as He hath taught you that which (heretofore) ye knew not.

SHAKIR: But if you are in danger, then (say your prayers) on foot or on horseback; and when you are secure, then remember Allah, as He has taught you what you did not know.
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062.009 [Clearly there IS a weekly day of congregation, and the prayer IS during the daytime, because it mentions leaving business, and as another Ayah (073.007) confirms that the day time is for business.]
YUSUFALI: O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew!

PICKTHAL: O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know.

SHAKIR: O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you, if you know.
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062.010 [Again, a confirmation that the prayer takes place during broad daylight during business hours, obviously not before the sunrise (fajr), and not after dark (Isha).]
YUSUFALI: And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.

PICKTHAL: And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah's bounty, and remember Allah much, that ye may be successful.

SHAKIR: But when the prayer is ended, then disperse abroad in the land and seek of Allah's grace, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
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062.011
YUSUFALI: But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave thee standing. Say: "The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! and Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs)."

PICKTHAL: But when they spy some merchandise or pastime they break away to it and leave thee standing. Say: That which Allah hath is better than pastime and than merchandise, and Allah is the Best of providers.

SHAKIR: And when they see merchandise or sport they break up for It, and leave you standing. Say: What is with Allah is better than sport and (better) than merchandise, and Allah is the best of Sustainers.
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073.006 [This Ayah reveals why the waking for Fajr and night prayers are so important and mentioned so much throughout the Qur'an, but it does not mean that they are the only prescribed prayers!!! In addition, the hadith mentions that if the believers knew the value of Fajr and Isha prayers that they would go crawling to the mosques.]
YUSUFALI: Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).

PICKTHAL: Lo! the vigil of the night is (a time) when impression is more keen and speech more certain.

SHAKIR: Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech.
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073.007
YUSUFALI: True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:

PICKTHAL: Lo! thou hast by day a chain of business.

SHAKIR: Surely you have in the day time a long occupation.
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073.008
YUSUFALI: But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly.

PICKTHAL: So remember the name of thy Lord and devote thyself with a complete devotion -

SHAKIR: And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with (exclusive) devotion.
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073.009
YUSUFALI: (He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.

PICKTHAL: Lord of the East and the West; there is no Allah save Him; so choose thou Him alone for thy defender -

SHAKIR: The Lord of the East and the West-- there is no god but He-- therefore take Him for a protector.
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004.103
YUSUFALI: When ye pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.

PICKTHAL: When ye have performed the act of worship, remember Allah, standing, sitting and reclining. And when ye are in safety, observe proper worship. Worship at fixed times hath been enjoined on the believers (Luke 2:52: GOD forgave Jesus' sins and was "charitable" with him).

SHAKIR: Then when you have finished the prayer, remember Allah standing and sitting and reclining; but when you are secure (from danger) keep up prayer; surely prayer is a timed ordinance for the believers (Luke 2:52: GOD forgave Jesus' sins and was "charitable" with him).

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Part 7: my response to some of the other absurd claims mentioned:

 

* OK, now that we have that issue settled, you also mentioned that there is no Friday or congregational prayer, well whether or not the word "Friday" is mentioned in the (Arabic) Qur'an does not matter, what matters is that there IS a congregational prayer "day of assembly" mentioned in the Qur'an that IS held during the daytime, and that is not just another one of the regular salat, but is specifically mentioned as being the special congregational prayer.

 

* Finally, another ridiculous claim that you mentioned is that how would those who are about to drown at sea call on Allah, if the medium of prayer was restricted to only traditional Salat; and you mention the story of Jonah calling from inside of a whale.  Look, I don't know how much you have ever learned about Islam, the Islam of the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sellem (the following of his Sunnah), but EVERY muslim knows that there is both the ritual prayer (Salaat/Namaaz), as well as the personal prayer (du'a).  The du'a you can make at any time of the day and in any condition, to ask for your personal needs.  The Salaat is at fixed times, and as you know in the Qur'an, permission is given to say your Salat while standing or riding if you are in battle, or a state of fear: "If ye fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding, (as may be most convenient)..." but you already know this.  Also, you should know, that you can ask your du'a inside of the ritual salat as well.  Obviously, Jonah [Yunus](alayhi a-salam) who you mentioned, was not performing the ritual salat in the belly of the whale, but he was calling out in his du'a, which can be performed at any time and is not a ritual, but only a simple asking of your needs (as well as remembrance of Allah), even and especially if you are in a state of fear and immediate need.

 

In conclusion, I know that I have only tackled a very small portion of your website, but I don’t have an endless amount of time and furthermore I am not any type of scholar, I am just a normal person who did some investigative research on the subject, because, I really wanted to evaluate your claims and find out if it had any truth in it, which I found to be negative.  On your website, you insist on talking about the “true” and “real” Islam, in describing your personal beliefs.  If this letter has in any way moved you, or altered any of your previously held beliefs, then, my friend, I invite you to forsake any pride, and embrace humility, and embark on an undertaking to discover the real truth about Islam.  It seems that you have many distorted beliefs about those who follow the Sunnah (the tradition of the prophet), which are not based on fact, but maybe on heresy that you may have heard from some unreliable sources.  I encourage you to open a dialogue, attend a local masjid in your area and discuss your questions with the Imam.  There are also many informative websites such as Islamonline.net, Islamicity.com (which both have Q and A svcs), Islamway.com, and answering-christianity.com, just to name a few.  I want to end out by saying that, Islam is based upon five pillars, these are the foundation of the religion, and if you take away the pillars, the religion has no foundation, and would crumble.  These are not merely rituals, but they are a sturdy foundation, a way of life, which if adhered to will purify the soul, create self discipline, energize the spirit, create humility in ourselves, and will bind the Muslim Ummah in Unity and brotherhood, which would otherwise not have much unity if not for the five pillars, so do you understand the importance of that now?  Also part of the tenants of faith are the articles of belief – in the last day, in Qadar, the prophets and messengers, the revelations, the angels, and belief in Allah – the one, the only, the Creator, Cherisher, Sovereign, and Sustainer of the entire universe.  Islam – means “submission” and “peace,” because only through submission to the will of Allah will we find true peace.