BASICS

MY BELIEVER BASELINE

From what I know to be true, to believe is to:

1. Seek knowledge and change our minds+actions in the face of clear evidence.
2. Struggle to abolish relational hierarchies of domination and exclusion.
3. Explore signs of Truth that are inscribed in my existence, that of other living beings, and out in the world, not just from within sacred texts.
4. Resist cruelty and oppression in the name of an All-Compassionate Creator.
5. Never worship, prioritise, or devote myself to any modern construct or human power above the Source.

These are the beliefs that inform my values and how I intend to move in the world.

1. To believe is to seek knowledge and change our minds and actions when the evidence is clear.

• I disavow narrow, literal, and sectarian readings of the Qur'ān. Muslims believe the Qur'ān is an instance of Divine disclosure revealed in 7th century Arabia that is meant for all times and ages. This means accepting that some of its signs can only be understood in later times.
• As collective knowledge of Reality grows— and we must increase our knowledge (20:114)— we cannot cling to past interpretations of a matter if evidence in the present is clear.
• Muhammadﷺ in his final speech to his followers even said of his struggle that "all those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly."
• The end of Islamic prophecy is an invitation for each of us to be caretakers and ethical agents of social change. We must use our reason and current location in human history to adjust our positions in the face of clear evidence, and use that knowledge to struggle for justice. I write to connect revelation and reason, to be part of a dynamic and living Islam.

2. To believe is to struggle to abolish relational hierarchies of domination and exclusion.

• I do not believe that faith can be meaningfully assigned at birth. I believe faith can only chosen later in life as a state of engaged surrender. It is practiced by translating one's spiritual growth into physical commitments.
• I write not to preach to non-Muslims or lead Muslims astray, but to express myself and share notes from my study practice. It is not possible for over a billion Muslims to agree with each other. But I hope we can at least agree that because A!!ah is a Singularity that cannot be divided yet created everything, that everything radiates from one Source and participates in A!!ah's unity. This means no matter how it seems externally, ultimate separation between Creator and creature or one and another is internally just an illusion. To accept A!!ah's presence is to understand that there can only be a non-hierarchical relationship of horizontal (or equal) reciprocity between us all.
• It is not the Beloved who wrongs people, people wrong themselves, through control and domination. Our fundamental enemy is the virus that corrupts our desires and transforms us into mini-gods. I hold to the motivation mortal messenger Muhammadﷺ had of a more loving world for women and children.

3. To believe is to explore signs of Truth inscribed in my existence, that of other living beings, and in the world, not just from sacred texts.

• I write because I was asked to convey a verse. Hopefully it may benefit someone else, wandering back but anxious about befriending divine revelation.
• Signs of Truth exist in ourselves too— in nature and in people— and not just in the Qur'ān and Sunnah (41:53, 45:3-4, 51:20-21). Although the Qur'ān is the primary source of Islam, it is not our only way of knowing. There are verses of knowledge from here out to the cosmos and deep within the universe of our own bodies. So our journeys contain signs for all to learn from in explorations of compassion, spirituality, and solidarity.
• In all our intense diversity, the Beloved only distinguishes between us on the basis of something no human is able to truly perceive in others (3:179, 49:13). There are inevitable consequences for our relationships with care, power, and supremacy. Pride and arrogance must be strongly condemned (39:60, 39:72, 40:35). Surely we will be held accountable for how confidently we dominated and alienated each other.

4. To believe is to never justify cruelty and oppression in the name of the Beloved Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim.

• A theology of rejection and persecution is incompatible with belief in an All-Compassionate God. The Divine Creator forefronted Their chosen names of ar-Rahman and ar-Rahim; Rahman is used to refer to A!!ah throughout the Qur’an in a way that no other of Their 99 Names (Asma ul-Husna) are. Because it is no mistake that Rahma is foregrounded, when we consider all possible meanings of a verse or hadith, we must choose the one that displays the most Rahma.
• Rahma grounds the basic principles of Quranic and Divine engagement (1:1, 6:12, 6:54, 17:82, 21:107). The Prophetﷺ's mission was one motivated by concern of the suffering in his community and their wellbeing (9:128).
• Ibn Qayyim al-Jawyziyah said: "Shariah is meant to be built on justice, compassion, and humanity, whoever uses religious interpretations to justify cruelty, oppression, and discrimination has no part in shariah even if they lean on Quranic verses and hadith."

5. To believe is to not worship, prioritise, or devote ourselves to any modern construct or human power above the Source.

• Islam rejects the notion of a clergy, central church, hierarchy or hereditary rule. Humanity was created from an agender being, not a man's rib (7:189). All messengers were mortals, albeit inspired (21:7).
• The only unforgivable sin in Islam is to deify any creation as equal to the Source of all creation (4:48, 4:116, 4:3, 23:116-117). In a time where power abuse, wealth, and the market are openly worshipped, we must consider as idolatry any blind loyalty to nation-states, leaders and "experts", materialism, celebrity culture, social hierarchies, political rulers, scholars, tribes and family ties.
• To be Muslim is to struggle against domination, coercion, and false idols. Nationalism becomes idolatry if it replaces loyalty to the Beloved with allegiance to earthly entities. Being told not to ask questions and pressured into distrusting the sense the Divine gave you is a red flag. Nothing about Islam requires you to give unquestioned obedience to any person.

Signs

Emotional support Quranic bookmarks

• Listen closely to everything that is said and follow the best/kindest interpretation— that is the one with insight (39:17-18).
• Emphasise equality, justice, and the saving of life. (2:179, 5:8). To save even one life is equivalent to saving the life of all humanity (5:32).
• We have a right to privacy and consent (24:27-28). Resist suspicion and surveillance (49:12). The Beloved warns us that surveillance culture feasts on our lack of trust in each other.
• Do not walk on the earth arrogantly— there are limits to our actions over nature (17:37). Do not mock and undermine people's faith (49:11).
• Explore and learn about what has happened before our time (3:137). The Beloved asked us to travel to learn about how the powerful who reject reality are inevitably overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule (6:11, 27:69, 30:42, 35:44, 40:21, 40:82-84, 47:10).
• Do not waste nourishment, the Beloved does not like the wasteful (7:31, 17:27).
• Do what you came here to do and pay attention to the person who is in front of you regardless of their status or position (80:1-11).
• Check the news you receive so that you don't wrong others by sharing misinformation and disinformation (49:6). Do not contribute to spreading rumours and information disorders (24:15). Turn away from slander (28:55).
• Gain knowledge against ignorance and stand firm on justice (3:18, 9:122, 29:69).
• Condemn the entitled and the oppressive (83:1-3) because no one should submit to the tyranny of an oppressor (42:39).
• Help each other to do what is right and good; do not collaborate in hostility and transgression (5:2).
• Delay debts owed to you until things become easier for them, or better yet pardon the debt altogether (2:280).
• Give your wealth to those with less to purify your belongings from concealed injustice (9:103).
• Practicing the ability to be grateful is valuable (2:152, 14:7, 31:12).
• Fasting is prescribed for us (2:183), but not for everyone; some have been exempted by the Beloved so they can care for their health (2:184-185). To compromise your body and fast through difficulty is a disobedience and a rejection of Divine will and kindness.
• Dress well when at worship (7:31).
• Stay patient, do not give people without firm beliefs the power to dishearten you (30:60).
• Any disagreements about belief should be met with patience until the Best of judges (7:87, 67:29).

• Competing to accumulate worldly goods is a distracting delusion (102:1-2. 3:14, 9:24, 9:34).
• It is a transgression to see ourselves as self-sufficient (96:6-7).
• There is an inherent value in the proper use of akal / reason (21:67, 30:28, 36:62, 45:5, over 50+ more). The worst of all beings in the sight of the Beloved are those who choose to look away, choose not to speak up, and do not reason (8:22).
• The practice of redistributing our resources resurrects our hearts (2:261). To hoard bounty and blessings from the people we are in community with only leads to regret (4:36-38, 92:8-10, 3:180).
• We were tasked with the generational authority of being responsible to serve and care for the Earth, and we inherit each other's responsibility over the planet (2:30, 6:165, 7:69, 7:74 10:14, 10:73, 27:62, 35:39, 38:26).
• Taking responsibility for one's actions precedes freedom of choice and expression (10:41).
• Our collective condition changes when we change ourselves (13:11).
• All living beings communicate to the Source in ways too diverse for us to understand (17:44). Like humans, all animals have their communities and systems of living too (6:38), including prayer to the Beloved (24:41). Animal and wildlife are all there for us to observe and benefit from (16:5-9). It is useful to perceive more than just the human world alone. There are signs in space, earth, alternations of night and day for those with understanding (3:190). See Muhammad Iqbal in Socrates, sense-perception, and the Qur'an for a list of verses where the Beloved invites us to observe nature.
• Believers should not insult what others worship (6:108). We do not know enough about anyone to ever prevent them from praying (96:9-14). When Muslims insult what others worship, they risk driving a deeper disconnect between people and the Divine.
• Faith cannot be forced (2:256, 2:208, 10:41). Forcing people to be Muslim disrespects the Beloved's decision not to make everyone Muslim (10:99-100, 5:48). Any belief to the point of conviction can only be attained through reason, not passively by birth.
• We were formed well (40:64, 95:4) and not for nothing or pure recreation (3:191, 29:44, 44:38-39). Signs of Truth exist in nature and in people, (41:53, 45:3-4, 51:20-21) not just in revelation and texts. See The Signs In Ourselves.
• Gender is not a binary but a spectrum manifesting Divine creativity (42:49-50). The Beloved will not allow our efforts to go to waste based on gender, because we are similar to one another (3:195).
• There are signs in loving relationships and the diversity of our tongues and tastes (30:21-22).
• In our diversity, only our taqwa distinguishes us (49:13). Taqwa can be described as conviction and mindfulness of the Source. Its Arabic root word means a barrier of protection. I like to think of taqwa as spiritual sunscreen.
• Relationships should build spiritual peace: conviction that they are each other's partners (2:187), upholding commitment as a promise (4:21), mutually upholding each other's dignity (4:19), solving problems through discussion (2:228, 3:159).
• Beloved made Earth manageable so we could move about its regions and gain insights from the past (67:15, 3:137-138, 22:46, 29:20).
• We were given wide paths not narrow ones (71:19-20, 5:48, 92:4). Everyone does according to their disposition and nature (17:84). There are signs in the diversity of all creation (16:13, 35:27-28). The ways we take differ greatly (92:4).
• Everyone is only accountable for themselves (2:138, 35:18). If you use your influence to be complicit in an evil cause, you take on a share in its burden (4:85).
• Bad thoughts are not fit to turn into speech unless voiced by those who have been wronged. (4:148).
• Love, justice, and generousity are intrinsically connected (16:90, 2:3-5).
• Falsehood is perishable (17:81). What is false expires by nature, and what is True will not. We are capable of great illusions, but illusions cannot prevail over truth (7:118).
• With every hardship comes ease (94:5-6). There is a time to turn inward and a time to expand (2:245).
• When we make a plan, the Divine plans too— and A!!ah is the best of planners (8:30).
• The Beloved does not only communicate to particular messengers in this simulation, evidenced in how They suddenly answer an unnamed traveller's casual question on resurrection (2:259).
• A shared scriptural framework is essential for interfaith activism (5:68, 3:64). Saints and sages of biblical teachings can affirm Muslim faith (10:94).

• We live in a simulation / All the world is a stage (57:20). Life and death are built into this simulation to test our best conduct (67:2)— but no soul is burdened with more than it can bear (2:286). We have free will, a demonstration of Divine faith in us to make goodness from our choices towards our potential (21:35, 95:4-5).
• Because there is only One Source who is not like Things (42:11), all created Things come in pairs (51:49). Why is this important? Because all Things come in pairs, the relationships, symmetry, and asymmetry between those pairs helps us understand reality and the hierarchies of domination and exclusion humans succumb to.
• Satan is a fallen sibling of humankind, envious of the first human androgyne (15:28) who was taught the 99 Names (2:31). They believed the Creator was wrong to make a representative on earth (7:12). Instead of apologising, maintained a superiority complex (15:33, 17:61, 38:76) and asks for a reprieve to do recruitment (38:79, 7:14-18, 17:62). After all, Satan has little power over us (14:22, 15:42, 17:65) except the power of suggestion. The androgyne became a pair, and they made a mistake too, but their response was to apologise (7:23). Both siblings (Satan and the androgyne-pair) were granted time before accountability (2:36). ==Our fundamental foe, then, is a superiority virus that corrupts our desires to turn us into mini-gods through the power of suggestion.
• The Source knows of every action, interaction, thought in this simulation (2:284, 58:7, 6:59). It is documented (6:38, 27:75). We may be able to conceal things in this simulation from others, but never from the Source (16:19, 24:29, 13:10, 67:13, 27:74). The Source will not forget injustice in this simulation (19:64). This is a comfort for the hearts of the oppressed.
• We are labourers contracted by A!!ah to receive our due pay directly from the Source for what we each did with the generational authority of being caretakers of this planet (2:30, 6:165, 7:69, 7:74 10:14, 10:73, 27:62, 35:39, 38:26). Towards that responsibility, how excellent is the wage of those who labour! (3:136, 29:58, 39:7)
• There is a moment outside of the simulation with full recognition of what you have earned and what has happened to you, unlike the imperfect justice humans struggle with in this simulation (2:284, 18:30, 21:23).
• Mutual endearment and affection is part of waking up from the simulation (2:260).
• On that Last Day of Total Accountability, we return to Source without all our social and identity markers of the simulation (6:94, 21:92-93, 35:18). We bring with us only the choices we made here (89:24).

Gathering 40 lessons from 40 hadith

My ongoing curation of documented stories re: the mortal messenger Muhammadﷺ

🍉 Notes after Muhammadﷺ's last speech

40 lessons from 40 hadith (in progress)

What I've learned

1. Believing is meant to be easy, not impractical.
2. When given an option, favour the easier choice— but no convenience is worth an injustice.
3. We can get everything right and still fail if we are selfish and envious of others.
4. It is an act of care to prevent oppressors from harming others.
5. To speak a word of justice to an oppressor is the best form of struggle.
6. None can prevent the call of the oppressed to the Most Powerful.
7. Children are an oppressed group of people.
8. We cannot normalise surveillance, competition, inflation, grudges, and exclusion.
9. Greed corrupts soul and society by multiplying domination.
10. To generalise one's pessimism as universal is an act disconnected from reality.
11. The believers of Reality to struggle for liberation are like one body in their mutual compassion.
12. Effort and faith go hand in hand, so do not neglect what you are responsible for.
13. The Beloved favours those who care for and defend humankind's orphans.
14. Your abundance is hollow if you let your neighbours go hungry.
15. Encourage men to confess their love for each other.
16. Show compassion for those who die by suicide.
17. Exploited animals will complain about you.
18. Every living being will testify to the way you interacted with them.
19. Killing animals for food is not something we should do uncritically.
20. Blessed are the strangers and the weirdos.
21. [pending until 40]

40 Hadith Fancam

My ongoing curation of documented stories re: the mortal messenger Muhammadﷺ

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