Quranism

Islamic view holding the Quran as the sole source of faith

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Quranism (Arabic: القرآنية, romanized: al-Qurʾāniyya) is an Islamic denomination that generally rejects the authoritative role of hadiths, and considers the Quran to be the only dependable religious text.[1] Quranist Muslims believe that the Quran is clear and complete and can be fully understood without recourse to external sources.

Quranists are often divided into two main branches: those who believe the Quran is the primary source and consider external sources such as the hadith, sunnah, and tradition as secondary and dependent, and those who accept no texts other than the Quran and disregard tradition altogether.[2] The extent to which Quranists reject the authenticity of the sunnah varies, though the most established groups of Quranism have thoroughly criticised the hadith, the most prevalent being the Quranist claim that the hadith is not mentioned in the Quran as a source of Islamic theology or practise, was not recorded in written form until two centuries after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, contains perceived errors and contradictions, and promotes sectarianism, anti-science, anti-reason, and misogyny.[3][4][5] Quranists also believe that previous revelations of God have been altered, and that the Quran is the only book of God that has valid divine significance.

As they believe that hadith, while not being reliable sources of religion, can serve as historical records, Quranists cite some early Islamic writings in support of their positions, including those attributed to Muhammad, caliph Umar (r. 634–644) and materials dating to the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Modern scholarship holds that controversy over the sufficiency of the Qur'an as the only source of Islamic law and doctrine dates back to the early centuries of Islam, where some scholars introduced followers of the Quran alone as Mu'tazilites or sects of the Kharijites, such as the Haroori and the Azariqa.[6][2][7] Though the Quran-only view waned during the classical Islamic period, it re-emerged and thrived with the modernist thinkers of the 19th century in Egypt and the Indian subcontinent.[6] Quranism has since taken on political, reformist, fundamentalist, and militant dimensions in various countries.

In matters of faith, jurisprudence, and legislation, Quranists differ from Ahl al-Hadith, who consider the hadith (Kutub al-Sittah) in addition to the Quran.[8][9][2] Unlike the Sunni and Shia sects, the Quranist view argues that Islam can be practised without the hadith.[10] Whereas hadith-followers believe that obedience to Muhammad entails obedience to hadiths, Quranists believe that obedience to Muhammad means obedience to the Qur'an.[11][12] In addition, several extra-Qur'anic traditions upheld by Sunnis, such as kissing the Black Stone, the symbolic Stoning of the Devil, and the Tashahhud during the Salah, are regarded as idolatry (shirk) or possible idolatry by Quranists. This methodological difference has led to considerable divergence between Quranists and both Sunnis and Shias in matters of theology and law as well as the understanding of the Quran.[13][14] Despite this, aspects of Quranism have been adopted by non-Quranists, such as some Shia reformist scholars.[15][6][16]

## Terminology

[edit]

"Quranists" (Arabic: القرآنية, romanized: al-Qurʾāniyya)[17] are also referred to as "reformists" or "progressive Muslims" as well as "Quraniyoon" (those who ascribe to the Quran alone).[18]

## Doctrine

[edit]

Quranists believe that the Quran is clear, complete, and that it can be fully understood without recourse to the hadith and sunnah.[19] Therefore, they use the Quran itself to interpret the Quran:[20]

> [A] literal and holistic analysis of the text from a contemporary perspective and applying the exegetical principle of tafsir al-qur'an bi al-qur'an (explaining the Qur'an with the Qur'an) and the jurisprudential principle al-asl fi al-kalam al-haqiqah (the fundamental rule of speech is literalness), without refracting that Qur'anic usage through the lens of history and tradition.[21]

This methodology differs from tafsir bi'r-riwāyah, which is the method of commenting on the Quran using traditional sources, and tafsir al-Qur'an bi-l-Kitab, which refers to interpreting the Qur'an with/through the Bible, generally referred to in quranic studies as the Tawrat and the Injil.[21][22][23]

In the centuries following Muhammad's death, Quranists did not believe in naskh.[24] The Kufan scholar Dirar ibn Amr's Quranist belief led him to deny in the Dajjal, Punishment of the Grave, and Shafa'a in the 8th century.[25] The Egyptian scholar Muhammad Abu Zayd's Quranist commentaries led him to reject the belief in the Isra and Mi'raj in the early 20th century. In his rationalist Quran commentary published in 1930, which uses the Quran itself to interpret the Quran, he claimed that verse 17:1 was an allusion to the Hijrah and not Isra and Mi'raj.[26][27]

Syed Ahmad Khan argued that, while the Quran remained socially relevant, reliance on Hadith limits the vast potential of the Quran to a particular cultural and historical situation.[28]

The extent to which Quranists reject the authority of the Hadith and Sunnah varies,[29] but the more established groups have thoroughly criticised the authority of the Hadith and reject it for many reasons. The most common view being the Quranists who say that Hadith is not mentioned in the Quran as a source of Islamic theology and practice, was not recorded in written form until a century after the death of Muhammad,[30] and contain internal errors and contradictions as well as contradictions with the Quran.[19][29] For Sunni Muslims, the Sunnah, i.e the Sunnah (the way) of the prophet, is one of the two primary sources of Islamic law, and while the Quran has verses enjoining Muslims to obey the Messenger, the Quran never talks about Sunnah in connection with Muhammad or other prophets. The term Sunnah appears several times, including in the phrase sunnat Allah (way of God),[31] but not sunnat al-nabi (way of the prophet) – the phrase customarily used by proponents of hadith.[32]

The concept of tahrif has also been advocated by Quranists such as Rashad Khalifa, who believed that previous revelations of God, such as the Bible, contained contradictions due to human interference.[33] Instead, he believed that the beliefs and practices of Islam should be based on the Quran alone. Another Quranist who believes the Bible contains contradictions is Edip Yüksel.[34][35]

### Differences with mainstream Islam

[edit]

Quranists believe that the Quran is the sole source of religious law and guidance in Islam and reject the authority of sources outside of the Quran like hadith and sunnah. Quranists suggest that vast majority of hadith literature are forged and that the Quran criticizes the hadith both in technical sense and general sense.[36][19][29][37][38][13] Quranists claim that the Sunnis and Shias have distorted the meaning of the verses to support their agenda,[39] especially in verses about women and war.[40][41] Due to these differences in theology, there are differences between traditional Islamic and Quranist practices.

Several extra-Qur'anic traditions upheld by Sunnis, such as kissing the Black Stone, the symbolic Stoning of the Devil, and the Tashahhud during the Salah, are regarded as idolatry (shirk) or possible idolatry by Quranists.[42][43]

#### Shahada (creed)

[edit]

The shahada accepted by a number of Quranists is la ilaha illa'llah ("There is nothing worthy of worship except God").[44][45]

#### Salah (prayer)

[edit]

Quranists pray three times a day; they do not recognize the hadiths that specify five prayers per day.[46][47][48][49][50] The practice of praying five times daily does not appear in the Quran, but the practice originated in hadiths about Muhammad's Isra and Mi'raj.

The blessings for Muhammad and Abraham, which are part of the traditional ritual, are not practiced by most Quranists in the call to prayer and in the prayer itself, arguing that the Quran mentions prayers are only for God, and the Quran tells believers to make no distinction between any messenger.[51]

There are other minor differences: for Quranists, menstruation does not constitute an obstacle to prayer,[52] men and women are allowed to pray together in a mosque and that there is no catching up later once a prayer is missed.[53]

#### Wudu (ablution)

[edit]

Quranist ablution in prayer (wudu) only includes washing the face, hands up to the elbows and stroking the head and feet, since only these steps are mentioned in the Quran 5:6.[45]

#### Zakat (alms tax)

[edit]

In traditional Islam, giving zakat is a religious duty and amounts to 2.5 percent of the annual income. The Quranists give zakat based on the Quranic verses. In the opinion of many Quranists, zakat must be paid, but the Quran does not specify a percentage because it does not appear explicitly in the Quran.[54] Other Quranists are in agreement with the 2.5 percent, but do not give the zakat annually, but from all money they earn.[55]

#### Sawm (fasting)

[edit]

The majority of Quranists fast for all of Ramadan, but do not see the last day of Ramadan as a holy day.[55][56]

#### Hajj (pilgrimage)

[edit]

Extra-Quranic traditions in the hajj, such as kissing or hugging the black stone and the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing stones are rejected and seen as shirk by Quranists.[57][58]

#### Ridda (apostasy)

[edit]

The Quranic verse "there shall be no compulsion/pressure in religion" is taken into account and everyone is allowed to freely decide on their religion.[59][60][56]

#### Polygamy

[edit]

Some Quranist movements allow polygamy only on the condition of the adoption of orphans who have mothers and do not want to lose them, as the concerning verse 4:3 set the condition after the 'Battle of Uhud' where many of the male companions martyred; but other Quranist movements argue that although it is not explicitly banned, polygamy is a thing of the past because the regulations which are contained in the Quran are very strict and they have been fulfilled by almost nobody on Earth, therefore polygamy cannot be practiced anymore. In the extremely rare case in which it may be practiced, there is a strict limit on the number of wives, which is four.[61][62][56]

#### Military Jihad

[edit]

Most Quranist movements interpret the "holy war" as a solely defensive war, because according to them that is the only type of war allowed in the Quran. A war is only "holy" when Muslims are threatened on their own lands. Therefore, unlike the Sunnis and Salafi-Jihadis, for the Quranists "holy war" does not refer to an offensive war against non-Muslim countries or communities in any circumstances.[61][62][56]

#### Food

[edit]

Quranists can eat food which is prepared by Christians and Jews as stated in the Quran,[63] but some Quranists believe that animals which are raised by Christians and Jews should still be blessed before they are eaten. According to Quranists, the Quran forbids the inflicting of pain on the animal during its slaughter, thus for them, the techniques of slaughtering animals in the Western world are illegitimate. Unlike Sunnis, Quranists can eat food with both of their hands, even with their left hands because the Quran does not forbid it.[61][62][56]

#### Dress code

[edit]

Clothing does not play a key role in Quranism. All Quranist movements agree that Islam has no sets of traditional clothing, except for the rules described in the Quran. Therefore, beards and the hijab are not necessary.[61][62][56]

#### Hadith

[edit]

Quranists reject hadith altogether. Some Quranists believe that hadith – while not being reliable sources of religion – can be used as a reference to get an idea on historical events. They argue that there is no harm in using hadith to get a common idea on the history as long as they are not taken as historical facts. According to them, a hadith narration about history can be true or can be false, but a hadith narration adding rulings to religion is always completely false.[64]

#### Tafsir

[edit]

Although there are Quranist tafsir works, for the most part Quranists do not have tafsir and do not think that it is needed. They believe the Quran does not give anyone the authority to interpret because, as stated in Quran, Allah sends guidance individually.[62][61][56]

#### Other

[edit]

The following aspects can be cited as further examples which, compared to traditional Islam, are rejected by Quranists or regarded as irrelevant:[61][62][56]

* Quranists see circumcision as irrelevant; circumcision is not mentioned in the Quran.
* Quranists see Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking the fast) and Eid al-Adha (Islamic festival of sacrifice) as merely cultural holidays, not holy.
* Quranists do not consider the headscarf (hijab) for women to be obligatory.
* Quranists believe cremation is permissible in Islam as there is no prohibition in the Qur'an against cremation, and that burial is not the only Islamic method that is approved by God.
* Quranists are strictly against torture.
* Quranists are strictly against stoning to death of adulterers or homosexuals because stoning is not mentioned in the Quran.
* Quranists reject the prohibition of music and the drawing of creatures or making statues of them, including drawings of the prophets.
* Quranists are against the prohibition for a man to wear gold or silk, to shave his beard, etc.
* Quranists do not consider dogs unclean or to be avoided.
* Quranists do not believe in the Mahdi or the Dajjal, as they are not mentioned in the Quran.

## History

[edit]

### Early Islam

[edit]

Sura al-Baqarah, verses 282–286, from an early Quranic manuscript written on vellum (mid-late 7th century CE)

Quranists date their beliefs back to the time of Muhammad, who they claim prohibited the writing of hadiths.[65][66][67] As they believe that hadith, while not being reliable sources of religion, can be used as a reference to get an idea on historical events, they point out several narrations about early Islam to support their beliefs. According to one of these narrations, Muhammad's companion and the second caliph Umar (r. 634–644) also prohibited the writing of hadith and destroyed existing collections during his reign.[67][68] Similar reports claim when Umar appointed a governor to Kufa, he told him: "You will be coming to the people of a town for whom the buzzing of the Qur'an is as the buzzing of bees. Therefore, do not distract them with the Hadiths, and thus engage them. Bare the Qur'an and spare the Hadith from God's messenger!".[67]

Modern scholarship holds that controversy over the sufficiency of the Qur'an as the only source of Islamic law and doctrine dates back to the early centuries of Islam, where some scholars introduced followers of the Quran alone as Mu'tazilites or the Kharijite sect, the Haroori.[6][2]

Some of the Kharijites rejected the punishment of adultery with stoning.[69][70] Although the Qur'an does not prescribe this penalty, Sunnis hold that such a verse existed in the Qur'an, which was then abrogated. A hadith is ascribed to Umar, asserting the existence of this verse in the Qur'an.[71] These Kharijites rejected the authenticity of such a verse.[69] The heresiographer al-Ash'ari attributed this position to the Kharijite sect, the Azariqa,[7] who held a strict scripturalist position in legal matters (i.e. following only the Qur'an and rejecting commonly held views if they had no Qur'anic basis), and thus also refused to enforce legal punishment on slanderers when the slander was targeted at a male.[72]

### Umayyad period

[edit]

The centrality of the Quran in the religious life of the Kufans that Umar described was quickly changing, however. A few decades later, a letter was sent to the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (r. 685–705) regarding the Kufans: "They abandoned the judgement of their Lord and took hadiths for their religion; and they claim that they have obtained knowledge other than from the Koran ... They believed in a book which was not from God, written by the hands of men; they then attributed it to the Messenger of God."[73]

In the following years, the taboo against the writing and following of hadiths had receded to such an extent that the eighth Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (r. 717–720) ordered the first official collection of Hadith. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Hazm and Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, were among those who wrote Hadiths at Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz's behest.[30]

### Abbasid period

[edit]

Despite the trend towards hadiths, the questioning of their authority continued during the Abbasid dynasty and existed during the time of al-Shafi'i, when a group known as ahl al-kalam argued that the prophetic example of Muhammad "is found in following the Quran alone", rather than Hadith.[74][75] The majority of Hadith, according to them, was mere guesswork, conjecture, and bid'a, while the book of God was complete and perfect, and did not require the Hadith to supplement or complement it.[76] There were prominent scholars who rejected traditional hadith like Dirar ibn Amr. He wrote a book titled The Contradiction Within Hadith. However, the tide had changed from the earlier centuries to such an extent that Dirar was beaten up and had to remain in hiding until his death.[77] Like Dirar ibn Amr, the scholar Abu Bakr al-Asamm also had little use for hadiths.[78]

Under the Abbasid caliph Al-Ma'mun (r. 813-833), the adherents of Kalam were favoured and the supporters of Hadith were dealt harshly. Al-Ma'mun was inclined towards rational inquiry in religious matters, supported the proponents of Kalam and persecuted the adherents of Hadith. His two immediate successors, Al-Mu'tasim (r. 833-842) and Al-Wathiq (r. 842-847), followed his policies. Unlike his three predecessors, Al-Mutawakkil (r. 847-861) was not inclined to rational inquiry in religious matters, and strove to bolster the Hadith as a necessary source of the Sunnah.[79]

### 19th century

[edit]

Though the Quran-only view waned during the classical Islamic period, it re-emerged and thrived with the modernist thinkers of the 19th century in Egypt and the Indian subcontinent.[6]

In South Asia during the 19th century, the Ahl-i Quran movement formed partially in reaction to the Ahl-i Hadith whom they considered to be placing too much emphasis on Hadith.[80] Many Ahl-i Quran adherents from South Asia were formerly adherents of Ahle Hadith but found themselves incapable of accepting certain hadiths.[80] Abdullah Chakralawi, Khwaja Ahmad Din Amritsari, Chiragh Ali, and Aslam Jairajpuri were among the people who promulgated Quranist beliefs in India at the time.[80]

### 20th century

[edit]

In Egypt during the early 20th century, the ideas of Quranists like Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi grew out of the reformist ideas of Muhammad Abduh, specifically a rejection of taqlid and an emphasis on the Quran.[81][80] Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi of Egypt "held that nothing of the Hadith was recorded until after enough time had elapsed to allow the infiltration of numerous absurd or corrupt traditions."[82] Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi wrote an article titled al-Islam Huwa ul-Qur'an Wahdahu ('Islam is the Qur'an Alone) that appeared in the Egyptian journal Al-Manar, which argues that the Quran is sufficient as guidance:[83]

> What is obligatory for man does not go beyond God's Book. If anything other than the Qur'an had been necessary for religion, the Prophet would have commanded its registration in writing, and God would have guaranteed its preservation.

— Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi

Like some of their counterparts in Egypt such as Muhammad Abu Zayd and Ahmed Subhy Mansour, some reformist scholars in Iran who adopted Quranist beliefs came from traditional institutions of higher learning. Shaykh Hadi Najmabadi, Mirza Rida Quli Shari'at-Sanglaji, Mohammad Sadeqi Tehrani, and Ayatollah Borqei were educated in traditional Shia universities in Najaf and Qom. However, they believed that some beliefs and practices that were taught in these universities, such as the veneration of Imamzadeh and a belief in Raj'a, were irrational and superstitious and had no basis in the Quran.[15] And rather than interpreting the Quran through the lens of hadith, they interpreted the Quran with the Quran (tafsir al-qur'an bi al-qur'an). These reformist beliefs provoked criticism from traditional Shia scholars like Ayatollah Khomeini, who attempted to refute the criticisms made by Sanglaji and other reformists in his book Kashf al-Asrar.[15][16][84] Quran-centered beliefs have also spread among Muslims like Iranian American, Ali Behzadnia, who became Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare and acting Minister of Education shortly after the Iranian Revolution. He has criticized the government in Iran for being undemocratic and totally alien to the "Islam of the Quran".[85]

The "Ankara School" was characterised by historical criticism and a revivification of Mu'tazilite rationality. The origin of its approach is traced to the 1980s, when Edip Yüksel, invoking critical hadith studies to question the reliability of the sunnah's transmission, proposed a Quran-only formula.[86]

Quranism also took on a political dimension in the 20th century when Muammar al-Gaddafi declared the Quran to be the constitution of Libya.[87] Gaddafi asserted the transcendence of the Quran as the sole guide to Islamic governance and the unimpeded ability of every Muslim to read and interpret it. He had begun to attack the religious establishment and several fundamental aspects of Sunnism. He purged the ulama in mid-1978, and questioned the authenticity of the hadith, and thereby the sunna, as a basis for Islamic law. Gaddafi was also critical of the various schools of jurisprudence, such as the Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali, charging that they are the product of a struggle for political power and unconnected with either Islam or the Quran.[88]

Quranism also took on a militant dimension in the 20th century, with the Yan Tatsine movement, founded by Mohammed Marwa, better known by his nickname Maitatsine, which publicly adopted the slogan "Qur'an only" as the foundation of the religion.[89][90]

## Around the world

[edit]

Diagram showing the branches of Sunnism, Shi'ism, Ibadism, Quranism, Non-denominational Muslims, Ahmadiyya and Sufism[citation needed]

In the 21st century, Qur'anist rejection of the hadith has gained traction among modernist Muslims who want to throw out any hadith that they believe contradicts the Qur'an. Both modernist Muslims and Qur'anists believe that the problems in the Islamic world come partly from the traditional elements of the hadith and seek to reject those teachings.[91] Rejecting the hadith has become a growing trend in the Middle East and North Africa, such as in Egypt and Morocco.[92]

According to Dr. Aisha Y. Musa, Quranists in Egypt and elsewhere have stirred heated discussions in the Muslim world.[93] Quranism has been criticised by Sunnis and Shias. The Sunni belief is that "the Quran needs the Sunnah more than the Sunnah needs the Quran".[10] The Sunni and Shia establishment argues that Islam can not be practised without hadith. Sunnis have often described Quranists as Khawarij.[94][95]

### Egypt

[edit]

In Egypt, Quranists are a religious minority.[96] The Quranist intellectual trend began in 1977, when Quranists took the initiative to debunk Sahih al-Bukhari and its assumed sanctification inside Al-Azhar Mosque.[97] Quranists who have been vocal in their criticism of hadiths include Ahmed Subhy Mansour, Ibrahim Eissa, Islaam Behery, Khaled Muntaser, and Ahmed Abdo Maher.[98][99]

### India

[edit]

Quranism gained a significant following in India in the 19th century. The movement introduced by Syed Ahmad Khan was the most influential and coordinated effort in the formation of Quranism. Another ground for the creation of Quranism was opposition to Ahl al-Hadith. Another influential Quranist during this period was Chirag Ali. Two movements started in the Indian subcontinent after the publication of Ahmad Khan's and Chirag Ali's beliefs. The center of the first movement was in Lahore, led by Abdullah Chakralawi.[100] Chakralawi founded the Ahl al-Quran movement, which has been described by Aziz Ahmad and Dietrich Reetz as a "fundamentalist splinter group of Ahl-i-Hadith" while Francis Robinson has described it as puritanical.[101] Alongside his criticism of hadiths, Chakralawi opposed Sufism and vehemently condemned the shrine-based practices and piri-muridi traditions of the time.[102]

Chakralawi established a Quranist mosque with the financial assistance of his disciple Shaykh Muhammad Chittu (d. 1911) in Lahore.[103] Mohammad Ramadan was a student of Chakralawi who established the Quranist sect "Omaht Moslem" and the Quranist institution "Ahl al- Zekr va al-Quran". Another Quranist sect in Amritsar was founded by Khajeh Ahmad ad-Din Amritsari, who later founded the "Omeh Moslemeh Association" in Lahore.[104]

In 2024, the Quranist population in India was estimated to be one million.[105]

### Morocco

[edit]

In Morocco, rejecting the hadith has become a growing trend. Quranists who have been vocal in their criticism of hadiths include Ahmed Assid, Mohamed Lamsiah, and Rachid Aylal.[106]

### Niger and Nigeria

[edit]

Kala Kato is a Quranist movement based in Niger and northern Nigeria. Kala Kato leaders established a mosque in Kaduna.[107] In 2009, they engaged in skirmishes with Nigerian police at Zango village on the outskirts of Bauchi, resulting in the deaths of 38 people.[108] Similar cases occurred in Maiduguri in 2004.[109] In Niger, Sunni imams have urged the government to suppress Kala Kato, who have been described as militant.[110][111]

Previously in Nigeria, Quranism took on a militant dimension, with the Yan Tatsine movement, founded by Mohammed Marwa, better known by his nickname Maitatsine, which publicly adopted the slogan "Qur'an only" as the foundation of the religion.[112][113]

### Pakistan

[edit]

Quranists are present in Pakistan. In 1920, the Lahore High Court gave legitimacy to the Ahl al-Quran group as a Muslim sect.[114]

### Russia

[edit]

In 2018, the Russian Council of Muftis issued a fatwa that, contrary to its apparent intent, contained statements supportive of Quran-centric views. The fatwa, ostensibly aimed at defending Sunnah, actually criticized hadith-centrism and emphasized the primacy of the Quran. It suggested that an ideal Islamic society could be built solely on Quranic teachings, without the need for hadiths. This unexpected stance from a major Islamic authority in Russia sparked debate within the Muslim community, with some praising the fatwa's Quran-centric approach while others, particularly hadith-centrists, expressed concern over its implications for traditional Islamic scholarship.[115]

### Saudi Arabia

[edit]

In 2023, in a major departure from Wahhabism, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the establishment of an authority in Medina to scrutinise uses of the hadith that are used by preachers and jurists to support teachings and edicts on all aspects of life. According to Khmer Times, the reforms of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) have been influenced by the Ahl al-Quran group.[116]

Previously, in 2018, Saudi Quranist scholar Hassan al-Maliki was arrested and charged with capital crimes for his political views, opposition to the more strict Saudi Wahhabi ideology, and for promoting ideas that have been described as "Quranist", "moderate", "tolerant".[117][118][119][120] Other Saudi intellectuals, like Abd al-Rahman al-Ahdal, continue to advocate for the abandonment of hadith and a return to the Quran.[121]

### Sudan

[edit]

In 2015, Quranist men in Sudan were imprisoned and sentenced to death for recognizing the Quran and rejecting the Hadith. After being arrested for more than five weeks, the men were released on bail.[122][123]

### Syria

[edit]

There is a Quranist community within Syria, whose early documentation began forming in the 19th century and followed the teachings set forth by the Indian theologian Syed Ahmad Khan and then spread to Syria soon afterwards via intermediary pilgrims. However, Quranist adherents precede these 19th century developments in the form of Mu'tazilites such as Ibrahim al-Nazzam, who lived for some period in these environs. Contemporary adherents of Quranism in Syria have included Muhammad Shahrur.[124]

### Turkey

[edit]

In Turkey, Quranist ideas became particularly noticeable,[125][126] with portions of the youth either leaving Sunni Islam or converting to Quranism.[127] There has been significant Quranist scholarship in Turkey, with there being even Quranist theology professors in significant universities, including scholars like Yaşar Nuri Öztürk[128] and Caner Taslaman.[129]

The "Ankara School" was characterised by historical criticism and a revivification of Mu'tazilite rationality. The origin of its approach is traced to the 1980s, when Edip Yüksel, invoking critical hadith studies to question the reliability of the sunnah's transmission, proposed a Quran-only formula.[130]

Quranists have responded to the criticisms of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) with arguments and challenged them to a debate.[131]

## Notable organizations

[edit]

### Association Internationale des Musulmans Coraniques (AIMC)

[edit]

The Association Internationale des Musulmans Coraniques (AIMC), or International Association of Quranic Muslims is a Quranist organisation founded by the Tunisian author, professor, and Islamologist Mohamed Talbi.[132][133] The organisation aims to promote Quranism and counter the preaching of Salafism and Wahhabism.[132]

### Izgi Amal

[edit]

Main article: Izgi Amal

İzgi amal (Kazakh: Ізгі амал) is a Quranist organization in Kazakhstan. It has an estimated 70 to 80 thousand members. Its leader, Aslbek Musin, is the son of the former Speaker of the Majlis, Aslan Musin.[134][135]

> The first true Quranist was the Prophet Muhammad, who did not follow anything except the Qur'an. Quranists are not a new direction in this respect.

— Aslbek Musin

### Kala Kato

[edit]

Main article: Kala Kato

Kala Kato is a Quranist movement whose adherents reside mostly northern Nigeria,[136] with some adherents residing in Niger.[137] Kala Kato means a "man says" in the Hausa language, in reference to the sayings, or hadiths, posthumously attributed to Muhammad. Kala Kato accept only the Quran as authoritative and believe that anything that is not Kala Allah, which means what "God says" in the Hausa language, is Kala Kato.[138]

### Quran Sunnat Society

[edit]

The Quran Sunnat Society is a Quranist movement in India. The movement was behind the first ever woman to lead mixed-gender congregational prayers in India.[139] It maintains an office and headquarters within Kerala.[140] There is a large community of Quranists in Kerala.[141] One of its leaders, Jamida Beevi, has also spoken out against India's triple talaq law which is mostly based on the Sunni inspired Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937.[142] The most prominent predecessor to the Quran Sunnat Society in India was from the views put forth by Ahmed Khan in the 19th century. [143]

### Tolu-e-Islam

[edit]

Main article: Tolu-e-Islam (organization)

The movement was initiated by Ghulam Ahmed Pervez.[144][145][146][147] Ghulam Ahmed Pervez did not reject all hadiths; however, he accepted only hadiths that "are in accordance with the Quran or do not stain the character of the Prophet or his companions".[148] The organization publishes and distributes books, pamphlets, and recordings of Pervez's teachings.[148] Tolu-e-Islam does not belong to any political party, nor does it belong to any religious group or sect.

### United Submitters International

[edit]

In the United States, at the end of the 20th century, the Egyptian Quranist biochemist Rashad Khalifa, who is known as the discoverer of the Quran code (Code 19), which is a hypothetical mathematical code in the Quran, developed a theological doctrine that influenced Quranists in many other countries. With the aid of computers, he performed a numerical analysis of the Quran that, according to his claims, demonstrated its divine origin. [149] The number 19, which is mentioned in chapter 74 of the Quran as being "one of the greatest miracles" played the fundamental role,[150] which according to Khalifa can be found everywhere in the structure of the Quran.[151] Some objected to these beliefs and, in 1990, Khalifa was assassinated by someone associated with the Sunni group Jamaat ul-Fuqra.[152]

The organization "United Submitters International" (USI) founded by Khalifa has its center in Tucson and has published a monthly newsletter with the title "Submitter's Perspective" since 1985.[153] The movement popularized the phrase: "The Quran, the whole Quran, and nothing but the Quran."[19] Among those influenced by Khalifa's ideas include Edip Yüksel,[152] Ahmad Rashad,[154] and Nigerian High Court Judge, Isa Othman.[155]

A Turkish (of Kurdish descent) activist, Edip Yüksel, initially campaigned for a Quranist-Islamic revolution in Turkey, which is why he was imprisoned.[156] Later he met Khalifa and joined the organisation after witnessing the "19 miracle".[157] In 1989 he had to leave the country because of this and joined the headquarters in Tucson.[158] Yüksel and two other authors created their own translation of the Quran.[159] In some points, however, his views differ from those of Khalifa.[160]

## Notable individuals

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (May 2021)

|

Individuals with full or partial Quranistic ideas include:

* Mohammad Sadeqi Tehrani (1926-2011), Iranian Shia thinker who followed a Quranist approach in his legal ways.[6] He studied in seminaries of Qum, Iran under Ruhollah Khomeini and Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i.[161]
* Kassim Ahmad (1933–2017), Malaysian intellectual, writer, poet and an educator known for his rejection of the authority of hadiths.[162][163] He was the founder of the Quranic Society of Malaysia.[164] At the time of his death, he was working on a Malay translation of the Quran.[165]
* Muammar Gaddafi (1942 – 20 October 2011), Libyan revolutionary, politician and political theorist. He governed Libya as the "Brotherly Leader" of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya until 2011. He ruled according to his own Third International Theory.[87][88]
* Gamal al-Banna (1920–2013), Egyptian author and trade unionist.[166]
* Muhammad Shahrur (1938-2019), Syrian philosopher and author.[167][168]
* Mustafa İslamoğlu (born 1960), Turkish theologian, poet and writer. He was criticised in Turkey and received threats for his ideas that promoted logic above tradition and denying the authority of hadith,[169] who he saw to be fabricated.[170]
* Rashad Khalifa (1935–1990), Egyptian-American biochemist, professor doctor, theologian, computer expert and Islamic reformer. In his book Quran, Hadith and Islam and his English translation of the Quran, Khalifa argued that the Quran alone is the sole source of Islamic belief and practice.[19] He claimed that the Quran had a code-system based on the number 19 which proved it's divinity. One of his students included Ahmad Rashad (born 1949), who studied the Arabic language and the Quran with Khalifa.[154][171]
* Hassan al-Maliki (born 1970), a Saudi Arabian writer, historian and scholar.[118][119]
* Ahmed Subhy Mansour (born 1949), Egyptian-American Islamic scholar.[172][173]
* Chekannur Maulavi (born 1936), Islamic cleric who lived in Edappal in Malappuram district of Kerala, India. He was noted for his controversial and unconventional interpretation of Islam based on the Quran alone.[174]
* Yaşar Nuri Öztürk (1951–2016), Turkish university professor of Islamic theology, lawyer, columnist and a former member of Turkish parliament.[175][176][177][178] Öztürk died in 2016, due to stomach cancer.[179]
* Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi (1881–1920),[180] Egyptian scholar and physician who focused on criticising hadith as a whole religiously from the Quran as well as based on hadithic pseudo-scientific claims on medicine.[181][182]
* Mohamed Talbi (1921–2017), Tunisian historian and professor. He was the founder of the Association Internationale des Musulmans Coraniques (AIMC), or International Association of Quranic Muslims.[132][133]
* Caner Taslaman (born 1968), Turkish academician and writer known for his works on The Big Bang theory and the scientific structure of the Quran.[183]
* Edip Yüksel (born 1957), Turkish philosopher, lawyer, Quranist advocate, author of Nineteen: God's Signature in Nature and Scripture, Manifesto for Islamic Reform and a co-author of Quran: A Reformist Translation. He taught philosophy and logic at Pima Community College and medical ethics and criminal law courses at Brown Mackie College.[66][184]

## See also

[edit]

* Liberalism and progressivism within Islam
* Islamic schools and branches
* Sola scriptura, an analogous doctrine within Christianity
* Karaite Judaism, an analogous movement within Judaism

## References

[edit]

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## Further reading

[edit]

* Aisha Y. Musa, Hadith as Scripture: Discussions on the Authority of Prophetic Traditions in Islam, New York: Palgrave, 2008. ISBN 0-230-60535-4.
* Ali Usman Qasmi, Questioning the Authority of the Past: The Ahl al-Qur'an Movements in the Punjab, Oxford University Press, 2012. ISBN 0-195-47348-5.
* Daniel Brown, Rethinking Tradition in Modern Islamic Thought, Cambridge University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-521-65394-0.

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