Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, During the past fourteen centuries, traditions, customs, superstitions and innovations have crept into Islam. Gradually, these innovations came to be vested with religious solemnity to such an extent that anyone who questions them find HIMSELF regarded as the dangerous innovator and heretic. Islam (Submission to God) today is like a precious jewel that is buried under piles upon piles of man-made innovations. If we can rid our minds of the traditions, innovations, superstitions, and inherited ideas that were injected into our religion, and return to God and His messenger, we would realize that the present decline of the Muslim Ummah is the direct result of disobeying the Prophet. Consider the following words that came out of the prophet Muhammad's mouth. The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in GOD, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: "We make no distinction among any of His messengers." They say, "We hear, and we obey. Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny." [Quran 2:285] Do the Muslims obey this powerful injunction that "We shall not make any distinction among God's messengers"? Do they say, "We hear and we obey"? "Anyone who disobeys GOD and His messenger has deserved the retribution of Hell, wherein they abide forever." [Quran 72:23] Despite severe differences that plague the Muslim Ummah – Sectarian, tribal, political and economic differences – even military conflicts and vicious wars – there is one thing that the Muslims unanimously agree upon: That the Qur'an is the word of God that was uttered by the final Prophet Muhammad. We must return to obeying the prophet Muhammad. We must return to obeying the Quran. References: To Save The Muslim Ummah, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/1985/feb/page1.html Quran, Hadith and Islam, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/qhi/ Are "Muslims" really Muslims? http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/are_muslims_really_muslims.html Peace.