Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

From time to time, in different parts of the world, one sees a rise in aversion towards "Islam". Part of it may be due to unawareness of what God's religion says, while part may be due to misinformation from the corrupted idelogies of some so-called Islamic "scholars" (Quran 42:21). For example, there is concern that the Quran preaches forced conversion. However, the truth is we are absolutely free to believe or disbelieve in God. It is God's will that we will (Quran 18:29, 25:57, 73:19, 74:37, 76:29, 78:39, 80:12). Unlike what is traditionally believed, the religion of Submission (Islam in Arabic) does *not* impose belief on anyone. There is no compulsion in religion (Quran 2:256).

[Quran 73:19] This is a reminder; whoever wills, let him choose the path to his Lord.

     No Compulsion in Religion
[Quran 2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.


If God wanted to, He could have willed that everyone believe (10:99-101). Almighty God has the power to make humans do anything He wants. But God does not want robots. He created us with the gift of freedom built into us. Since God gave His creatures the freedom to believe (or disbelieve), we humans cannot take it away from anyone even if they were to use this gift to disbelieve in God and ignore the natural instinct of monotheism (Quran 30:30). Freedom of religion is God's law.


References:
Freedom to Believe, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/1999/jun/page1.html
What Price A Great Nation, http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix36.html
Introduction, http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/introduction.html

Peace.