Whether you have heard the usage of the words “Submitters” and “Submission” in religious context before, if you do not know exactly what they mean, you are not alone. But we hope that this is the right time for you to check out their true meaning. You may be surprised to find out that you have actually been a Submitter all your life but have not realized you were one, God willing, until you read this article.
Although the word “Submitter” is the English equivalent of the Arabic word “Muslim,” and the word “Submission” is the English equivalent of the Arabic word “Islam,” the underlying implication of these words is very profound, and far from the superficial meanings that are traditionally understood or used.
A Submitter can be defined as a person who submits to the will of God. The state of Submission, which can only take place between the person and God Almighty, is considered to be the only acceptable form of worship by God. (3:19, 85). Therefore, Submission is not just a name of a religion; rather it describes one’s devotion to God alone.
Submission is a religion whereby one recognizes God’s absolute authority, and reaches a conviction that only God possesses all power; no other entity possesses any power that is independent of Him. The natural result of such a realization is to devote one’s life and one’s worship absolutely to God alone. This is the First Commandment in all the scriptures, including the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Final Testament (The Quran).
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is One God!
Therefore you shall adore
the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
[Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:29-30, Quran 3:18]
The commandment to worship God alone is also found in the Hindu scriptures:
Let us meditate on God,
His glorious attributes,
who is the basis of everything in this universe as its Creator,
who is fit to be worshiped
as Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient
and self existent conscious being,
who removes all ignorance
and impurities from the mind
and purifies and sharpens the intellect.
[Gayatri Mantra, Yajur Veda]
While every religion has been corrupted by innovations, traditions, and false, idolatrous doctrines, there may be “Submitters” within every religion. There may be Submitters who call themselves Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anything else. This is a concept some of the traditional Muslims will fiercely object to, even though it is in the Quran, and we experience it constantly.
They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture, there are those who are righteous. They recite GOD’s revelations through the night, and they fall prostrate. [3:113]
One of the reasons for this objection could be due to the implication of the terminology used. For example, the phrase “Christian Submitter” may seem to introduce a conflict, since the traditional definition of a Christian is one who believes in the divinity of Christ. However, there are Christians who consider this idea to be blasphemous, and consequently they believe that Jesus was only a messenger of God. Similarly, there are people in other religions who believe in God Almighty, believe that they are accountable for their works, and they are righteous. A criterion of the true Submitters is that they will find nothing objectionable in the basic Quranic teachings when they encounter them.
All these people are Submitters, and they collectively constitute the only religion acceptable to God.
Say, “We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters.” [3:84]
There are many more people out there who are Submitters in heart, but we may not be aware of them. Furthermore, they themselves may not know where to fit in. How can one know if he or she might qualify to be called a Submitter? The minimum criteria to be a Submitter are given in the following verses.
Surely, those who believe,
those who are Jewish,
the Christians,
and the converts;
anyone who
(1) believes in GOD, and
(2) believes in the Last Day, and
(3) leads a righteous life,
will receive their recompense from their Lord.
They have nothing to fear,
nor will they grieve.
[Quran 2:62, 5:69]
The Submitters have set up non-profit organizations over the years so that they can work in the cause of God more efficiently.
ICS, the International Community of Submitters, and USI, the United Submitters International, are non-profit organizations that were initiated for this purpose. Masjid Tucson is the masjid (or mosque) for the Community of the Submitters in Tucson.
The Submitters follow the religion of Abraham (16:123). It was the religion of Moses and Jesus and Muhammad. It was the religion of all of the prophets and messengers. All of them were Submitters to God, and God alone.
We are not a professional religious group or organization. Our aim is to encourage people to worship God alone and guide them to the truth in His scripture. To be a Submitter, you do not need any membership, nor do you have to pay any dues. If you are a Submitter, then you are our brother or sister. There is also no formal process of becoming a Submitter. In God’s system of Submission (Islam), there is no clergy system so you don’t need to report to or take any formal `religious approval’ from anyone to be a Submitter. Once you decide to embrace Submission – worship God alone and follow His commands - you are already on your way. The criteria to be a Submitter are already defined in God's scripture and He knows best who is a Submitter.
Submission to God alone is a personal relationship between you and God. You are answerable to Him directly and He alone will judge you. To be a Submitter, you do not need to change your name or learn another language, or abandon your cultural identity or anything like that. There is no such thing as a 'Muslim or Submitter name' because your name does not affect your relationship with God.
Submitters are members of one family. They are allies of one another. They help and support each other as God and His angels help and support them. They are also united in one column when striving in the cause of God.
It is a known fact that all religions of the world—Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others—have been corrupted one way or another through innovations, traditions, and the idolization of humans such as the prophets and the saints. Many people use religion to justify wars, terrorism, tyranny, and for economic and political gain.
The Submitters follow God’s revelations, and obey God’s commandments as well as they can. They follow the truth from their Lord, not corrupted religions and man-made doctrines.
As Submitters, we believe that Submission today is like a precious jewel that is buried under piles upon piles of man-made innovations. Our aim is to purge these innovations by upholding only God’s revelations, and present the jewel of true Submission to the world. It is time for Submitters from all religions to come out and support each other to preach the true message of God and join the fight against the corruptions of their religions.
Say, “O followers of the scripture, let us come to a logical agreement between us and you: that we shall not worship except GOD; that we never set up any idols besides Him, nor set up any human beings as lords beside GOD.” If they turn away, say, “Bear witness that we are submitters.” [3:64]
If you want to be part of history in the making, you can join us in our cause. Just drop us a note and ask to be on the mailing list for our newsletter. Also, if you know any other people whom you think may benefit from the web site, please pass the word to them. God bless.
We are not trying to convert anyone, but only to present the true Islam (Submission) to the world. God specifically states in the Quran that: 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. [2:256]
If you would like to read more about Submission and God's message in Quran, we recommend you start with an Introduction.