Are you a Muslim (Submitter) or a Mu'min (Believer)?

The above question may seem 'irrelevant' for most people who follow the Quran, but by the end of this article (God Willing) you will realize just how important it is to know what is required of you by the Almighty.

The terms 'Muslim' & 'Mumin' are used interchangeably by Islamic societies and almost everyone who is a 'Muslim' is also regarded as a 'Mumin' by their standards.

“Do they not ponder the Quran?. Or do they have locks on their hearts?” (47:24)

This article briefly presents a reply to the commonly held belief in many faiths that it is God (Allah) who has pre-determined the fate of people, and whatever good or bad happens to them in life is not a result of their own actions but was pre-written for them in their fate. If people are astray, then it is God to blame for that as well, according to this widely held notion in various Religions.

Some time ago we received the following question by e-mail, and it indicates that some people can arrive at this conclusion superficially reading some Quranic passages.

This word that most people are willing to die for, that wars have been fought over, that people have been persecuted and isolated for…Is something most people don’t really know much about!

As amazing as that sounds, it is absolutely true. Different people have different understanding of the word ‘religion’.

• Some think it is a ‘club’ which only the ‘chosen ones belong’;
• Some think it is ‘mandatory’ on all people (even children);
• Some think it is ‘for the poor’ to give them hope;
• Some think it is ‘just rituals’ and has no real significance in real life.

"We have sent down to you a scripture containing your message. Do you not understand?" (Qur’an 21:10)

When we read the stories of previous generations as related in The Qur’an, most of us are unable to relate to them thinking that they are 'tales from the past' which no longer have any significance in our age of science & technology.

"We narrate to you the best narration's through the revelation of this Reading (Quran). Before this, you were totally unaware." (Qur’an 12:3)

2:31. And He taught Adam the names of all things, then He displayed them to those given control and said: "Inform Me the names of these things if you were truthful."

That the Qur'an is a monumentally well-integrated Book must be borne in mind when attempting tafseer (explanation), and this becomes amazingly evident in examination of the last two Suras of the Qur'an, Al-Falaq and Al-Nass.

One would think that peacefulness doesn't need an introduction. Under ideal circumstances people who read the title would anticipate most, if not all, of what will come next just from the title. Unfortunately, the evident lack of peacefulness amongst humankind may require at least a brief introduction.

Those who will read the title and anticipate what I am talking about will recognize that this is about understanding the meaning of the word "islam". The conclusion is in the title. This article will explain how this conclusion was reached and will explore some astonishing implications.

In the previous study (see “FREE CHOICE”), a basic and straightforward logical analysis was conducted on the Quranic verses relating to The GOD’s will.

Many people in the past and probably each one of us have asked this question at one point or another. The question is whether human beings are predestined or possess free will.