Most Muslims consider that there are three essential parts to Islamic law: The Quran, the Sunnah and the Hadiths:

● The Quran is the revelation received by the prophet Muhammad.

● The Sunnah is a collection of the recorded words, deeds and observations of the prophet Muhammad.

● The Hadith is a collection of six books of stories told by others about the life of Muhammad.

The memorization, interpretation and application of these texts keep Muslim scholars well occupied.

Quranists, also called “Submitters”, however, are a movement in Islam who believe that the Quran is the only source for religious law and guidance in Islam, and they reject the authority of the Hadith and the Sunnah. While they appreciate the role of the prophet Muhammad in the revelation of the Quran, they do not believe it is necessary or even valid to use the Sunnah or the Hadith to help with interpreting its words.

Quranists are critical of the practice of what they think is inappropriate veneration of Muhammad by Muslims. They believe that mainstream Muslims show idolatry in their reverence for him and they do not include him in the traditional Shahadah (declaration of faith).

Most Muslims view Quranists as misguided or even heretics who reject a major portion of Islamic doctrine—the importance of the prophet Muhammad as a role model and living example of Islam in daily life. Quranist ideology started in the time of Muhammad but gained more popularity in the 20th century. There are Quranist societies in most regions with a large Muslim population, where they are tolerated to varying degrees.

IDEAS FOR PRAYER

1. QURANISTS look for truth in the Quran. Pray that they will see Jesus in the text and pursue more of Him.

2. PRAY Proverbs 3:5–6 for “Submitters”.

3. PRAY THAT God will bless these Muslims who are earnestly seeking a clear source of guidance and revelation.