Quranism may refer to a number of sects or forms of Islam that accepts the Quran as the only sacred text, rejecting the authority or authenticity of the Hadith collections.
Quranists (or Quranites) believe that the Prophet Muhammad left a clear and complete message in the Quran and that it can be interpreted properly without reference to the Hadith. Most Quranists consider the Hadith to be unreliable, as it was written three centuries after the death of the Prophet.
The extent to which Quranists reject the authenticity of the Sunnah varies from group to group, but most have questioned the authority of the Hadith, as it was not put into writing until two or three centuries after the death of the Prophet, and they can point to contradictions between the Hadith and the Quran.
Quranism has its roots in the time of the Prophet Muhammad. Ibrahim an-Nazzam, a poet, theologian, and jurist, founded a madhhab called the Nazzamiyya, during the Abbasid Caliphate, which relied solely on the Quran. His student, al-Jahiz, was also critical of Muslims who gave credence to the Hadiths, referring to them as contemptible.
In modern times, Quranist through came from Salafism, as a rejection of taqlid, which refers to the conformity of one teaching to another.
Contemporary Quranist organizations include Ahle Qur'an, the Submitters, Kala Kato, the Qur'an Sunnat Society, and the Malaysian Quranic Society. Websites whose topics are focused on either of these, or other Quranic organizations that have not been mentioned here, are appropriate for this category or its subcategories.
Ahle Qur'an was formed by Abdullah Chakralawi, who referred to the Quran as the most perfect hadith, insisting that it didn't need any additions. The Ahle Qur'an movement relies solely on the chapters and verses of the Quran.
The Submitters organized as the United Submitters International, and are associated with Rashad Khalifa. They are a reformist Islamic community that considers the Quran to be the only authentic and authoritative source of Islamic teachings and rejects any additions such as the Hadith and Sunnah. Khalifa was assassinated in 1990, but the organization remains active.
Kala Kato is a Nigerian Quranist organization that is most active in the Samburu region of the ancient Nigerian city of Zaria. The view of Kala Kato adherents is not that they don't believe in Hadiths, but that they don't use the Hadiths as a guide for worship.
The Qur'an Sunnat Society is an Indian Quranist movement headquartered in Kerala.
The Malaysian Quranic Society was founded by Kassim Ahmad, a writer, and theologian, who wrote two books in Malay that criticized the role of Hadith, and urged Muslims to return to the Quran alone. The Malaysian Quranic Society also opposes the veneration of the Prophet Muhammad, and does not accept that hair is part of the awrah, which relaxes the observance of the hajib for Muslim women.
Topics related to any of these organizations or other Quranic Islamic organizations are appropriate for this category or its subcategories.
Recommended Resources
Founded by Dr. Ahmed Subhy Mansour, the IQC seeks to advance the letter and spirit of the Quran, offering a focus on the consistency between the word of God, democracy, and human rights. The location and an introduction to the center are put forth, and administrative contacts are included. A free copy of the English translation of the Quran is available on request, delivered in book format within the United States and in PDF format elsewhere.
http://www.thequranists.org/
Not affiliated with any organized group, the site is created and maintained by a group of individuals who share the belief that God alone should be worshipped, following the Quran alone, as the only source of reference. Several informational articles are published to the site, along with references to other Quranic-based websites, blogs, social media pages, or articles promoting Islam using the Quran alone.
http://muslimsforallah.com/
Presented for United Submitters International, the Authorized English Quran may be viewed online or purchased in book form. Other resources include a random Quranic verse generator, several informational videos, and access to the archive of “Submitter’s Perspective,” a monthly newsletter produced by Dr. Rashad Khalifa from 1985 to 1990. The Islamic prayers are outlined, including citations from the Quran.
http://www.quranalone.com/
Maintained by an Islamic group that refers to itself simply as Muslim, denying affiliation with any named sect or denomination, the group espouses Islam based on the Qur’an alone, referring to the Hadiths as the cancer of Islam. Articles on various topics of Islamic thought are presented, as well as other issues, such as genetically modified organisms, prophecy, women’s dress codes, Halal meat, and Holy days.
https://www.quranaloneislam.net/
Looking back on the time when the Prophet Muhammad reigned, and the period of the Four Caliphs that followed it, as a period of true Islam, the site refutes the addition of hadiths, and particularly those that clash with the sayings of the Prophet. Citing the words of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, who prohibited the writing down of hadiths, the author focuses on pointing out fabrications and contradictions within the hadiths.
http://quranic.org/
The Islamic Hindi Urdu news site offers news reports, informational articles, video, and opinion columns on various topics and issues, largely related to the Quran or Quranist issues, as well on Islam, the Prophet Muhammad or the other prophets. Topics include how Allah looks at minor sins, how rights work in marriage, the use of the hijab or a message for hijabis, understanding and memorizing the Quran, and others.
http://quranism.net/
Presented in English and other languages, the site cites passages from the Quran that are used to indicate that the Quran should be the sole authority in matters of Islamic faith or other matters of Islamic faith and community. Each citation is accompanied by a representational photograph or image, and the chapter and verse are given. Quotations from other philosophers and religious leaders are also given.
http://www.quranism.info/
Created and maintained by Sam Gerrans, speaker, and author of a book on the Quran, in which he applies a Quran-centric hermeneutical methodology to the entirety of the Holy Book. Available for downloading a book entitled, “The Qur’an: A Complete Revelation,” which is a reference edition of the Quran that includes parallel English-Arabic text, notes, commentary, and an appendix. Reader comments are included.
https://www.quranite.com/
Representing United Submitters International, the site features an archive of monthly newsletters published by God’s Messenger of the Covenant, Dr. Rashad Khalifa, from 1985 to 1990, along with the Pillars of Islam, several articles on understanding the Quran, arguments against Hadith and Sunna fabrications, and the Quran itself, which may be viewed online, heard online, or downloaded. Appendices are included, along with informational audio, video, and text.
http://submission.ws/
