Rashad Khalifa

Rashad Khalifa (November 19, 1935 – January 31, 1990) was an Egyptian biochemist who became a US citizen and took residence in Tucson, Arizona. Khalifa was stabbed to death on January 31st, 1990.

Life
Khalifa moved to the United States in 1959 where he obtained a PhD in biochemistry. He worked as a science adviser for the Libyan government for about one year, after which he worked as a chemist for the United Nations' Industrial Development Organization, then became a senior chemist in Arizona's State Office of Chemistry in 1980. Khalifa's son Sam Khalifa played major league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He founded the religious group called United Submitters International (USI), a group which considers itself to be the true Islam, but prefers not to use the terms "Muslim" or "Islam," instead using the English equivalents: "Submitter" or "Submission." Submitters believe Khalifa was a messenger of God.

Specific beliefs of the USI include: the dedication of all worship practices to God alone, upholding the Quran alone, and rejecting the Islamic traditionalist hadith and sunnah as fabrications and lies attributed to Muhammad by his enemies. For many years he attended Masjid Tucson in Arizona.

Archived videos of Rashad Khalifa's sermons can be viewed in the media section of: QuaranAlone.com

History of mathematical research
Starting in 1969, Khalifa used computers to analyze the frequency of letters and words in the Qur'an. In 1974 he claimed that he discovered an intricate numerical pattern in the text of the Qur'an involving the number 19 mentioned in chapter 74 of the Qur'an. He published several books on this subject.

Khalifa's research did not receive much attention in the West. The first comment appeared in the Scientific American of September 1980, p. 22. Martin Gardner wrote of Khalifa's initial publication in the West: "It's an ingenious study of the Quran,...Nineteen is an unusual prime. For example, it's the sum of the first powers of 9 and 10 and the difference between the second powers of 9 and 10."

Three years later the Canadian Council on the Study of Religion reported in its Quarterly Review of April 1983 that the code Khalifa discovered is "an authenticating proof of the divine origin of the Quran." Since 1983, little notice has been taken of this work. In spite of that, Khalifa's work has been published in the United States in six books.

Many popular magazines and newspapers in the Middle East, from Morocco to Pakistan, reported his discoveries. Khalifa's first publicized report appeared in the most popular magazine of the Middle East, Egypt's Akhersa (January 24, 1973). Updates of his research were subsequently published by the same magazine (November 28, 1973 and December 31, 1975). Many other magazines and newspaper articles by and about Khalifa appeared throughout the world in many languages.

Criticism
His writings were banned in many Muslim countries. Muslim scholars likened his numerology to Jewish and Christian gematria. The Muslim Digest, published in South Africa, strongly attacked Khalifa as a sinister heretic.

1. He removed two verses from the Qur'an, the last two of the ninth chapter in order to get his calculations to work. He claimed that they were added nineteen years after the death of Muhammad. Some have claimed that the removal of these verses is in contradiction to the Qur'an itself, including the following verse:


 * [15:9] We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).

2. Many also believe that his claim to be a messenger was against the Qur'an. This arises from their differing belief as to the definition of messenger ("rasool") vs. prophet ("nabi"). The following verse from the Qur'an is frequently cited:


 * [33:40] Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.

Submitters' Response to Criticism
1. The two last verses of Sura 9 are satanic injections

Rashad Khalifa was sent to purify the religion from all fabrications and injections; to restore the message to its original, by God's leave. The removal of the satanic verses 9:128 & 9:129 is among many other corrections in the religion.


 * [15:9] Absolutely, we have revealed the reminder, and, absolutely, we will preserve it.

In this verse God promises us to preserve Quran, the quranic built-in code 19 is the proof that God kept this promise. The miracle of 19 that God mentions in Quran (Sura 74) is the first physical evidence that every letter in Quran is from God. Therefore, any injection (addition) into God's Final Testament is noticed. This means that the correct Quran is all over the world, if one just marks the mistakes. Let's bear in mind that some countries like Iran, have changed the original arabic spelling of some words in Quran, does this mean that God failed to keep His promise in preserving the Quran? On top of that, Bukhari himself says that all verses in Quran where witnessed by at least two people, except these two verses, they where witness by one, Khozayma Ibno Thaabet Al-ansaari.

Al-ansaari = Supporter

The believers who supported prophet Muhammad where Medinan (Muhammad emmigrated/Hijra from Mecca to Medina). Thus, the first revelations of Quran were revealed to Muhammad in Mecca, then After Hijra, the following revelations were revealed in Medina. Now, if we study the revelation of Sura 9, we will see that it's Medinan, except the two last verses, they are Meccan! How can a Medinan Sura have Meccan verses when all revelations after Mecca where in Medina? And how can a Medinan guy witness Meccan verses? This is a brief History about the doubts of these two verses. The mircale confirms that these two verses are nothing but satanic injections into Quran.

The mircale of 19 is not limited to the removal of these two verses. It's coded all over the Quran, thus saying that Rashad Khalifa removed the verses in order to make the mircale work is due to lack of knowledge of the miracle. If one is familiar with the miracle of 19 in Quran, he/she will see that it's coded all over the Quran.

2. Quran teaches the difference between a messenger and a prophet


 * We did not send before you any messenger, nor a prophet, without having the devil interfere in his wishes. GOD then nullifies what the devil has done. GOD perfects His revelations. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

Nor indicates that a messenger and a prophet are not the same, let's have a closer look on this.

a) when one is sent from God, he is a messenger (rasol), this messenger can be angel or human.

GOD chooses from among the angels messengers, as well as from among the people. GOD is Hearer, Seer.

b) Notice, the precise order of the words


 * Say, "If the earth were inhabited by angels, we would have sent down to them from the sky an angel messenger."


 * "Or unless you own a luxurious mansion, or unless you climb into the sky. Even if you do climb, we will not believe unless you bring a book that we can read." Say, "Glory be to my Lord. Am I any more than a human messenger?"

(angel --> messenger) i.e. not all angels are messengers, but all messengers are angels

(human --> messenger) i.e. not all humans are messengers, but all messengers are human

c) messenger prophet (rasolan nabiya)

Now, some of the human messengers are prophets (nabi):


 * Mention in the scripture Moses. He was devoted, and he was a messenger prophet.


 * And mention in the scripture Ismail. He was truthful when he made a promise, and he was a messenger prophet.

The precise order of the words above (messenger --> prophet) is a sign from God; not all messengers are prophets, but all prophets are messengers.

So what is a prophet? He is a messenger prophet who delivers a new scripture from God. On the other hand, a messenger upholds and confirms an existing scripture, he does not bring a new scripture.


 * GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."

Muhammad is the final prophet = Quran is the final scripture:


 * Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

God did not say "...final messenger and final prophet". Not a single verse in Quran says Muhammad is the final messenger.

For more information please watch the following video clip,

Video: The Great Debate

Beliefs
As early as 1976 he became the target of defamation when he made several claims that appeared heretical according to traditional Muslims - such as:
 * Hadith (oral) & Sunna (actions) were invented and attributed to Muhammad, they are Satanic innovations. Hadith are condemned in the Quran by name.
 * [45:6-7] These are GOD's revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe? Woe to every fabricator, guilty.
 * [33:62] This is GOD's eternal (Sunnat Allahi) system, and you will find that GOD's (Sunna) system is unchangeable.
 * Removal of the two satanic verses from the Qur'an (9:128-129)
 * The Quran's mathematical miracle based on the prime number 19 provides mathematical evidence that the Quran shall be our only source of religious teachings (Appendix 19, Rashad's Authorized Translation)
 * The religion must be devoted to God ALONE and thus proclaim the correct Shahada (testimony of faith): "I bear witness that there is no god except God"
 * The correct Shahada declares that the Shahada of God, the angels, and those who possess knowledge is, "There is no god except God".
 * Additionally, adding the name of Muhammad to the Shahaada violates the repeated Quranic commandment to "make no distinction among any of God's messengers".
 * No human beings may be mentioned beside the name of God in proclaiming faith or during prayer.
 * Declaring that Muhammad was the last prophet, but not the last messenger 33:40 (The definition of Muslim scholars is that all messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers - a messenger is a prophet that was sent with a book.)
 * The definition of a prophet and a messenger is given in the Quran: Surah 3, verse 81. This verse declares that the prophets were given the Scripture and Wisdom and afterwards a messenger will come to confirm existing scriptures.

Assassination
On January 31, 1990, Khalifa was murdered at Masjid Tucson. He was stabbed 29 times and his body drenched in xylol but not set alight. Although nobody has been convicted of his murder, James Williams, an alleged member of the Jamaat ul-Fuqra organization, was convicted of conspiracy in the slaying. Williams disappeared on the day of his sentencing and could not be found. In 2000, however, Williams was apprehended attempting to re-enter the United States and sentenced to serve 69 years in prison. His convictions were upheld on appeal by the Colorado Court of Appeals except for one count of forgery.

CBS News reported that Muslim extremist Wadih El-Hage was "connected to the 1990 stabbing death of... Rashad Khalifa [who] was hated by Muslim extremists [that were] opposed to his teachings. His murderer was never caught, but El-Hage, who was indicted for lying about the case, called the assassination 'a good thing.'"

Submitters' response to controversy
Submitters believe that:
 * The true Judaism, true Christianity, and Islam will be consolidated into one religion - complete submission and absolute devotion to God alone
 * The existing religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are severely corrupted and will simply die out, citing the recent exposure of false religionists in the USA, and the removal of such anti-freedom barriers as the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain, and the Bamboo Curtain.
 * Anyone who submitts to God and devotes the worship to God ALONE is a "Submitter." Thus, one may be a Jewish Submitter, a Christian Submitter, a Buddhist Submitter, a Hindu Submitter, or a Muslim Submitter.

God's upcoming kingdom
Rashad Khalifa purified the religion of Abraham, Submission, from all idol worship. He delivered news about a new era (God's kingdom) to be established on Earth.

In other words, Submission is destined to prevail, this is a proclamation from God to the worshipers:


 * [Quran 21:105] We have decreed in the Psalms, as well as in other scriptures, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous worshipers.


 * [Quran 21:106] This is a proclamation for people who are worshipers.

Rashad taught that the end of the world will be 2280 AD by God's will. Therefore, the kingdom of God is to be established before 2280 (about 300 years from now till the end of the world).

Rashad departed but completed his mission, that is purifying Submission (e.g. correct shahaada, La ilaaha illa Allah, not mentioning Muhammad's name in Salat etc).

Now that this religion is purified, it calls for sending another messenger to spread it by God's leave, and proclaim God's upcoming kingdom, that Submission will dominate:


 * [Quran 9:33] He is the One who sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, and will make it dominate all religions, in spite of the idol worshipers.

The name of God's upcoming kingdom is United Submitters Nation

Video
The advent of God's kingdom

Resources

 * R. Khalifa, Quran: Visual Presentation of the Miracle, Islamic Productions International, 1982. ISBN 0-934894-30-2
 * R. Khalifa, Quran: The Final Testament, Islamic Productions International, 1989. ISBN 1-881893-03-0
 * R. Khalifa, The Computer Speaks: God's Message to the World, Islamic Productions International, 1981. ISBN 0-934894-38-8
 * R. Khalifa, Quran, Hadith, And Islam, Universal Unity, 2000. ISBN 1-881893-04-9.
 * Y.Y. Haddad and J.I. Smith, Mission to America; Five Islamic Sectarian Communities in North America, University Press of Florida, 1993. ISBN 0-8130-1216-3.

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