World Blog by humble servant.Quran and the 12 Steps

Quran and the 12 Steps

There is no compromise whatsoever regarding illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages; they are called “abominations and the work of Satan” (5:90). In 2:219-2x9=18+2=20-1=19  and 5:90, we see that “intoxicants, gambling, the idols’ altars, and games of chance” are strictly prohibited. The word used for intoxicants is Khamr, from the root word “Khamara” which means “to cover.” Thus, anything that covers or hinders the mind is prohibited. This includes anything that alters the mind, such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, alcohol, hashish, and anything else that affects the mind.    

Several groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous are designed to aid those who are caught in addictions to find their way out of them by working through a set of 12 steps whose ultimate goal is to allow someone to turn their will and life over to the care of God as they understand Him.

Actually, looking at the human condition from a Quranic perspective aren’t we all in the same boat in some sense? While we may not think that we have been affected by addiction, we are here because we gave power to something other than God (for most of us, it was probably our egos). We persisted in that behavior, seeing some “reward” in it, notwithstanding the consequences for our souls. Isn’t that the essence of addiction? So whether it is an addictive substance, an emotional addiction, or a spiritual addiction, we all are in this test because of our idolatrous nature. You might say that we are here because of our addiction to idolatry. We were given chances, but we kept on engaging in it, seeing some illusory benefit or reward, in spite of the damage to our souls. Why else would we have chosen freewill when given the chance to repent?

[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth,and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant.

Recently I began working to examine the 12 steps in light of the Quran, using its verses in my sharing. My goal is twofold, to become a better submitter myself and to pull together materials to help others while introducing the message of the Quran to those unfamiliar with it, God willing: [10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers. 

If it is pleasing to God, over the coming months I hope to present some of the verses I find that relate to each of the Twelve Steps in a series of articles, beginning here.

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless…—that our lives had become unmanageable.  (Steps taken from Alcoholics Anonymous, edition 2, 1955, p. 59-60)

The first step of AA, NA and Al Anon, etc., speaks of powerlessness over addictive substances, but it can be applied to anything that we give power to other than God. The Quran shows us that any time we tend towards something that God makes clear is not acceptable to Him—including emotions like fear, anger, etc.—we essentially set up an idol… we make a “Golden Calf” for ourselves out of it. Our egos, aided by Satan, have caused us to think that something other than God is helping us or has power in our lives but: [36:74-75] They set up beside God other gods, perhaps they can be of help to them! On the contrary, they cannot help them; they end up serving them as devoted soldiers. 

Whatever we have given power to, whether a substance, a way of thinking, an emotional attachment, our own egos, etc., it ends up as a tool for Satan to mislead us deeper into idolizing and serving.it. As a result, our lives are filled with disaster and chaos: [30:41] Disasters have spread throughout the land and sea, because of what the people have committed. He thus lets them taste the consequences of some of their works, that they may return (to the right works). 

[21:22] If there were in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods beside God, there would have been chaos. Glory be to God; the Lord with absolute authority. He is high above their claims. 

We have created our own hell and jumped right into it! [3:197] 3+7=10+9=19x1=19 They only enjoy temporarily, then end up in Hell; what a miserable destiny. 

Recognizing this and admitting it is the beginning of the only possible solution—truly turning our wills and our lives over to God, truly submitting to Him.

Step 2 gives us hope:  Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

As Submitters we know that God is the only one who has any power, and only He can help us in any way: [1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.

[23:88] Say, “In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?”

[33:43] He is the One who helps you, together with His angels, to lead you out of darkness into the light. He is Most Merciful towards the believers.

As we come out of the darkness we can see that we have been afflicted with a spiritual illness that only God can heal: [26:80] “And when I get sick, He heals me.

And a major “medicine” for that healing is the Quran: [10:57] O people, enlightenment has come to you herein from your Lord, and healing for anything that troubles your hearts, and guidance, and mercy for the believers.

[41:44] 4x4=16+4=20-1=19 If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, “Why did it come down in that language?” Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, “For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. …

[5:16] With it, God guides those who seek His approval. He guides them to the paths of peace, leads them out of darkness into the light by His leave, and guides them in a straight path. 

Step 3 tells us what we need to do next:  “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.”

More next time, God willing.

Submitters striving to heal and grow our souls with Quran                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Step 3 relates to the most important decision of our lives: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Why should we not turn ourselves totally

over to Him? Especially that 74:56 tells us

….He is the source of righteousness; He is

the source of forgiveness. And: Indeed,

those who submit themselves absolutely

to God alone, while leading a righteous

life, will receive their recompense from

their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor

will they grieve. (2:112)

From the Quran we know that our life in

this world is our final chance to grow our

souls, to devote ourselves to God alone:

The One who created death and life for

the purpose of distinguishing those

among you who would do be'er. He is

the Almighty, the Forgiving. (67:2) Moreover actually turning over our will and

our lives (i.e., submitting) to God is the

only way to escape Satan’s clutches.

When he disobeyed God: He said, “My

Lord, since You have willed that I go

astray, I will surely entice them on earth; I

will send them all astray. Except those

among Your worshipers who are devoted

absolutely to You alone.” (15:39-40)

As Submitters it is easy to assume that of

course we have already made the decision to turn our wills and lives over to

God, and that we are devoted to Him

alone. But often knowingly or unknowingly we hold on to old habits, thoughts,

memories, etc., that we do not realize

block us from truly devoting ourselves

absolutely to God. Until we are able to do

so we are s ll fair game for Satan as God

makes clear four mes in Sura 37 (Verse

74 for example): Only God’s servants who

are absolutely devoted to Him alone (are

saved).

That is why the next step is important

because it helps us really examine and

come to realistically know ourselves. Only then can we tell if we are really devoted to God alone in all ways. So we pray

for God’s guidance and help, and begin to

take the next step.

Step 4: Made a searching and fearless

moral inventory of ourselves.

Making a moral or personal inventory is

more than just listing all of the things

that we think we have done wrong. It is a

self reflection on that includes looking at the

positives as well as the negatives of our

past and present. And it means looking

for the patterns in our behavior and

thoughts. This can be an exercise we repeat throughout our lives. As we grow in

our understanding of ourselves and of

Submission we begin to see ourselves in

a more realistic light and work on improving our weaknesses. God willing, we

can become like those who: If they fall in

sin or wrong their souls, they remember God and ask forgiveness for their

sins―and who forgives the sins except God―and they do not persist in sins,

knowingly. (3:135)

It is easy to fool ourselves into believing

that we are doing just fine in our Submission to God alone. Certainly our egos

would have us believe that, and as Satan’s representative our companion’s job

is to blind us to our faults. The Quran is

full of examples of hypocrites, many of

whom do not realize that they are hypocrites. So we must come to really know

ourselves to avoid this disastrous condition.

Let’s say we have a good job, a lovely

home, good health, and more than we

need. In that case can’t we just look at

our lives and tell that we are good Submitters? Not necessarily; don’t forget

this scary reminder: When they thus disregard the message given to them, we

open for them the gates of everything.

Then, just as they rejoice in what was

given to them, we punish them suddenly;

they become utterly stunned. (6:44) The

footnote for this verse is: Before the

guilty are thrown out the window, they

are taken up to a high floor.

We can never assume we have made it,

for even the messengers worry about

their own necks (21:28). God in His mercy

helps us in so many ways, including telling us in several verses of the Quran how

to be righteous. For example please look

at 2:177, 3:133-135, 25:63-74, 39:33,

46:15, 76:7-10. Indeed He is the very

source of righteousness (74:56 as quoted

above).

We know that repenting and reforming

wipes out our sins (9:11). God may even

overlook some sins (42:30 & 34) or turn

them into credits (25:70). However, we

cannot assume that we will not be held

responsible, so we must become aware

of all that we need to repent and reform

for. Thus this step, however difficult it

seems, can be a great gift to us.

God knows us better than we know ourselves: Whether you declare your convictions (or not) He knows the secret, and

what is even more hidden. (20:7) With

continued self reflection and work, God

willing, we will learn the lessons He is

teaching us as He shows us the secret

parts of ourselves. He helps us to change

bit-by-bit what needs work, like peeling

the layers of an onion. God helps us remove that which keeps us from absolute

devotion to Him until, God willing, He

grows us from being Submitters into Believers: Muslims (believers) are those

who believe in God and His messenger,

then attain the status of having no doubt

whatsoever, and strive with their money

and their lives in the cause of God. These

are the truthful ones. (49:15)

Submitters striving to heal & grow our

souls with Quran . Step 5 and 6. God willing next time.                                                                           Alcoholics Anonymous & Submission

I have struggled with compulsive overeating all my life.  In the early 2000s I found my way into the rooms of Over eater's Anonymous.  That opened the doors to a revival of my spirituality.  I found God again through the inspired writing of the “Big Book”.

Penned in 1932 by the first 100 founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, the “Big Book” contains concepts about God and being a “Submitter” that rang true for me even before when I read Rashad Khalifa’s translation of the Quran.  The book contains concepts about making conscious contact with God throughout the day.  It says we should pray for knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out.  It says whatever occupies the majority of our thoughts is our god.

Idol worship is the basis for all addictions.  I was idol worshiping food.  I am a food addict.  I must humbly but constantly rely on God to redirect my thinking to ways which will please Him.  I must maintain contact with Him throughout my day.   My contact prayers are my lifeline to God.

I have considered myself an aspiring submitter since then.  I say “aspiring” because, as we all know, submission is a verb as well as a noun.  Submission to God’s will is my aspiration.  Unfortunately, I am not always a “Submitter.”

This article has been a long time in the making.  What finally spurred me to put fingers to keyboard is the article  “Quran and the 12 Steps”.

Thank you so much for the article.

Victoria