Everything depends on interpretation

I wonder about many things. I was not raised religiously and see God very differently from how religions treat it. For me, God is not a being, but God encompasses our entire Universe. God is the whole. God I could describe as ‘nature’, but also as ‘source’ or ‘unity consciousness’. Here, I would like to note that, in my opinion, humans are too limited to truly understand what God is and how it works ‘up there.’ We can only guess at it.

When I look at religions, I believe they have the same essential thing in common. There is a ‘higher power’ that we may surrender to. I believe in that, too. That higher power has ensured that man can think and thus be able to build a civilization with universal values. Man can then live in peace, grow old in good health, and derive satisfaction from meaningful pursuits. Our culture can be rich, and technology is capable of making our lives pleasant.

However, man does build institutions on that basis again and again that do justice primarily to his own interests instead of the requested surrender to God. Religions are institutions that are corrupted by human action. None excepted. I marvel, for example, at the many break-offs from original movements. And I also marvel at the many different interpretations within a religion. Isn’t it obvious to everyone that man is capable of justifying anything that suits him? The more text and rules there are, the more there is to interpret.

I came to this writing because I was thinking about why Muslims are not coming to the aid of their brothers in Gaza and even fighting in Yemen. Of course I understand that there are different currents and also big interests in the Arab world. But surely there must be some basis for every Muslim to which one cannot escape. Now, of course, I am no expert on the faith and have no right to speak when it comes to interpreting it. Nevertheless, I am making an attempt, and actually, this writing is precisely a call to Muslims to take up my initiative and implement it in the right way. I asked DeepSeek the following.

Question Nico: “The West is guilty of acts of war against Gaza and Yemen, while almost all Muslim countries in the Arab world remain silent and do not come to the aid of Gaza and Yemen. What does the Qur’an say about Muslims betraying their own Muslim brothers by abandoning them? What passages in the Quran can be used to convince the leaders of Muslim countries that they do need to help and resist pressure from the West?”

Answer DeepSeek: “In the Qur’an, Muslims are called upon to show solidarity and justice and defend the oppressed. There are several verses that emphasize that believers should assist one another and not look away when fellow Muslims suffer. Here are some relevant passages that can be used to urge leaders of Muslim countries to take responsibility:

Duty to help and resist injustice

Surah An-Nisa (4:75):

‘And what is wrong with you that you do not fight for the cause of Allah and for the weak, ill-treated and oppressed among the men, women and children who cry, “Our Lord! Save us from this city whose inhabitants are oppressors; and from Your Side bring us a protector and from Your Side bring us a helper!”‘

This verse emphasizes the duty to stand up for the weak and oppressed.

(Nico: I believe this is an explicit call not to betray Islam. Looking away from genocide and pure injustice as a result of Western interests cannot be interpreted otherwise).

Warning against following the enemy at the expense of fellow Muslims

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:51):

‘O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies; they are allies of one another. And if one of you takes them as allies, then surely he belongs to them. Verily, Allah does not guide the unjust people.

This verse warns against siding with oppressors instead of fellow Muslims.

(Nico: I am not in favor of religious war, but I would like to see this warning toward the ideology of the Zionists, who want to pit Muslims, Jews, and Christians against each other, and the ideology of Big Money, who are bent on dominating the whole world).

Conclusion Deepseek

The Qur’an calls on Muslims to help their brothers and sisters in need, especially when they are oppressed. Passivity or cooperation with oppressors is strongly frowned upon. These verses can be used to urge leaders of Muslim countries to take responsibility, resist pressure from the West, and actually provide aid to Gaza, Yemen, and other oppressed communities.

When Muslim leaders neglect their duty, these verses can remind them of their religious and moral obligations. Support should be provided through diplomatic and humanitarian channels in accordance with Islamic principles of justice and humanity.

Questions Nico

1. Which basis now applies to all Muslims and creates an obligation to actively stand up for Gaza and Yemen despite outside interests?

2. Can/may you call yourself a Muslim if you do not comply with this basis?

3. What can Muslims do to go back to their basics and hold their leaders morally accountable?

In conclusion

Frankly, I am not a fan of religions that are corrupted as institutions. The Pope with his Roman Catholic Church is another such example. It is dogmatic and draws the power of God to people with interests. The spiritual basis is what it should be all about because, with it, a man comes to true spiritual growth and thus an intrinsic sense of God. Nothing can stand between God and man. Any institution is doomed to failure because it keeps man precisely away from God.

At the same time, of course, it is a search, and religions do play a role in this. The trick is to always be able to go back to the basics and be patient so that man himself can connect with God without imposing that. Unfortunately, religions describe the institution as one that knows better. The institution interprets that, and that must be the truth. But how can anyone know God intrinsically if the truth is prescribed to him? That is not an invitation but a straitjacket. Only free minds can recognize this. Free minds can also believe in God precisely.

Finally, of course, this is not about Muslims but about all of us. Not only Muslims are supposed to help their brothers in Gaza and Yemen. It is, in fact, asked of all of us. The call for solidarity, justice, and defense of the oppressed is addressed to all of us. In this sense, we are all Muslims. We are all human beings. When is it going to dawn on us? We all have the same foundation. God. Leave the institutions behind and feel what it means to be human on this Earth. Surrender to the higher power and don’t try to know better. In surrender, you will receive the guidance you need. Trust in that.

By Nico Cost for GlobalSouth.co

Ed Note: There is no offense meant to followers of Islam.  We also understand that in many cases, a non-religious person cannot interpret religious text as it is meant for educated clergy.  Yet, there is no prohibition to read the Holy Books. This is a perplexing question for all of us, religious, or not.