Rashad Khalifa
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Rashad Khalifa (November 19, 1935 – January 31, 1990) was an Egyptian Muslim who moved to the United States in 1959 where he obtained a PhD in biochemistry. He later became a US citizen. 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. He founded an Islamic group called United Submitters International whose beliefs include: the dedication of all worship practices to God alone, the rejection of hadith and sunnah as a source of religious doctrine and practice, and upholding the Quran alone. For many years he was the imam of "Masjid Tucson" [link] in Arizona, USA.
Khalifa's son Sam Khalifa played major league baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mathematical Research
Starting in 1968, Khalifa used computers to analyze the frequency of letters and words in the Quran. In 1974 he claimed that he discovered an intricate numerical pattern in the text of the Qur'an involving the number 19 mentioned in sura 74. He published several books on this subject. More information about the alleged numerical pattern in the Quran can be found at [link].
Controversy
Khalifa was initially well-received throughout the Muslim world, but became the subject of controversy when he made several claims that appeared heretical according to the mainstream opinion of both the Sunni and Shi'a schools of thought -- such as a claim to be the "Messenger of the Covenant"[link]. Most Muslims believe this messenger to be Muhammad. This controversy was exacerbated by Khalifa inserting his own name within his translation of a verse of the Qur'an. He translated 25:56 as: "We have sent you (Rashad) as a deliverer of good news, as well as a warner."
He also found himself involved in local scandal and controversy. According to the Tucson Citizen, in June 1979, he was accused of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual contact with a minor. The article reported that the accuser, a 16-year-old-girl, testified at a hearing that Khalifa raped her while recruiting her for a United Nations Aura research project, but there was no evidence of intercourse found when the girl was examined at a local hospital. Khalifa pled No contest to all charges.
Assassination
On January 31, 1990, Khalifa was stabbed to death at his Tucson, Arizona mosque. It is commonly believed that the extremist group al-Fuqra', based in Pakistan, was responsible for the assassination. [link]
Submitters' response to controversy
Submitters argue that Muhammad was the last prophet, but not the last messenger [link]. The Arabic statement "Muhammad Khaatum Al-Nabiyyeen" of 33:40 means "Muhammad is the last prophet", whereas the Quran does not state that Muhammad was the last messenger (Muhammad Khaatum Al-Mursaleen).
Submitters also cite the Quran in defending the sex scandal allegations reported by the Tucson Citizen. Sura An-Nur of the Quran states that must be presented in any sex-related allegation.
See also
External links
Pro-Khalifa
Critical of Khalifa
Resources
- Y.Y. Haddad and J.I. Smith, Mission to America; Five Islamic Sectarian Communities in North America, University Press of Florida, 1993. ISBN 0813012163.
- R. Khalifa, Quran: Visual Presentation of the Miracle, Islamic Productions International, 1982. ISBN 0934894302
- R. Khalifa, Quran: The Final Testament, Islamic Productions International, 1989. ISBN 1881893030
- R. Khalifa, The Computer Speaks: God's Message to the World, Islamic Productions International, 1981. ISBN 0934894388
- R. Khalifa, Quran: Visual Presentation of the Miracle, Islamic Productions International, 1982. ISBN 0934894302
- R. Khalifa, Quran, Hadith, And Islam, Universal Unity, 2000. ISBN 1881893049.
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