In understanding one’s political affiliation, one of the tools a person can use is called the political compass. The political compass is a conceptual framework that allows individuals to locate their beliefs on a two-dimensional grid, providing a more nuanced understanding of political ideologies beyond the traditional left-right spectrum. It takes into account both economic views, ranging from socialism to capitalism, and social views, which span from authoritarian to libertarian. By using these two dimensions, the political compass categorizes ideologies into four quadrants: authoritarian left, libertarian left, authoritarian right, and libertarian right.
The use of the political compass helps individuals to see how their beliefs on government control, economic equality, social liberties, and individual freedom align with broader political ideologies. Unlike the linear model that simply categorizes one as “left” or “right,” the political compass illustrates the complexity of political thought, acknowledging that people may hold progressive views on social issues while supporting conservative economic policies, or vice versa. It is a valuable tool for gaining insight into one’s political stance, understanding the broader spectrum of political ideologies, and recognizing where different political leaders or movements might align on the grid.
Traditionalist vs. Quranist Compass
Along the same vein, I was thinking of what a similar compass would look like for people who claim the Quran. I noticed that the kind of believer the person is depends on how they place themselves on two spectrums: dogmatism vs. skepticism and arrogance vs. humility. One axis is based on adherence to tradition, while the other axis is based on one’s level of humility.
This diagram provides a breakdown of the spectrum of thought, contrasting the determination of how likely someone is to be a Traditionalist or Quranist. It emphasizes the personality traits of arrogance vs. humility and dogmatism vs. skepticism. The compass-like chart includes two axes that allow us to categorize people based on their ego and interpretive approach.
Axes of the Compass
Vertical Axis (Ego Scale: Arrogance vs. Humility)
- Top: Arrogance (Big Ego): The top of the axis represents individuals with high ego or arrogance, characterized by an overconfidence in their interpretations, an unwillingness to entertain differing viewpoints, and a belief in their own correctness.
- Bottom: Humility (No Ego): The bottom of the axis represents humility, where individuals demonstrate a willingness to learn, a sense of modesty, and an acceptance of different perspectives.
Horizontal Axis (Skepticism Scale: Dogmatism vs. High Skepticism)
- Left: Dogmatist (High Dogma): The left side represents dogmatic beliefs, characterized by unwavering acceptance of traditional sources and established authorities without question. This side is associated with Traditionalists who prioritize adherence to hadith and tradition over the Quran.
- Right: Skeptic (High Skepticism): The right side represents a high level of skepticism, where individuals are more questioning, especially regarding traditional interpretations like hadith and traditional religious authorities. Quranists are more likely to adopt this perspective, focusing solely on the Quran and challenging other sources of religious authority. The challenge with this side of the spectrum is that if one is too skeptical, they question everything and fail to accept any facts aside from their own opinions.
Quadrants of the Compass
Top Left: Arrogant Traditionalist: This quadrant represents Traditionalists who are also arrogant. They adhere strictly to tradition, such as Hadith and traditional scholarship, and exhibit high dogma with an unwillingness to question established traditions or entertain opposing interpretations. Their ego drives them to believe that their understanding is superior and that the traditional approach is unquestionably correct.
Top Right: Arrogant Quranist: This group represents Quranists who reject hadith and adhere solely to the Quran but also display arrogance to the point that they fundamentally reinterpret the Quran to their own liking rather than its plain text reading. Therefore, despite their skepticism towards traditional sources, they are overconfident in their own understanding and may believe that their interpretation of the Quran is superior to all others. They are skeptics of traditional sources, but their attitude is closed-minded due to their big egos.
Bottom Left: Humble Traditionalist: The Humble Traditionalist adheres to traditional sources, including the Quran and hadith, but does so with humility. They are open to questioning their beliefs and value different interpretations, and they have a willingness to engage with others in meaningful dialogue. Their low ego allows them to understand that there could be multiple valid approaches to understanding the teachings of Islam.
Bottom Right: Humble Quranist: This quadrant represents Quranists who are also humble. They reject the hadith and focus solely on the Quran but do so in an open-minded manner. They are skeptical of traditional sources, yet maintain a low ego and humility, recognizing that their understanding is not necessarily the only correct one. They have a sense of self-awareness and openness to questioning previous assumptions, emphasizing the importance of humility in skepticism.
Potential Submitters
The ideal location for a person interested in finding the truth must be humble and have the right balance between skepticism and dogmatism. It is in this area that we can find potential submitters.
The “Potential Submitter” in this diagram is represented by the vertical blue band that extends downward along the ego scale. This position signifies an individual who balances healthy skepticism with humility and possesses a low ego, making them well-suited for genuinely seeking the truth. The Potential Submitter embodies qualities that are crucial for effective spiritual growth and genuine understanding.
Firstly, the Potential Submitter is characterized by having a low ego. Positioned closer to the humility end of the vertical axis, they approach their beliefs without arrogance, maintaining an open-minded attitude toward the perspectives of others. They are not overconfident in their understanding, nor do they dismiss differing views outright. Instead, they recognize the limitations of their knowledge and are willing to adjust their beliefs when presented with better evidence. This humility enables them to stay open to new insights and to accept the possibility that their current understanding may need refinement.
Additionally, the Potential Submitter demonstrates a balanced approach between dogmatism and skepticism, as represented by the horizontal axis. They avoid the extremes of dogmatic adherence to traditional teachings, such as hadith, while also steering clear of excessive skepticism that leads to rejecting everything outright. By maintaining a position in the middle of the skepticism scale, they practice healthy skepticism—evaluating traditional sources without uncritical acceptance but also without prematurely rejecting them. This allows them to form well-reasoned beliefs based on a thoughtful evaluation of both traditional teachings and personal insights.
The Potential Submitter is also open-minded and capable of engaging in thoughtful inquiry. Their humility and low ego enable them to listen attentively and engage in meaningful dialogue without the need to dominate conversations or prove themselves right. They are motivated by a genuine desire to understand the truth, rather than by the desire to assert superiority. This quality fosters respectful interactions and allows them to benefit from diverse perspectives, whether they come from a Traditionalist or Quranist viewpoint.
These qualities—low ego, high humility, balanced skepticism, and open-mindedness—make the Potential Submitter ideally suited for discovering the truth. Their humility allows them to be flexible and adaptable, their healthy skepticism ensures that they critically evaluate information, and their openness to dialogue helps them learn from others without prejudice. Ultimately, the Potential Submitter exemplifies a person willing to submit to the truth once they recognize it, regardless of prior beliefs or biases. This combination of humility, balanced inquiry, and sincerity in seeking the truth represents the best qualities for effective spiritual growth and genuine understanding.
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