Rashad Khalifa, Egyptian-American biochemist and academic (b. 1935)

Rashad Khalifa (Arabic: رشاد خليفة; November 19, 1935 – January 31, 1990) was a prominent Egyptian-American biochemist whose revolutionary religious interpretations and foundational work with the United Submitters International (USI) sparked significant theological debate and widespread controversy within the global Islamic community. Holding a PhD in biochemistry, Khalifa initially lent his expertise as a consultant for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) before transitioning to focus on his unique religious insights.

The United Submitters International, founded by Khalifa, emerged as a distinct and influential offshoot of Quranist Islam. This movement fundamentally advocates for the Quran as the sole, complete, and fully detailed source of religious law and guidance, thereby consciously rejecting the authority and necessity of the Hadith (sayings, actions, and approvals attributed to Prophet Muhammad) and Sunnah (traditions and practices of the Prophet), which are central pillars of Traditionalist Islamic schools of thought. Khalifa's specific iteration of Quranism, promoted through the USI, emphasized a strict, computer-assisted adherence to what he believed was the Quran's original, unadulterated divine message.

Khalifa gained international notoriety for his highly controversial claims regarding the existence of an intricate mathematical structure embedded within the Quran, which he termed the "Quran Code" or "Code 19." He posited that this complex numerical pattern, meticulously woven around the prime number 19, served as an irrefutable divine signature within the holy text, thereby offering ultimate proof of its divine origin, preserving its integrity, and identifying any supposed interpolations. His extensive research, heavily reliant on sophisticated computer analysis, led him to assert that virtually every measurable element of the Quran – from the exact number of chapters (114, which is 19 x 6) and verses to the precise frequency of specific words and letters – was intricately interwoven with the number 19. For instance, he famously highlighted that the opening verse of the Quran, "Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim" (In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful), consists of exactly 19 letters. Furthermore, he controversially claimed that this pervasive code mathematically revealed two specific verses (9:128-129) of the Quran as later, unauthorized interpolations, allegedly disrupting the divine mathematical pattern and signifying their non-Quranic origin.

These revolutionary and divisive teachings, particularly his outright rejection of the Hadith and Sunnah and his assertion that certain Quranic verses were inauthentic, placed him in profound theological conflict with the vast majority of Traditionalist Muslims, including both Sunni and Shia scholars, who consider the Quran inviolable in its current form and the Hadith as an indispensable interpretive source for Islamic law and practice. Khalifa further escalated this theological contention by claiming to be God's "Messenger of the Covenant," a title he derived from his interpretation of the Quranic code. This claim, which implied a unique prophetic-like status for himself in a post-Prophet Muhammad era, intensified accusations of apostasy and heresy from mainstream Islamic authorities, making him a deeply polarizing figure.

Tragically, Rashad Khalifa's life was cut short on January 31, 1990, when he was assassinated at the mosque he had founded in Tucson, Arizona, which served as the headquarters for the United Submitters International. His violent death is widely believed to be a direct and tragic consequence of the intense theological disagreements and profound opposition his highly controversial teachings had generated within various segments of the global Muslim community. Despite his assassination, the United Submitters International continues to actively promote his interpretations and the concept of Code 19, maintaining a notable, albeit niche, presence among those who follow his specific brand of Quranism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rashad Khalifa and Code 19

Who was Rashad Khalifa?

Rashad Khalifa was an Egyptian-American biochemist, born November 19, 1935, and assassinated January 31, 1990. He is best known as the founder of the United Submitters International (USI) and the proponent of the controversial "Quran Code" or "Code 19," a mathematical theory applied to the Quran.

What is the "Quran Code" or "Code 19" claimed by Rashad Khalifa?

The "Quran Code," also known as "Code 19," is a mathematical theory proposed by Rashad Khalifa, asserting that the entire Quran is intricately structured around the number 19. Khalifa claimed that various elements, such as the count of chapters, verses, specific words, and letters, are all multiples of 19, serving as a divine signature and proof of the Quran's authenticity and preservation from corruption.

Why were Rashad Khalifa's teachings highly controversial?

His teachings were highly controversial primarily because he rejected the traditional authority of Hadith and Sunnah, insisting that the Quran is the sole and complete source of religious law. Furthermore, he claimed that two specific Quranic verses (9:128-129) were later interpolations and declared himself God's "Messenger of the Covenant," positions that fundamentally contradicted mainstream Islamic theology and led to accusations of heresy.

What is Quranism, and how does Rashad Khalifa's USI relate to it?

Quranism is a broad theological movement within Islam that advocates for the Quran as the only source of religious law and guidance, thereby rejecting the authority and necessity of Hadith and Sunnah. Rashad Khalifa's United Submitters International (USI) is a specific organization within this movement that strictly adheres to Khalifa's unique interpretations, particularly his "Code 19" claims and his specific theological positions regarding the Quran's integrity and his own messianic role.

How did Rashad Khalifa die?

Rashad Khalifa was assassinated on January 31, 1990. He was found stabbed to death at his mosque in Tucson, Arizona. His assassination is widely attributed to the extreme theological opposition and profound disagreements his controversial religious teachings had generated within the global Muslim community.