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Close Topic OptionsReading The Quran - Page 3 of 13
The book of A'raf This book touches - Page 3 - Studies of Islam - Posted: 12th Jul, 2007 - 6:04am
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Reading The Quran - Page 3
In reading the 200 verses of the Book of Imran I found the same repetition reminding the reader over and over that Allah is oft forgiving, most merciful, witnesses all you do, heareth and knoweth all things, is exalted and wise, and loves those who do good.
This book describes again and again why the weak died in battle and why the strong overcame, but never tells anything about the battle. There doesn't seem to be a story line, so there is no feeling of movement, just repetition. But there does seem to be a wonderful promise of committed followers being admitted to gardens with river flowing beneath.
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Post Date: 27th Jun, 2007 - 1:56pm / Post ID: #
Quran Reading
Mousetrails:
One of the most contrasting features of the Quran in comparison with the Bible or other religious scriptures is its style of dictation. Whereas the bible is in my view is a narrative of events aided by religious principles (excluding perhaps the Psalms and the letters of Paul in some instances) the Quran is a book of principles which is aided by narratives.
There are incidents and stories behind every verse in the Quran. However these are not important but rather the lesson or moral of the verse is paramount.
To take an example from the 3rd Chapter al-Imran.
| QUOTE |
| 3:13 Indeed there was a sign for you in the two hosts (which) met together in encounter; one party fighting in the way of Allah and the other unbelieving, whom they saw twice as many as themselves with the sight of the eye and Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight. |
This event refers to the battle of Badr where the Muslims were significantly outnumbered but were aided by God in that the enemy were disillusioned to see the opposing number as twice as many as themselves.
However the point of this verse is not to narrate a story in the history of Islam but rather to serve as a lesson for generations to come. The lesson is clear here that God strengthens whom he pleases and therefore to rely on God alone.
Hence the word used for verses in the Quran is "Ayat" or "sign".
| Rather off topic, but... You may refer to these chapters as books if you wish. The correct term is Surats in arabic. The problem with calling them books is the Quran was revealed as a book in its entirety during one time unlike the bible which has multiple authors compiled over a period of time. |
Reading The Quran Islam Studies
The things we don't know and and so many in the world disdain in ignorance. Of course it would be much easier for me personally if I knew the history behind the passages. I have always loved a good story to explain the reason behind the rule. Is there a separate book of history that is co-ordinated with the Quran? 
Edited: mousetrails on 28th Jun, 2007 - 6:03am
Page 3 Quran Reading
In Nisa I found many rules on marriage, the treatment of women, and how orphans are to be treated. Absolute fairness and honesty are taught over and over and are definitely the driving theme. I also found the same repetition of Allah is great, good, kind, sees all, and is very forgiving. The following are passages I found most interesting. I still see no sign of the violence I have always heard is taught in the Quran.
From the Quran The book of Nisa
| QUOTE |
| 4:2 To orphans restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your) worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin. 4:3 If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice. 4:15 If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way. 4:16 If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful. 4:34 Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all). 4:93 If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (For ever): And the wrath and the curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him. |
Post Date: 1st Jul, 2007 - 11:15pm / Post ID: #
Quran Reading
Mousetrails:
Regarding the history behind th revelation of certain verses of the Quran. This is difficult for a non-muslim unfamiliar with the background of Islam. There are many works of Exegesis or commentary on the Quran most of which are not available in English. The most famous and comprehensive are only accessible to those who know arabic or persian and even then these are highly scholarly works which even I have a hard time comprehending. There are smaller, lesser works available n English, but I wouldnt recommend there since they may be biased/unreliable and poor in academic standards.
Nevertheless if you really really want to explore such works I can suggest Mir Ahmad Ali and Agha Pooya Yazdi www.al-islam.org/quran however this work is highly outdated and very biased and isnt really aimed at a non-muslim audience.
I suggest that if you have any questions regarding the background of any verse that you simply ask here and I will endevour to reply.
Reading The Quran
From the book of Ma'idah. All quotes are from the Quran.
It seems Islam disagreed early with Christians and decided to "hate" those that "forgot a good part of the message," 'to the day of judgment."
| QUOTE |
| 5:14 From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will Allah show them what it is they have done. |
Now we jump way forward to Israel being banished from Chanaan.
| QUOTE |
| 5:26 Allah said: "Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years: In distraction will they wander through the land: But sorrow thou not over these rebellious people. |
And then all the way back back in time to Cain and Abel
| QUOTE |
| 5:27 Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they each presented a sacrifice (to Allah.: It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "(Allah) doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous. |
| QUOTE |
| 5:30 The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him, and became (himself) one of the lost ones. |
In 5:51 Islam is instructed not to be a friend of a Jew, or a Christian.
| QUOTE |
| 5:51 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. |
So God/Allah instructs his followers not to make friends with Jews, or Christians. It appears that this is the beginning of the teachings of separation and hatred. Since I didn't grow up with this religion I began to wonder exactly who Allah was.
From Answers.com
| QUOTE |
| It is important to note that according to Muslim teaching, Allah is not only the God of the prophet Muhammad but also the God of Moses and Jesus - and is therefore identical to the divine being of Jewish and Christian sacred history. |
Since Allah and God are one and the same, why is Islam being told to stay away from Christians and Jews? Because the Jews and Islam bickered over Allah's hands being tied, enmity and hatred was placed among them till the Day of Judgment. This "enmity" and "hatred" has been taught for 4000 years. How many human beings have been slaughtered by both sides because of this teaching?
| QUOTE |
| 5:64 The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. |
These two passages are very telling in the relationship between Islam and the Jews. In 5:69 the hand is held out. In 5:70 the Jews push it away.
| QUOTE |
| 5:69 Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. 5:70 We took the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them apostles, every time, there came to them an apostle with what they themselves desired not - some (of these) they called impostors, and some they (go so far as to) slay. |
The hatred of two civilizations has begun as I knew it would. I know from my writings about the Christian Bible that the God of the Jews was a war god and was responsible for the deaths of millions of humans. I don't doubt for a moment that I will find the same war god in the Quran, but I'll keep reading because I would love to be proven wrong.
Mousetrails
Reading Quran - Page 3
The book of An'am
This book is a repetition of many of the laws, rules, and regulations, in the preceding books except for this passage.
Quran
| QUOTE |
| 6:157 Or lest ye should say: "If the Book had only been sent down to us, we should have followed its guidance better than they." Now then hath come unto you a clear (sign) from your Lord,- and a guide and a mercy: then who could do more wrong than one who rejecteth Allah's signs, and turneth away therefrom? In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away. |
I can only guess, because of the reference to the Jews in the book of Ma'idah that they were the people spoken of here who received the [clear (sign) from their Lord.] After that sentence a very clear threat is made for rejecting Allah's signs.
Quran
| QUOTE |
| In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs, with a dreadful penalty, for their turning away. |
This is not a threat from Allah. Allah would have said, "In good time shall I requite those who turn away from My signs." The phrase is
| QUOTE |
| "In good time shall We requite those who turn away from Our signs." |
The words "We" and "Our" makes it a personal threat.
The American College Dictionary
The American College Dictionary
| QUOTE |
| requite...To make retaliation for a wrong, injury, etc. or To make retaliation on a person for a wrong. |
Edited: mousetrails on 12th Jul, 2007 - 2:28amReading Quran Studies Islam - Page 3
The book of A'raf
This book touches on several stories. Adam and Eve, Noah, Sodom and Gomorra, Moses and Pharao, the tablets of stone and the golden calf, 70 elders seeing Allah, Moses strikes the rock for water, and the manna and quail.
I found it interesting that only 5 verses were devoted to Sodom and Gomorra. Neither Lot, nor the cities were named, but one of those 5 verses leaves no doubt what Allah thought of homosexuals.
Quran
| QUOTE |
| 7:81 "For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." |
TOPIC: Reading The Quran