Wow! I cleared the room out... again! You know, it's not like I'm looking for problems. They just always seem to find me.

I think for this situation, I'm going to take my Angel's advice and mark each of the passages with a "forgiveness". It's a special mark you make before and after a passage that raises questions, such as this one. I'll color code the markings so I'll know which are:

1. Contradictions that can be reconciled.

2. Contradictions that were made under extenuating circumstances (which is what I would call this particular one).

3. Contradictions that have become a matter of heated dispute (such as martyrdom missions, etc).

And before anyone thinks about levying an infraction on me for disrespecting Islam, be it known that I firmly believe Islam carries the last and only surviving covenant between man and God. What I do, I do only to prevent history from repeating itself. In other words, I don't want the Shia and the Sunnis to divide themselves the way the Israelites and the Judeans did - especially over issues that, as far as I can tell, are not very difficult to resolve... if the top scholars would agree to meet. I also do this for the students, such as myself, who get confused when a forgiveness commentary is not included to explain why certain passages seem to conflict with the Quran.

It's my attempt to heal, not harm.

The Ninth Scribe