format_quote Originally Posted by
Will Head
Are verses in the Qur'an absolute and self sufficient, or must they be understood within a larger context? In other words, can I pick a verse at random and assume I understand what it is saying without reading anything else? Or must I read more in the Qur'an (or the Hadiths) to more fully understand.
Christians must take most of the verses of the Bible within their proper context. As a Christian scholar, it is not good practice for me to read a random verse and assume I can understand what it is saying without reading more. As most of you know, much biblical truth is derived from stories, while Qur'anic truths are given in concrete statements (correct me if I am wrong).
I am hopeful and eager for our common dwelling on earth. Props to "A Common Word Between Us and You," a thoughtful and considerate move. Praise be to the only God, who is compassionate and merciful.
Imo..
Both.
And it mentions the subject more than once also.
So a more general understanding of subject matter helps.
But imo it's a case of reading it and being drawn to certain things, incorporating them into our own understandings that shape our own paths.
More of what you are or what you want to be.
If that's literal or contextual or historical or metaphorical is entirely dependant on how you have approached the book..
None of the approaches are wrong if you are willing to learn and adapt... Allah swt accepts what he wills and rejects what he wills, he raises and lowers as he wills.
It's a learning experience.
Imo.
Make of it what you will, but putting all those different understandings together is like putting all the people together.
So people will always disagree..
But it's like science imo, if the world turns today the same as it has done since creation..
Then you should have universal truths although they are beyond us.
I'm not patronising, maybe simply reading it is enough to plan for the future for some or memorizing it..