A few Questions on the Quran

[freethinking]

Greetings again
apologies I know I have been in some threads and not got back for some time as I have been very busy.
However, I have enjoyed the discussions on our beliefs very much indeed.

I hope and pray to have time to come back more often but for now If I may, i will begin with asking:

Is it true as I recently heard from a non muslim that there are 90 odd words in the Quran for God but none of them refer to God as Father or even as Love? This is very important for me.

Also What in the Quran Did Mohammed Prophesise for is Humans. I did read the Quraan and did not see any new prophetic information contained therein. Thus why is Mohammed considered a Prophet?

Finally for now, this is a very curious puzzle for me since I rad the Quran, Why is it such a small Book for 23 years of reveltaion from God and also why is it so repetitive in may ideas?
I ask these questions in with earest respect in my continual quest for Truth in this life.

God bless you all and I welcome feedback from peole who have studied the quran with thier hearts.

 

[Rabi Mansur]

Greetings again
apologies I know I have been in some threads and not got back for some time as I have been very busy.
However, I have enjoyed the discussions on our beliefs very much indeed.

I hope and pray to have time to come back more often but for now If I may, i will begin with asking:

Is it true as I recently heard from a non muslim that there are 90 odd words in the Quran for God but none of them refer to God as Father or even as Love? This is very important for me.

Also What in the Quran Did Mohammed Prophesise for is Humans. I did read the Quraan and did not see any new prophetic information contained therein. Thus why is Mohammed considered a Prophet?

Finally for now, this is a very curious puzzle for me since I rad the Quran, Why is it such a small Book for 23 years of reveltaion from God and also why is it so repetitive in may ideas?
I ask these questions in with earest respect in my continual quest for Truth in this life.

God bless you all and I welcome feedback from peole who have studied the quran with thier hearts.

I'll take a shot at some of these questions. To really understand the Prophet (PBUH) you probably need to also read a good biography of him. There are some out there that I'm sure you can locate. He lived an amazing life. One book that I would highly recommend is God'ed. If you see it be sure and pick it up. You can also get it at Amazon. It does a great job of explaining his life and his message.
The Qur'an is unlike any other book. It has not been duplicated. If you talk to someone who speaks Arabic they will tell you that it cannot be rivaled. It may seem short but its contents are full. It has stood the test of time.
Muhammad (pbuh) was the final Messenger. It was through Jibreel to him that the message was revealed. Like other prophets, he received a message but his was the final message. Hence we need look no further.
If you are looking for someone who prophesied of future events then maybe his life is not the best example of that, because his message was the Qur'an, he was not one who emphasized a lot of miracles like Jesus (P) who was able to heal so many people. His miracle was the Qur'an. But he did also prophesy of future events, some of those prophecies are preserved in the Sunnah. The Qur'an is the word of Allah (SWT) as revealed to him from Jibreel. It is not a litany of prophecies or predictions of future events. It reveals the final message.
I hope this helps. I'm a fairly new revert so take what I say with a grain of salt. Others here are more knowledgeable.
And Allah (SWT) knows best.
:wa:

 

[freethinking]

Well good people I see that plenty have looked at my post but none are yet answering. is there no good people who can help me with these questions?

 

[Woodrow]

Greetings again
apologies I know I have been in some threads and not got back for some time as I have been very busy.
However, I have enjoyed the discussions on our beliefs very much indeed.

I hope and pray to have time to come back more often but for now If I may, i will begin with asking:

Is it true as I recently heard from a non muslim that there are 90 odd words in the Quran for God but none of them refer to God as Father or even as Love? This is very important for me.

Also What in the Quran Did Mohammed Prophesise for is Humans. I did read the Quraan and did not see any new prophetic information contained therein. Thus why is Mohammed considered a Prophet?

Finally for now, this is a very curious puzzle for me since I rad the Quran, Why is it such a small Book for 23 years of reveltaion from God and also why is it so repetitive in may ideas?
I ask these questions in with earest respect in my continual quest for Truth in this life.

God bless you all and I welcome feedback from peole who have studied the quran with thier hearts.

Very Good questions.

I'm going to begin from the bottom in the event I have to cut my time on the computer short.

Finally for now, this is a very curious puzzle for me since I rad the Quran, Why is it such a small Book for 23 years of reveltaion from God and also why is it so repetitive in may ideas?
I ask these questions in with earest respect in my continual quest for Truth in this life.

The message of the Qur'an is very short when we reduce it to essentials. The complete revelation can be summed up in the first Surah:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.




That is the messege we are to know. The remainder of the Qur'an is how we are to follow and obey that beautiful messege from Allaah(swt)

The Qur'an is not a history book, it is not a science book, it does not give us the history of obedience to Allaah(swt). It is an explanation of what obedience is and how we can be obedient servants.

It says what we need to know and how and why we are to achieve what the message tells us. Nothing complex and no need for the frills of needless stories. When taking seriously it is a very large book and it was necessary for it to take 23 years in revelation for it to be properly understood. For the average reader to read the Qur'an in proper Arabic, a recitation of the Quran will take about 30 hours. The Qur'an can be broken down into 30 Juz each of nearly identical length. Over a period of 23 years this comes to the learning of about 1.5 Juz per year. Quite a bit of information to be absorbed in that short of time. I find it remarkable that it could have been covered in just 23 years.

Now, if you think the Qur'an should contain a history of Muhammad(PBUH) you will need to look to the Ahadeeth to find that. There are at least 1/2 million books of hadeeth, covering virtually everything Muhammad(PBUH) did and said during that time. But use caution as the science of hadeeth is still ongoing and not all of the books of hadeeth have been authenticated yet.

Also What in the Quran Did Mohammed Prophesise for is Humans. I did read the Quraan and did not see any new prophetic information contained therein. Thus why is Mohammed considered a Prophet?

True there is nothing new. the difference is finally the message was in a form for all people and regiven in a pure errorless form

Is it true as I recently heard from a non muslim that there are 90 odd words in the Quran for God but none of them refer to God as Father or even as Love? This is very important for me.

We know of at least 99 names for Allah(swt) in the Qur'an. why should he be called father, he is not our father. He is our creator and is infinetly beyond the concept of father. Why do people persist in trying to ascribe human characteristics and attributes to our Creator who is without equal and surpases all human concepts and ideals. As for love, there is no single word adequate to describe love. The 99 names of Allaah(swt) do give us some of the attributes of his love, which is beyond human comprehension.

1. Allah: He who has the Godhood which is the power to create the entities.

2. Ar-Rahman: The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers in this world and especially for the believers in the hereafter.

3. Ar-Rahim: The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers.

4. Al-Malik: The One with the complete Dominion, the One Whose Dominion is clear from imperfection.

5. Al-Quddus: The One who is pure from any imperfection and clear from children and adversaries.

6. As-Salam: The One who is free from every imperfection.

7. Al-Mu'min: The One who witnessed for Himself that no one is God but Him. And He witnessed for His believers that they are truthful in their belief that no one is God but Him.

8. Al-Muhaymin: The One who witnesses the saying and deeds of His creatures.

9. Al-^Aziz: The Defeater who is not defeated.

10. Al-Jabbar: The One that nothing happens in His Dominion except that which He willed.

11. Al-Mutakabbir: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them.

12. Al-Khaliq: The One who brings everything from non-existence to existence.

13. Al-Bari': The Creator who has the Power to turn the entities.

14. Al-Musawwir: The One who forms His creatures in different pictures.

15. Al-Ghaffar: The One who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.

16. Al-Qahhar: The Subduer who has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

17. Al-Wahhab: The One who is Generous in giving plenty without any return.

18. Ar-Razzaq: The One who gives everything that benefits whether Halal or Haram.

19. Al-Fattah: The One who opens for His slaves the closed worldy and religious matters.

20. Al-^Alim: The Knowledgeable; The One nothing is absent from His knowledge.

21. Al-Qabid and 22. Al-Basit: The One who constricts the sustenance by His wisdom and expands and widens it with His Generosity and Mercy.

23. Al-Khafid and 24. Ar-Rafi^: The One who lowers whoever He willed by His Destruction and raises whoever He willed by His Endowment.

25. Al-Mu^iz and 26. Al-Muthil: He gives esteem to whoever He willed, hence there is no one to degrade Him; And He degradeswhoever He willed, hence there is no one to give Him esteem.

27. As-Sami^: The One who Hears all things that are heard by His Eternal Hearing without an ear, instrument or organ.

28. Al-Basir: The One who Sees all things that are seen by His Eternal Seeing without a pupil or any otherinstrument.

29. Al-Hakam: He is the Ruler and His judgment is His Word.

30. Al-^Adl: The One who is entitled to do what He does.

31. Al-Latif: The One who is kind to His slaves and endows upon them.

32. Al-Khabir: The One who knows the truth of things.

33. Al-Halim: The One who delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive them.

34. Al-^Azim: The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement,and Purity from all imperfection.

35. Al-Ghafur: The One who forgives a lot.

36. Ash-Shakur: The One who gives a lot of reward for a little obedience.

37. Al-^Aliyy: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures.

38. Al-Kabir: The One who is greater than everything in status.

39. Al-Hafiz: The One who protects whatever and whoever He willed to protect.

40. Al-Muqit: The One who has the Power.

41. Al-Hasib: The One who gives the satisfaction.

42. Aj-Jalil: The One who is attributed with greatness of Power and Glory of status.

43. Al-Karim: The One who is clear from abjectness.

44. Ar-Raqib: The One that nothing is absent from Him. Hence it's meaning is related to the attribute ofKnowledge.

45. Al-Mujib: The One who answers the one in need if he asks Him and rescues the yearner if he calls upon Him.

46. Al-Wasi^: The Knowledgeable.

47. Al-Hakim: The One who is correct in His doings.

48. Al-Wadud: The One who loves His believing slaves and His believing slaves love Him. His love to His slavesis His Will to be merciful to them and praise them:Hence it's meaning is related to the attributes of the Will and Kalam (His attribute with which He orders and forbids and spoke to Muhammad and Mu sa -peace be upon them- . It is not a sound nor a language nor a letter).

49. Al-Majid: The One who is with perfect Power, High Status, Compassion, Generosity and Kindness.

50. Al-Ba^ith: The One who resurrects His slaves after death for reward and/or punishment.

51. Ash-Shahid: The One who nothing is absent from Him.

52. Al-Haqq: The One who truly exists.

53. Al-Wakil: The One who gives the satisfaction and is relied upon.

54. Al-Qawiyy: The One with the complete Power.

55. Al-Matin: The One with extreme Power which is un-interrupted and He does not get tired.

56. Al-Waliyy: The Supporter.

57. Al-Hamid: The praised One who deserves to be praised.

58. Al-Muhsi: The One who the count of things are known to him.

59. Al-Mubdi': The One who started the human being. That is, He created him.

60. Al-Mu^id: The One who brings back the creatures after death.

61. Al-Muhyi: The One who took out a living human from semen that does not have a soul. He gives life bygiving the souls back to the worn out bodies on the resurrection day and He makes the hearts alive by the light of knowledge.

62. Al-Mumit: The One who renders the living dead.

63. Al-Hayy: The One attributed with a life that is unlike our life and is not that of a combination of soul, fleshor blood.

64. Al-Qayyum: The One who remains and does not end.

65. Al-Wajid: The Rich who is never poor. Al-Wajd is Richness.

66. Al-Majid: The One who is Majid.

67. Al-Wahid: The One without a partner.

68. As-Samad: The Master who is relied upon in matters and reverted to in ones needs.

69. Al-Qadir: The One attributed with Power.

70. Al-Muqtadir: The One with the perfect Power that nothing is withheld from Him.

71. Al-Muqaddim and 72. Al-Mu'akhkhir: The One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead what He wills and delays what He wills.

73. Al-'Awwal: The One whose Existence is without a beginning.

74. Al-'Akhir: The One whose Existence is without an end.

75. Az-Zahir 76. Al-Batin: The One that nothing is above Him and nothing is underneath Him, hence He exists without aplace. He, The Exalted, His Existence is obvious by proofs and He is clear from the delusions of attributesof bodies.

77. Al-Wali: The One who owns things and manages them.

78. Al-Muta^ali: The One who is clear from the attributes of the creation.

79. Al-Barr: The One who is kind to His creatures, who covered them with His sustenance and specified however He willed among them by His support, protection, and special mercy.

80. At-Tawwab: The One who grants repentance to whoever He willed among His creatures and accepts his repentance.

81. Al-Muntaqim: The One who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. It maymean the One who destroys them.

82. Al-^Afuww: The One with wide forgiveness.

83. Ar-Ra'uf: The One with extreme Mercy. The Mercy of Allah is His will to endow upon whoever He willedamong His creatures.

84. Malik Al-Mulk: The One who controls the Dominion and gives dominion to whoever He willed.

85. Thul-Jalal wal-Ikram: The One who deserves to be Exalted and not denied.

86. Al-Muqsit: The One who is Just in His judgment.

87. Aj-Jami^: The One who gathers the creatures on a day that there is no doubt about, that is the Day of
Judgment.

88. Al-Ghaniyy: The One who does not need the creation.

89. Al-Mughni: The One who satisfies the necessities of the creatures.

90. Al-Mani^: The Supporter who protects and gives victory to His pious believers. Al-Mu'tiy The Withholder

91. Ad-Darr and 92. An-Nafi^: The One who makes harm reach to whoever He willed and benefit to whoever He willed.

93. An-Nur: The One who guides.

94. Al-Hadi: The One whom with His Guidance His belivers were guided, and with His Guidance the living: beings have been guided to what is beneficial for them and protected from what is harmful to them.

95. Al-Badi^: The One who created the creation and formed it without any preceding example.

96. Al-Baqi: The One that the state of non-existence is impossible for Him.

97. Al-Warith: The One whose Existence remains.

98. Ar-Rashid: The One who guides.

99. As-Sabur: The One who does not quickly punish the sinners.

 

[Seek]

Salam Alaykum my friend,

I just joined the forums, and felt I can provide you with some answers.

about the 90 odd words, do you mean the 99 names of Allah? they are all just names of Allah. First point we don't take Allah as father. He is Allah(God). In Christianity they take God as Father, or the Son of God Jesus.
In a matter of fact, I have looked at the names, they do refer to his as "Al Wadud" which means in English "The Loving One". Also, another name is the "As Salam" Which means in English "The All-Peaceful" OR "The Bestower of peace"...etc. You can easily find all his names by looking up "99 names of Allah". I don't want to flood this reply with his names.

Concerning Mohammed for human, do you mean in the Quran? or do you mean in Hadith? Because if you mean in the Quran, I can bring to you many examples. You can also look it up on youtube, "Scientific Miracles in the Quran".

The first Question I want to ask you is, did you read it in Arabic or in English? If its in English, I believe it is 2000 pages according to a very well known scholar of Islam, Ahmed Deedat. He always refers to it as an encyclopedia. As of me reading it in Arabic, the Quran has reached the highest form of literature. This small book has a lot of meanings. One verse means a lot. For this, Allah has told us, no one will ever be able to make something like it. From the Glorious Quran, Chapter 17, Verse 88 says:

Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support. (88)

Its been 1400 years, no one has done it.

From that, I'm not challenging you, or anyone else to produce something like the Quran and make it like it is impossible and no one can do it haha. I'm saying that the Quran has reached a level in literature that no one could reach, and that was 1400 years ago. Another thing i found about the verses, they have fewer words, but more meaning. That is why translating the Quran would make it as big as 2000 pages.

I hope I helped to show you the truth, if not, I hope Allah forgives me for my ignorance.

 

[siam]

In the name of God, the Compassionate and the merciful.....if that doesn't describe love---what does?
Prophet----(Nabi, Rasul--arabic) means one who brings a message or law from God. (messenger of God). It does not mean "one who tells the future". The OT/Torah Prophets also brought message/guidance from God.

 

[freethinking]

In the name of God, the Compassionate and the merciful.....if that doesn't describe love---what does?
Prophet----(Nabi, Rasul--arabic) means one who brings a message or law from God. (messenger of God). It does not mean "one who tells the future". The OT/Torah Prophets also brought message/guidance from God.

Thank you so much for answeringt that question. But if not a Prophesy but a Law Giver, what new Law did Mohaamed give in the quran?

Bless you

 

[freethinking]

I'll take a shot at some of these questions. To really understand the Prophet (PBUH) you probably need to also read a good biography of him. There are some out there that I'm sure you can locate. He lived an amazing life. One book that I would highly recommend is God'ed. If you see it be sure and pick it up. You can also get it at Amazon. It does a great job of explaining his life and his message.
The Qur'an is unlike any other book. It has not been duplicated. If you talk to someone who speaks Arabic they will tell you that it cannot be rivaled. It may seem short but its contents are full. It has stood the test of time.
Muhammad (pbuh) was the final Messenger. It was through Jibreel to him that the message was revealed. Like other prophets, he received a message but his was the final message. Hence we need look no further.
If you are looking for someone who prophesied of future events then maybe his life is not the best example of that, because his message was the Qur'an, he was not one who emphasized a lot of miracles like Jesus (P) who was able to heal so many people. His miracle was the Qur'an. But he did also prophesy of future events, some of those prophecies are preserved in the Sunnah. The Qur'an is the word of Allah (SWT) as revealed to him from Jibreel. It is not a litany of prophecies or predictions of future events. It reveals the final message.
I hope this helps. I'm a fairly new revert so take what I say with a grain of salt. Others here are more knowledgeable.
And Allah (SWT) knows best.
:wa:

Thank you so much for your kind and patient explanation,
However with respect Why cannot I understand Mohammed just from the Quaran? What is the final message of the quran as the Bible ends quite conclusively which was long before Mohammed. What is new in the Quran that was not already in the Bible? If it truely is messages from God it should be equally understandable in all languages don't you think? The Bible also comprehensively exaplins all that we need to Join God In Heaven so I regret that no your kiind words have not helped me but Bless you

 

[freethinking]

Salam Alaykum my friend,

I just joined the forums, and felt I can provide you with some answers.

about the 90 odd words, do you mean the 99 names of Allah? they are all just names of Allah. First point we don't take Allah as father. He is Allah(God). In Christianity they take God as Father, or the Son of God Jesus.
Why not Father? we are God's children after all are we not and no not in a humanistc way buut in a Spiritual way.

In a matter of fact, I have looked at the names, they do refer to his as "Al Wadud" which means in English "The Loving One". Also, another name is the "As Salam" Which means in English "The All-Peaceful" OR "The Bestower of peace"...etc. You can easily find all his names by looking up "99 names of Allah". I don't want to flood this reply with his names.
*** Thank you to for kindly getting back
The Bible has many names for God including Love which is actually the epitomy of God so thats why I am curious as to why the Quran does not mention this when the Bible gives many examples of this***

Concerning Mohammed for human, do you mean in the Quran?
*** I do mean in the quran for this is supposed to be the words from God***
or do you mean in Hadith? Because if you mean in the Quran, I can bring to you many examples. You can also look it up on youtube, "Scientific Miracles in the Quran". Science is not miricles it is human progress which falters and changes directions many times, this is not the same as Wisdom with respect

The first Question I want to ask you is, did you read it in Arabic or in English? If its in English, I believe it is 2000 pages according to a very well known scholar of Islam,
***Yes I di read it in English and indeed 200 pages is incredible small in my humble opion for 23 years of revelation - In fact because there is so much repepition, for example I counted some statements repeated over 20 times throughout the book, it means the content is even smaller, yet when we compare this with the Bible for one Phrophet for exampke Daniel, that book alone from the Bible contains more. The book of Proverbs has more too

Ahmed Deedat. He always refers to it as an encyclopedia. As of me reading it in Arabic, the Quran has reached the highest form of literature. This small book has a lot of meanings. One verse means a lot. For this, Allah has told us, no one will ever be able to make something like it. From the Glorious Quran, Chapter 17, Verse 88 says:


Say: "If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support. (88) ***So how many meanings do you read into that? It seems very strightforward to me is that the only example?***

Its been 1400 years, no one has done it. ***Done what and 1400 years is not exactly a long time cosmologically or even in Biblical History***

From that, I'm not challenging you, or anyone else to produce something like the Quran and make it like it is impossible and no one can do it haha. ***I could certainly produce a similar book to the English version I have read***

I'm saying that the Quran has reached a level in literature that no one could reach, and that was 1400 years ago. What level is it I cannot see anything remarkable in the Quran hence I cam here to find these answewrs but seem to get generalities alas***
Another thing i found about the verses, they have fewer words, but more meaning. That is why translating the Quran would make it as big as 2000 pages. *** So can you polease give me some examples, in English pls? ***

I hope I helped to show you the truth, if not, I hope Allah forgives me for my ignorance.

***I am afraid I have to say with respect your words do not stike me with the Ring of Truth, Bless you for trying though***

 

[freethinking]

Very Good questions.

I'm going to begin from the bottom in the event I have to cut my time on the computer short.




The message of the Qur'an is very short when we reduce it to essentials. The complete revelation can be summed up in the first Surah:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.

Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.




That is the messege we are to know. The remainder of the Qur'an is how we are to follow and obey that beautiful messege from Allaah(swt)

***Thank you too for your patient words for me, but i regret this is not all i hoped for, as The Bible already clearly shows how to join God in heaven so what is new ibn the Quran?

The Qur'an is not a history book, it is not a science book, it does not give us the history of obedience to Allaah(swt). It is an explanation of what obedience is and how we can be obedient servants.
***As is the book of Proverbs and much more in the Bible in fact most of it, so whats new in the Quran?

It says what we need to know and how and why we are to achieve what the message tells us. Nothing complex and no need for the frills of needless stories. When taking seriously it is a very large book and it was necessary for it to take 23 years in revelation for it to be properly understood. ***Thats incredible when we consider what Isiah and daniel, ezekiel and John for examplke wrote from one revelation***

For the average reader to read the Qur'an in proper Arabic, a recitation of the Quran will take about 30 hours. The Qur'an can be broken down into 30 Juz each of nearly identical length. Over a period of 23 years this comes to the learning of about 1.5 Juz per year. Quite a bit of information to be absorbed in that short of time. I find it remarkable that it could have been covered in just 23 years.***As you can see as God can do anything and did with Biblical prophets, I am not impresseds with this which in any case is repetitious***

Now, if you think the Qur'an should contain a history of Muhammad(PBUH) you will need to look to the Ahadeeth to find that. There are at least 1/2 million books of hadeeth, covering virtually everything Muhammad(PBUH) did and said during that time. But use caution as the science of hadeeth is still ongoing and not all of the books of hadeeth have been authenticated yet.



True there is nothing new. the difference is finally the message was in a form for all people and regiven in a pure errorless form. ***I am not even sure about that as it does in enghlish give the imptression that the earth is Flat, and all was well covered in the Bible.



We know of at least 99 names for Allah(swt) in the Qur'an. why should he be called father, he is not our father. He is our creator and is infinetly beyond the concept of father. Why do people persist in trying to ascribe human characteristics and attributes to our Creator who is without equal and surpases all human concepts and ideals. As for love, there is no single word adequate to describe love. The 99 names of Allaah(swt) do give us some of the attributes of his love, which is beyond human comprehension.

***Thank you for providing that list, Love is at east the word Love and is used many times in the Bible, so why not the quran?

Bless you, I ask these questions in peace

 

[freethinking]

Love is much more than just compassion and mercy my friend I hope you realise that one day it will help you greatly in all relationships

Bless you

 

[freethinking]

Greetings again,
I am sorry to see my replies to all of you whop replied have not been posed which I did yesterday, I hope they will be soon as I am still left with those questions and a few more from the answers I receieved.
Bless you all

 

[siam]

What new law did Islam bring?----Islam means to submit (to God)---it is the "way" (Guidance) that God has given to all mankind since the beginning. God has sent messengers to all human beings throughout time and the Guidance has been the same----Islam. However, over time, some human beings have distorted/corrupted this message through pride, arrogance, ignorance.....etc. The Quran has been sent as the final revelation/Guidance to correct the errors that have occured and to Guide those who had not recieved Guidance before.

The Quran builds up on ideas like we would use Lego blocks to build up a structure. So ideas or concepts seem to be repeated but actually the Quran is giving us more depth and nuance and sometimes showing us the concept from a different perspective.

Love---it is a subjective idea---each of us may define it differently, a mother's love, the love in friendship, the love of a spouse...etc....However, in all these relationships, Compassion and Mercy are the foundational building blocks of that love.

 

[Insaanah]

the Quran, Why is it such a small Book for 23 years of reveltaion from God

Because it is free of nonsense, and free from the words of humans being intermingled with the word of God. It is 100% the word of God. And Allah knew exactly how much we could take and how much was best for us.

and also why is it so repetitive in may ideas?

Repetition reinforces, without people having to go back to where something is first mentioned. If you think about a good teacher, the concepts he/she taught you at the beginning of term, they won't just teach them and the forget about them, never to be mentioned again until it comes to studying for the exam. A good teacher will keep referring to principles he/she taught at the beginning, keeping them fresh in students minds, and reinforcing the concepts. This makes studying for the exam that much easier, and the students are less likely to forget what they learnt, and are much more likely to be able to apply what they learnt practically.

It was essential that the fundamental beliefs and principles on which Islam was based should always be kept fresh in people's minds; a necessity which dictated that they should always be repeated continuously through all stages of revelation. For this reason, certain basic Islamic concepts about the unity of Allah and His Attributes, about the Hereafter, about man's accountability and about reward and punishment, about prophethood and belief in revealed scriptures, about basic moral attributes such as piety, patience, trust in Allah and so on, recur throughout the Qur'an. If these ideas were not clear in the minds of the people, Islam could not have moved forward in its true spirit.

This explains the repetitions we encounter in the Qur'an. At each stage of it's revelation, emphasis was placed only on those subjects which were appropriate at that stage, to the exclusion of matters pertaining to later stages. As a result, certain subjects may require continual emphasis for months or even years. On the other hand, constant repetition in the same manner becomes exhausting. Whenever a subject is repeated, sometimes it should be repeated in the same words, and sometimes it should be expressed in different phraseology, in new forms and with stylistic variations so as to ensure that the ideas and beliefs being put over find their way into the hearts of the people. The Qur'an, the perfect book, the word of God (Glorified and Exalted be He), achieves this perfectly.

Is it true as I recently heard from a non muslim that there are 90 odd words in the Quran for God but none of them refer to God as Father or even as Love? This is very important for me.

No, it is not true. Allah Himself refers to Himself as the Loving (in Arabic, al-Wadood) in the Qur'an:

"And He is the Forgiving, the Loving, Lord of the Throne of Glory, Doer of what He wills..." (85:14-16)

"Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love." (19:96)

Not only that, but Allah clearly tells us in the Qur'an what we need to do to attain His love, and how we can practically demonstrate our love for Him:

"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is forgiving, Merciful."

"Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah loves not the disbelievers (in His guidance)." (3:31,32)

Peace.

 

[syed_z]

Also What in the Quran Did Mohammed Prophesise for is Humans. I did read the Quraan and did not see any new prophetic information contained therein. Thus why is Mohammed considered a Prophet?

Hope you and Yours are doing well Freethinking...

And so i Pray to Allah (swt) to Guide you towards the Path of Truth...and may Allah (Swt) keep All of Us Guided...


You have to understand the Belief of the Muslims... the Quran at the Beginning has already Made it clear that for a Muslim to Have Belief in One God/Allah , they have to believe in All the Prophets who were sent before us, and all the Books and Revelations which were revealed to them.... without such A Muslim CANNOT be a Muslim...



(2:01) Alif Lam Mim (letters occuring at the beginning of many Surahs)

(2:02) THIS DIVINE WRIT - let there be No Doubt about it - is (meant to be) a guidance for all the God Conscious ( i.e who live their lives and shape their lives according to Awareness that God Sees them everywhere and any where)

(2:03) Who Believe in (the existence of) of that which is beyond the reach of human perception (Unseen World, God, Paradise, Hell, Angels) and are constant in Prayer, and spend on others out of what We Provide for them as Sustenance (money, physical bounty given by Allah, as well as Knolwedge, Piety, kindness etc)

(2:04) and who believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon You (O Prophet Muhammad) as well as in that which was Bestowed before your time: for it is they who in their innermost are certain of the Life to come!

(2:05) It is they who follow the guidance (which comes) from their Sustaner; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state!



so brother, the Verse 4 clearly mentions that UNLESS and UNTILL we Muslims do not believe in what was bestowed on the Previous Prophets i.e Torah and Gospel or Bible and we do not believe in the Prophet Hood of all the Previous Prophets we cannot have Faith (Iman)! Belief is what makes a person a Believer!

Also this gives and it should answer your question from the Quran, that Prophet Hood is a Historic Continuity which had begun from Adam (a.s) and down all the way, ended with Prophet Muhammad (saw). This is the Doctrine of Quran as mentioned above, that Quran makes it VERY CLEAR as You open the Quran and from its starting Allah (swt) mentions, that The Message Muhammad brought is not a Message Of its own and unconnected from the Continuous Process of Revelation which was taking place throughout the History of Mankind, rather it is very Connected to it, because its the Same God who sent all Prophets mentioned in the Bible , also Sent Muhammad (Saw).... and Bible clearly mentions the Arrival of a Prophet named Muhammad ....which i can provide sources if you may wish to know..



Here and many other Places Quran mentions the Delivering of Message by Prophets to their Communities....


(26:107) Noah deliver Allah's Message
(26:124) Hud delivers Allah's Message (Identical with Biblical Eber)
(26:143) Salih delivers Message ( to the Nabatean Tribe)
(26:162) Lut deliver his Message (Lot in bible , who came to Sodom and Gomorrah)
(26:178) Shuayb deliver his Message (Known as Ruel in the Bible came to Madyan dwellers)


and many Prophets, Moses , Jesus, etc.... we All Believe in their Message being delivered to Mankind from the Same Source , i.e One True God, Allah (swt) in Arabic we call God...and Allah (swt) by mentioning the Previous Prophets and their Stories, is to make mankind realize that just as they had been sent to Deliver so is Muhammad been Sent to deliver...

Thank you so much for your kind and patient explanation,
However with respect Why cannot I understand Mohammed just from the Quaran? What is the final message of the quran as the Bible ends quite conclusively which was long before Mohammed. What is new in the Quran that was not already in the Bible?

But if not a Prophesy but a Law Giver, what new Law did Mohaamed give in the quran?

Ok so Good Question.... Quran very Well explains your QUestion, because its a Question that comes to the mind of ALL humans whether Muslim or Non-Muslim...


(5:48) ... Unto Every One of you We appointed a (different) Law and a way of life. And if God had so willed. he would surley have made you all one single community: but (He willed it otherwise) in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto God you all must return: and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you used to differ.


...Unto Every one of You we Apppointed a (different) Law.... this Verse which Allah (Swt) mentions in the Quran is to tell mankind, answers exactly as to why A Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sent in the end after a continuous Flow of revelation throughout the History of Mankind. The Belief in One God, Angels and Paradise and Hell, is all the Same delivered by All Prophets, BUT where the change takes Place is in the Law as given by God to various Communities throughout the History depending on their Environment and Development of their Mind and Body....

Similarly every Prophet was sent to their Community but Muhammad (saw) was sent to all of Mankind, because Mankind according to Allah (swt) has evolved in to beings who are capable to understand Using their reason and Logic, to Judge what is the Best Message which could help them deliver the Solution to all problems of Humanity...

and so it is exactly this reason why Muhammad (Saw) was sent as a Mercy to All Mankind...



(21:107) We have sent you forth as nothing but mercy to people of the whole world.



So this is why Muhammad (saw) is known to be sent to all of Mankind, because the Message of the Quran is acceptable to whomsoever tries to Understand with a Clear mind, it is NOT a blind faith and Quran reject those Who do Not Use their Reason and Logic... Verily the Vilest, the Vilest of all creatures in the sight of God are those deaf, those dumb ones who do not use their Reason (8:22) ....

Muhammad (saw) was sent for all Mankind, unlike Moses (a.s) who was sent ONLY to Children of Israel as the Old Testament only Addresses Children of Israel.... Jesus (a.s) was ONLY sent to reform the Law of Moses, as he himself said he was NOT sent to Mankind but only to the Jews... "sent only unto the lost sheep of Israel" (Mathew Chapter XV, 24)..... and so it is ONLY Muhammad (Saw) who was sent to all Mankind and its Message , the Quran is NOT time bound, but for ALL times... till the End of the World...

Also Allah (swt)/ God does not mention ANYWHERE in the Bible i.e Old Testament or New Testament, that He would Protect it agains any kind of corruption, BUT Allah (Swt) does say about it in the Quran... "It is We Who shall truly Guard it" (15:09) .... which is a Fact, that Quran remains the Only Book unchanged on Planet Earth , its been like 14 Centuries...



So Bro Freethinking, feel free to Ask, InshAllah (If Allah wills) then we, brothers/sisters can answer any more concerns you might have... Take care..

 

[جوري]

The law of Islam is to bring people to the monotheistic path of God after the derailment and pagan idolatry and dark ages of Christianity.. Islam is the religion that has always been.. if anything monolithic and 'new' it would be Christianity.. no monotheistic religion preaches man worship, gods born of women and gods dying save for Christianity.. Islam is the religion that was always and always shall be God's system for the world.. truly God must love humanity for giving them another clear chance after they'd made a mess of things time and again!

all the best