Non-Muslim Reading the Qur'an

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DanEdge

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Greetings,

I have begun re-reading the Qua'ran online for educational purposes. For those interested, I'd like to document my experience on this thread.

Currently, I'm using this translation: http://www.noblequran.com/translation/

I'd welcome advice for other translations, especially if they have footnote references for further study.

Thanks,

--Dan Edge
 
Analysis of Surah Al-Baqarah:

This document touches on many issues. My first impression is that it is meant to identify Islam with people of the Book (Jew, Christians), while differentiating Islam as a new theology.

The author seems to be upset that other followers of the Book do not accept these new revelations. For the most part, there is a message of unity and peace among people of the Book. Followers of the Book are assumed to be moral if they follow their own code, and will be judged only by Allah.

There are also several interesting passages which indicate that the problem with Book-followers is that they do not accept new revelations. Book-ers assume that all knowledge is contained in previously recorded revelations, but the author disagrees. The author argues that new knowledge is available and ought to be pursued.

The parallels between Jew, Christian, and Islam are very interesting. This Surah mentions Adam, Eve, Moses, Gabriel, Michael, and others who are also present in other religious traditions.

Verse 96 condemns Jews as "the greediest of mankind for life..." At that time in history, the Jewish church was organized in a very hierarchical way, with some focus placed on generating income for the temple and preserving authority for temple leaders. This verse seems to be an objection to that state of affairs.

**I noted that Verse 190-194 is often quoted by enemies of Islam. Upon reading this passage as an adult, I see how out-of-context this passage is seen. Muslims are advised to defend themselves against enemies while conforming to the rules of law. This, after the author makes clear that people of the Book are not enemies, but mis-lead.

More to come if I decide to read the next section and comment :)

Sincerely,

--Dan Edge
 
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Hi

here is a site for Quran translation in various languages with search engine.


Comprehensive Quran Search:


Search in multiple languages (English Yusuf Ali, English Picktall, English Mohammad Asad, Turkish , Malay, French, Spanish, German) Topic Search, Phonetic Search, Chapter Search, Topic Index.


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Phonetic Search

(Lets you find verses in the Qur'an by queries such as "Inna atayna !..".)


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Topic Index of the Quran

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Quran Search: Arabic Word Root Search

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Quran Search: Arabic Word Search


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Quran Search: Chinese, Chinese Simplified


http://www.islamicity.com/quran/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
 
Analysis of Surah Ale-Imran:

This document begins with more consternation about the differences between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The author seems very hurt that others of the Book do not accept these new revelations. In the translation I'm reading, the author's theological ideas seem much more modern and easier to explain. The author seems frustrated that others of the Book don't share his new view, and blames this lack of understanding on a disconnection from Allah.

Abraham, Jesus, Mary, Jacob are introduced here, along with common sayings about the blind and the leper.

The author asserts that the previous writings on the one god were incomplete, while Islam is the true source. Islam claims to have the proof.

More and more fire is promised for disbelieves (this is a common theme in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

The author makes reference to some specific battles in Islam history, and promises rewards in heaven for those who fight in defense of their country. Again, I have seen these versus quoted out of context as a blank check for slaughtering any non-Muslims. Wrong!

The Surah closes with more disconcernment about other of the Book who don't get Islam. The author is very upset that others of the Book don't accept Islam as new revelations.

--Dan Edge
 
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Thanks for this thread. It´s interesting to see how some non-Muslim sees the Quran. It also reminds me the times when I read the Quran the first time - when I was still a non-Muslim. I appreciate your efforts there to understand our the holy book. Keep reading.

:statisfie
 
Analysis of Surah An-Nisa:

This beginning of this document reads like a legal dissertation. The writing style is different, and seems like a different author. It later changes to more of the same from the previous Surahs. Perhaps the author is drawing from a different work?

Rules of marriage and sex are laid down, seemingly for the benefit of widows, old maids, and slaves. This was a time when unmarried women were the lowest dregs of society, so there seems to be a humanitarian mission here to protect disadvantaged women.

"Kill them wherever you find them..." This may be the most often quoted verse professed as proof of the enmity of Islam. But seen in this context, it's clear that those who "do not offer peace" are those who should be killed. This passage is likely in reference to sectarian wars that are not applicable to the present day. I'm starting to see a theme here of misinterpreted Quar'an versus regarding violence. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a liberal looking for reasons to love everybody. I'm just reading the book.

This document begins with legal rules regarding women, then digresses to war stuff, then comes back to woman. Possible that this document was transcribed from earlier documents or oral tradition dealing with these very different issues, but included in the same source. The war stuff was a huge sidetrack, then right back to women's issues.

More stuff about hell and fire for disbelievers, and how Jews don't get it, then end.

--Dan Edge
 
Muslim Woman said:
Hi


you are reading so fast ?
Click to expand...

Greetings,

Not sure what say...

I love to read. I read a lot, every day. I have learned to read very, very fast. I'm an autodidact, ADHD, and have problems with sleeping and anxiety. I also process information and write very fast. I often write analyses of the things I'm reading to retain information, like taking notes.

I hope you found my analyses interesting. More to come.

Thanks,

--Dan Edge
 
Analysis of Surah Al Ma'idah,

Rules and regulations, kind of like Numbers in the Bible.

Here we get an introduction to the dietary restrictions of Islam. I like that it says that Allah will forgive a starving man for eating whatever is available. I thought it odd that the author considers Islam food to be interchangeable with Jewish and Christian food laws. Jews are very specific about that stuff. I wonder if this is another peace offering, like when Paul says in Romans that Christians should eat like Jews when a Jew is a guest in his house.

Also, Islamic can marry Jews and Christians, no problem! Didn't expect that.

Next, more arguments to convert Jews and Christians. I didn't understand the reference to the Messiah in verse 17. Is this a reference to Jesus? I assume so, since they're talking about Mary,. but I don't understand this verse.

Cain and Able are introduced, along with another famous Islamic dictum: "...if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind." This is a very beautiful saying. Apparently, it is derived from the Talmud, but the Jew version refers only to the people of Israel. I like this generalized version better.

Does verse 39 mean you don't really have to cut off the hand of theives, as long as they repent? Harsh justice. Eye for an eye justice is also referenced here.

More conflict with people of the Book. Things are becoming serious. The author wants peace with Book-ers, but they don't agree, and he's ready to fight. Earlier in the Surah, Jew food is ok, but now he's mad about it. Allah will turn them into monkeys and pigs. But wait! Peace returns. People of the Book who "worked righteousness" are loved by Allah.

Side note: The author seems to love and revere people of the Book. All he wants is peace, even if there are minor disagreements. What the hell happened?

More and more respect paid to Jews and Christians (except for that short verse saying Jesus and Mary were wrong). The author has huge respect for Jewish and Christian writings.

But don't worship Mary and Jesus as gods equal with Allah! The author is offended at the notion. There is only one god. The end.

--Dan Edge
 
Partly your analyzes put me to giggling. No offence. You are a good writer. :giggling:
 
:bism:

:sl:

Lol, sis herb, I actually was going to respond to post #11 with explanation, but (sad) I can't find the book in my home which contains exegesis of Quran.

Now, like you, sis herb, I'm going to have to Google, haha.

Lol, I was thinking the same.

@DanEdge : Masha-Allah (as God willed)! That's an Arabic compliment, btw, which we say when we see something good or awesome or something that we like, a form of invoking God to increase blessings in what we've seen!

sister herb said:
Partly your analyzes put me to giggling. No offence. You are a good writer. :giggling:
Click to expand...

:wa:
 
Analysis of Surah Al'Anam:

Man is created from clay, and is destined to die, but yet he has eternal life if he believes in Allah. I see echoes of Plato and the Gnostic Gospels. Allah has sent many messengers, but the author believes that those before just didn't get it.

Verse 19 seems to promote a personal relationship with god -- and that this personal relationship provides the best guidance. I like this verse.

But then: hellfire for those that disagree with me! But verse 48, "whosoever believes and does righteous good deeds, upon such shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve." So it's all good. "Salamun 'Alaikum"!!

Side Note: Islamic literature is different from Christian is that there are far less parables and far more logical arguments. The author believes that his arguments are more rational and should therefore be accepted by people of the Book.

"Stay away from" those who ridicule Islam.Don't fight them or kill them, just stay away. The author hates that others of the Book reject his message, but he doesn't want to kill them.

Many other crossovers with Jews/Christians: Noah, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, etc. Also mentioned is Yahya (John). Is this John the Baptist?

Lots of poetical verbiage asserting the author as the true messenger of God, then "We may make the matter clear for the people who have knowledge." But do not insult Book-ers who disagree, because they are also followers of Allah, just mis-led. The Jews want you to slaughter animals to get right with god, but this is fallacious. (Jesus seemed to share this view.)

Allah forbids the killing of children, but this in the context of discussion about animals? Is the author saying he doesn't want people to kill baby animals (veal)?

Others of the book are not your partners in prayer, but Allah still understands them. More unity of people of the Book.

--Dan Edge
 
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Lol, it seems that your just skim reading.

A man looks up at the stars.

1400 years later another does the same.

What has changed?

Not the stars for certainly.
 
MIA,

The stars have changed in the past 1400 years. The wobbling of the Earth's tilt with respect to the sun, along with other gravitational and quantum forces, and let's not forget the speed of light and how relativity distorts perception of photons over time, have drastically changed our view of extra-terrestial phenomenon over the years. Things change. Your certainties are illusory. Can you skim read what I'm writing? I read stuff. Certainties are hard to come by.

Sincerely,

--Dan Edge
 
Mashallah
Would like to point out that these are the words of Allah, unless you are referring to 'the author' as the translator.

I read very quickly as well so I can relate, however I would say pace yourself with reading one surah at a time and find tafsir for that surah to read as well if you wish to continue. That way you can absorb the information 'more effectively. Towards the end the surahs are noticeable shorter, with those you could probably manage more for a Buck.
Best of luck
 
DanEdge said:
MIA,

The stars have changed in the past 1400 years. The wobbling of the Earth's tilt with respect to the sun, along with other gravitational and quantum forces, and let's not forget the speed of light and how relativity distorts perception of photons over time, have drastically changed our view of extra-terrestial phenomenon over the years. Things change. Your certainties are illusory. Can you skim read what I'm writing? I read stuff. Certainties are hard to come by.

Sincerely,

--Dan Edge
Click to expand...

And that tells me all I need to know about the world.

:)

...tomorrow right?

There was a Sikh poster on the board a while back. Your answers remind me of him.

Knowledge is not power, application of knowledge is power.

And in the difference between the two is getting closeness to God.

...most people would not sacrifice today, losing a conversation is too hard for most people.

The Quranic author you refer to keeps bugging me.. It's written in a third person perspective.

Tell you what the world is, if not how it turns.


Because once you see it, there is no going back.


It's a lot easier to write.


...so be careful who you write for.


Sorry Dan, might have gone of on a tangent.


Em...maybe you should be careful who you read for also.
 
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HappyMuslimaa said:
Mashallah
Would like to point out that these are the words of Allah, unless you are referring to 'the author' as the translator.
Click to expand...

That was one thing what put me giggling while I read those posts (as I mentioned before).

:giggling:

"He calls Allah as "author"."

Sorry again, no offence.
 

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