Reviewing The Qur'an

by Zoltanous

Introduction

Embarking on the comprehensive endeavor to read the Qur'an in its entirety, I find myself driven to share my contemplations, deeply rooted in my Christian faith. It is my conviction that such a task should not be reduced to a mere summary, as genuine engagement with the text is essential for those who choose to delve into its study. Rather than quoting passages directly, I aim to interpret and explain the verses in my own language, with the intention of encouraging a dynamic interaction with the material, inviting you to engage deeply and confirm the insights through your own research.

The Contents of The Qur'an

Within Islamic tradition, the Qur'an is held to be the eternal and divine word of Allah. The name 'Qur'an' itself comes from the Arabic word for "recitation." In the early 7th century AD, the verses of this holy book were revealed to Muhammad, who lived in Arabia. Recognized as a prophet by Allah, Muhammad received these messages through supernatural means. This revelation began when the Angel Gabriel, also referred to as the Holy Spirit in Islam, appeared to Muhammad in the Hira cave on Mount Hira. Muhammad, who could not read or write, was told by Gabriel that he would deliver the message of Allah through oral recitation.

Over the next 23 years, Muhammad faithfully fulfilled his role as a prophet, conveying the verses of the Qur'an to his companions and those who converted to Islam. Unfortunately, many who had committed the Qur'an to memory died in battles against pagans, Jews, and rival Muslim groups. To ensure the preservation of the Qur'an, Caliph Uthman ibn Affan ordered the collection of the revelations into a definitive written form. He also directed the destruction of any differing texts. Today's Qur'an contains 604 pages, divided into 114 chapters, known as surahs, and consists of 6,236 verses, referred to as ayahs, in the Hafs version from Egypt. It is written in the dialect of the Quraysh, the tribe of Muhammad, which has been instrumental in its consistent transmission throughout history.

The Claims and Assertions of The Qur'an

The Qur'an is revered in Islam as the definitive and final revelation from the God of Abraham, esteemed for its supreme authenticity and authority. It proclaims itself the eternal Word of Allah, a linguistic masterpiece bestowed upon humanity to impart crystal-clear guidance, free from any human error or alteration. Regarded as perfect and untainted, the Qur'an's every syllable and mark is believed to be preserved exactly as it was revealed, in the divine language of Arabic. The Qur'an instructs its followers to strictly observe the teachings and commands of the prophet Muhammad, allowing no deviation. It addresses a broad spectrum of life's aspects, from the essential pillars of charity, pilgrimage to the sacred mosque, and daily prayers, to detailed rules on marriage, divorce, dietary laws, modesty, allocation of war gains, inheritance, dowry, and intimate relationships. It emphasizes the singular unity of Allah and forbids the worship of other gods or the association of partners with Him.

For those who live by its decrees, the Qur'an promises the bliss of Jannah, a paradise filled with beautiful companions, verdant gardens, and running streams. In contrast, it warns of the severe punishment of Jahannam, with its harrowing misery, where the damned consume bitter fruit and scalding fluids. The Qur'an recounts the tales of past prophets, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others, confirming their roles as Allah's messengers. It reflects on their histories and the fates of their peoples, highlighting Allah's mercy and retribution. Serving as a caution, the Qur'an also reminds of the approaching end of times and the Day of Judgment that awaits.

The Qur'an's Divine Origin In Comparative Theology

The Qur'an, in its essence, cannot be deemed as the veritable Word of God. It diverges significantly from the teachings and theological principles transmitted to Christians and Jews through their respective sacred texts, which were composed and compiled by individuals who were guided by the divine during significant historical epochs. The Qur'an, lacking a continuum with these antecedent scriptures, instead proffers a divergent perspective. It merits mention that the Qur'an, within its multiple passages and surahs, avows the authority and authenticity of the "Tawrah and the Injeel" (Torah and Gospel/Evangelion). It posits that these volumes ought to be regarded as Allah's utterances, just as the Qur'an itself is to be considered. Additionally, both Jews and Christians are acknowledged as "Ahl al-Kitab" (people of the book), an epithet that acknowledges their belief in Allah, akin to Muslims, while also highlighting potential misapprehensions or lacunae in understanding.

The Qur'an avers that Allah and the God venerated by Jews and Christians are inherently one and the same. Nonetheless, critics posit that the Qur'an's reiteration of biblical narratives diverges significantly from their scriptural counterparts. For instance, the Qur'an proffers accounts that deviate from the biblical chronicles of Noah's progeny or Joseph's vindication from his captivity in Egypt. It also proffers alternative details concerning the progenitor of Ibrahim (Abraham), Sulayman's (Solomon) ability to traverse the skies on a carpet, and 'Isa's (Jesus) role as a prophetic herald of the Injeel (Gospel), emphasizing that he was not crucified but rather ascended to Allah above the celestial expanse.

These narratives, at odds with the biblical corpus, lead one to surmise that only Allah possesses true knowledge of them. However, upon diligent examination, it becomes manifest that they were appropriated from non-canonical apocryphal texts, Jewish midrashic writings, heretical Gnostic gospels, elements of Zoroastrian mythology, conjoined with influences from Arabian paganism. Such provenance raises doubts regarding the legitimacy of the deity known as Allah. The Qur'an invites criticism for what appears to be self-contradiction concerning shirk, which denotes the practice of polytheism or the ascription of partners to Allah, a sin of grave magnitude within Islam. Numerous passages within the Qur'an explicitly repudiate any form of shirk. One particular matter highlighted pertains to the belief in Allah as Three, which stands in stark contradiction to tawheed (the concept of the divine unity). The Qur'an depicts this sort of shirk as Allah being the Last of Three, with these Three entities being 'Isa, Maryam (Mary), and Allah, implying that Christians regard them as gods. However, the Qur'an fails to accurately represent Christian tenets, which center on the notion of one God in three manifestations (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), all constituting the same singular deity. Moreover, upon close scrutiny, certain verses within the Qur'an intimate a Trinitarian essence of 'Isa, such as the ability to bestow life (a power attributed solely to Allah), being a spirit rather than a mortal, and embodying the Word of Allah (hence, uncreated). The Bible itself attests to the notion that the angel (messenger) of Allah is God in both the Old and New Testaments.

The Qur'an appears to both endorse and condemn certain Jewish beliefs, reflecting a complex relationship with the Jewish community. On one hand, it accuses Jews of blasphemy for attributing divine sonship to Uzair (Ezra), thereby condemning them to Jahannam (hell) due to their disbelief in Muhammad's prophethood. The Qur'an portrays Jews as untruthful and frequently at odds with Muhammad on matters of theology. Furthermore, the timing of certain revelations in the Qur'an raises questions. For instance, a verse is revealed in response to a dispute between a couple regarding sexual positions, seemingly conveniently supporting the man's desires by allowing men to engage in sexual relations with their wives in any manner they desire, likening women to plowing fields for sexual gratification. The Qur'an repeatedly mentions sexual intercourse, often accompanied by elements of misogyny, such as justifying men's right to beat their wives for disobedience and permitting men to engage in sexual relationships with captive or slave women. Additionally, the Qur'an suggests that the testimony of two women is equivalent to that of one man, implying a perceived intellectual deficiency in women, while also mandating extensive body coverings for women to preserve chastity, while men are afforded more leniency in their interactions with other women.

Despite its repetitive nature, variations can be found in the Qur'an when Allah speaks across different chapters (surahs), particularly in the retelling of stories such as the expulsion of Iblees (Satan) from heaven or the accounts surrounding Musa (Moses). The Qur'an also portrays Dhul Qarnayn (Alexander the Great), a figure of pagan origin, as a virtuous Muslim entrusted with safeguarding against the release of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog), nations believed to bring about the end times. Furthermore, the Qur'an places significant emphasis on the concept of Jahannam (hellfire). Nearly every surah in the text contains descriptions or warnings about Jahannam. Extensive details are provided regarding the nature of hellfire, the actions that lead to its condemnation, its guardians, its inhabitants, the transgressions that warrant such punishment, and the experiences one might endure within it. Curiously, the term "hellfire" is frequently mentioned alongside the name of Allah, prompting inquiries into why a supposedly "Most Merciful" God places such emphasis on the potential consequences of transgressions.

The Qur'an presents Allah as a distant figure, lacking a personal and loving relationship with Muslims. The only relationship portrayed is that of a master and his slaves, demanding unwavering loyalty and servitude. The text offers no guidance for those who may be lost or seeking guidance and does not actively invite people to embrace Islam. Additionally, Allah is depicted as not loving the disbelievers, instead working to confuse or bring about their downfall, earning the appellation of al-Makir (the Deceiver/the Schemer). The responsibility of converting others is left to prophets and their followers, thereby justifying the concept of jihad (holy war) against those who deviate, with the ultimate aim of complete destruction.