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GLIMPSES FROM THE QURAN
10/1/2001
This booklet is dedicated in memory of the victims and heroes of the September 11, 2001 tragedy.
Islam in a Nutshell
"Islam" is an Arabic word with a double connotation: "peace" and "submission to the will of God." The followers of the religion of Islam are called Muslims. Islam considers itself to be the continuum and the culmination of the God-sent religions, including Judaism and Christianity; the three are commonly called the "monotheistic Abrahamic religions." All humanity is honored by God, and Jews and Christians are called the People of the Book, being the fellow worshippers of the one God and the recipients of His scriptures (the Torah through Moses and the Gospel through Jesus). The prophet of Islam is Mohammad, who also is the descendant of Abraham through his first son, Ishmael.
The scripture of Islam is the Quran, and the Muslims believe it to be authored by God Himself and revealed to Mohammad by archangel Gabriel. The word for God in Arabic is "Allah" and is even used by Arab Christians and Jews. The Qur'an was revealed in short and long parts, addressing various issues and circumstances, over the span of 23 years, the prophet hood of Mohammad. When Mohammad in turn conveyed the Quran to his listeners, he would use the equivalent of "quote" and "end quote," by saying: "God says" at the beginning and "God spoke the truth" at the conclusion. It would then be committed to writing (on available writing material at the time) and to the peoples' memories. The Quran is therefore the scripture still extant in its original language, original for word for word and letter for letter. Once rendered in any other form or language (even Arabic) it is no more called the Quran, because the divine words are replaced by human words which are then called renditions or translation of the meanings but not the Quran. When the revelation was concluded, the Quran was collected in one book. The literary style of the Quran is so powerful that to the early Arabs it was an inimitable miracle. A non-Muslim reader of the Quran will not find a story running in chronological order as is the case with the Bible; a difficulty to some.
Islam may, for the sake of simplification, be described in terms of three components:
1) The Creed: Muslims believe in one God and one human family which is imbued with knowledge and choice and therefore accountable for their choices. Reminders have been sent by God in the form of a long chain of prophets, and accountability cannot be evaded because an afterlife follows this life, in which justice shall be done. Forgiveness is sought directly by honest repentance and doing righteous deeds.
2) Code of Morality and Behavior: The Islamic codes of morality and behavior are the same as those presented in Christianity and Judaism. Islam also has a system of worship comprising ritual prayers (five times a day), alms-giving, fasting from dawn to sunset for the lunar month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the mosque built by Abraham and his son Ishmael in Mecca (once in a lifetime for those who can physically and materially afford it).
3) Legal System: Islam provides a comprehensive basis for a legal system from which to derive legislation, similar to the American Constitution from which legislation is derived. It has a built-in flexibility and leaves room for human thinking as it seeks the best interests of the people and as it addresses modern and unprecedented issues. Freedom of religion, civil liberties and the list of human rights as we know them today are all encoded in the Quran.
The image of Islam is greatly distorted in the West, but people are getting more and more curious to know the truth about it. Perhaps the first to blame are Muslim individuals, groups or states that cloak their doings with Islam even though they run against Islam. But the spirit of the Crusades still lingers over the Western mind, even after Pope John Paul II apologized for them and called on Christians to atone for them. There are also the hostile political or ideological agendas that miss no opportunity to tarnish Islam and Muslims, as is manifest in the press, media and recreation industry. The picture is certainly improving as more people get to know their fellow Muslim citizens.
We are presenting here some quotations from the Quran which reflect main concepts and values of Islam. We have carefully selected verses which can be easily understood without surrounding verses or historical context and which constitute permanent rulings. We have prepared this booklet in order to help our fellow Americans realize that Islam is neither an exotic savage religion nor alien to the beliefs and values that they hold sacred.
We present them in LOVE.
The Opening Chapter of the Quran
"In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. All praise is due to God alone,
the Sustainer of the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace,Lord of the Day of Judgment. "Thee alone do we worship, and to Thee alone do we turn for help."Guide us the straight way: the way of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Your blessings, with whom You are not angry, nor those who go astray." 1:1-7
The opening chapter of the Quran is often described as the "Essence of the Book," summarizing mankind's belief in and relationship with God. This chapter is recited by Muslims during every prayer as well as during many occasions.
One God
"God: there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being. "Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. "Who can intercede with Him without His permission?"He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They cannot gain access to anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases."His Throne is more vast than the heavens and the earth, and the guarding of these both does not fatigue Him. He is the Exalted, the Supreme." 2:255
Equality and Diversity
"Oh human beings! Behold. We (God) have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made
you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know and cherish one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." 49:13
Human Dignity
"And We have bestowed dignity on the children of Adam…" 17:70
Peace
"God invites to the abode of peace…" 10: 25
"There has come to you from God a light and a clear book, with which God will guide those who seek His pleasure to the paths of peace." 5: 16
Justice
"Oh you who believe! Stand firm for justice and bear true witness for the sake of God, even though it be against yourselves, your parents or your relatives. It does not matter whether the party is rich or poor; God is a well-wisher of both. So let not your selfish desires swerve you from justice. If you distort your testimony or decline to give it, then you should remember that God is fully aware of your actions." 4:135
"Oh you who believe! Stand out firmly for God as witness to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is closeness to piety; and heed God, for God is Well Acquainted with all that you do." 5:8
Freedom of Religion
"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error. Whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks, and God hears and knows all things." 2:256
Sanctity of Human Life
"Because of this (Cain killing Abel) did We (God) ordain on the children of Israel that if anyone slays a human being - unless it be in punishment for murder or for spreading corruption on earth it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he has saved the life of all mankind." 5:32
"...And do not kill yourselves, for, behold, God is indeed a dispenser of grace unto you." 4:29
For Men and Women
"Verily, for all men who have submitted (to the will of God) and women who have submitted (to the will of God), for believing men and believing women, for devout men and devout women, for truthful men and truthful women, for truly patient and constant men and truly patient and constant women, for humble men and humble women, for charitable men and charitable women, for fasting men and fasting women, for men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and for men who engage much in the remembrance of God and women who engage much in the remembrance of God: for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward." 33:35
Morals and Behavior
"And the servants of (God) the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them they say, 'Peace!'
"And those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord, prostrate and standing.
"Those who say 'Our Lord! Avert from us the wrath of hell, for its wrath is indeed an affliction grievous. Evil indeed is it as an abode and as a place to rest in.'
"Those who, when they spend are not extravagant and not miserly, but hold a just (balance) in between those (extremes).
"Those who invoke-not with God any other deity, nor slay such life as God has made sacred except for a just cause; nor commit adultery.
"And any that does this (not only) meets punishment, but chastisement on the Day of Judgment will be doubled for him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy; UNLESS he repents, believes and works righteous deeds, for God will change the evil of such persons into good, and God is Oft-Forgiving, Oft-Merciful.
"And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to God in repentance.
"Those, who when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, droop not down at them as if they were deaf and blind.
"And those who pray: 'Our Lord, grant unto us spouses and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.'" 25:63-74
Respect All
"Oh you who believe! Let not some men among you deride others; it may be that the latter are better than them. Nor let some women deride other women, for it may be that the latter are better than they are.
"Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other.
"Nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames; it is bad for a name connoting wickedness (to be used of one) after he has believed: and those who do not desist, are indeed wrong.
"Oh you who believe! Avoid suspicion, for suspicion in some cases is a sin.
"And do not spy on each other.
"Nor backbite one another: would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You abhor that (so abhor the other).
"And heed God, for God is the Acceptor of Repentance, Most-Merciful." 49:11-12
Racing for God's Pleasure
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.
"Those who spend (on charity) freely, whether in prosperity or in adversity; who restrain anger and pardon all people, for God loves those who do good.
"And those who, having done an act of indecency, or wronged their souls, remember God and ask for forgiveness for their sins and who can forgive sins except God? and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in that (wrong) they have done. For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens with rivers flowing underneath: an eternal dwelling, how excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)." 3:133-136
Forgiveness
"Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen (who had done them injustice), those in want and those who have left their homes in the cause of God.
"Let them forgive, and let them forego: do you not wish that God should forgive you?
"For God is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful." 24:22
True Righteousness
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West, but it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day and the angels and the book and the prophets; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him (God), for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the freeing of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and give alms; to fulfill the contracts which you have made and to be patient and firm in suffering, adversity and times of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-heeding." 2:177
Helping the Orphans and the Needy
"Have you ever seen someone who gives the lie to the religion?
"Such is the one who repulses the orphan and does not prompt the feeding of the indigent.
"So woe to those who pray (but) are absent-minded about their prayers,those who want (but) to be seen, but refuse (even) small kindnesses." 107:1-7
Repelling Evil With Good
"Nor can goodness and evil be equal; repel (evil) with what is better; and notice how someone who is separated from you because of enmity will become an intimate friend." 41:34
A Father's Advice
"'Behold!' Luqman said to his son instructing him: 'Oh my son! Join not in worship others with God: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing.'
"And We (God) have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. In travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning. Hence, oh man, show gratitude to Me (God) and to your parents. To Me (God) is the final goal. Yet if either of them should strive to make you join with Me (God) things of which your mind cannot accept, obey them not, yet bear them company in this life with kindness, and follow the ways of those who turn to Me (God). In the end your return is to Me, and I will tell you all that you did.
"'Oh my son (said Luqman), if there be but the weight of a mustard seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, God will bring it forth, for God is Subtle and Aware.
"'Oh my son! Establish the prayer, enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong, and bear with patient constancy whatever betides you, for this is firmness (of purpose) in the conduct of affairs.
"'And swell-not your cheek (for pride) at people, nor walk in insolence through the earth, for God loves-not arrogant boasters. And be moderate in your pace, and tame your voice, for the harshest of sounds without doubt is the braying of the donkey.'" 31:13-19
Honoring thy Parents
"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to your parents.
"Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And lower to them the wing of humility out of compassion, and say: 'My Lord, bestow on them Your mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" 17:23-24
People of the Book
"Say: 'We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and the revelation given to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another of them, and to Him (God) we are submitters.'" 2:136
"Those who believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians, and the Sabeans, any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." 2:62
Mary
"There came the time when angels said: 'Oh Mary, surely God has exalted you, purified you and chosen you over the women of the worlds. Oh Mary! Be obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow down in worship with other worshippers.'" 3:42-43
"Thus the angels said: 'Oh Mary! Behold, God sends you the glad tidings through a word from Him (of a son) who shall become known as Christ Jesus, son of Mary, of great honor in this world and in the life to come.'" 3:45
"And remember her who guarded her chastity whereupon We (God) breathed into her of Our spirit and caused her, together with her son, to become a symbol of Our Grace)to all people." 21:91
The Miraculous Conception
"Relate in the book the story of Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
She placed a screen (to conceal herself) from them: then We (God) sent to her Our angel, and he appearedbefore her as a man in all respects. She said: 'I seek refuge from you with God, Most Gracious (come not near) if you fear God.' He said: 'Nay, I am only a messenger from your Lord to announce to you the gift of a pure son.' She said: 'How shall I have a son whereas no man has touched me and I am not unchaste?' He said: 'Thus your Lord has said: It is a simple matter for Me (to do). We will grant him as a sign unto people and a mercy from Us. It is a matter so decreed.'
"So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She cried (in her anguish) 'Ah! Would that I have died before this, would that I have been a thing forgotten.' But a voice called to her from beneath: 'Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you; and shake toward yourself the trunk of the palm tree and it will let fall upon you fresh ripe dates.
"'So eat and drink and cool your eye. And if you see any human (person), say: I have vowed a fast to God Most Gracious, so this day I will enter into no talk with any human being.'
"At length she brought the babe to her people, carrying him (in her arms) and they said: 'Oh Mary! You have indeed done an amazing thing. Oh sister of Aaron: Your father was not a man of evil nor your mother a woman unchaste!' But she pointed to the babe and they said, 'How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?' He (the babe) said 'I am indeed a servant of God, He has given me revelation and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined on me prayers and alms-giving as long as I live. And made me kind to my mother and not overbearing or unblessed. So peace be on me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I shall be raised up to life again.'" 19:16-33
Moses and the Jews
"And We (God) gave revelation unto Moses and made it guidance for the children of Israel, (commanding them): 'Do not accept any protector besides Me (God).'" 17:2
"Verily, it is We (God) who bestowed from on high the Torah, wherein there was guidance and light. On its strength did the prophets, who had surrendered themselves unto God, deliver judgment unto those who followed the Jewish faith, and so did the (early) men of God and the rabbis, inasmuch as some of God's writ had been entrusted to their care, and they bore witness to its truth." 5:44
"And We sent Moses with signs, saying: 'Lead your people out of darkness into light, and remind them of the days of God. In that are signs for every patient, grateful person.'
"And Moses said to his people: 'Remember God's favor towards you when He saved you from Pharaoh's court, who had subjected you to severe torment, and slew your sons while letting your women live. And in this there was a great trial from your Lord.'" 14:5-6
A General Call to Humanity
"Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression." 5:2
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