In the desert, if one was where there was no shade, and it was so hot and dry, one would be miserable and long for the shade. Is it possible that the "hellfire" verses of the Qur'an are referring in a figurative way to such a situation? In other words, might it mean that if you do not follow God, then you will be miserable, like one in the desert who can find no shade? Or is it really literal?
Thanks.
2006-08-27 15:36:24 · 5 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some say it's literal and some say it's figurative. Either way I see it as a misery that we cannot comprehend on Earth. I say we just do what we can to not get there.
I think that teaching it in a figurative way may be more beneficial, because most of us cannot imagine being taken over by fire (especially over and over again as described in the Qur'an), but most of us do know emotional/psychological/mental misery.
2006-08-27 16:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by Happy! 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They are not totally literally nor figurative all the way. I think they are a mix of both. This applies to Paradise as well. The rewards mentioned for being a good muslim are just as broad as the punishment for not being one. It goes in both directions. One should take the idea of good tidings versus misery, whatever the magnitude, and go from there.
2006-08-27 23:55:33 · answer #2 · answered by khurram_bajwa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The question is: Should the Qur'an, or the Bible for that matter, be taken literally at all? Or are they just literary, maybe even poetic exhortations to good and moral behavior, written in a language and style that was accessible to the people of the time when they were written?
2006-08-27 22:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by Hi y´all ! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I'm afraid the descriptions of Hell are literal. But those who are mindful of God have nothing to fear, nor will the grieve God willing, He can protect His servants well-enough, He is the Protector, the Most Merciful.
(but there are descriptions of other things that are figurative: e.g. sun setting in a spring of muddy water [it's just how it looks on the horizon, just as a person would describe the "sun setting in the sea", it doesnt mean that sun is literally setting in the sea]; earth spread like a carpet; the morning that breathes...)
Peace be with you.
2006-08-28 00:04:16 · answer #4 · answered by MizuBunshin 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Part of the trouble with both the bible and the Quran is that it moves often from literal to figurative speach and it is hard to tell exactly which is being used.
This is why often people don't agree on various meanings
2006-08-27 22:40:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋