who can give me a straight answer and tell me whether the Koran is a book advocating peace or violence. (I know a lot of you consider yourselves scholars and you probably are, but I would really like to hear from people who have actually read the Koran first hand and are somewhat familiar with it.
2006-09-14 01:29:03 · 14 answers · asked by Sicilian Godmother 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
JOHN R. I did not ask for political opinions. This is a scholarly questions and I am hoping to get some knowledgable answers. As for your opinion, I do not think that all people who study the Koran and even live their lives by it are terrorists and if that is what you think, you are pretty narrow minded.
2006-09-14 01:34:54 · update #1
Curious, you may get your 2 points for a nothing answer but you sure aren't going to get the 10 points.
2006-09-14 01:38:05 · update #2
Quran advocates fighting only for self defense. First verse in Quran that states fighting is
"2:190. And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. "
If you study the life of Prophet Mohammed, you can see, he was only preaching the revelation which he received and it was those who opposed to his message that turned violent towards him. So he first practiced maximum restraint when he and his followers were abused and attacked in Meccah. Then finally when the torture became unbearable they left their town and migrated towards medina. When the enemy in mecca followed the prophet in Medina with a large army, the first war in Islam known as Bedr took place.
if you search whole Quran you can find only fighting prescribed only for self defence. Some people quote verse from the middle to show that Quran prescribes killing all unbelivers. One most quoted verse is
" 9: 5. So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush,"
Without quoting the context and the verses below and above a neutral reader will judge Quran is commanding to kill all idolaters. But it's context is only regarding a particular group of idolaters who made an agreement with Muslims and later conspired against them breaking the treaty. This is clear from the preceeding verse
" 9: 4. Except those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement, then they have not failed you in anything and have not backed up any one against you, so fulfill their agreement to the end of their term; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty)."
Eventhough fighting is allowed for selfdefence, patience and peace is given importance
"And if you take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were afflicted; but if you are patient, it will certainly be best for those who are patient. " Quran 16:126.
"And not alike are the good and the evil. Repel (evil) with what is best, when lo! he between whom and you was enmity would be as if he were a warm friend.
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune. Quran 41: 34-35.
See what Quran says how to deal with those who are not fighting with you
"60: 8. Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice."
See this verse, on how war is discouraged
"Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief. " Quran 5: 64
2006-09-14 02:32:32 · answer #1 · answered by inin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi:
Well I am not an scholar, just an ordinary gal. I have been studying islam from long time already. I used to be catholic and just last year I embraced islam.
And well about real Quran I can tell u is a book that open my eyes to so many things and since I decided to follow islam I am a better person for sure. It encourages to be happy and be paceful of course.
I will give u a link.
Pls be careful with the things u read, there are some false Qurans and false websites made to discredit islam.
In islamic finder u can find reliable information about a islamic school or mosque near to ur place so u can have further information. Take care and may the peace of God be with u.
2006-09-14 01:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I 'm no scholar, but I've read the Bible, the Koran and the Torah and I can tell you that there is nothing in the Koran that's any different than the general rules and modus operendi that you'd find in the Bible and the Torah. One difference is that in the Koran prejudice against skin color or creed is specifically discouraged, but then it's indirectly discouraged by the Bible too, as judgement of others is prohibited. Also in Koran, Jesus and Moses are referrenced in the most holy, respectful and reverant ways possible; with equal respect given to them as Mohammed. The only other real difference is that in the Koran and Torah, Jesus is not the creator, he is the son of God as all humans are the son of God. they say that even Jesus himself never claimed to be God the creator evidenced by dozens of quotes even in the Bible itself. Anexample of this would be when Jesus was on the cross he asked:" Father why hasth thou forsaken me?" If he was God himself why would he say that and dozens of other statements similar to that? Some Christians, out of total and utter love for Jesus, have over the centuries, raised him to god-like stature. You'll find some muslims, some Jews and even people from ancient religions such as Taoism and Shintuism, who do the same thting. It's human nature to glorify someone to an extreme in order to feel as though they've been adequately adored and respected. But I guarantee it; there's nothing but peace and harmony and justice and respect for life in the Koran, in the Bible and in the Torah. It's extremists of each of those religions who give their prospective religion a bad name.
Thanks for a great question.
2006-09-14 01:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello, I don't consider myself a scholar of the Holy Quran but as a Muslim I do read it on daily basis and I believe it's a peaceful religion and I am not saying that because I am a Muslim but I am saying that with open mind after seeing all the headlines. If you would like to talk to scholars let me know. You can also visit my site http://askmuslims.com to get some basic view points on Islam.
2006-09-19 08:45:16 · answer #4 · answered by askmuslims1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have studied the Quran in an academic setting for the past 10 years.
The Quran is a book of peace.
Yes there is violence in the Quran as there is in the Bible. The violence in the Quran is when people are to defend themselves and others. It does not say just go out and kill someone.
The Quran teaches that you should respect others for their thoughts and beliefs. We are to respect all people of the book i.e. Christians and Jews. When people say things of the infidels they are taking the words of the Quran out of context. The Infidels in the Quran are the people of Mecca that were Idol Worshipers and were attacking the Muslims of Medina. In many cases while reading the Quran you must also have books of the Hadith close by to find out what was happening around the Prophet (pbuh) at that time in revelation.
2006-09-14 01:37:08 · answer #5 · answered by Layla 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I do read The Quran, but then i am not a scholar of The Quran.
Still, the message is mostly how to lives our life according to God rules, how to praise and glorify God regularly.
No mention of violence except war in certain condition, we can fight back people or country violating our right or religion.
2006-09-14 01:41:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For better information,why don't u buy a copy of the Translated Quran,and try to read it....believe me,Islam does not spread Violence or Hatred...
2006-09-14 01:37:06 · answer #7 · answered by Oma 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Good for you - seeking to learn! I wish I could help but I'm unfamiliar with the Koran.
2006-09-14 01:31:52 · answer #8 · answered by Hebrews 11 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a world religion class in college 20 years ago. As far as I can remember it wasn't violent.
2006-09-14 01:32:14 · answer #9 · answered by RB 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
why don't you read it yourself and find out? why do people always look for the easy way out?
why do you want some unqualified moron to answer your question when he/she has NO clue about the Quran?
don't you realize that people are out to slander Islam for the fun of it?
i suggest YOU read it yourself and find out.
good luck.
2006-09-14 01:37:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋