Is the Koran to be taken as literal in every word and verse?

Question

In the past, I have heard Muslims say that every word of the Koran is true. Now that I have seen many inconsistencies and many words of violence and war, Muslims now say those are "taken out of context" or were relevant only during the time they were written. What is the prevalent view? (or is there one?)

Answer 1

only if you are a Muslim... actually, the Koran was "pieced" together over a course of time and they had to go and "find" the pages from Mohammad's family and friends as they all had papers. then, one of Mohammad's successors put it all together so we don't really know if it's all there or not or if it truely correct.
plus, it has been taken out of context much as the Bible is.
there are zealots that believe every word and it is part of Islam law to believe every word of the Koran.
so, who knows for sure???

Answer 2

From my understanding, the Qu'ran is the word of God as Mohamed is His messenger. So, to tell you the truth, such words and conotations, which are written in language that are a millenia and a half old, and are attempted to be translated word for word into the reader's language, will be lost in translation. What results is the vast expressions of such interpretations by each of the holy book's readers. Such is the reason for Muslims to stress that the true Qu'ran is to only be read, interpreted and implemented in its original language: Arabic. In other words, if a lay person were to read the Qu'ran in English, for example, that reader is not reading the Qu'ran, rather a "second best" model, which, in many cases, is regarded as null and void. Therefore, you must read and understand Arabic to get the true meaning of Allah and his message in the Arabic written Qu'ran.
Another thing to note is that just as there are a various sects in Christianity and Judaism, so are there with Islam. Sunni, Shi'ite and Sufi--Sunni being the largest of these sects.
To answer your question is very difficult due to the vast and various interpretations according to the different sects. I think that every devout Muslim, as with every devout Christian and Jew, follows through with the best of intentions.
I hope I've been able to answer your question.
In addition, Wikipedia provides the best understanding for Islam and its "groupings and sub-groupings" to a lay-person wanting to understand the main characteristics of this religion.
Again, I hope this has helped.

Additions:

So, Piefkehol...--How do you think Orthodox and Reformed Jews feel about Christians coming along and tacking on their NT with their Torah?

Answer 3

The holy Koran "is to be taken as literal in every word and verse", therefore It was written. If you really accept the Koran you must accept It as It is - and for the interpretation of It you must humbly respectfully seek help, guidance, from the Muslem Scholars, most of all from and/or thru your local or nearest religious guide. Therefore that creed is called Islam.

For believing and faithful Moslems every word in the Koran is true - no doubt about that, otherwise they would neither be believers nor faithful.

When there are differences in interpretation, when there are different views, we may believe that there are different people and different factions that understand in different ways or do not understand really. So the rightest behavior here would then be to respectfully humbly go to the authorized scholars and let them tell you what is right and what is wrong and which behavior is expected of you. Therefore the creed is called Islam.

Authorized scholars, and scholars and leaders from different factions might not agree with each other. Then, as a believer and a faithful it would be your holy duty to let your local religious guide ... guide you and tell you what to do. When He declares that you as a faithful are expected to interpret holy things in such and such a way and believe and obey in such and such a way then you humbly and faithfully shall follow His instructions and do what He expects you to do, and definitely not hesitate to sacrifice yourself in the way He expects of you. Therefore the creed is called Islam.

If two different scholars or two different factions are fighting each other on matters of interpretation or on something else of that sort, then you are expected to humbly but also fiercely do what your local or nearest spiritual leader tells you to do, therefore that creed is called Islam. So be it! Otherwise you may get bloody war.

Answer 4

Good observation Frances, you see the Quaran is not like the Bible, the Bible was penned by men as led what to write by God's Holy Spirit. The Bible says the Word of God cannot be added to nor taken away from it is complete in itself. Along comes a man Muhammad 600 years later and decides he wants to be regarded as a prophet and writes the Quaran. He takes some characters from the Bible and folds them into his writings to give them some authenticity but the book does not come from God that is why the many inconsistencies. If you look up Allah you will find it comes from a Pagan deity that worshipped the moon. There is only one true God and Creator the God of the Bible Yahweh, man get's deceived unfortunately.

Answer 5

Actually the best way to study and take the Quran is by reading the Sunna that is related to the verse or chapter..
See, Quran is considered a miracle because of its usage of language among other things..
The Arabic language was used in a profound way that greatest poets couldn't create verses alike..
anyway, the Quran should be taken literal in the meaning of that you can't refuse its ruling, laws, judges, stories and such..but in the same time you have to study the meaning of the words because the us usage is complex and they way to understand them you must go back to the origins of the words and the grammar in it..
and of course you have to go back to the Sunna, see there are parts were God commanded the prophets and his beginning followers to do, and there are parts that is for all of the followers of Islam and such..
See, Sunna is what explains the Quran.
Without the Sunna you will definitely misinterpret the Quran..
Extremists and such take verses or parts of verses and abuse the meaning.. some rulings are blunt but still you must go back to the Sunna, which many fail to do..
Peace be with you

Answer 6

Allah Swt says that he made the Quran al Kareem easy for us to understand, so then it means every verse and word is taken literally and must be taken in the literal intrepretation because it wouldn't be right without it.

Answer 7

These verses are to be taken at times of war, when the enemies break pacts and treaties, treachery must be dealt with harshly.

i suggest reading one verse after to get the full picture.

Answer 8

There is a lot of meaning in the words themselves.

Answer 9

So do the Christians, Catholics and Jews say about the Bible. Do you believe them?

Answer 10

No book should be taken literally.