Book Review - The Koran - The Cow (1 to 87)
I started reviewing the Koran. I do not know how healthy this is to do, but I am curious. I started with “The Opening”, which is the first chapter of the Koran, and it certainly pays respect to God. However, the aspects of God that pays attention to are different than what I normally focus. Basically, God is the master of judgement, and I am to pray that I not go astray, but that I be someone to whom God will show favor… but with no feel for who those people are that receive such favor. God appears harsh in those short verses, which He is in some ways, but for His grace. The Opening does not mention grace per se, but mercy, that God is God the merciful. Mercy is certainly undeserved, so I do not know who Islam squares those who go astray with those to whom God shows mercy. Perhaps the mercy manifests as a life that has not gone astray… but then how am I to know? By whether God has shown me favor? And how do I know that? I believe I have been shown favor, but I am Christian and not a Muslim… unless it is ultimate favor in death that is referred to, in which case I have no measure in this life for knowing whether I am in God’s favor or have gone astray, but for the fact that I am a Christian and not a Muslim. It is the kind of arbitrary distinction that Christians are accused of every day. Well, on to chapter 2, The Cow…
[2.1] Alif Lam Mim.
[2.2] This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).
If true, then it is either a guide to me, or I have succumbed to the very evil that I believe I am guarded against.
[2.3] Those who believe in the unseen and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them.
I believe in the unseen, pray, and tithe… so is this a guide to me?
[2.4] And who believe in that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you and they are sure of the hereafter.
[2.5] These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be successful.
[2.6] Surely those who disbelieve, it being alike to them whether you warn them, or do not warn them, will not believe.
Well, I disbelieve in the Koran, but not in God. I agree that being warned by a Muslim will make no difference to me. Likewise, warning non-Christians of their impending fate makes no difference to most of them… so there is a truth or sorts in these verses.
[2.7] Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing and there is a covering over their eyes, and there is a great punishment for them.
[2.8] And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers.
[2.9] They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive.
[2.10] There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied.
Though true on the surface, relative to whatever the ultimate truth is, the perspective is either way off, or surprsingly insightful. A person’s spirit knows the truth, and so those who reject God and Christ in my opinion are lying in the spirit. They’re flesh however, may physically manifest this in a way such that their perceives no choice, and so no lie in the strictest sense. However, if their spirits were for God, then so would their flesh.
[2.11] And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers.
Are they referring to Christians, such as me? So far, there is no theological truth, except that there are those who think they are for God and are, and those who think they are for God and are not. Seems like a crap-shoot. I mean, how do you tell the difference between those are making mischief, and those who are God’s acting emissaries?
[2.12] Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive.
So how can you know? You cannot know about yourself, because if you are mischief maker, you do not perceive. Now, if you are not a mischief maker, then people not like you are… gives you a way to measure, and surely Muslims do measure like this, as would I. However, honestly, you cannot know whether you are a mischief maker, because you would not perceive it if you were… and so you cannot use yourself as a measure for others, and hence cannot tell who is on the right side. So far, I see no way.
[2.13] And when it is said to them: Believe as the people believe they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know.
[2.14] And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking.
[2.15] Allah shall pay them back their mockery, and He leaves them alone in their inordinacy, blindly wandering on.
[2.16] These are they who buy error for the right direction, so their bargain shall bring no gain, nor are they the followers of the right direction.
[2.17] Their parable is like the parable of one who kindled a fire but when it had illumined all around him, Allah took away their light, and left them in utter darkness– they do not see.
[2.18] Deaf, dumb (and) blind, so they will not turn back.
[2.19] Or like abundant rain from the cloud in which is utter darkness and thunder and lightning; they put their fingers into their ears because of the thunder peal, for fear of death, and Allah encompasses the unbelievers.
[2.20] The lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things.
Surely He does. But what is the real measure? Christians believe in Jesus as redeemer and Lord. Jews believe in the God of Moses, and live by the Ten Commandments. These I get, and gives a truth by which people can know whether someone is following the religion. So far, I don’t see any of that in the Koran. But, I have only just begun.
The following verses recall the experience of Israel in the desert with Moses. It confirms that God was with Israel, and accurately recalls both their sin and God’s mercy. It then leads to the following verse:
[2.62] Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.
And this is the first indication of who may be saved by God… Jews, Christians, Sabians, and anyone else who believes in God, the Last day, and does good. Well, I find that interesting, because the covereage I see of Islam would have me believing that Jews and Christians will go to Hell. So, someone is missing the point of this verse… but who?
[2.63] And when We took a promise from you and lifted the mountain over you: Take hold of the law (Tavrat) We have given you with firmness and bear in mind what is in it, so that you may guard (against evil).
[2.64] Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace of Allah and His mercy on you, you would certainly have been among the losers.
Looks accurate to me… it’s exactly what I believe as Christian.
Still speaking to Israel the nation…
[2.84] And when We made a covenant with you: You shall not shed your blood and you shall not turn your people out of your cities; then you gave a promise while you witnessed.
[2.85] Yet you it is who slay your people and turn a party from among you out of their homes, backing each other up against them unlawfully and exceeding the limits; and if they should come to you, as captives you would ransom them– while their very turning out was unlawful for you. Do you then believe in a part of the Book and disbelieve in the other? What then is the re ward of such among you as do this but disgrace in the life of this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be sent back to the most grievous chastisement, and Allah is not at all heedless of what you do.
This again confirms much truth of the stubborness of God’s people, consistent with the Old Testament, right down to the Jews’ belief in the resurrection at the end times, the judgement, and the fact that God is not heedless of our deeds. It then goes to connect with Jesus:
[2.86] These are they who buy the life of this world for the hereafter, so their chastisement shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped.
[2.87] And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew.
A bit harsh, but then the truth can be. I am finding this rather interesting. Nothing troubling yet… at least not on the surface.