God's word, from the Quran

From: http://www.timeswv.com/religion/cnhinsfaith_story_277231051.html

In its continuing series examining the world's great religions, St. Basil's Episcopal Church explores Muslim beliefs as outlined in the Quran.


By TEDDYE SNELL


TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Just as many Christians believe the Bible is the unerring word of God, Muslims believe the Quran is the literal, eternal, uncreated word of God, sent down from heaven to the Prophet Mohammed as a guide for humankind.In an ongoing series exploring Islam offered by St. Basil's Episcopal Church Wednesday evenings, the Quran -- and its applications in the Muslim community -- was the topic of a recent discussion. The video lectures, conducted by Dr. John L. Esposito, professor of Islamic studies at Georgetown University, are followed by group discussion and fellowship.According to Esposito, the Quran confirms Judaism's Torah and Christianity's New Testament as revelation from God, but revelation that became corrupted over time."Thus, the Quran was sent as a correction, rather than a nullification, of the Torah and the Gospel," said Esposito. "Muslims believe, therefore, that Islam is the oldest of the monotheistic faiths, because it represents both the original and the final revelation of God."The Quran was revealed to Mohammed in Mecca stages over a 22-year period, and later in Medina. It was preserved in both oral and written form during the lifetime of Mohammed, but was not collected and compiled into its current format until the reign of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan (644-656 CE).The Quran's 114 chapters and 6,000 verses - shorter in length than the New Testament - were collected, rather than edited or organized thematically or chronologically."Arabic, Muslims believe, as the sacred language of Islam, is the language of God," said Esposito. "All Muslims, regardless of their mother tongue or country of origin, memorize and recite the Quran in Arabic."The Quran declares an absolute monotheism -- that there is no god but the Allah; thus, Muslims do not believe in the Christian doctrine of the trinity. Muslims recognize Jesus as a prophet, not as God's son. Although God is all-powerful and the ultimate judge of humankind, at the same time, the Quran emphasizes that God is also merciful and compassionate.According to Esposito, the Quranic universe consists of three realms - heaven, earth and hell - in which there are two types of beings: humans and spirits. All are called to obedience to God. Spirits include angels, jinns and devils."Human beings enjoy a special status because God breathed his spirit into the first human, Adam," said Esposito. "Humans were created by God to be his representative on earth. The Quran teaches that God gave the earth to humans as a trust so they can implement his will."Although Muslims believe in the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, there is no doctrine of an inherited original sin. As a result, and in contrast to Christianity, there is no belief in suffering or atonement for all humans."Each person is held responsible for his individual actions," said Esposito. "Sin is an act of disobedience, rather than a human condition."Islam emphasizes the need for sinners to repent by returning to the straight path of God. There is no emphasis on shame, disgrace or guilt; however, there is an emphasis on the ongoing human struggle - "jihad" - to do what is right and just.Poverty and social justice are also prominent themes in the Quran. Throughout all its declarations, the Quran emphasizes the responsibility of the rich toward the poor."By asserting that all believers belong to a single, universal community - or 'ummah' - the Quran sought to break the bonds of tribalism and create a sense of broader Islamic identity," said Esposito.Another message in the Quran stresses pluralism and tolerance, and that God has created not one but many nations and peoples. Many passages underscore the diversity of humankind."The Quran clearly and strongly states 'there is to be no compulsion in religion' (Q2:256)'" said Esposito. "Jews and Christians are regarded as 'People of the Book' -- people who have also received a revelation and a scripture from God. Historically, although the early expansion and conquests spread Muslim rule, in general, Muslims did not try to impose their religion on others or force them to convert."Like Jews and Christians, Muslims seek to reinterpret the sources of their faith to produce new religious understandings that speak to the realities of religious pluralism in the modern world.Many Muslims challenge the exclusive religious claims and intolerance of Islamic groups who believe they alone possess the "true" interpretation of Islam and attempt to impose it on other Muslims and non-Muslims alike, according to Esposito.The use of "jihad" in the Quran helps explain the term's varied use throughout history. The two broad meanings of "jihad" - or struggle - nonviolent and violent, are found in the Quran and expressly contrasted in a well-known, prophetic tradition."This tradition reports that when Mohammed returned from battle, he told his followers, 'We return from the lesser jihad [warfare] to the greater jihad," said Esposito. "The greater jihad is the more difficult and more important struggle against one's ego, selfishness, greed and evil."Esposito pointed out the "sword verses" of the Quran - those condoning violence against non-believers - are often taken out of context."Like all scriptures, Islamic sacred texts must be read within the social and political contexts in which they were revealed," said Esposito. "It is not surprising that the Quran, like the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Testament, has verses that address fighting and the conduct of war."According to Esposito, the Quran emphasized that warfare and response to violence and aggression must be proportional, and that the Quran underscored peace, not violence, be the norm.Before the presentation, group leader John Day wrote a sentence on a blackboard for participants' consideration: I have questions in my mind and I'm often not satisfied with the answers available."Why do so many people view Christianity and Islam as an 'us against them,' slay or be slain situation?" asked Day. "It brings more questions than answers."Day asked Emad Sokhun, a local Muslim, if he had encountered any messages of hate for being Muslim."Not until after 9/11," said Sokhun. "But I choose to be in Tahlequah. I have lived in Norman, Tulsa, and Wichita, Kan. This is one of the few cities, even though it's small, where people have open minds."Sokhun indicated he'd often been questioned about the sword verses."Prejudice can be found within us all," he said. "But as Muslims, we are constantly seeking self-improvement and understanding. It seems we have a deeper sense of reward and punishment, because when you go to meet God, no one is there to offer forgiveness."Sokhun used a balance sheet analogy to explain how Muslims practice their faith, saying for every bad thought, bad deed or unkind word said, they received a demerit. A Muslim's goal in life is to wipe out those demerits by good deeds, thoughts and actions toward his fellow man."We're careful about what we say to people," he said. "We work hard to live a good life."Teddye Snell writes for the Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press.