Understanding Qur’an

 

                The Qur’an defines itself as the revelation from the Creator of the universe to His prophet Muhammad for guidance of all humankind. The Qur’an literally means “reading” and is sent from the same God as the Bible is.  It reiterates many of the same moral themes and prophetic narratives and affirms the divine nature of the earlier revelations and honors Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Mary, and Jesus. Notably, the Qur’an affirms the monotheism of Abraham and that Jesus is the true Messiah and prophet of God. Qur’an is the guide for whoever wonders about the purpose of life and their own existence and the message that there is no deity but God and that all else is God’s creation.

 

               The Qur’an text consists of 114 chapters of varying lengths, each of which consists of numbered verses called signs. The Qur’an addresses a number of central topics: 1) God’s supreme power and authority, 2) The accountability of individual human beings for their actions, 3) Natural life and Human behavior, 4) Stories of the prophets and their peoples, 5) Descriptions of Judgment Day and the Afterlife, and 6) Doctrinal tenets and moral commands. The Qur'an provides guidelines for a pleural society, ethical human conduct, and equitable economic principles with focus on honesty, justice and equality of all humankind before God. Observant Muslims serve God by studying the Qur’an and living by its teachings.

               The Qur’an proclaims that all that is in the Heavens and in the Earth has been subjugated to humankind. Man is given knowledge and freedom by the Creator. Man is free in his will and acts with consequent responsibility and accountability before God in the Day of Judgment.  God has given to every human being the conscience as a personal monitor and the reason as a guide to live. The Quran calls all humankind to worship God, the Creator of the universe and challenges those who are in doubt to bring a similitude of its verses. The Qur’an reminds us that earthy life is temporary and time share and is merely a test. The afterlife is the time for receiving the reward or punishment merited by one’s faith and actions.

                The Qur’an teaches that there is no coercion in religion and that God is the Judge of all humankind. The Qur’an acknowledges the Ten Commandments and emphasizes the universality of faith and submission to God: “Say: We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and the revelation given to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) the prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction among them, and to Him we are submitters.” (Qur’an 2:136). Let us understand the themes of Qur’an as we are one human family with justice and freedom for all. We all pray to our Creator, for guidance, mercy and blessings.   Amen.

 

                                                  Interfaith Ten Commandments

              The messages from the Torah and the Gospels coincide closely with certain verses in the Qur'an. This is by large the case with the Ten Commandments which are the fundamental obligations of man to God and to his fellow creatures.

1)     You shall have no other gods before Me: “…You shall not set up rivals before God.” (Qur’an 2:22) "…There is no deity but God." (Qur'an 47:19)

2)     You shall not make for yourself an idol: "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols." (Qur'an 14:35)

3)     You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God:  "And make not God's (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who hears and knows all things." (Qur'an 2:224)

4)     Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy: The Sabbath was only decreed as a test (Qur'an 16:124) Believers are ordered to make every effort to attend the Friday congregational prayer. They are permitted to go about their affairs during the rest of the day "O you who believe, when the call for prayer is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of God, and drop all business." (Qur'an 62:9)

5)     Honor your father and mother:  "…And your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live to old age, you shall never insult them, nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amiably." (Qur'an 17:23)

6)     You shall not kill: "…You shall not kill a person unlawfully.” (Qur’an 6:151) “…Anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people." (Qur'an 5:32)

7)     You shall not commit adultery: "Do not even go close to adultery; it is a gross sin and an evil behavior." (Qur'an 17:32) Adultery is defined as sexual intercourse between a man and a woman beyond marriage. 

8)     You shall not steal: "…They shall not steal." (Qur’an 60: 12) “You shall not take each other’s property by false means.” (Qur’an 4:29)

9)     You shall not bear false witness: “And those (Servants of God) shall not bear false witness.” (Qur’an 25:72) "…And avoid saying falsehood.” (Qur’an 22:30)

10)  You shall not covet: "And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to test. What your Lord provides for you is far better and everlasting." (Qur'an 20:131)