Can We Have a Little S-L-M? (Finishing up my Qu’ran Reading)

“We decreed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear

Ceiling of the Mohammad Ali mosque in Cairo

for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and a wound for a wound. But if a man charitably forbears retaliation, his remission shall atone for him.” (5:44)

Babylonian references regarding Hammurabi’s Code show that some rules are just universal. During these last few surahs of the Koran (yes, I have now finished my first reading of the Book) the pages resonated with both reasonable, rational thought and thought that was a bit less benevolent.  A look, shall we,  at the remaining surahs.

The story of Satan is alluded to, remarking on his impertinence and reluctance to bow to Adam, that man made out of black loam clay while Satan was made of smokeless fire. He addresses his followers such:

“‘True was the promise which God made you. I too made you a promise, but did not keep it. Yet I had no power over you. I only called you, and you answered me. Do not now blame me, but blame yourselves. I cannot  help you, nor can you help me. I never believed, as you did, that I was God’s equal.’” (14:22)

I felt that these words were suitable for Satan; after all, he certainly would be the King of Treachery and Lies. However, what is his purpose? Why would he care to call people like a Pied Piper? What did he gain? After all, it was God who wanted Hell to be filled with jinn and man:

“Had your Lord pleased, He would have united all mankind in one community. They are still at odds, except for those to whom your Lord has shown mercy. To this end He has created them/ The word of your Lord shall be fulfilled: ‘I will fill Hell with jinn and humans all.’” (11:113)

If anyone remarks that life is but a game, then the above passage would serve as proof: why make mankind at odds? Why would God want to fill Hell with humans? He could have made them all believers and pious if he wanted to; so why play a game? He puts man to the test, I suppose; but wouldn’t life be better if mankind could be united! (World leaders, take note).

The unkind words that the Koran has for unbelievers are disheartening to a person like me who believes in respecting people’s beliefs. I realize that all religions probably do this to some degree, but it does not mean I believe that any of them are right for doing this. Idolaters are considered “unclean” (seriously? This is like the ignorant Europeans saying that the ‘savages’ they met were dirty heathens during colonization). Talk and Treatment of non-believers is saddening:

“It ill becomes the idolaters to visit the mosques of God, for they are unbelievers, self-confessed. Vain shall be their works, and in the Fire they shall abide for ever.” (9:17)

But tourists have since been allowed into mosques! Perhaps even the holy cannot resist earning a few bucks, as I was allowed into the  Mohammad Ali mosque in Cairo. Another odd sentence of sorts:

“Have nothing to do with those who have split up their religion into sects. God will call them to account and declare to them what they have done.” (6:158)

Islam is, in fact, split into two sects: Sunni and Shiite. Apparently, the (very early) followers of Islam did not heed Prophet Mohammad’s words, for it was just a few years after his death that the religion split. And what about the Sufi Islamists?

The Mohammad Ali Masjid (mosque) in Cairo. Photo taken by myself.

Interesting, then, that these “dirty” people must seem to have some type of soul as

“In the Torah, in which there is guidance and light… and gave him the gospel, in which there is guidance and light, corroborating what was revealed ibefore it in the Torah.” (5:44)

I understand that the Koran is a continuation of the Torah and Bible. This makes sense. However, it seems wrong to call those who believe in most of Islam’s creeds “dirty,” “idolatrous” and “wrong” when they preach to the same God and are guided [mostly] by the same light.

“Lawful for you are the believing women and the free women from among those who were given the Book before you, privided that you give them their dowries and livei n honor with them, neither committing fornication nor taking them as mistresses.” (5:5)

I believe this topic has come up previously; apparently, the unbelievers are not so dirty that the Muslim male cannot marry a disbelieving female. But if I’m reading this passage correctly, it appears that the men can’t actually have sex with these wives? Excuse me, but qu’est-ce que le point? I also don’t see how it’s possible for Muslim men to marry non-Muslim women when we then have the following sentence:

Believers, do not befriend your fathers or your brothers if they choose unbelief in preference of faith. Wrongdoers are those that befriend them.” (9:18)

Again, this topic has come up previously, and I still don’t understand it. One can marry, say, a Christian but if your father is Christian than you can’t talk to him? How isn’t the Muslim with the Christian wife a “wrongdoer” too? It would be a sad day for mankind if a man denounced his father simply because his father didn’t believe in the same religion (especially if it’s the same God to which they pray).

“Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God’s religion shall reign supreme.” (8:36)

Surahs “The Spoils” (Al-Anfal) and “Repentance” (Al-Tawbah) talked incessantly about making war against the infidels, the non-believers. I always believed that groups like the Taliban were wrong in asserting that the Koran says this, but there it is, clear as day, several times throughout the Book. However, there is a silver lining: the Koran says only to attack if a Muslim himself has been attacked. Otherwise,

“If they incline to peace, make peace with them, and put your trust in God.” (8:59)

Despite this bid for peace, it still saddens me that a religion could preach hatred and killing. I am extremely anti-violence, and killing someone simply because of their beliefs doesn’t cut it, even if their beliefs are woefully ignorant. That said, I feel that it is not foolish to wish for world peace; world peace could be acheived, if only man found empathy in his heart. I feel that this line, one of the most beautiful in the Koran, sums up best my personal feelings; just remember, every single person on this Earth counts:

“That whoever killed a human being…shall be regarded as having killed all of mankind; and that whoever saved a human life shall be regarded as having saved all of mankind.” (5:31)

S-L-M

Jews, Christians and Muslims, oh my! The Koran continues.

“Truth has come and Falsehood has departed. Falsehood was bound to be routed.” (17:75)

So asserts the Koran in surah 17, al-Isra or The Night Tale. It is a beautiful but hopeless statement: surely, many times a day people are confronted with truths and do not dispel of the falsehoods they believed. Mankind would rather believe that he, himself, is always right, rather than concede to a truth. Yet look at the truths that man will believe!

“You shall not falsely declare: ‘This is lawful, and that is forbidden,’ in order ot invent a falsehood about God. Those who invent falsehoods about God shall never prosper.” (16:115)

Despite such an admonition from the Koran, Muslims (particularly the Taliban and fundamentalist terrorist organizations) falsely declare what is lawful and what is not. Is listening to music or painting a picture of animals sinful and unreligious? The Koran does not ban such acts, but the Taliban in Afghanistan in it’s heyday sure found fit to declare such false truths.

A church and mosque in Cairo, Egypt. Cohabitation IS possible! Photo taken by myself.

They foist daughters upon God (glory be to Him!) but for themselves they choose what they desire. When the birth of a girl is announced to any of them, his countenance darkens and he is filled with gloom. On account of the bad news he hides himself from men: should he put up with the shame or bury her in the earth? How ill they judge!” (16:55)

Yet another false truth that has been believed by all people, be they Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus or whichever religion, since the dawn of time: that the birth of a daughter is something shameful, something to cry about. Here, the Koran attempts to admonish mankind’s unfair attitude towards it’s daughters by denouncing the practice of burying alive newborn females. A practical truth: without women, mankind would not continue to exist! But yet:

“He created man from a little germ; yet he is openly contentious. He created the beasts which give you warmth and food and other benefits. How pleasant they look when you bring them home to rest and when you lead them out to pasture! (16:1)

It’s admirable how the Koran mentions man starting out as a “little germ.” Did mankind yet know how pregnancy works at that time? And how contentious man–any man!–can be. It is understood that there are many people (especially in the Western world) that are not religious, but it is not wrong to follow some of the values that books such as the Bible and the Koran extoll. Yet it is amazing that such quotes such as the one below are read by pious people who then twist it their own way:

“If you punish, let your punishment be commensurate with  the wrong that has been done you. But it shall be best for you to endure your wrongs with patience.” (16:223)

This quote from An-Nahn (The Honey Bees) begs a look into the justice system of any nation. It sounds plausible to punish only when one has been wronged, and to punish commensurately; but what about the laws that exist that wrong no particular person? Many laws than come into question: driving without a seat belt, for example. Yes, everybody should as it could save your life–but does a person have to be fined for it?  This quote should be pasted in every bureau of the interior in Arab governments. Is the woman who goes out without a male chaperone wronging somebody? Is the woman swimming in the men’s pool wronging someone? Is drinking alcohol wronging someone? These are personal choices, not laws, for if they hurt someone, they hurt the person who does them.

This reading of the Koran touched more on the topic of Jews and Christians. The story of Moses was mentioned several times, as were Biblical figures such as Jonah. At the following quote, I couldn’t help but laugh, as it is the same thing that an elderly woman I work with says before she leaves for the day:

“Do not say of anything: ‘I will do it tomorrow ‘ without adding: ‘If God wills.’” (18:21)

Honestly, if there was anything that I learned from reading the Koran, it is that Jews, Christians and Muslims are not that different from each other. Each religion is just an extension of the previous. Does this make Islam, ultimately, the correct ‘sect’ to follow? I view them almost as one mightthe different sects of Christianity, such as Catholicism and Lutheranism. The traditions and rites might be slightly different, but it’s the same God, isn’t it? The same Eden?

“Had God not defended some men y the might of others, monastaries and churches, synagogues and mosques in which His praise is daily celebrated, would have been utterly destroyed.” (22:37)

The Koran seems to be echoing my thoughts, for surely isn’t it showing here that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all praising and following the same God? “His praise?” God is defending members of all three “sects.” Therefore, it kind of seems besides the point for the three to fight each other, for wouldn’t God be on all of their sides? Or perhaps now he will only save the Muslims, for they believe in his final word.

“As for the true believers, the Jews, the Sabaens, the Christians, the Magians, and the pagans, God will judge them on the Day of Ressurection. God is witness of all things.” (22:14)

Again, there is some ambiguity to this quote. Is he including Jews and Christians as “true believers?” or is it jsut the way this passage is translated? In truth, I believe the Koran is just saying here that everyone on Earth will be judged, though why not jut say “everyone” instead of singling them out? The Koran’s mentioning of the Jews and Christians is often ambiguous, saying that they have plausibility, reason and light but yet they are considered demons who are wrong and blind to truth. Many people, Muslim or not, seem to fit this description.

“Have they never journeyed through the land? Have they no hearts to reason with, or ears to hear with? It is their hearts, and not their yees, that are blind.” (22:42)

S-L-M