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Has anyone on here read the Quran?


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I'm going to start it on Monday as I am getting one in the mail. I'm worried I won't be able to understand it but I want to learn more about Islam. Has anyone from this forum read it? Is it easy to understand or do you have to be super intelligent?

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I've read quite a bit of it. A main difference between the Qur'an and the Bible in terms of format is that it's not written in a narrative format. Rather, the different verses were (according to Islamic tradition) handed down to Muhammad in relation to specific historical incidents. It's therefore harder to make sense of it on its own, and it helps to have a book or other information available that explains the particular context of each verse, it makes much more sense that way. So, it's not at all about having to be super intelligent, but it helps to have the necessary context available. If you're interested in knowing more about Islam, I'd also recommend getting a book about its early development.

Edited by denise_xo
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I wouldn't be able to read a sick book like that, I'd just find it too disturbing and depressing.

 

How do you know that it's sick if you haven't read it?? :confused::confused:

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I've read quite a bit of it. A main difference between the Qur'an and the Bible in terms of format is that it's not written in a narrative format. Rather, the different verses were (according to Islamic tradition) handed down to Muhammad in relation to specific historical incidents. It's therefore harder to make sense of it on its own, and it helps to have a book or other information available that explains the particular context of each verse, it makes much more sense that way. So, it's not at all about having to be super intelligent, but it helps to have the necessary context available. If you're interested in knowing more about Islam, I'd also recommend getting a book about its early development.

 

Thanks for your help, I'd already heard that the Bible was written by several people and the Quran is supposed to be the word of God, hopefully I won't struggle with it.

 

If I do I'll look for a book on it's development.

 

How did you find the Quran?

 

I wouldn't be able to read a sick book like that, I'd just find it too disturbing and depressing.

 

Thanks mate, I love negative, pointless posts.

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How do you know that it's sick if you haven't read it?? :confused::confused:

 

I've heard people quote sick things from this so called book. I've heard people talk about what is in it.

 

Some of the following things in this list have come from that book, and some have been inspired by what is written in the book as well.

 

Treating women like second class citizens

 

Halal meat (not allowing animals to be stunned before being killed, and cutting open their necks while they're still concious and letting them bleed to death)

 

Stoning

 

Cutting off peoples hands who steal

 

Honor killings (this is mainly done to women. And can even happen just because the woman's family or community think she isn't dressing appropriately)

 

Forcing your daughter to marry someone she doesn't love

 

Forcing women to wear burka's

 

Hanging gay people from cranes in the streets

 

All infedels must be killed (infedel means non believer)

 

9/11 and other terrorist acts

 

Wanting to ban pretty much anything that's fun, including alcohol and porn

 

The list goes on.

Edited by Ross MwcFan
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Thanks mate, I love negative, pointless posts.

 

I was just giving you my opinion. I thought that was a BIG point of posting in forums.

 

No need for you to act like a prick.

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I was just giving you my opinion. I thought that was a BIG point of posting in forums.

 

No need for you to act like a prick.

 

How do you know that it's sick if you haven't read it?? :confused::confused:

 

I've heard people quote sick things from this so called book. I've heard people talk about what is in it.

 

Oh the irony.

 

Ross, do you read the Daily Mail or The Sun by any chance?

 

Also, if there are pages, a front, a back and writing on the pages inside, it's a book by default. Nothing 'so called' about it.

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Oh the irony.

 

Ross, do you read the Daily Mail or The Sun by any chance?

 

Also, if there are pages, a front, a back and writing on the pages inside, it's a book by default. Nothing 'so called' about it.

 

Irony? I haven't acted like a prick mate. But I can start acting like one if you want me to.

 

No, I don't read those papers, especially not the Daily Fail.

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Irony? I haven't acted like a prick mate. But I can start acting like one if you want me to.

 

No, I don't read those papers, especially not the Daily Fail.

 

You came into the thread to post 'no I haven't read it, it's a sick book'.

 

Yet you don't think you've been even slightly unnecessary? And as for the 2nd bit, is that a threat?

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You came into the thread to post 'no I haven't read it, it's a sick book'.

 

Yet you don't think you've been even slightly unnecessary? And as for the 2nd bit, is that a threat?

 

I didn't think you were going to get offended at what I said.

 

You asked if anyone on here has read the quran, and I thought I'd just express that I wouldn't be able to read something like that, because I'd find it too disturbing and it would depress me.

 

No, it wasn't a threat.

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The same negative things (like violence and judgement) in the Q exist in the Bible- they exist in a lot of religions. I've read the Bible from cover to cover and studied parts of the Q for my religious studies degree.

 

Obviously I don't believe any "holy book" was divinely inspired, there are far too many contradictions and too much hypocrisy to have been written by an omnipotent being.

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The same negative things (like violence and judgement) in the Q exist in the Bible- they exist in a lot of religions. I've read the Bible from cover to cover and studied parts of the Q for my religious studies degree.

 

Obviously I don't believe any "holy book" was divinely inspired, there are far too many contradictions and too much hypocrisy to have been written by an omnipotent being.

 

Oh yeah, the bible is terrible too.

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I didn't think you were going to get offended at what I said.

 

You asked if anyone on here has read the quran, and I thought I'd just express that I wouldn't be able to read something like that, because I'd find it too disturbing and it would depress me.

 

No, it wasn't a threat.

 

I'm not offended I just didn't see the point of the comment. If everyone who hadn't read it on this forum commented in the thread, it'd be about 20 pages long.

 

Seems like a misunderstanding anyway.

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I'm not offended I just didn't see the point of the comment. If everyone who hadn't read it on this forum commented in the thread, it'd be about 20 pages long.

 

Seems like a misunderstanding anyway.

 

 

Why not read it, there is no harm in educating yourself. When you're educated, you can make an informed decision.

 

I chose to make religious studies my major in university despite being an atheist simply because I was curious. I used to have relatives tell me I was going to hell for not believing in God. After graduating I was able to say- I've researched both sides of the coin and am still not buying any of it.

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Why not read it, there is no harm in educating yourself. When you're educated, you can make an informed decision.

 

I chose to make religious studies my major in university despite being an atheist simply because I was curious. I used to have relatives tell me I was going to hell for not believing in God. After graduating I was able to say- I've researched both sides of the coin and am still not buying any of it.

 

I am going to read it, I've got one coming in the mail.

 

My stance now is similar to how yours was before you went to university.

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I am going to read it, I've got one coming in the mail.

 

My stance now is similar to how yours was before you went to university.

 

What's funny is that most of my relatives (including my mother) have not read the Bible from cover to cover, yet I have. I like to throw that one out there when I get hassled. I never partipate in grace before a meal, I leave the room- I always get flack for that. Not from my own family- but from my aunts. They always tell me they pray for me and fear for my soul because I am going to hell...:lmao: They are such nasty old bats.

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What's funny is that most of my relatives (including my mother) have not read the Bible from cover to cover, yet I have. I like to throw that one out there when I get hassled. I never partipate in grace before a meal, I leave the room- I always get flack for that. Not from my own family- but from my aunts. They always tell me they pray for me and fear for my soul because I am going to hell...:lmao: They are such nasty old bats.

 

:laugh:

 

When you read the bible did you find it entertaining to read?

 

The old testament seems like it'd be an interesting read, seems like it's got a lot of good stories in.

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:laugh:

 

When you read the bible did you find it entertaining to read?

 

The old testament seems like it'd be an interesting read, seems like it's got a lot of good stories in.

 

Depends on the part I was reading. I like the obscure stories (the one your Minister would never address in a sermon)- and there are some pretty scandalous tidbits in there.

 

It's tedious and boring in some parts.:rolleyes:

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I'm going to start it on Monday as I am getting one in the mail. I'm worried I won't be able to understand it but I want to learn more about Islam. Has anyone from this forum read it? Is it easy to understand or do you have to be super intelligent?

 

I have. It's not terribly hard to understand if you keep in mind a couple of things:

 

a) It's not a book you read front to back. Chronologically, it tends to jump around a lot. Generally, the earlier parts are in the back and the later parts in the front though.

 

b) Translation is not translation, it's interpretation. Some versions are better than others, but all of them are merely translations of the original. It would be far better to read it in the original Arabic (as with any scripture). But if you can't just make sure to get a good English version.

 

c) Context matters. It's incredibly important to do outside research, from both Muslim and non-Muslim sources to know what the Qur'an is talking about when it refers to certain things. Muslims are often encouraged to read exegesis (commentary) on the Qur'an.

 

There is a wealth of material available on Islam. I'd recommend one of the more scholarly books: Karen Armstrong's Islam: A short history is a good one. As is Albert Hourani's A History of the Arab Peoples.

 

One of my majors in college was Middle East Studies, and I'm an Arab; so the region and its religions is one of my primary areas of expertise.

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Out of interest I wanted to read the Quran. So I started, read the first page, but then stopped. I lost interest due to the violent first page. It starts off about cutting infidels their heads off and sh*t like that.

 

I've also read some stuff from the Bible, again out of interest, but stumbled upon similar things. For example it's written in the Bible that when you have kids and they're not listening to you, then you should stone them to death. Not really my cup of tea.

 

I've also read a lot of texts from Buddhism and other Eastern religions, they seem most appealing and are the least violent and most compassionate. However, they also preach things like that a human being can achieve something like enlightenment or Nirvana, for example by meditating. I've yet to see proof of that.

 

There are people around the world that have claimed to have reached enlightenment and have accumulated followers, only to abuse and rape their followers while taking all their money. And then they claim "I am God".

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Out of interest I wanted to read the Quran. So I started, read the first page, but then stopped. I lost interest due to the violent first page. It starts off about cutting infidels their heads off and sh*t like that.

 

 

What?! The first page is al-Fatihah ("the opening"). It begins with "in the name of God the compassionate and merciful". How is that violent?

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:laugh:

 

When you read the bible did you find it entertaining to read?

 

The old testament seems like it'd be an interesting read, seems like it's got a lot of good stories in.

 

Read the stories Judges 19- the story of the Levite and his concubine.

The Levite visits a Benjamite village and a stranger takes him in when no one else will. The local men surround the house and ask for the owner to send out the Levite so they can have sex with him... He refuses, but instead offers up his virgin daughter and concubine for them to rape and abuse. the men again call for the Levite to have sex with, so the owner comes out and gives him his concubine. She is beaten, raped, and abused all night. When she comes home, the man hacks her body into 12 pieces and sends one piece to each of the twelve tribes of Isreal to demonstrate the state of the unions between the 12 tribes.

 

Gotta love a religion that supports giving up your daughter and wife to a violent mob to protect a complete stranger because he's male.

 

That and the genesis story where women basically sealed the fate of humankind by taking a bite of the forbidden fruit and essentially ruining life for everyone in the future:lmao:

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