Certain Doubts in the Qu'ran
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As Salamu Alaikum,
I want to preface this by saying that I am a Muslim. I believe strongly in the Qu'ran based on natural phenomenon noted in the Qu'ran, the historical prophecies fulfilled, mathematical improbabilities in word frequencies, and the preservation and literary greatness of the Qu'ran. Most importantly, the Qu'ran verifies my logical definition of God.
I am, however, very reserved on certain material in the Qu'ran. I agree with God giving mankind laws to govern our behavior on Earth, and a majority of these laws are ones I can agree with, such as being honest, not wronging others, not murdering, stealing, being faithful to your spouse.
The problem for me is why does God have to make so many punishments so barbaric (I know the Qu'ran was revealed 1400 years ago, so should those same punishments be used today?). Decapitation for stealing, flogging and lashing for illegal sexual intercourse, etc.
I also do not understand why we must have specific inheritance laws and other laws on daily activities such as getting testimonies. Couldn't these be extremely subjective in terms of the situation.
Finally, I am very upset regarding the verse 434 which says to beat wives. I do not believe anyone should beat anyone, and at worst, they should just be divorced.
In essence, I believe the Qu'ran is from Allah, and all of it is, but I question these verses and laws which appear to be outdated and barbaric.
I am very torn in this matter. Do those verses still apply to us today? Can we modernize the punishments?
Furthermore, some of the stories of the Qu'ran on how people lived 1000 years and survived being in the belly of a Whale and the miracles performed by prophets- all seem very hard to fathom scientifically. Did these situations actually happen? Are these just stories of guidance and warning from God, not based on any tangible evidence in the past?
Is the Qu'ran still meant to be taken literally?
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Greetings and Peace, all group
Since there is no compulsion in the deen, even were we able, we should not judge others except by laws that they accept. If one agrees to the law, the law is fair--for self. This is one reason why it is good for believers to form like-minded communities.
The punishments are better than the crimes. Which causes more harm to individuals and society at large--lashes or adultery? The Guidance is good and wise--and applicable (for those that accept it) in all times. Although we cannot "modernize" the punishments, what we can do is form modern types of government. The Quran is specific in its purpose--but it doesn't tell us how to drive a car or make a pizza. This is no accident, and it doesn't mean that anything not mentioned is suspect or forbidden. The things that are specific are specific for a reason, and the things that are described generally are also that way for good reason.
There is some debate whether "cutting of the hand" for theft is literal or metaphorical--but even if literal, it is a great way to discourage theft.
There are some great threads on here that show that beating of spouses is not allowed, per AQ. ISA someone will provide links.
The Quran states that it uses examples--for instance "the example of paradise" and it uses idioms as well.
Nobody else is a better Judge than ALLAH--and there is ultimately no escape from Justice. If the punishments sound bad, what do you think about hell? Everything has a purpose. ALLAH knows best.
~May ALLAH see fit to guide all seekers.
peace
~Abdul-Hadi
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Doubt is something that invalidates one's Faith. You cannot be a believer and at the same time have even a shred of doubt about the truth of Allaah's Revelation. How many times Allaah in the Quraan condemns doubt?
The truth is from your Lord, so be not at all in doubt
So I urge you that if you consider yourself a Muslim, then Islaam means to submit and to accept without any resistance in one's soul to what Allaah has revealed. That is the sign of the true Believer. If you cannot understand the wisdom behind some of the things Allaah has revealed, then pray that Allaah makes the matter clear to you. But do not listen to the whisperings of the Devil that wants you to doubt, because that doubt will definitely become the gateway to the nullification of your Faith.
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Wa Alaikum Salaam NYM,
welcome brother,
The problem for me is why does God have to make so many punishments so barbaric (I know the Qu'ran was revealed 1400 years ago, so should those same punishments be used today?). Decapitation for stealing, flogging and lashing for illegal sexual intercourse, etc.
The above highlighted part makes me I don't have any evidence for that, do you have any?
About punishments, I like to keep myself -X at the moment as I don't have much knowledge about that.
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His true path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
sorry, but questioning is not doubting. ny mumin is certainly not alone.
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Dear NY Mumin,
Some of your problems are due to the sectarian distortions committed on translations and interpretations of the Quran and I recommend you the Quran a Reformist Translation, which discusses many of such distortions in the introductory section and in the endnotes of related verses. Please check www.19.org or www.amazon.org for more info on this translation.
Another set of your problems is due to the influence of western propaganda. For instance, flogging appears to be a "barbaric" punishment, but as a western educated lawyer, as an ex-prisoner, I would argue otherwise. Interestingly, recently there was a book by Peter Moskos, an American criminologist who suggested public flogging for some crimes instead of prison. For instance, read this or search his name for the book.
http//www.theblaze.com/stories/in-defense-of-flogging-criminologist-makes-brutal-case-to-solve-prison-problem/
I would like to suggest you reading Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish, too.
PS I may visit New York within two weeks, God willing. We are currently working on a Documentary film on the mathematical structure of the Quran, and New York is among the many destinations on our list. So, if the NY before Mumin is reference to your city of residence, then we may have chance to meet there and discuss the issue face to face )
Peace,
Edip
