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  4. Do you take the Qur'an literally?

Do you take the Qur'an literally?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Questions/Comments on the Quran
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  • N Offline
    N Offline
    Novice
    wrote on last edited by
    #38

    Where did I say there is stupidity in the Qur'an? I know there are verses in the Qur'an that are not applied today by most Muslims because they have a historical and regional/cultural character. Are you arguing otherwise? I can give you examples.

    Peace Recluse
    I never play the game I am right and you are wrong. I always approach Quran for the guidance. I found lots of nonsense and stupidity in traditional translations and tafseers, So I decided to find out the truth by learning the Quranic Arabic.
    I am learning new things with the passage of time. Anyone approaching Quran for guidance can get it as per one's capacity. You may have a different interpretation of a verse than me and both of us are responsible for our interpretation. We can discuss but cannot enforce our interpretations on others.
    2256
    There shall be no compulsion in the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong....
    So if we try and discuss with others things start becoming clear as per above verse.
    If you give an example from Quran which is not applicable today we can discuss it and I can give my understanding which may or may not be liked by you. I am just a student and trying to clarify truth for myself. Academic discussions are a good way of doing it without any offence.

    So please discuss what is not applicable from Quran today and I might learn something new.

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    • S Offline
      S Offline
      Samira1234
      wrote on last edited by
      #39

      @Novice

      I have issues regarding this verse. What is your opinion regarding the below verse?

      242 The woman or man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their torture.

      The translators usually chooses the word 'punishment' as a translation for the Arabic word ?Azabahuma? which is a big error. The exact meaning of the word azabahuma is ?the torture of both of them?. Well, that doesn't sound much of a merciful God. Apparently both the public humiliation and real physical pain especially, to the person, is collectively being torture for that person. And Allah does not only sanction torture and that too for public view, but He is also concerned that the human feeling of the people who implement His orders might succumb to their feelings, hence they are warned against it, by mentioning the Last Day (do not be taken by pity for them in the system of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day).

      Please give your input regarding the above verse.

      Peace.

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      • H Offline
        H Offline
        hawk99
        wrote on last edited by
        #40

        Peace Hizbullah, Mazhar

        While I agree that 4/3 and 4/127 comprise a context, I am not sure about an orphan being a woman.

        wa-in khif'tum all tuq'si f l-yatm

        And if you fear that not you will be able to do justice with the orphans,

        fa-inki m ba lakum mina l-nisi

        then marry what seems suitable to you from the women

        mathn wathultha waruba fa-in khif'tum all

        two, or three, or four But if you fear that not

        tadil fawidatan aw m malakat

        you can do justice then (marry) one or what possesses

        aymnukum dhlika adn all

        your right hand. That (is) more appropriate that (may) not

        tal wat l-nisa aduqtihinna ni'latan

        you oppress And give the women their dower graciously

        fa-in ib'na lakum an shayin min'hu nafsan

        But if they remit to you of anything of it (on their) own,

        fakulhu hanan maran

        then eat it (in) satisfaction (and) ease.

        If you fear that you cannot do right by orphan girls (taking advantage of them),
        then marry women two, three, or four (in righteous) but if you can't be just with
        multiple wives then marry one or a slave, that would be better for you that you
        not oppress. Give the women their dowry kindly and if they remit to any part of the
        dowry, take it with ease.

        May Allah guide us to the truth

        peace

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        • U Offline
          U Offline
          uq
          wrote on last edited by
          #41

          The exact meaning of the word azabahuma is ?the torture of both of them?.

          Peace all, Peace Samira1234,

          Upon what evidence do you base your assertion?

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          • S Offline
            S Offline
            Samira1234
            wrote on last edited by
            #42

            @hawk99

            mathn wathultha waruba

            two, or three, or four

            It's supposed to be two, and three, and four. Instead of 'and' you translated 'wa' as 'or'. That's an error you made.
            And now the sentence looks funny. Marry two, and three, and four? How all the three numericals at once?

            Peace.

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            • S Offline
              S Offline
              Samira1234
              wrote on last edited by
              #43

              Peace all, Peace Samira1234,

              Upon what evidence do you base your assertion?

              'Azab' clearly means 'torture'. How else would you translate it? A word like '3iqaab' can mean punishment. 'Azab' can mean something like torment, agony, or torture. Unless you have another translation.

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              • N Offline
                N Offline
                Novice
                wrote on last edited by
                #44

                'Azab' clearly means 'torture'. How else would you translate it? A word like '3iqaab' can mean punishment. 'Azab' can mean something like torment, agony, or torture. Unless you have another translation.

                Peace Samira1234
                Let me make it clear that I am not a scholar but just a student who is trying to understand Quran without using other's glasses. The purpose of discussion is to gain better understanding of Quran and not to defeat anyone.

                To understand AZAB lets reflect on following verses in Quran

                25 Word "Muflihoon" is used for those who attain certain attributes given at 22 to 24
                Falahun is a farmer and muflihoon are those who are rewarded for their hard work with good
                crops and yields

                27 Word "AZAB" is used for those who are in opposition to "believers"

                Please reflect on Muflihoon and Azab in these verses. Both words have been used in comparison to eachother.

                Does AZAB means torture or deprivation of the pleasant things?

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                • N Offline
                  N Offline
                  Novice
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #45

                  @Novice

                  I have issues regarding this verse. What is your opinion regarding the below verse?

                  242 The woman or man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their torture.

                  The translators usually chooses the word 'punishment' as a translation for the Arabic word ?Azabahuma? which is a big error. The exact meaning of the word azabahuma is ?the torture of both of them?. Well, that doesn't sound much of a merciful God. Apparently both the public humiliation and real physical pain especially, to the person, is collectively being torture for that person. And Allah does not only sanction torture and that too for public view, but He is also concerned that the human feeling of the people who implement His orders might succumb to their feelings, hence they are warned against it, by mentioning the Last Day (do not be taken by pity for them in the system of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day).

                  Please give your input regarding the above verse.

                  Peace.

                  Peace Samira1234

                  What is your opinion about word ZANI as discussed in following thread
                  http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605270.msg325693#msg325693

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                  • H Offline
                    H Offline
                    hawk99
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #46

                    @hawk99

                    It's supposed to be two, and three, and four. Instead of 'and' you translated 'wa' as 'or'. That's an error you made.
                    And now the sentence looks funny. Marry two, and three, and four? How all the three numericals at once?

                    Peace.

                    Peace Samira1234

                    Thank you, I agree that your translation makes no sense, could it be that "or" is grammatically correct?

                    God bless you

                    peace

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                    • M Offline
                      M Offline
                      martha1031
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #47

                      One of the biggest problems I still have is why an atheist who dedicates his whole life to help other people would be thrown in Hell for eternity. That simply doesn't make sense to me whatsoever. But I believe that God is just and that this will not be the case. I know if instead of being born to Turkish parents, I was born in Mexico , I wouldn't have been a Muslim today. There is no question. So just because you were born in Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Pakistan does not and cannot guarantee you a free ticket to Paradise.

                      In life, we will be that to which we are destined. My parents arrived to the US from Mexico just a couple of months before my birth, and I was meant to be nothing more than a person who submits to the will of God, a Muslim. That was and is God's destiny. Praise be to God.

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                      • 1 Offline
                        1 Offline
                        1CELOSTNOWFOUND
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #48

                        Samir a,

                        To answer the question about the atheist, ask the question "Does quran state anywhere that being Muslim is dependent on believing in God?"

                        Imraan

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                        • M Offline
                          M Offline
                          Man_of_Faith
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #49

                          Quran is not speaking of belief but it is speaking of (spiritual) affinity. And the ones who are harshly threatened with Hell are fabricators and such people who are false and hypocritical. This is because the word 'kafar' is hijacked and to connote something which is does not. That is just the same as amen/iman which means to acknowledge/accept/have affinity with something rather than believe. You can try to research on its usage in the past in Hebrew or trust me on the "innate letter knowledge".

                          It is just deceived people who argue something else. People who know amen's historical usage ought to know it does not reflect belief. It is said after prayer because you are supposed to accept what you just said and live accordingly. It can also be repeated after a cleric reads up guiding information to mark that you acknowledge something.

                          Faith and harmony with you

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                          • S Offline
                            S Offline
                            Samira1234
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #50

                            Peace hawk99

                            Peace Samira1234

                            Thank you, I agree that your translation makes no sense, could it be that "or" is grammatically correct?

                            I didn't know 'wa' had any alternate meaning. Looks like people are ready to change words to keep their grammatical ideas in a sentence intact. I am just saying. Perhaps you can explain how you came to your point that 'wa' meaning as 'or' is more grammatically correct?

                            Peace.

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                            • H Offline
                              H Offline
                              hawk99
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #51

                              Peace hawk99

                              I didn't know 'wa' had any alternate meaning. Looks like people are ready to change words to keep their grammatical ideas in a sentence intact. I am just saying. Perhaps you can explain how you came to your point that 'wa' meaning as 'or' is more grammatically correct?

                              Peace.

                              Peace Samira1234

                              My understanding is as follows

                              The Arabic word for 'OR' is pronounced 'Ow'.
                              And the Arabic word for 'AND' is pronounced 'Wa'.

                              Or =
                              And =

                              Arabic speaking folks may give a better understanding, I'm just learning.

                              God bless you

                              peace

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                              • S Offline
                                S Offline
                                Samira1234
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #52

                                Hello hawk99,

                                My understanding is as follows

                                The Arabic word for 'OR' is pronounced 'Ow'.
                                And the Arabic word for 'AND' is pronounced 'Wa'.

                                Or =
                                And =

                                Yes, so we shouldn't confuse the two, or add an extra 'alif' where it was not there. We shouldn't try to force our grammatical ideas where it is not possible. Unless someone has a better interpretation.

                                Peace.

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                                • H Offline
                                  H Offline
                                  hawk99
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #53

                                  Hello hawk99,

                                  Yes, so we shouldn't confuse the two, or add an extra 'alif' where it was not there. We shouldn't try to force our grammatical ideas where it is not possible. Unless someone has a better interpretation.

                                  Peace.

                                  Peace Samira1234

                                  I do not understand the above, please give your translation of 4/3.

                                  God bless

                                  peace

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                                  0
                                  • S Offline
                                    S Offline
                                    Samira1234
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #54

                                    Hello hawk99,

                                    I didn't change much in the interpretation of 43, just used the word 'and' for 'wa' in place of the commonly used translation of it, which is 'or'.

                                    43 And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those that please you of women, two and three and four...

                                    The sentence is incredibly confusing. How can a person marry two AND three AND four? That's a clear error. Unless someone can explain to me why it is not.

                                    Besides, why is fear of injustice towards orphans followed by marrying women that pleases him, in multiple numbers? That's a strange concept, which has led to various interpretations for it and created more injustice in the society due to confusion, and which has led to reformer Muslims like Edip saying the women are widows whom to marry, which is most likely an invention, since he also did an interpretation change for verse 4127, where he translated 'Yataman Nisaa' as 'orphans' mothers'. Some others see 'Yataman Nisaa' as 'orphan women' or 'orphans' women'. I am not sure personally.

                                    Peace.

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                                    • S Offline
                                      S Offline
                                      Samira1234
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #55

                                      Peace Samira1234
                                      Let me make it clear that I am not a scholar but just a student who is trying to understand Quran without using other's glasses. The purpose of discussion is to gain better understanding of Quran and not to defeat anyone.

                                      To understand AZAB lets reflect on following verses in Quran

                                      25 Word "Muflihoon" is used for those who attain certain attributes given at 22 to 24
                                      Falahun is a farmer and muflihoon are those who are rewarded for their hard work with good
                                      crops and yields

                                      27 Word "AZAB" is used for those who are in opposition to "believers"

                                      Please reflect on Muflihoon and Azab in these verses. Both words have been used in comparison to eachother.

                                      Does AZAB means torture or deprivation of the pleasant things?

                                      I am kind of confused. Arabic is a difficult language to follow up on. The same word in a different context can apparently means a more different meaning.

                                      I want you to look up on the word 'Azabahuma', whose meaning seems to be ?the torture of both of them?, in the context of 242. This exact word in a context. And if a different interpretation is used, then I want to see how this word can be translated that way.

                                      Peace.

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                                      • S Offline
                                        S Offline
                                        Samira1234
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #56

                                        Hello Novice,

                                        Peace Samira1234

                                        What is your opinion about word ZANI as discussed in following thread
                                        http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605270.msg325693#msg325693

                                        This seems to require more study. Some conflicting ideas have been proposed in the thread, as follows

                                        Salaam
                                        arabic is a very strange language.

                                        zina have meaning of decoration. defaming is a false decoration of reality.
                                        Quran forbid showing forouj to other than spouses and malakat aymanoukom (70-29 and 70-30) but ask to show zina to many (24-31) and to take our zina to masjid
                                        731 O Children of Adam, dress nicely at every temple (TAKE YOUR ZINA), and eat and drink and do not indulge; He does not like the indulgers.

                                        Peace

                                        Root
                                        Words from this Root in the Grand Qur'aan
                                        a) Total occurrences 24
                                        b) No of constructions 8
                                        (&#1588 . .

                                        The basic perception infolded in the Root is that of indulging in excessive, immoderate, or beyond measure with reference to generally or universally accepted norms, limits and measures of behaviour. The perception and meanings of the Root have built in subjective and relational element. Moreover, since the excessive, immoderate and extremist tendencies are universally looked upon with dislike, abomination, repulsiveness, and unacceptability, therefore, it has inherent negative element. For reason of built in subjective and relational element, it is the context and related field which will determine and expose its meanings with reference to that context and in definite state generally about the irrational, unnatural, obscene, pervert and excessively emotional sexual conduct.

                                        There is no active participle and passive participle in it. On the contrary Zina (&#1575 is for illegal intercourse; premarital or extramarital.

                                        is a Verbal Noun signifying an act only. It denotes the act of intercourse and a state where the male genitalia intercourses with female genitalia. It does not refer to the doer of act as to who are they who are performing intercourse.

                                        The woman performing in the act of intercourse is Active Participle
                                        and the man performing in the act of intercourse is also Active Participle .

                                        This act of intercourse is certainly but any thing regarded as is not Zina. All ilicit sexual activities minus Zina are . Similarly rape is not Zina, whether done by a man or by a woman or women with a man, since Zina is only with mutual consent.

                                        A couple days back one commentator changed the phrase interpretation of 'Ya AAibadiya' from 'O my servants' to 'O my allegiants'. This gets confusing to me, especially since I do not have that strong hold of knowledge in Arabic. So I am not sure regarding them.

                                        Peace.

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                                        • S Offline
                                          S Offline
                                          Samira1234
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #57

                                          @runninglikezebras

                                          Only with one condition can this be a truly fulfilling and satisfying alternate lifestyle

                                          => This simply isn't true. I agree for most of us what you say would be the only valid terms for it, but you are ignoring there are people out there who are an exception to your rule and perfectly happy with it.

                                          Yeah there are exceptions. I have been also watching documentaries on polyandry, practiced such as in South India and Tibet, where the men in several families seem to be perfectly alright sharing their wife among two or three or more men in a polyandrous setting. The reasons for them there are

                                          1. By not allowing land to be split between brothers, the families retained farms sufficiently large to continue supporting their family. A compelling socio-biological justification for polyandry is that it makes good genetic sense for brothers to raise one another's children since a brother possesses the next closest gene pool to their own.

                                          2. The mountainous terrain makes some of the farm land difficult to farm, requiring more physical strength. Women take multiple husbands because they are strong and able to help tend the land.

                                          So mainly in the rural areas polyandry is literally important for their survival. So that is why I had mentioned earlier, either no polygamy at all or polygamy for both the genders being equally legalized. Both genders have just as much substantial evidence for why their side of case should be approved for. It makes no sense, from a real world perspective, to legalize polygamy for only one gender for religious-based reasons, that too giving one-sided real-world reasoning to justify it, since that would only create distress and suffering in a society, since the collective possible reasoning and real-world cases is not looked at and compared with, and the reasons for the other gender to choose polygamy is thwarted aside, simply on basis of 'because God said so'.

                                          Peace.

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