Summary of the Book
In the introduction of the book, the authors depict the Koran as a literacy book, which was designed to yield a power to change men and ways of life. The book, according to the authors, has elicited a new phase of humanity in terms of body and behavior. As is evident from the historical background of the Middle East and Europe r, the development of the Islamic world is shown to have been guided by the writings in the Koran after the death of Mohammed.
The book is shown to have been a living voice that commanded what the authors call “authoritative proclamation,” which was characterized by the authority over the untutored Arabs. After the death of Muhammad, the Koran was published. The introduction provides a premonition that details the origin of the Islamic holy book, the Koran. It offers a clear path to the development of the Islamic world, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.
It also provides a perspective of the Muslims in the context of the Koran as the most distinguished book on the earth. As with the Christians and their Holy Bible, the Muslims consider the writings in the book as purely true and perfect. The chronological structure of the Koran is also explained with reference to Rodwell’s edition. It is concluded with a worldview on the implications of the writings to the unspiritual beings, especially the elites and powerful in leadership.
At the beginning of the book, history is offered regarding how Suras and chapters in the Koran were gathered and compiled by Zaid Ibn Thâbit. Further, the book shows that more natural readings emanated, which resulted in conflict among the followers of the Islamic world under the caliphate of Othman. The conflict resulted in the interjection of early writing in adherence to the Hodzeifa warnings regarding differences associated with the Holy Scriptures.
According to Rodwell and Margoliouth, the organization placed forth by Zaid did not conform to any order, except an organization of materials with the longest and most adjudicated Suras in the front line adjacent to the Fatthah. The arrangement of the Suras, especially the early, middle, and later Suras, is interesting and perceptible to the adopted arrangement. The history continues regarding the early writings and organization of the Koran until the fifth Caliph, when Al-Mâmûn undertook the enterprise of making final editions of the book. The writings were purely colored, and they considered the traditions they had accumulated with regard to theological ideologies.
The Koran depicts the compassionate nature of God, and the need to know the truth, especially concerning the punishment for sin for humans who have transgressed the earth. The consequences of transgressions are given with bitter outcomes. In addition, the existence of earthly things, including humanity, is due to the presence of the Supreme Being. Further, it is deducible of the second coming of the Lord; all men and women will be wailing over the wrath about to befall God.
The death and resurrection are mentioned with questions g about the day of resurrection. As explained earlier, correctness is the definition of the chapters, but no elaboration is provided. Creation is also discussed with God creating man from the blood. Female is depicted as being a creation from the bones of a man. Thus, females are supposed to obey and respect men. In addition, the creation story shows that God intended to have a world that could have both men and women who could live together peacefully.
The importance of trust recurs with the necessity to meet God for those who will have the right and believed in the right. The Koran shows that such individuals will be cleansed. Conversely, those who despair and detest the lord shall surely perish, according to the Koran. The primary merit of the depiction of the Koran by the authors is the need to understand that accepting God would lead to eternal life without any predicaments.
On the contrary, detesting from following the deeds of God saddens Him and casts a spell against the individual concerned. The need to praise God is stressed, depicting God as the creator of the universe and the imposition of social laws to command a social obligation for all. Only the true Allah is to be worshiped, the book asserts.
The authors discuss the way different verses are arranged to show the similarities and differences of stipulated Suras. The omniscient, omnipresent nature of God is clearly portrayed, especially in the lineage of Abraham and Moses, who was the most faithful to God. The love of God is demonstrated in later chapters of the book, which show that God is forgiving and full of love. The authors show that God needs love from humanity in order to release His full potential of love and blessings. Those who show a high level of unbelieving are said to be doomed for punishments.
In the book, some verses are utilized as warnings intended to relieve Muslims off scruples, especially due to superstitions in the Arab community. Ways of living are demonstrated, such as healthy eating, housing, and socializing.
Personal Reaction to the Book
On perusing through the Koran, one is able to establish the diverse aspects of the Islamic ways of life, as shown in the texts. In addition, one can find a wide similarity between Islamic Koran teachings as associated with other religious teachings, such as Christianity. When considering the teachings of the Islamic ways of life, it is important to note the Godly nature of a well-groomed Muslim faithful. This is shown via a set of morals, especially amongst the young adult females and elderly males.
These categories portray adherence to Koran teachings with regard to belief and demonstration of good social behaviors. One can consider the behavior of an elderly Muslim man who decides to assist a failing child in school due to financial difficulties. In this regard, the child, be it a girl or a boy, who is not related through the blood to the Muslim man, reaps the benefits of assistance from a religious man. The same case applies to a young Muslim girl seeking reverence to a man in a strictly religious family in the context of Islamic doctrines.
The requisite of wearing clothes that cover most of their bodies and revealing it only to the man who is to marry the girl is a show of direct Godliness. Considering the comparisons with the understanding of Christianity, the Koran is not organized well, and one can deduce that the Bible is organized better. In fact, the Bible has a strong structure that is maintained in all Bible versions. The Koran, on the other hand, does not define a specific structure.
All Suras do not exhibit a particular order of the structure of teachings. Thus, the Bible is said to have been organized chronologically with two forms of testaments, i.e. the old and new testaments. The stories of creation are similar to both religions because they all support the presence of a supreme being, who made commanded the appearance of the earth and heavens and whatever is in them.
The stories regarding Abraham, Joseph, and Jesus are similar, although some differences are deducible. Koran clearly defines Mohammed as the last prophet who died in Mecca. Conversely, as a Christian, one sees this difference with regard to the understanding of Jesus as Christ who died for all. The fact that there is a second coming of the lord assists in reshaping the lives of both the Christians and Muslims. One of the most easily identified aspects of both texts is eternal punishment.
Christians consider this eternal punishment as burning in a furnace. On the other hand, Muslims believe that nonbelievers will face eternal punishment by God on his second coming. Such similarities assist in defining a social obligation that is defined by similar goals and objectives. Social obligations are important because they give clear boundaries with regard to human actions.
When teaching a non-Muslim about the ways of the Islamic religion, this book provides an elaborate description of the required history to facilitate an easier understanding of the origins. For students, the book is easy ideation of the Koran. In fact, the book provides verses in a better and simpler manner than what is printed in the Koran. Conclusively, a better understanding of the book could provide improved perspectives of the Islamic religion, especially to students of diverse religious backgrounds from across the world.