We are winding down the days of Ramadan, a spiritually potent month in which Allah revealed the Quran. Since this is a month of remembrance, reflection, reconciliation and resilience, Muslim communities worldwide devoted the month to reciting as much Quran as possible and attending nightly tarawih prayers at the mosque, in which the entirety of the Holy Book is completed roughly over a course of nearly 30 days.
Although these are not obligatory rituals, there is massive spiritual brownie points involved and the communal experience of Ramadan is heightened by participating in these nightly events.
Back when I was 21 years old and attempting to become an Optimus Prime Transformer Muslim, I made sure to hit every Tarawih prayer and read or listen to as much Quran during this month as possible.
Sadly, this year I spent more time listening to Kanye, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Benassi. This was more a reflection of my insanely busy work schedule and compulsive need to stay awake at night working by listening to throbbing beats, instead of a heathen-sabbatical lathered in Godless-hedonism for those who are quietly judging or inquiring.
Regardless, I've attempted to come up with some intelligent defenses, such as, "Dear Lord, had you not blessed Kanye with such sick beats, then I would not be compelled to listen to the album "Watch the Throne." So, essentially, by listening to "Who Gon' Stop Me?" and appreciating the dope beats, in a sense, am I not in awe of my Creator who inspired such dopeness?"
Of course, I do not confess this prayer out loud in fear of being struck by thunderbolt and lightening.
But, I do yearn to understand the Quran by heart, to really digest it and taste its overwhelming complexity and intimidating beauty. Sadly, I don't speak Arabic, despite an honorable attempt at taking 1 year of it at UC Berkeley. Like most good Desi kids, I learned to "read" the Quran and "finished" it by age 7 so I could have a party, an Ameen, where my parents invited people I didn't know and I was forced to wear 5 lb garlands and eat large, fattening ladoo balls.
The language of Arabic is so intense that it has made its students break down and cry. I've seen this happen. I admire my Arab friends who were born with Arabic -- it's a gift to understand the "words" of the Quran by simply growing up in an environment where it was your first language.
The rest of us have to spend our lives acquiring it, learning it, and perpetually working on it.
As a result, I've felt both shame and embarrassment at being 30 years old and not knowing the "language" by which Allah chose to communicate his message to his believers.
But, mostly, I've felt distance from the Quran -- yes, it is the Holy Book, but if I cannot understand all the words in the language its meant to be recited in then how can it truly penetrate my heart and enlighten my soul?
Of course, this leads to moments of "zoning" out during my ritualistic prayers. I pick up some words here and there, but largely I cannot understand what's being recited by the prayer leader, or imam.
Tarawih prayers during Ramadan thus become exercises in combating attention deficit disorder. First, one has to endure the endearingly awkward and eccentric characters that appear at the local mosque. You stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet (sadly, some take this literally and thus grind against you in a way that would warrant a restraining order or at the very least the purchase of 2 non-alcoholic beverages), and attempt to concentrate for an hour as the imam finishes a section of the Quran.
Now, I have always told myself had I known Arabic fluently maybe I'd save my mind from wandering into the inevitable Tarawih Twilight Zone. About 12 minutes into the prayer instead of concentrating on my Creator, I'm assaulted -- like clockwork -- with a collage of stream of consciousness randomness.
Recently, I contemplated the exorbitant price of gasoline, which made me think of the dilapidated state of my '97 Camry, which in turn made me contemplate buying a new car and figuring out means to pay for such a lofty expense, which in turn led me to question my career choice and imagine alternative lucrative careers such as applying for "chai walla" positions at Google.
This fantasy randomly ended with me riding a gilded horse wearing battle armor attacking a fortress of goblins with a machine gun.
Another time I caught myself "tarawih twilight zoning" while engaged in a brutal "thought-off" with my brain, whereby I countered my impious thoughts with pious thoughts only to be caught in the most awkward, internal, circuitous cacophony of mental images since puberty.
I randomly remembered trying to pay attention to prayer when I was 12 years old only to be bombarded with highly suggestive sexual imagery. Now, if anyone knows anything about 12 year old boys, you know we only have one thing on our mind -- and it isn't religion. Seriously. It isn't even our fault. We're designed this way. We could do the least sexual thing imaginable - like staring at red bricks -- and somehow, in the most sick, twisted yet creative fashion, create a highly pleasurable and deviant sexual scenario. Glory be to God!
So, these were thoughts that attacked me recently while I was trying to concentrate during my prayer.
1992 Cindy Crawford Sports Illustrated picture.
"Cindy? I havent thought of you in a decade! How'd you get in there? Crap! Astagfurallah! (May God forgive me)."
Salma Hayek from Desperado.
"Salma, stop tormenting me!"
Guacamole.
"Mmmm..."
Salma Hayek, this time from this terrible movie I saw on the plane called "Grown Ups"
"Movie sucked. Adam Sandler, what happened to you? Salma is still hot."
A unicorn.
"WTF?"
The last scene from "Blade Runner" in which Harrison Ford holds a Unicorn Origami.
"They are re-making this. It might be good. I hope so. I hope Ridley Scott's Prometheus is good next summer."
The terrifying Devil villain from Ridley Scott's 1985 movie "Legend" starring Tom Cruise, Sloane from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off "and Tim Curry and ... a unicorn.
"La howla wa la Khuwata! (There is no might or power except through Allah!)"
The Devil from the movie kept popping up in my brain and it immediately shocked me to my senses. I could once again hear the Quran clearly as I stood in the prayer line. I took a glance at the imam and noticed he was just a young kid. A young boy leading an entire congregation.
What a responsibility on this young man's shoulders, I thought. How old is he? 16? When did he start learning to recite? Amazing -- this kid knows the entire Quran.
And that's when I remembered this fantastic documentary I had just seen entitled "Koran By Heart" which follows the stories of several Muslim youths from different countries seeking to win the annual, prestigious Quran recitation competition in Egypt. The movie is riveting, much like the spelling-bee competition documentary "Spellbound," but also a humanizing and warm-hearted reflection of the diversity of Muslims and the influence of the Quran, their families and their communities on their lives.
Although there is no "central hero," the film traces the competition through the eyes of adorable, gifted young children whose talent of recitation often makes the elderly judges weep. The documentary also interviews a non-Muslim academic who has devoted her life studying Quranic recitation as a form of art.
I envied this woman who somehow found both spiritual and artistic ecstacy by hearing the Quran despite not being a Muslim.
I wanted to experience the Quran as she experienced it.
There is something powerful, arresting and truly enchanting about hearing the Quran being recited by eloquent artists. There is a rich texture to the voice, language and intonation that I've yet to hear elsewhere. It is otherworldly.
The diversity in its recitation is matched only by the diversity of the artists who have attempted to master its magic.
So, I stood there, during Tarawih prayers, in the prayer line as the awkward uncle grinded my leg, reflecting upon the Quran as celestial art.
How apt, I thought.
There is a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty." The intent of the Creator is often reflected in the beauty of His creation, especially if it is fashioned with love, care, passion and sincerity.
And so I stood there listening to the Quran, the language of Allah as spoken through his messenger for His creation.
And for the first time in a long time, I knew and understood the "language" despite not knowing or understanding the language.
I was in awe of the Artist and allowed myself to enjoy His artistry.
Follow Wajahat Ali on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WajahatAli
William C. Chittick, Ph.D.: Islam: A Religion Of Love
13 steps to memorize the Qur'an by Yasir Qadhi | MuslimMatters.org
IslamiCity.com - Education Quran Reciter
Quran Recitation and Translation Online in Arabic, English, and Urdu
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God
The month of fasting is a celebration of the Holy books that were revealed by God -- like Torah, Bible, Psalms, Zabur, and the Quran. So this month is a commemoration of this -- now coming to the point you get nothing out of this ---- please read the part 2 that may help you.
Peace.
Just one example
As follows from chapter two of the Quran,
A word for word translation
Ask any Non-Muslim Arabic speaking person whether these words are still used.
The same thing applies to the entire Quran.
Dalika= that
Al-kitab=the book
La=no
Raib=doubt
fi=in
hi=it
huda=guidance
li=to
mutaqeen=pious
alladina=those who
yu’minuna=believe
bi=in
ghaib= unseen
wa=and
yuqimuna=perform
salata=prayer
wa=and
mimma=out of
razakna=we provided
hum=them
yun-fi-qun=they spend
A student( Arab or non Arab) at the age 15/16 who has completed his 10th grade should be able to read and understand the Quran up to 70% without using a dictionary.
60-80% of the words used in the Quran are still used by the 21st century print media
Here is the answer to your question
http://www.load-islam.com/artical_det.php?artical_id=533§ion=indepth&subsection=Glorious%20Quran
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers...(Qur'an 3:85 )
Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam... (Qur'an 3:19)
"Whoever among the Christians and Jews hears of me but does not affirm his belief in what I brought and dies in this state will be among the inhabitants of hell."
(Sahih Muslim [English Translation], Vol.1 P.91 No, 284)
Lets look at the Qur'anic verses you did site logically and see how it should be understood contextually and conceptually. First we need to understand how should the term "islam" be defined? We know if you believe in something regardless of what it is, it will require some form of conformity, submission, obedience, to be at peace and harmony with it. This qur'anic arabic term "islam" means simply that. In this case we are addressing a way of life (the complete life) that we need to submit to in order to acquire peace. Now if we read this verse (3:85) again it is simply saying whoever seeks a complete and comprehensive way of life that will give us peace other than submitting to the will of G'd, who is the Creator of the life it will not be accepted by G'd and we will be the losers in the afterlife.
Verse (3:19) its saying the same thing. The way of life with G'd is the entire submission to His Will. The conclusions are, this type of submission can come from anybody, Jews, Christians, etc. If they are submitting their whole life to G'd in qur'anic language that term that describes that state of submission is called "Islam".
You asked me what I find inflamatory. I find these verses inflamatory. I'm trying to accept the diversity of our world, and what I hear from your words is that I have to believe just like you do, or I'm going to hell. verse 51 says "Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah ordained for us." If this is so, I'll leave it up to Allah to determine my life and not be told I have to believe like others.
Jesus Christ too has referred his purpose of appearance for promoting the work of 'Sword' and not 'Peace' and the scholars of Bible may be consulted for my this claim.
My humble submission- there is no harm in carrying open eyes while reading the Holy Scriptures. The prejudices always interrupts the real message to adhere.
The Qur'an also teaches that Jews, Christians and others who believe in God and act righteously will have nothing to fear, suggesting that like Muslim, they will find salvation (2:62, 5:69, 22:17).
'They are not all alike. Of the People of Book is an upright community reciting the verses of God at the approach of night and prostrating themselves. They believe in God and the Last Day, command the decent and refrain from the indecent, vying for the good. These are the righteous. Whatever good they do will not be denied, for God knows the pious.' (3:113-115, and see also 3:199, 4:55, 4:155).
The Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE):
"Jews have lived in every part of the classical Islamic world in which they have been permitted to reside, and everywhere they have shared their cultures and world-views while at the same time absorbing from the cultures and world-views of the dominant cultures."
http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/
Chicago University Wadad Kadi and Mustansir Mir, Professor of Islamic
studies at Youngstown State University state that:
"Although Arabic, as a language and a literary tradition, was quite well developed by the time of Muhammad's prophetic activity, it was only after the emergence of Islam, with its founding scripture in Arabic, that the language reached its utmost capacity of expression, and the literature its highest point of complexity and sophistication. Indeed, it probably is no exaggeration to say that the Qur'an was one of the most conspicuous forces in the making of classical and post-classical Arabic literature."
http://www.theinimitablequran.com/QuranicStyle.html
I find it likely that the poetry would be missing but how could all of the intent be gone in a translation? Obviously it would be longer and clumsier in wording since all translations become longer. Thus the English New Testament is longer than the Latin or Greek, which is longer than the Aramaic New Testament which makes that the oldest version. It also sings when translated into english much more than the more common translations and i suspect this may be what is missing from non - Arabian Koran.
Am i right? Is there enough in translation to shake hands as it were?
http://hamditabligh.saylitech.com/pdf/ReasonsFfor%20OrientalistsHostilityTtowardsProphetMuhammad.pdf
http://www.theinimitablequran.com/IntroLinguisticLiteraryExcellenceQuran.html
Thanks for the link as it does explain the language primacy. The nuts and bolts are of course transmissible but will lack conviction and must convince by logic. The mind is too small to hold the Divine. Logic is almost inimical to one who places mechanistic determinations over other means of knowledge.
Boy, am i going to get hammered, especially if there are atheists here as they generally seem so smug and superior in their intelligence.
A note on sufisism without the Quran.
Some people are under the mistaken belief that Sufism is outside the traditional, Quran regulated Islamic way of life. A Muslim Sufi can not be a genuine Sufi if his activities are outside the Quran
When a servant of God were to stand for worship and pray to Almighty, he should be so much engrossed as to feel that he is seeing God( which is impossible) or at least feel that God is seeing him. This way even prayers combines Sufism with day to day rituals
In the name of Sufism some of the pseudo-mystics attributed many a funny and strange thing to themselves and have demoralised the masses due to their ignorance.
Like some of the fake Hindu godmen, the so called Sufis sold religion for worldly gains. Some of them even turned atheists and free thinkers.
The Sufis who do not possess good knowledge of the Quran and Traditions are robbers of religion.
The books and treatises of Sufis are good alchemy, but for the common folks they are not very useful
In the case of religious doctrines, common people should never give preference to the path of philosophers over the path of the prophets
Both Rabi’ah and Bayazid-i-Bistami were Sufis. The first wrote: "O God were I to worship Thee for fear of Hell, consign me to that Hell. And were I to worship Thee in expectation of Paradise, deny me that Paradise. But if I worship Thee for Thine own sake, withhold not from me Eternal Beauty." And it was the latter who exclaimed: "Verily, I am God, there is no God but me."
Some Sufis lived a solitary life of detachement, while others lived at court as wealthy and powerful advisers of the Shah.
Anyways, Arabic is the language of Jannah (heaven) so if you have plans on going there you might want to learn it. I am not sure what the hurries (some sort of jinni women that are always virgin) or the beautiful lads (er.. yes) speak but most surely it is Arabic.
I speak Arabic but I am an atheist because I know what religion is all about. I could help you with some words if you like.