What beliefs are conveyed in the assigned surahs. [The assigned surahs are: Surah 1, Surah 99, Surah 109, Surah 2, Surah 4.] Think about the topics of monotheism, the roles of women, practices for everyday living. Which messages of the Qur’an would be effective in aiding the expansion of the religion?
Surah 1
This is the introduction to the Quran. The chapter recognizes the presence of Allah as the only true God that is to be worshipped and there is no other. It goes ahead and describes his perfection and his character that cannot be found in any human being apart from him such as being merciful to his people. This surah is categorized as “the mother of all books”[1]. This chapter also gives a command to the believers that they are supposed to submit and worship Allah because of the blessings that he bestows to all his people in their daily dealings as they all purpose to seek him in truth and sincerity. This chapter goes ahead to give good tidings to the believers who are charitable and warns the disbelievers of the consequences that they would face later on if they do not turn from their ways. It also explains the ways that we are supposed to follow while in the process of worshipping God and gives guidance on the way to having happiness in our lives as Muslims both in this world and hereafter. It narrates of stories about those who were in a position to obey Allah and what they received in return for their obedience[2]. Not forgetting those who disobeyed Allah and the punishment they were given and how they lost it in their lives. The signs that indicate that Allah is in existence are also clearly written in this chapter.
Surah 2
This is one of the longest Surah in the Quran. It divides the worshippers into three categories those who are faithful to Allah, those who deny Allah and the hypocrites. This chapter also calls people to worship Allah and strongly warns the hypocrites. It outlines the joyful tidings to the faithful ones and those who are honest too. The Muslims are encouraged to be faithful and patient because through it they are able to be fully rewarded by Allah. They are supposed to be also aware of some of the things that would cause them to lose their focus to Allah. This chapter also talks about what the Muslims are recommended to eat and what they are not supposed to take. Fasting has also been recommended for the people to participate in it. Muslims are encouraged to fight for the purpose of defending their own religion. Allah, by all means, does not burden any soul at all with what it cannot be able to bear[3].
Surah 4
This chapter talks about the activities that took place shortly after the Uhud battle that left other people like orphans, widows and the captives of war. This is the period that Muslims decided to restrict polygamy to having four wives and conditioned. It also goes ahead to discuss manners, elegance, equity, and justice when it comes to matters of family life. It expounds on what is to be done pertaining to the orphans, marriage, divorce, trusts and goes ahead to insist on reconciliation. It also discusses those who are supposed to be granted forgiveness by Allah and those who are to be denied[4]. He is the one who chooses to forgive whoever he wills.
Chapter 99
This Surah talks about the signs that will be seen of the appearance of the hereafter and goes ahead to talk about the earth being a witness to all the deeds of mankind. It also goes ahead to talk about people who are divided into two groups; the good and evil and each of them will be rewarded according to their own deeds and actions[5]. Before the resurrection befalls there will be a lot of things that will take place such as the earthquake. People need to learn from the inventions of people through the science of the things that for instance can record the voice and even photos of what people are doing. This is an indication of how the Day of Judgment will be how everything will be brought to the open whether it is good or evil[6]. This is to remind the Muslims to be very careful of everything that they are doing whether people are seeing them doing it or not. Everyone has to be conscious of everything that they are doing while they are still alive for the purpose of avoiding later judgment and severe punishment.
Surah 109
This chapter points out to the disbelievers and talks about who is to be worshipped and who is not to be worshipped. Allah is the only one who is to be worshipped and there is no other apart from him. The true worshippers are to go before him and do this in truth and spirit without doubting his own will. This was a message that was passed across by the messenger of Allah to proclaim to the people of Quraish who were enemies to Allah and tell them about their evil doings[7]. He was to tell them about the innocence that he had of paganism and the way he adhered to the system of Allah of worship and holding onto the right faith.
To aid in the expansion of the religion, the message to be passed across is the one of worshipping Allah because he is the one and true God who is supposed to be worshipped by all people. When everyone is able to know that Allah is the only true God, they will go ahead and worship him because he is the one who deserves to all praise and honor and no human being at all deserves this. Another issue to expand the religion is telling people the truth about their evil dealings that they will be brought into judgment whether they be good or evil. It does not matter what they have been doing in their life whether in the open or when they are hiding. In the Day of Judgment God will bring everything into broad daylight and no one will be able to hide[8]. When people are told about their evil deeds, they are always ready to accept the truth and uphold the religion to prevent themselves from any punishment that may come their way.
Bibliography
Ali, Zain. “Concepts of God in Islam.” Philosophy Compass 11, no. 12 (2016): 892-904.
Hawamdeh, Mohammad Amin, and Kais Amer Kadhim. “Parenthetical Cohesive Explicitness: A Linguistic Approach for a Modified Translation of the Quranic Text.” International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Lawson, Todd. The Quran, Epic and Apocalypse. Oneworld Publications, 2017.
Lawson, Todd. The Quran, Epic and Apocalypse. Oneworld Publications, 2017.
Tucker, Ernest. “Islamic Civilization: The Classical Era.” In The Middle East in Modern World History, pp. 47-60. Routledge, 2016.
Zainol, Nur Zainatul Nadra, and Latifah Abdul Majid. “Studied Controversial Issues and Analyze Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd Thoughts Contained in Voice of Exile: Reflections on Islam.” Advanced Science Letters 23, no. 5 (2017): 4951-4954.
[1] Ali, Zain. “Concepts of God in Islam.” Philosophy Compass 11, no. 12 (2016): 892-904.
[2] Hawamdeh, Mohammad Amin, and Kais Amer Kadhim. “Parenthetical Cohesive Explicitness: A Linguistic Approach for a Modified Translation of the Quranic Text.” International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Lawson, Todd. The Quran, Epic and Apocalypse. Oneworld Publications, 2017.
[3] Tucker, Ernest. “Islamic Civilization: The Classical Era.” In The Middle East in Modern World History, pp. 47-60. Routledge, 2016.
[4] Tucker, Ernest. “Islamic Civilization: The Classical Era.” In The Middle East in Modern World History, pp. 47-60. Routledge, 2016.
[5] Lawson, Todd. The Quran, Epic and Apocalypse. Oneworld Publications, 2017.
[6] Ali, Zain. “Concepts of God in Islam.” Philosophy Compass 11, no. 12 (2016): 892-904.
[7] Tucker, Ernest. “Islamic Civilization: The Classical Era.” In The Middle East in Modern World History, pp. 47-60. Routledge, 2016.
[8] Zainol, Nur Zainatul Nadra, and Latifah Abdul Majid. “Studied Controversial Issues and Analyze Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd Thoughts Contained in Voice of Exile: Reflections on Islam.” Advanced Science Letters 23, no. 5 (2017): 4951-4954.