Friday's Memes

It's another Friday and that means it's time for memes. I don't have much time today, so only Book Beginnings (Rose City Reader) and Friday 56 (Freda's Voice). This week I have decided to use the Qur'an. This week, the Ramadan started and I want to start learning Arabic next year, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to look at two bits from the Qur'an. No disrespect is intended, in case anyone feels offended. So here we go:

BB:
'In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! Praise belongs to God, Lord of the Worlds,the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, Master of the Day of Judgement.'
As you may know, this is part of the daily prayer for Muslims. Although it may sound formulaic to some, I quite like the different titles. They are not very different from the praises given to God, only now they are all in the same sura rather than spread through an entire psalm, for example. Also, I think this sounds beautiful in Arabic, but that's to the side.

F56:
'But as for those who seek refuge with people with whom you have a treaty, or who come over to you because their hearts shrink from fighting against you or against their own people, God could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no way against them.'
I really like this part. In the previous sentences, the Qur'an says not to take as allies or friends those that stray from God and that if they turn against you, you can retaliate. It may seem like a harsh position to take, but I feel it is counterbalanced by these sentences. It says that once the other lays down his arms and seeks refuge and peace, you have 'no way' to attack or harm them. I think that is beautiful and I think many people forget about these parts of the Qur'an when they try to come up with reasons why Islam is worse than Christianity.

So, which book did you chose today? Leave a link to your post and I'll come check it out!

Comments

  1. Nice excerpts! Thanks for visiting my blogs.

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  2. Interesting - thanks for sharing :)

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  3. Thanks for sharing with us these excerpts! Best of luck learning Arabic :) Happy reading weekend!

    My Friday Book Memes

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  4. Interesting......thanks!

    Here is my post

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  5. Words to ponder...thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  6. Thanks for sharing this with Book Beginnings. You made me realize that I did not know the opening words of the Qur'an.

    Rose City Reader

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  7. I don't think it's offensive to use a holy book at all. I find both of these interesting, especially the 56. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I also read the Quaran everyday, along with my Bible and the Book of Mormon has recently been added. :-)

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  9. I never thought of reading other religious materials. Good idea. Please visit my blog and sign up for my Blogoversary Giveaway. Anne @My Head is Full of Books

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  10. The Qur'an is a very interesting read. I would like to take the time to read the whole thing one day. I have to read the whole Bible first before I do so ;)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Hi Juli,

    They do say that there are three things that you should never get into conversations with strangers about ... Money, Politics and Religion ... so I shall dip out of this conversation, if that's all the same to you.

    I would only say, that my own experience, I have found that there are good and bad influences and people, in all walks of life and from all religions and faiths.

    Good luck with learning Arabic, I recently came across an Arabic/English dictionary, in the charity shop where I volunteer, it doesn't look easy that's for sure!!

    Yvonne

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