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!