Islam Way of Life/Guidance

There is a shocking truth about Koran. Koran contains not only guidance, but also traps! This warning or disclaimer is mentioned in the start of the third chapter of Koran.

He is the One who sent down to you the Scripture, from which there are firm verses; they are the essence of the Scripture; and others which are similar to each other. As for those who have disease in their hearts, they will follow what is similar from it seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God and those who are well founded in knowledge, they Say: "We believe in it, all is from our Lord." And none will remember except the people of understanding.

In God's point of view, this traps are tests to exposes those people who has disease in their hearts, such as bigots and hypocrites. While it is a useful feature, it can be abused to justify or rally supports for malicious agenda.

Fortunately, the verse above gives at least three obvious things to watch out:
 * 1) firm verses
 * 2) disease in hearts
 * 3) interpretation of non-firm verses

This chapter will help you to focus on firm verses, to heal heart disease and to ignore interpretation of non-firm verses. This method is known as Fundamentalist or Essentialist Literal understanding of the Koran.

Focus on Firm Verses
There are five most valued book of Islam. One is the Koran, two hadith books and two history books. It will take more than a lifetime to truly understand them. But the essentials from those five books, can be learn in five minutes to five weeks, if you follow the guide from this chapter.

According to Koran 30:30, humans are naturally born as Assenters. The concept of God, Final Justice and important commandements of Islam from Chapter 1 of this book is known even without opening the Koran. For implementation details and approximate descriptions of the unseen worlds, they can always learn it from the scholars.

God guides
(Lord), You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance. (Lord), guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray'' (1:5-7)

Then High above all be Allâh, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad) with the Qur'ân before its revelation is completed to you, and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (20:114)

Start with the best message
[Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1885]: Jabir b. Abdullah said: God's Messenger say:" The best message (khayrul hadeeth) is the Book of God, and the best of the guidance is Muhammad's. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error."

God has revealed the best message (ahsanal hadeeth) in the form of a Book with similar passages which refer to each other and make the skins of those who fear their Lord shiver. Then their skins and hearts incline to the remembrance of God. This is the guidance of God. He guides whomever He wants. No one can guide those whom God has caused to go astray. ( 39:23)

Start with the fundamental
It is God who has revealed the Book to you in which some verses are clear statements (which accept no interpretation) and these are the fundamental ideas of the Book, while other verses may have several possibilities. Those whose hearts are perverse, follow the unclear statements in pursuit of their own mischievous goals by interpreting them in a way that will suit their own purpose. No one knows its true interpretations except God and those who have a firm grounding in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All its verses are from our Lord." No one can grasp this fact except the people of reason. (3:7)

A good example of law verses versus similar verses is 4:3 versus 4:129 about polygamy. While first is a law verses, clearly marked with imperative words, the later is a mere statement of facts. But, scholars are polarized by the later verses producing a totally opposite interpretation about polygamy.

Do not wait
Learning God's book might take generations and certainly will not fit in our lifetime, especially if it includes research on multiple-meaning (mutasabah) verses. It will be wise not to wait until we finish learning the book. Start practicing it once you understand the straight path, and gain more knowledge when you need it.

Believers, do not let your wealth and children divert you from remembering God. Whoever is diverted will suffer a great loss. Spend for the cause of God out of what We have given you before death approaches you, and say, "Lord, would that you would give me respite for a short time so that I could spend for Your cause and become one of those who do good". God will never grant respite to any soul when its appointed time has come. God is Well-Aware of what you do.(63:9-11)

Dig evidence
Do not follow what you do not know; the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be held responsible for their deeds. (17:36)

Language is not barrier
Had We sent down this Quran in a non-Arabic language, they would have said, "Why have its verses not been well expounded?" Could a non-Arabic Book be revealed to an Arabic speaking person? (Muhammad), say, "It is a guide and a cure for the believers. As for those who do not believe, they are deaf and blind. It is as though they had been called from a distant place". (41:44)

I do not need to swear by the setting of the stars - which is indeed a great oath if only you knew it - that this is an honorable Quran preserved in a hidden Book which no one can touch it except the purified ones. (This Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Universe. (56:75-80)

Listen others carefully
Is it that they do not think about the Quran or are their hearts sealed?. (47:24)

Whenever the Quran is recited (to you), listen to it quietly so that you may receive mercy.(7:204)

Secret behind arabic keywords
When you recite the Quran We place a curtain as a barrier between you and those who do not believe in the life to come. We put a veil over their hearts so that they cannot understand it. We deafen their ears. When you mention your Lord in this Quran as One (Supreme Being), they run away. (17:45-46)

The disbelievers say, "Do not listen to this Quran but make a lot of unnecessary noise while it is being read so that perhaps you will defeat it". (41:26)

Learn surroundings & related verse
You, who have wrapped yourself up with a mantle, worship (God) for a few hours at night. (Worship Him) for more or less than half of the night and recite (rateel) the Quran in a distinct tone (tarteel); (73:1-4)

Your Lord knows that you and a group of those who are with you get up for prayer sometimes for less than two-thirds of the night, sometimes half and sometimes one-third of it. God determines the duration of the night and day. He knew that it would be hard for you to keep an exact account of the timing of the night prayers, so He turned to you with forgiveness. Thus, recite from the Quran as much as possible. He knew that some of you would be sick, others would travel in the land to seek God's favors, and still others would fight for the cause of God. Thus, recite from the Quran as much as possible, be steadfast in prayer, pay the zakat, and give virtuous loans to God. Whatever good deeds you save for the next life, you will certainly find them with God. This is the best investment, and for this you will find the greatest reward. Ask forgiveness from God. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful. (73:20)

Beware of multiple meaning words
(Muhammad), when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in God from the mischief of satan. Satan has certainly no authority over the believers who have trust in their Lord. The only authority which he has is over his friends and those who consider things equal to God. (16:98-100)

(Muhammad), give the glad news to those of Our servants who listen to the words and only follow the best ones. Tell them that they are those whom God has guided. They are the people of understanding. (39:18)

(After having revealed the Quran to you) in all truth and justice, your Lord's Word has been completed. No one can change His Words. He is All-hearing and All-knowing. Most of the people in the land will lead you away from God's guidance if you follow them; they only follow their own conjecture and preach falsehood. (6:115-116)

Consider (Muhammad) how God (in a parable) compares the blessed Word to that of a blessed tree which has firm roots and branches rising up into the sky and yields fruits in every season, by the permission of its Lord? God sets forth parables for people so that they may take heed. An evil word is compared to an evil tree with no firm roots in the land and thus has no stability. God strengthens the faith of the believers by the true Words in this world and in the life to come. He causes the unjust to go astray and does whatever He pleases. (14:24-27)

Learn examples
In revealing this Quran to you, We tell you the best of the stories of which you were unaware.(12:3)

We have mentioned in this Quran all kinds of examples for the human being, but most human beings turn away in disbelief. (17:89)

Know the ranges (hudud)
For example cutting thief hands is a maximum punishment. The minimum one is mentioned right after it.

Talk Back
Do you know two Moslem scholars who have conflicting interpretation of certain Koranic verses, such as verse related to women's right?

What are the arguments supporting their differing interpretations? Try to investigate the source of the differences using the reference above.

Please, share your stories in the discussion page