I'd like to work through the entire Quran, a little at a time, from an analytical Christian point of view. I'd like to focus on (a) agreements between the Quran and the Bible, (b) disagreements between the Quran and the Bible, and (c) agreements between the Quran and earlier materials besides the Bible. Plus anything else that seems especially interesting.
First, though, it's important to note that the Quran is not the only authority for Muslims. There's also the Hadith ~ the sayings and/or definitive example of Muhammad. And there's the general teaching of the Islamic community to consider too -- this helps one discern which parts of the Quran abrogate other parts.
Speaking of abrogation, it is important to note that the Quran is not arranged in chronological order. Some portions are "abrogated" -- superceded in terms of applicable authority -- by other portions, in much the same way that Christians view the old covenant of the Law as something superceded by the new covenant of grace. Different views of what has been abrogated, and what has not been abrogated, can result in very different views/versions of Islam. J.M. Rodwell made an attempt to arrange the Quran chronologically (relying on the work of someone named Noldeke), and I will note some of his deductions (though they should be regarded as /deductions/).
SURAH 1, Al-Fatihah ("The Opening" -- that is, the opening chapter, recited as part of the standard Islamic prayers) was promoted by Muhammad (according to Suhih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadith #1) as the greatest chapter in the Quran.
There's not a lot in these seven verses that Christians disagree with, if one puts aside for the moment the identification of "Allah" with YHWH. A Christian could similarly pray,
"In the name of YHWH, most gracious, most merciful ~ may all praises and thanks be to YHWH, the Lord [and Source] of all beings that exist. You are the most gracious, the most merciful. You are the sole Judge on the day of judgment. We worship you, and we ask you for help."
"Guide us to [or, "on"] the Straight Way -- the way of those on whom you have bestowed your favor. Not the way of those who have earned your anger, nor of those who went astray."
The sentiment of this surah may be found in the Bible, especially in the Psalms:
God is gracious and merciful -- Psalm 86:5, 13, 15
God is worthy of praise and thanks -- Psalm 86:12
God is the only true God -- Psalm 86:10
God is Lord of all -- Psalm 148
God is gracious and merciful -- Psalm 86:5, 13, 15
God is the sole Judge on Judgment Day -- Psalm 7:8, 9:7-8, 50:6, 75:7, 96:13
God is to be worshiped -- Psalm 86:9, 95:6
God is the source of help -- Psalm 40:13, 46:1, 79:9
A plea for guidance to/on the Straight Way -- Psalm 5:8, 27:11, 86:11, 143:8
A plea to avoid ungodly ways -- Psalm 119:101, 104
Surah 37:182 repeats the phrase "May all praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord [and Source] of all beings that exist."
This is probably an Early Meccan surah. In Arabic it is very rhythmic with lots of rhymes.
A Wahhabi interpretation of the closing phrases is to define "those who have earned your anger" as Judaists (Jews), and "those who went astray" as Christians.
A Hadith (in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vo. 6, Hadith #2) prescribes that Muslims say "Amen" after reciting this surah -- on the premise that the act of saying "Amen" simultaneously with the angels will result in the forgiveness of past sins.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
First, though, it's important to note that the Quran is not the only authority for Muslims. There's also the Hadith ~ the sayings and/or definitive example of Muhammad. And there's the general teaching of the Islamic community to consider too -- this helps one discern which parts of the Quran abrogate other parts.
Speaking of abrogation, it is important to note that the Quran is not arranged in chronological order. Some portions are "abrogated" -- superceded in terms of applicable authority -- by other portions, in much the same way that Christians view the old covenant of the Law as something superceded by the new covenant of grace. Different views of what has been abrogated, and what has not been abrogated, can result in very different views/versions of Islam. J.M. Rodwell made an attempt to arrange the Quran chronologically (relying on the work of someone named Noldeke), and I will note some of his deductions (though they should be regarded as /deductions/).
SURAH 1, Al-Fatihah ("The Opening" -- that is, the opening chapter, recited as part of the standard Islamic prayers) was promoted by Muhammad (according to Suhih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadith #1) as the greatest chapter in the Quran.
There's not a lot in these seven verses that Christians disagree with, if one puts aside for the moment the identification of "Allah" with YHWH. A Christian could similarly pray,
"In the name of YHWH, most gracious, most merciful ~ may all praises and thanks be to YHWH, the Lord [and Source] of all beings that exist. You are the most gracious, the most merciful. You are the sole Judge on the day of judgment. We worship you, and we ask you for help."
"Guide us to [or, "on"] the Straight Way -- the way of those on whom you have bestowed your favor. Not the way of those who have earned your anger, nor of those who went astray."
The sentiment of this surah may be found in the Bible, especially in the Psalms:
God is gracious and merciful -- Psalm 86:5, 13, 15
God is worthy of praise and thanks -- Psalm 86:12
God is the only true God -- Psalm 86:10
God is Lord of all -- Psalm 148
God is gracious and merciful -- Psalm 86:5, 13, 15
God is the sole Judge on Judgment Day -- Psalm 7:8, 9:7-8, 50:6, 75:7, 96:13
God is to be worshiped -- Psalm 86:9, 95:6
God is the source of help -- Psalm 40:13, 46:1, 79:9
A plea for guidance to/on the Straight Way -- Psalm 5:8, 27:11, 86:11, 143:8
A plea to avoid ungodly ways -- Psalm 119:101, 104
Surah 37:182 repeats the phrase "May all praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord [and Source] of all beings that exist."
This is probably an Early Meccan surah. In Arabic it is very rhythmic with lots of rhymes.
A Wahhabi interpretation of the closing phrases is to define "those who have earned your anger" as Judaists (Jews), and "those who went astray" as Christians.
A Hadith (in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vo. 6, Hadith #2) prescribes that Muslims say "Amen" after reciting this surah -- on the premise that the act of saying "Amen" simultaneously with the angels will result in the forgiveness of past sins.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
