From the Quran

Here is a bit from the Quran. I confess to being absent from it for a couple of weeks now. Been busy and been wiped. To be completely honest, I have not been reading my Bible every morning either. But today I am posting from the Quran.

It brings to mind a conversation I had with a relative recently. We were discussing the Bible and what certain passages might be telling us. He made a comment about inspiration. I don't recall it word-for-word, but basically, he said that the Quran and Jewish texts left out of the Bible are not inspired of God.

There was a time when I would have agreed with him without thinking. Now, however, I am thinking, and I am not so sure. Not when I read the Quran and find the same messages that I'm finding in the Bible.

Possibly, the only real conflict between Christianity and her sister faiths is what one chooses to believe about Jesus. People of the Christian Faith believe that Jesus is God, and that his death and resurrection are the reason people can again be united with God. Muslims will go as far as to say Jesus was a great prophet, but hold back from calling him God. I don't think Jews go even that far.

Personally, I don't see my role as being one to convince people of anything. I will simply state I believe Jesus is God. I am fine with what you believe. Talk to God about Jesus and let him tell you. That's between you and him.

Regarding God inspiring the Quran, I'll be honest. Coming from a Christian perspective I don't know. Those of you who are Muslim have no doubt whatsover, just as I have none regarding my Bible. What I do know is that the Quran and the Bible often are saying the same thing, as I found in this passage I read this morning.

Oh, I got it from this website.

2- The Heifer (Al-Baqarah)

[2:151] (Blessings) such as the sending of a messenger from among you to recite our revelations to you, purify you, teach you the scripture and wisdom, and to teach you what you never knew.

[2:152] You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative.

[2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.

[2:154] Do not say of those who are killed in the cause of GOD, "They are dead." They are alive at their Lord, but you do not perceive.

[2:155] We will surely test you through some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news to the steadfast.

[2:156] When an affliction befalls them, they say, "We belong to GOD, and to Him we are returning."

[2:157] These have deserved blessings from their Lord and mercy. These are the guided ones.

[2:158] The knolls of Safa and Marwah are among the rites decreed by GOD. Anyone who observes Hajj or `Umrah commits no error by traversing the distance between them. If one volunteers more righteous works, then GOD is Appreciative, Omniscient.

[2:159] Those who conceal our revelations and guidance, after proclaiming them for the people in the scripture, are condemned by GOD; they are condemned by all the condemners.

[2:160] As for those who repent, reform, and proclaim, I redeem them. I am the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

[2:161] Those who disbelieve and die as disbelievers, have incurred the condemnation of GOD, the angels, and all the people (on the Day of Judgment).

[2:162] Eternally they abide therein. The retribution is never commuted for them, nor are they reprieved.

[2:163] Your god is one god; there is no god but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that GOD sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.

[2:165] Yet, some people set up idols to rival GOD, and love them as if they are GOD. Those who believe love GOD the most. If only the transgressors could see themselves when they see the retribution! They will realize then that all power belongs to GOD alone, and that GOD's retribution is awesome.

[2:166] Those who were followed will disown those who followed them. They will see the retribution, and all ties among them will be severed.

[2:167] Those who followed will say, "If we can get another chance, we will disown them, as they have disowned us now." GOD thus shows them the consequences of their works as nothing but remorse; they will never exit Hell.

[2:168] O people, eat from the earth's products all that is lawful and good, and do not follow the steps of Satan; he is your most ardent enemy.

[2:169] He only commands you to commit evil and vice, and to say about GOD what you do not know.

[2:170] When they are told, "Follow what GOD has revealed herein," they say, "We follow only what we found our parents doing." What if their parents did not understand, and were not guided?

[2:171] The example of such disbelievers is that of parrots who repeat what they hear of sounds and calls, without understanding. Deaf, dumb, and blind; they cannot understand.

[2:172] O you who believe, eat from the good things we provided for you, and be thankful to GOD, if you do worship Him alone.

[2:173] He only prohibits for you the eating of animals that die of themselves (without human interference), blood, the meat of pigs, and animals dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being malicious or deliberate, he incurs no sin. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[2:174] Those who conceal GOD's revelations in the scripture, in exchange for a cheap material gain, eat but fire into their bellies. GOD will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them. They have incurred a painful retribution.

[2:175] It is they who chose the straying instead of guidance, and the retribution instead of forgiveness. Consequently, they will have to endure Hell.