I am taking an English literature classes called Bible as literature. In that class, we won’t be just reciting it but instead, we’ll be reading a few chapters here and there and discussing it and maybe write papers on stories. Unfortunately, they don’t offer Quran classes or I would’ve loved to take it.
So, my question is: Is there anything wrong in taking this class? I don’t think we are told not to study other religious books? Afterall, we believe in that book too. And it will be the old testament (original Bible) that we’ll read, not the modern versions. Ofcourse I won’t be reading it as I read Quran thinking I follow this book, but still. I would’ve asked the Imam but I couldn’t see him yesterday. References would be appreciated.
The college I went to had religious studies as a complusory subject for two semesters. RST101 and RST201. RST101 the Catholic priests taught us religions of the world. Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Xtianity, budhism were all covered (basically major religions). I didnt see anything wrong with it and actually learnt about other religions. RST201 went into the study of Old Testament and parts of NT. Reading OT i realized the similarities between Biblical stories in Quran. There were other muslims (a lot more devout than Myself)and no one had an issue. I think in Islam we are suppose to read other scriptures. My opinion go for it.
Shikra - I say if it bothers you so much, do NOT read it. DON'T.
You may be contaminated with knowledge of another religion thereby resulting in gasp understanding and tolerance of others beliefs. You may even be able to argue knowledgably about the differences between Christianity and Islam. You woldn't want that, blind ignorance and assumption is the best road to travel (some people here can teach you plenty about that).
Shikra why should there be anything wrong with reading it ? I mean theres absolutely nothing wrong in reading it or learning about it. Islam encourages education. Its not as if you plan on living by it.
You will find the opinions are divided on this one.
On the negative side, there is a tradition
"In brief, the hadith says that Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came to the prophet, sallallahu alayhi was sallam, with a copy of the Torah saying here is a copy of the book that was revealed to the prophet Moses, peace be upon him. As he began to read it the prophet’s face showed displeasure until Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, alerted Umar to notice this. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, then promptly closed the scroll and reaffirmed his satisfaction with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi was sallam, as prophet and messenger. The prophet then remarked that if the prophet Musa were alive today he would have to follow the prophet Muhammad, sallalalhu alayhi was sallam."
On the positive side, there are several verses in the Quran that command Jews and Christians to verify the coming of Mohammad from their scriptures and ask us to ask them.
My personal view is that the Prophet p may have been uncomfortable with Umer r reading the Bible because Prophet p had limited time and a huge responsiblity of transmitting the entire text of the Quran in Arabic. Getting into what the Torah says in Hebrew and Aramaic and NT says in Greek and then how they are translated into Arabic by Christians and jews was not his mission. That is something he wanted us to do on our own.
Personally, I have read the bible (both Old Testament and the New Testament) over a period of about four years and found the experience reinforced my faith in the prophethood of Mohammad and belief in the Quran. The Quran is right, our prophet can be recognized in the bible as clearly as a father can recognize his son. My advice is to read the Quran in your own language before trying to read the bible. AKB
Verizon & MQ In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with it. The reason I asked this question is because someone told me I shouldn't go for it. And I argued the same thing: Islam tells us to broaden the horizons of our knowledge and learn as much as you can. Also, like I said before, we believe in the Bible too, so it's not "wrong". Besides, there's nothing wrong with learning what the other religions teach and it's similar stuff. If we never know what's written in other books, how are we supposed to argue anything?
I don't even know what's written in Quran. In Pakistan, they send you to the Masjid twice a day everyday. You recite the Quran and finish it about 10 times by the time you start middle school. But do they teach you the meaning and explain what's written in the Quran? NO. It's better to read the Quran once but with translation so you could educate yourselves and you know what we are being taught, rather than repeating the verses in Arabic not knowing what they mean. But anyway, that's a different topic.
Minha pa I think you are being sarcastic? To me, there's nothing wrong in learning about other religions. Just don't practice them if you don't want to. It's not like I will become a Christian or Catholic by reading it. I was always curious about what's written in the Bible and other religious books. It's similar stories but different names in English. For example, Esa is Jesus, Daud is David, Suleman is Solomon etc. but the teachings are very similar. Both are books of God. Again, I asked this question to find out if there's something wrong with it according to Islam (which I think there's not) and I asked this question because one guy told me not to go ahead with it. I've explained why I want to take this class (besides I heard it's an easy course) above to Verizon and MQ. Refer to that.
Bob Thanks for replying. Interesting reply, I must say. Yes, you are right. People will be divided on this issue and that's why I asked for references in addition to personal opinions. My faith in Islam is not weak, I know that.
Quran says over and over again to observer, learn and then make a judgement. In the end you will agree that whatever is in Quran is rightous and is the perfect. (sorry don't have enf time to post references at the moment).
It is advisable that you read Quran (translation etc) first so you know in general where you stand. I had Gen. Education classes in my university and you come to know some of their beleifs (although it wasnt' religious class). It just makes your beliefs stronger because you can see how confused they are about very simple stuff - even relying on logic they should come to same conclusions as yours but it just seems they are quite stupid (regarding lot of matters)
Yeah, I was being sarcastic, absolutely. Just the fact that you asked this question and that someone like the poster who argues for caution actually answered the way they did speaks volumes about the way Islam is taught (not practiced or the way it really is, just taught).
Seriously, though, why would any quest for knowledge be forbidden or frowned apon? I have learned more about Islam from my family and husbands than I ever knew, even developed a healthy respect for the values and traditions. But I am Catholic and no matter what influences me, I remain Catholic. The same for husband and children (as far as being a Muslim and adhering to Islam).
As I stated above, you may even be able to argue knowledgably about the differences between Christianity and Islam not to mention develop a deeper respect for your own faith.
EDIT : PrinceMS - there was no reason to say things like that, it just makes you look like a lesser person when I know from some of your posts you make some valid points. Slamming others religions and the people who practice them is a sign of an person insecure in their own, since by slamming you are not practicing what your own religion teaches.
Just because you are a catholic and havent converted does it mean that all humans born in a religion stay in that religion? By the way have you studied the Quran? In addition, which poster has suggested that the bible should not be studied according to Islam?
Bob - a person who will convert simply because they read another book of another faith is not a person secure and knowledgable in their own faith. Have I studied the Quran? No. Would I study if given the opportunity? Sure and I wouldn't need to ask if it was permissable to do so. Have I read the Quran or have any knowledge about it? I can't help it, I am the sole christian in a household of Muslims, it just seeps in whether I want it to or not (teasing but you understand).
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In addition, which poster has suggested that the bible should not be studied according to Islam?
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Where did I state this? Looks like misunderstandings abound.
Apparently, you didnt think it was necessary to inquire if it was permissible for a catholics to raise their children Islamic either. lol. By the way, my point was the same as yours i.e. one needs to become secure in their faith before reading the books of another faith.
Bob - you have no say whatsoever in my marriage nor in the raising of my kids by myself or my husband. I didn't ask you for advice or to comment on either, so please refrain from dragging them into it. You asked me about Quran, I answered, that was not an invitation to ridicule.
If you understood about the present day Catholic Church, you would also understand why I would never have to ask if it was permissible.
My knowledge says that The old Testament (Torah) and Gospel (Injeel) are not in their pure form anymore as testified by Quran in many places. To read them is like to seek wrong information. However, I follow the opinion of Dr. Zakir Naik who reads these books, even Geeta, for comparitive study and to prove Quran is different and correct in context as compare to the existing text of those once divine books.
Believing in them is part of our iman and Quran does say that there is light in Torah and Injeel (Gospel) but light it refers to was actually in the original text which is not available anymore.
Sure, then make comments about me, no problem. Say whatever you like about how insensitive or sarcastic or intolerant I am, no problems with that. Comments about my marriage, kids, and the choices we (husband and I) made are comments that I pull people up on. No reason to go there.
You argued for caution, that is what I said. I never said a poster "has suggested that the bible should not be studied according to Islam". Yes, that was you I was refering to when I said arguing for caution. The Bible won't bite you and it certainly won't make someone who is as faithful as Shikra convert or anyone who is content with their belief.
Minha_pa Thanks for your input. However, nowhere in my original post did I say I needed the sarcasm. If I did need it, I would've stated it. I am sure you could've conveyed your message without it as well. As far as the question "Why would any religion frown upon you for studying other religious books?" is concerned, the answer is in Bob's reply #5. I thought I had heard what he posted up there somewhere before but since I was in doubt, I wanted to confirm it. Once again, personally, I don't see anything wrong with that but I just wanted to verify it religiously.
Everyone else Thanks for your inputs. As I stated, I am just taking it as a class. I can care less whether it's the original version or the newer version, all I need is (1) a very close idea how similar the Bible is to the Quran and (2) I need to fulfill the literature course requirement so I could graduate.
Whilst I started reading the Quran when I was about 5, I didn't read it in English and thus didn't understand it until I was about 12.
BY contrast, at school we had a Bible class since age 7 so I started reading the Bible a lot (just the Old Testament) at that age (so that I could get an A grade).
From when I was 7 to 10, I was beating just about all the Christian kids at Bible exams - I had a long string of As. Eventually when I was 11, I decided that I knew the Bible so well I didn't need to study it for exams anymore and so I got 54% and a D grade that year....
At any rate, the morale of the story is that after being used to the Bible for so many years, when I started reading the Quran I was amazed at how much more powerful a text the Quran was to read. Plus, it was interesting to compare and contrast stories between the two texts.
Coming from the perspective of someone who spent many many hours reading the Bible long before I read the Quran in a language I understand, my experience of the difference between the Bible and the Quran really has strengthened my belief in Islam as the Truth. The tone of its text really does sound much more divine.
Of course, my experience was limited to the Old Testament. Whilst I tried to read the New Testament, it wasn't relevant to my exams, plus when I tried I found it to be a little boring compared to the epic stories of the Old Testament. The New Testament had a lack of wars, slaughters, incest, and smiting by God to keep the interest of a morbid little kid like me...
