The Koran Essay Research Paper The Historical

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The Koran Essay, Research Paper

The Historical foundation of Islam and the Koran is rooted in Arabia. This now major

world religion is based upon the teachings of Muhammad who is considered and called the

Prophet. Muslims, whom are the followers of these teachings view the Koran as the

speech of god to Muhammad, mediated by Gabriel, the angel of revelation. The outcome

of these revelations by Muhammad became the basis for all beliefs of the Islamic tradition.

He was inspired to preach what he had learned and over time, he gained much support as

well as opposition.

To Muslims, The Koran is their guide to life and living. It is the primary source for

Islamic law. It clearly outlines what is right and wrong and makes recommendations for

how to live a good, moral and ethical life. Love, community and responsibility are three

very prevalent themes throughout the entire Koran. These three things are viewed to be

the key to happiness.

The requirement to love god is very evident in the Koran. Al-Fahita (Surah 1) is a

passage which must be recited at least 17 times a day as part of obligatory prayers 5 times

a day:

Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe, The Compassionate, the Merciful,

Sovereign of the Day of Judgement! You alone we worship, and to You alone we

turn for help. Guide us to the straight path, The path of those whom You have

favored, Not of those who have incurred Your wrath, Nor of those who have

gone astray. (1)

This passage is a perfect example of how their must be an enormous amount of love,

honor and respect for their god, Allah. God is asked to steer our lives in the right direction

if we stray off the path. This, in a nutshell, sums up the main idea of being a Muslim.

Not only is love for god important but love for other people is extremely

significant and required. It is said that we were created by him from dust and spouses were

created for you, the man. You are to live amongst them peacefully and love and kindness

should be in our hearts. (30:21) This clearly illistrates how important love is between

people and how it is of major importance.

The guidelines for love of one another is clearly spelled out and has specific

requirements. Men are supposed to turn away from temptation and wicked desires in

order to make their lives purer because God is aware of all their actions. Women are

required to do the same but in terms of their attire. They are required to be covered except

for where it is necessary which would be their eyes: “not to display their adornments; to

draw their veils over their bosoms and not to display thier finery except to their…” (24:31)

The passage continues with a list of who is permitted to view them uncovered which

consists of their husbands, fathers, sons as well as other specific individuals.

The idea of community refers to a group sharing the same interests and living

together in harmony. This is a clear and essential part of living according to the Koran:

“We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes,

that you might get to know one another. The noblest of you in God’s sight is he who is

most righteous. (49:13) This states the essential idea that humanity should live together,

not fight or bicker and be as one. This is an essential element of living a fruitful life if you

are a follower of the Koran and it’s teachings.

In a concept foreign to our own, the Koran explains how polygamy is a permissible

and excepted practice: “If you fear that you cannot treat orphans with fairness, then you

must marry other women who seem good to you.” (4:3) What this passage is basically

saying is that if you believe you cannot be faithful to your wife, rather than deceiving her

outright, you should publicly, with her knowledge, marry others. Even within this radical

concept, it is said in the Koran that if you believe you cannot treat all your wives equally,

you must choose only one to be with to avoid injustice. (4:3)

Responsibility is a duty bestowed upon all followers of the Koran. The teachings

set forth in this book must be followed strictly and stringently. God is given credit for

mans’ intellect which is of great value and is emphasized: “by the pen taught men what he

did not know.” (96) In the Koran, there is a methodology for everything even when

receiving information from evildoers. The Koran says you should investigate into the truth

of what this person claims, otherwise you may regret your actions in the end. (49:6)

Disobedience also has it’s grave consequences. Not believing in what the Koran says will

damn you. “Yet if you recite to them a single verse, the unbelievers will surely say; ‘You

preach nothing but falsehoods.’ Thus God seals of ignorant men.” (30:59)

Among all responsibilities and requirements laid down in the Koran, I believe the

most important aspect is that Allah and the Prophet, Muhammad, be a muslims first love

and it is clear that this is so. There are many passages in surah 30 which support and

convincingly convey that their must be a high level of love, honor and obedience for Allah

and Muhammad the Prophet.

The Koran for Muslims is a very important in integral part of their lives. It is their

central reference point not only for religious and spiritual matters but for the ways to

conduct life on a day to basis. Without this handbook for life, they would be lost.

Bibliography

1. “The Koran” London England: The Penguin Group 1997