Blasphemy and the Qur'an: Why Compromise and Islam Don't Fit

During the enforced rest that followed the events now known as "9/11," while no planes flew across the Atlantic and all the big corporations that were my clients cancelled their international projects, I - like many across the world - decided to try to understand what had happened.

So I put my skills as a professional listener, reader and analyst to use. As a tsunami of shock and outrage washed us towards armed conflict in Afghanistan and then in Iraq, I listened very carefully to every interview I could with Taliban officials; I talked to Muslims in the UK and in Paris, where I was living; read widely; wrote letters urging everyone I could think of to exercise forbearance.

And for the first time, I read the Qur'an.

All of us who live in the West will soon be dealing with a changed Middle East - so it's timely to review what I learned a decade ago.

After 9/11 and before the Afghan conflict erupted in blood, the Afghani Foreign Minister gave an interview, I believe for the BBC. The interviewer asked the Minister if a compromise might be found, a way to avoid the conflict - perhaps, for the Afghanis to allow the Americans to pursue their objectives within his country.

This highly educated, articulate gentleman made one startling comment during the interview. "There is no tradition of compromise within Islam," he said, choosing his words carefully.

How should we understand this?

The interviewer did not ask - so we don't really know; and only Mohammad speaks for all Islamic people. Yet this comment could be key to understanding something very important - an issue that has not advanced in a decade.

Many ordinary people in the West fear the rise of Islam. We have learned to associate it with fanaticism and extremism, which we often think are the opposite of "compromise." But compromise is not reason. Compromise is a negotiating tactic, and not necessarily a very satisfying one. Compromise is rarely a meeting of equals; it often requires one or both parties to swallow something unpalatable.

What the Minister meant is of great importance to us, again, now, as we wait to see the outcome of the changes sweeping the region and beyond. The Islamic world is making a Renaissance. It's conceivable that the era of weak national governments across the Middle East may be coming to an end - structures that have never suited the peoples who live under them - and what will replace them has not yet formed. If the West is to deal satisfactorily with what emerges from these upheavals, understanding what Islam does have room for, if compromise is not an option, needs to be a priority.

Unlike the Bible, the Qur'an is a handbook for daily living as well as a history and a source of divine instruction. It's very clear about right and wrong; and the manner in which what's right is structured and absorbed by Believers means that each individual is obligated to stand up for what is right. Given this obligation, it is clearly NOT a useful thing to ask a Muslim to accept or do that which he believes to be wrong in order to further a negotiation.

Islam has seen great diversity since its founding; has stood for affluence, religious tolerance, scientific and cultural advance; has known many great leaders and extremely sophisticated systems of management and governance. These have required ingenuity, creativity, and huge will towards prosperity and peace. So, while there may be no place for compromise in Islam, there are traditions supporting change.

Just as we should have done after 9/11, we need to ask: as equals, what might we create together, beyond compromise, that might bring peace and prosperity to us all? And then - even over the apparently insoluble issues that relate to Israel - we need to use all our will and creativity together, as equals in the negotiating process... to change our world. 

About Islam - Prayers In The Quran

The Quran provides us with many specific prayers that we may use for ourselves. The Quran contains the Contact Prayers in Sura 1, as well as other various prayers of supplication and commemoration. A list of Quranic prayers is provided here. God advises us in Sura 2, Verse 186: When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me...

In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The very first prayer we encounter in the Quran is the Contact Prayers. These are the specific words used by Muslims five times a day for Salat. Sura 1 (The Key), Verses 1-7: "Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help. Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers."

Other Quranic prayers are;

[2:128] "Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful."

[2:201] "Our Lord, grant us righteousness in this world, and righteousness in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell."

[2:250] "Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold, and support us against the disbelieving people."

[2:286] "Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people."

[3:8] "Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are the Grantor."

[3:16] "Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the agony of the hellfire."

[3:26-27] "Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent. You merge the night into the day, and merge the day into the night. You produce the living from the dead, and produce the dead from the living, and You provide for whomever You choose, without limits."

[3:147] "Our Lord, forgive us our sins, and our transgressions, strengthen our foothold, and grant us victory over the disbelievers."

[3:191-192] "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell. Our Lord, whomever You commit to Hell are the ones You have forsaken. Such transgressors have no helpers."

[3:193-194] "Our Lord, we have heard a caller calling to faith and proclaiming: `You shall believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us our transgressions, remit our sins, and let us die as righteous believers. Our Lord, shower us with the blessings you promised us through Your messengers, and do not forsake us on the Day of Resurrection. You never break a promise."

[6:162-163] "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe. He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."

[7:23] "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers."

[7:126] "Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, and let us die as submitters."

[7:155-156] "...You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver. And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have repented to You."

[10:10] ...Their prayer therein (in the Gardens of Bliss) is: "Be You glorified, our god," their greeting therein is, "Peace," and their ultimate prayer is: "Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe."

[10:85-86] "We trust in GOD. Our Lord, save us from the persecution of these oppressive people. Deliver us, with Your mercy, from the disbelieving people."

[11:47] "My Lord, I seek refuge in You, lest I implore You ...for something I do not know. Unless You forgive me, and have mercy on me, I will be with the losers."

[12:101] "My Lord, ...Initiator of the heavens and the earth; You are my Lord and Master in this life and in the Hereafter. Let me die as a submitter, and count me with the righteous."

[14:35] "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols."

[14:40-41] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers. My Lord, forgive me ...and the believers, on the day when the reckoning takes place."

[17:80] "My Lord, admit me an honorable admittance, and let me depart an honorable departure, and grant me from You a powerful support."

[17:111] "Praise be to GOD, who has never begotten a son, nor does He have a partner in His kingship, nor does He need any ally out of weakness."

[18:10] "Our Lord, shower us with Your mercy, and bless our affairs with Your guidance."

[18:14] "Our only Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will never worship any other god beside Him. Otherwise, we would be far astray."

[23:94] "My Lord, let me not be one of the transgressing people."

[23:97-98] "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me."

[23:109; 118] "Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and shower us with mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful."

[25:65-66] "Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous. It is the worst abode; the worst destiny."

[25:74] "Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous."

[26:83-87] "My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous. Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one. Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise... And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection."

[27:19] "My Lord, direct me to be appreciative of the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Admit me by Your mercy into the company of Your righteous servants."

[28:16] "My Lord, I have wronged my soul. Please forgive me."

[28:21] "My Lord, save me from the oppressive people."

[28:22] "May my Lord guide me in the right path."

[28:24] "My Lord, whatever provision you send to me, I am in dire need for it."

[37:100] "My Lord, grant me righteous children."

[43:13-14] As you rest on top of (what you ride on), you shall appreciate such a blessing from your Lord, and say, "Glory be to the One who subdued this for us. We could not have controlled them by ourselves. We ultimately return to our Lord."

[46:15] "My Lord, direct me to appreciate the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do the righteous works that please You. Let my children be righteous as well. I have repented to You; I am a submitter."

[59:10] "Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded us to the faith, and keep our hearts from harboring any hatred towards those who believed. Our Lord, You are Compassionate, Most Merciful."

[60:4-5] "Our Lord, we trust in You, and submit to You; to You is the final destiny. Our Lord, let us not be oppressed by those who disbelieved, and forgive us. You are the Almighty, Most Wise."

[66:8] "Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us; You are Omnipotent."

[71:28] "My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and anyone who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women..."

[112:1-4] "He is the One and only GOD. The Absolute GOD. Never did He beget. Nor was He begotten. None equals Him."

[113:1-5] "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak. From the evils among His creations. From the evils of darkness as it falls. From the evils of the troublemakers. From the evils of the envious when they envy."

[114:1-6] "I seek refuge in the Lord of the people. The King of the people. The god of the people. From the evils of sneaky whisperers. Who whisper into the chests of the people. Be they of the jinns, or the people."

[3:18; 47:19] GOD bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge ... "There is no other god beside GOD," and ask forgiveness of your sins and the sins of all believing men and women.

Angels in Islamic Concept As Portrayed by Quran

(In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, all praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger)

Angels are beings that, according to Muslim concept, are there to perform worship of the Almighty Allah. These angels are very important in reference to the faith completion for a Muslim.

The Holy Quran mentions that the angels are made up of light and that they have no cognitive ability. Their only purpose is to do what the Almighty asks them to do. Muslims all around the world have rigid belief in the composition and the existence of angels, so if anyone tries to follow the pagan concept or influence that upon Muslims, that would be a step that will be ineffective.

Allah almighty mentions Angels in the Holy Quran As the following:

"Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said "Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."(Surah Al-Baqarah)

This verse defines that the angels do exists and that they can be communicated with, and that they perform the worship of Almighty Allah.

"They followed what the evil ones gave out (falsely) against the power of Solomon; the blasphemers were not Solomon but the evil ones, teaching men magic and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Harut, and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying: "We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme." They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter. And vile was the price for which they did sell their souls, if they but knew!" (Surah Al-Baqara) Quran Reading

The verse from the Holy Quran mentioned above highlighted the fact that magic and pagan ways of intervening supernatural areas is a reality and is completely practical, however, all of this is not possible if Allah does not wish it so. It happens to test the faith of the believers and that of mankind towards one true GOD, which is Allah Almighty alone.

The link between the angels and the magical existence almost goes synonymous. Other mythical creatures are an unreal extension of the concept. The concept of angels remains the same, if not tampered, in the Christian faith and the Jewish faith since these are the religions that signify one GOD too. One more verse here will define another misconception that pagans try to inject us with, is that angels can determine what is wrong and what is right and might defy the Almighty Allah.

"He is the Irresistible (watching) from above over his worshippers, and He sets guardians over you. At length, when death approaches one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fail in their duty." (Surah Al-Anaam)

As it says, Angels never fail to perform their duty, this is how they are and this is how they will be, no matter how inspirational they may be, but a misconception about angels can directly infuse a faulty conjunction in the faith of a Muslim. TheQuran Reading is the direct source of any information on the Internet that you must consult when required.

If you want to read more Articles regarding to Islam and Quran you can find all here: Quran Reading is an online Islamic School which offers Quran teaching services online. The school also teaches Quran Recitation and Quran Reading with Translation.

The endless war in command of Qur'an

After the tragedies of the 11th of September 2001 and the invasion of Iraq many people are arguing that the Qu'ran and Islam itself teaches that a state of endless war exists between Muslims and 'Infidels' (who are usually defined by these folk as being Christians and Jews.)

In support of their arguments they pull quotes from the Qu'ran which seem to support their position, but do they really?

In this article I want to show the deceitful way in which these folk argue, either out of ignorace on their part or from a desire to stir up hatred against folk.

This topic is huge and so I intend here to look at only ONE of the Qu'ranic verses these folk take out of context and it is my intention to place the verse back into context. And then to show, by commentary and quote from the Qu'ran itself, the poverty of the argument which declares that the Qu'ran does indeed teach endless war against unbelievers.

One of the Suras (chapters) of the Qu'ran which are often quoted is the following.

Sura 9:29-30 , "Make War on the Christians and the Jews...Do battle with them!" "Kill those who join other Gods with Allah wherever ye shall find them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert to Islam then let them go their way."

All of the chapters of the Qu'ran have a context which explains why they were revealed by Muhammad. Here is the context of Sura 9

This chapter of the Qu'ran deals with treaty obligations between the Muslims and the Arab idolaters and also talks about what the Muslims should do if attacked by the People of the Book. The Idolaters had repeatedly broken their treaties of peace with the Muslims and in this Sura they are told what the consequences will be to them for these acts. As well the Jews and Christians are warned of what will happen should they try to intervene in Muslim affairs (verses 29-30)

Now because it is verses 29-30 that are quoted, I add here a commentary by Maulana Muhammad Ali on those specific verses.

". . . 29a. The last word on the wars with the idolaters of Arabia having been said, this verse introduces the subject of fighting with the followers of the Book. . . . The Qu'ran neither required that the idolaters should be compelled to accept Islam, nor was it in any way its object to bring the Christians into subjection. On the other hand, the idolaters wanted to suppress Islam by the sword, and the Christians first moved themselves to bring Muslim Arabia under subjection. The fate of each was, therefore, according to what it intended for the Muslims. . . . It may also be added that the permission to fight, as given to the Muslims, is subject to the condition that the enemy should first take up the sword, Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you (2:190). . . The Holy Prophet never overstepped this limit, nor did his followers. He fought against the Arabs when they took up the sword to destroy the Muslims, and he led an expedition against the Christians when the Roman Empire first mobilised its forces with the object of subjugating the Muslims. And so scrupulous was he that, when he found that the enemy had not yet taken the initiative, he did not attack the Roman Empire, but returned without fighting. . . ."

So then let us look at this Sura with our new understanding of it's context . Note: (The [Shakir] is a reference to the person who translated this version into English.

[Shakir 9:1] (This is a declaration of) immunity by Allah and His Messenger towards those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement. [9:2] So go about in the land for four months and know that you cannot weaken Allah and that Allah will bring disgrace to the unbelievers. [9:3] And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Messenger are free from liability to the idolaters; therefore if you repent, it will be better for you, and if you turn back, then know that you will not weaken Allah; and announce painful punishment to those who disbelieve. [9:4] Except those of the idolaters with whom you made an agreement, then they have not failed you in anything and have not backed up any one against you, so fulfil their agreement to the end of their term; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).

[9:5] So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [9:6] And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know.

[9:7] How can there be an agreement for the idolaters with Allah and with His Messenger; except those with whom you made an agreement at the Sacred Mosque? So as long as they are true to you, be true to them; surely Allah loves those who are careful (of their duty).[9:8] How (can it be)! while if they prevail against you, they would not pay regard in your case to ties of relationship, nor those of covenant; they please you with their mouths while their hearts do not consent; and most of them are transgressors. [9:9] They have taken a small price for the communications of Allah, so they turn away from His way; surely evil is it that they do. [9:10] They do not pay regard to ties of relationship nor those of covenant in the case of a believer; and these are they who go beyond the limits. [9:11] But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and We make the communications clear for a people who know. [ 9:12] And if they break their oaths after their agreement and (openly) revile your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief-- surely their oaths are nothing-- so that they may desist.

[9:13] What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Messenger, and they attacked you first; do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers. [9:14] Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people. [9:15] And remove the rage of their hearts; and Allah turns (mercifully) to whom He pleases, and Allah is Knowing, Wise. [9:16] What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard and have not taken any one as an adherent besides Allah and His Messenger and the believers; and Allah is aware of what you do.

[9:17] The idolaters have no right to visit the mosques of Allah while bearing witness to unbelief against themselves, these it is whose doings are null, and in the fire shall they abide. [9:18] Only he shall visit the mosques of Allah who believes in Allah and the latter day, and keeps up prayer and pays the poor-rate and fears none but Allah; so (as for) these, it may be that they are of the followers of the right course.

[9:19] What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. [9:20] Those who believed and fled (their homes), and strove hard in Allah's way with their property and their souls, are much higher in rank with Allah; and those are they who are the achievers (of their objects). [9:21] Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Himself and (His) good pleasure and gardens, wherein lasting blessings shall be theirs; [ 9:22] Abiding therein for ever; surely Allah has a Mighty reward with Him.

[9:23] O you who believe! do not take your fathers and your brothers for guardians if they love unbelief more than belief; and whoever of you takes them for a guardian, these it is that are the unjust. [9:24] Say: If your fathers and your sons and your brethren and your mates and your kinsfolk and property which you have acquired, and the slackness of trade which you fear and dwellings which you like, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His way, then wait till Allah brings about His command: and Allah does not guide the transgressing people.

[9:25] Certainly Allah helped you in many battlefields and on the day of Hunain, when your great numbers made you vain, but they availed you nothing and the earth became strait to you notwithstanding its spaciousness, then you turned back retreating. [9:26] Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts which you did not see, and chastised those who disbelieved, and that is the reward of the unbelievers. [9:27] Then will Allah after this turn (mercifully) to whom He pleases, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful [9:28] O you who believe! the idolaters are nothing but unclean, so they shall not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year; and if you fear poverty then Allah will enrich you out of His grace if He please; surely Allah is Knowing Wise. [ 9:29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.

It is clear then that Sura 9 does not command unlimited war against Idolaters, Jews and Christians but rather allows for a limited, defensive war if & only if the Muslims are attacked.

Any verse in any Scripture can be taken out of context, can be used for the purposes of stirring up hatred and disdain against folk. As Christians we must be above that, we must deal with Muslims in the truth and we cannot do that if we are lifting verses from their sacred writings out of context in order to demonise them.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians has this to say about the attitude we should have towards the Muslims (and indeed all others)

I Corinthians 13:1 - 8

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clashing cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I give away all my possessions to feed the poor, and though I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not arrogant; 5 does not behave disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails

I pray that we will show forth this attitude in dealing with others, especially those others who share with us a faith in God.

Ray McIntyre is a Priest and Theologian living in New Zealand

Quran Teachings Regarding the Poor and the Needy

The religion of Islam is the complete way of life and as part of his teachings, guidance in various aspects of their lives to humanity. Among other things, Islam deals with social issues and matters in great depth and detail. The care of the poor and orphans is an excellent example in this regard. Through the Koran and the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed, Muslims are specifically instructed and encouraged to take great care of orphans and the poor. The following represents the position of Islam on the care of such persons.

For children and needy, whose parents far away, will the Qur'an States "and when the relatives and orphans and the poor are present at the time of Division, and give out the property and speak to them words of kindness and justice"-[Chapter 4 (Surah An-Nisa')-verse 8]

For the just and pious people, the Qur'an says "any given food, despite his love for her (or for the love of him), to the poor, the orphan and the captive."

In the Hadith States (those of the Prophet Muhammad) "and the caretaker of the orphan shall enter paradise together like this (illustrating lifting his thumb and finger the Middle together) [the book of Sahih al - Bukhari]"

Another report as cited by [in Tabaraanee and as Silsilah as-Saheehah], the Prophet said "..."Be merciful with the orphan, pat his head and feed him on what he eats. This will soften their hearts and they allow you to get what you need.

There are other numerous Islamic teachings, verses in the Koranand the Hadith by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that strongly suggest the need to be very passionate to the poor and orphans in exchange for what promises of God (Alá) a lot of reward for Muslims.

Koran mentions to people of the book

(In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful all praise and thanks are due to Alá and peace and blessings be upon his Messenger)

The Holy Qur'an mentions a lot of stories about ancient civilizations and peoples who were subject to the messengers of Almighty Allah. These messengers wanted that these people to leave the evil ways of life and pay attention to the word of Almighty Allah, who ever hear no, before the wrath of the Almighty.

Among these messengers, some were blessed to carry the word of Almighty Allah in the form of a sacred book. Four heavenly books are descended from the heavens to guide humanity. Koran referred to followers of these messengers as the people of the book.

"Mankind was one single nation, and Alá sent messengers with glad tidings and warnings;" and with them they sent the book in truth to judge between people in matters that differed; but the people of the book, after the clear signs came to them did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contudo. Allah by his grace guided the believers to the truth concerning that they differed. "Alá guides that he will be a path that is straight." (Surah Al - Baqarah)

The people of the book is to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Christians received the Gospel (Bible), the Jews received the Torah, and Muslims received the sacred book of the Koran. But as Alá says in the Holy Qur'an that the people were not very receptive to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW), despite knowing he was truthful about the prophecies.

"Even if you were to bring together the people of the book all the signs (a) they do not continue your Qibla;" or are you going to follow their Qibla; or they will in fact continue to Qibla of the other. If you after that knowledge has come to it, were to follow his desiresâ?•then (in vain) you were done (clearly) wrong. "(Surah Al - Baqarah)"

Jews and Christians are not United among themselves even. They have different beliefs attributed to the manipulation that the reflexive believed that they could do at that time. Religious monopoly is something Almighty Alá prohibits greatly.

"The people of the book know as they know that their own children;" but some of them conceal the truth that they know. (Surah Al - Baqarah) (Qur'an online)

Almighty Allah even addresses others with verses like these and speaks of hiding the truth.

"Ye people of the book!" "Why wear the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while they have knowledge?" (Surah Aal-e-Imran)

Books like those who arrived before the Holy Qur'an contains the same teachings as does the Qur'an; only the Koran is most appropriate and concise and complete. Quran Online is a resource available on the internet from where one can learn to read and memorize the Koran over the Internet.

It may Allah guide us with the correct options and the correct information to succeed in this world and the next.

If you want to read more articles relating to Islam and the Koran, can be found here: http://www.online-quranreading.com/ is an Islamic school online that offers the Koran teaching of online services. The school also teaches the recitation of the Qur'an and the reading of the Quran with translation.

Los versos sobre los descreídos en el Corán

"And We have placed coverings on their hearts and a heaviness in their ears lest they understand it, and when you mention your Lord alone in the Quran they turn their backs in aversion". Quran Al-Isra [17:46]

Our prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to become very sad when the people used to refute the verses of the Quran. For the strengthening of his heart, Allah almighty revealed the following verse,

"Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe". Quran Al-Baqara [2:6]

However, this verse does not imply that the Muslims should not spread the word of Allah Almighty. This is because we cannot be sure that who among the masses is the person who is going to accept the truth and who has the heart, mind, and soul with locks. This is explained in the following verse of the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says in the Quran,

And that I should recite the Quran. Therefore whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes ' astray, then say: I am only one of the warners.Quran An-Naml [27:92]

So it is recommended for the Muslims to warn people. However, every Muslim should keep in mind that it is blatantly wrong according to Islam if they try to force someone to accept Islam.

The Quran also solaces the Muslims who have to face ridiculing or picking at by the non-Muslims if they try to spread the word of Allah. Allah almighty says in the Quran,

And when it is said to them (hypocrites): "Believe as the people (followers of Muhammad peace be upon him, Al-Ansâr and Al-Muhajirûn) have believed," they say: "Shall we believe as the fools have believed?" Verily, they are the fools, but they know not. QuranAl-Baqara [2:13]

The verse, mentioned above clearly implies that there is no reason for a Muslim to be disheartened if any non-Muslim picks at him.

Of course, the Quran is a divine guidance.This is the very reason why the Quran throws an open challenge to the people who do not believe in it. Allah almighty says in the Quran,

"And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our slave (Muhammad peace be upon him), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful". Quran Al-Baqara [2:23]

The Arabs were great linguistics in the times when Quran was revealed. In fact, they took deep pride in it. However, no nonbeliever among them was able to produce anything even near to the linguistic quality or content of the Quran.

If you want to read more Articles regarding to Islam and Quran you can find all here: Quran Recitation is an online Islamic School which offers Quran teaching services online. The school also teaches Quran Recitation and Quran Reading with Translation.