[zatronanec]

Salaam,

It all depends on the reader's intention.

[masterso]

That said I'm still amazed by the number of non-Muslims who turn to Islam just from reading these barebones literal translations.

Here are some crazy revert stories. And these are people who reverted to Islam just by reading the English translation!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KuPJSLn5cQ

[Eujacwta]

From what I have seen a very large number of reverts became Muslim after reading translations of the meanings of the Holy Qur'an into English.

These are mostly not ugly books and many, like Pickthall are translated in a beautiful way in which the meanings are given precedence over the words etc.

Some of the more ugly Salafi translations may be more likely to put someone off than attract them,

but at the end of the day if Allah wills it the reader's fitra will cause them to recognise the beauty of the Holy Qur'an even through these chunky bracketed texts.

[meridiasas]

Thank you Brothers for you input. I am glad to have your replies. I have noted the Suras that you have mentioned and hope to go back to your comments on them when I reach them in my reading, Inshallah.

To be honest, I am getting anxious about the size of the endeavor -- its a big and complex book. God help me.

[masterso]

Thank you Brothers for you input. I am glad to have your replies. I have noted the Suras that you have mentioned and hope to go back to your comments on them when I reach them in my reading, Inshallah.

To be honest, I am getting anxious about the size of the endeavor -- its a big and complex book. God help me.

Its 10 times shorter than the Bible.
I think that's one of the reasons why most Muslims have read the complete Qur'an (in translation, not Arabic) while Most Christians have NOT read the complete Bible.

[nursopoutaras]

Its 10 times shorter than the Bible.
I think that's one of the reasons why most Muslims have read the complete Qur'an (in translation, not Arabic) while Most Christians have NOT read the complete Bible.

I suppose Dear Christian Read Your Holy Bible could be good Dawah line except that a few unaware Muslims might be put off by this.

[Eujacwta]

I was going through some videos on youtube and I found an interesting claim by some Atheists that the best way to become an Atheist (assuming that you were Christian) would be -- to read the Bible cover to cover.

Now this claim is interesting because the Bible does have its weak points being a skewed and translated misinterpretation due to the years of people changing the original word of God. True enough.

But would this claim have an effect if somebody read (as in actually read to understand not recite it like a parrot) the Qur'an cover to cover? I am currently undertaking this endeavor because I believe this book is in fact the word of Allah. It will take me some time to finish the book, of course, especially since its not an easy read to say the least.

I wanted to inquire those of you who read (again, read not recite -- read with understanding of the words and meanings) the entire Qur'an cover to cover and your experience from doing so.

Were there parts that you found surprising? Unsettling? Inspiring?
Are there parts that challenged your faith in the book's Divinity, if any of course, and what were they?
What chapters made stand out as parts that make you stop and think?

I am interested in your experiences and look forward to your personal experiences.

If you are a Muslim its probably a very good idea for you to stop watching videos made by atheists on you tube.

[masterso]

I suppose Dear Christian Read Your Holy Bible could be good Dawah line except that a few unaware Muslims might be put off by this.

Im reading this comment over and over again, and still can't seem to grasp what your trying to say here, lol.
Rephrase please?

[Eujacwta]

Im reading this comment over and over again, and still can't seem to grasp what your trying to say here, lol.
Rephrase please?

lol sorry brother Maripat I am not sure what you meant by this either.

I think it is probably a light hearted comment based upon the fact that it would put them off Christianity and open them up for Islam

Either that or it is related to the silliness amongst the man-made additions to the Bible that are rather off-putting etc.

Or maybe it is talking about if you actually think about what the Bible itself says then you have something far more like Islam than what the Christians practice, therefore if they followed it they would be more like a Muslim and becoming a Muslim would be a smaller step for them than before.

but which of these it is I don't know.

[nursopoutaras]

I think it is probably a light hearted comment based upon the fact that it would put them off Christianity and open them up for Islam

Indeed that was it.
An atheist is hoping that when a Christian is reading the Bible he shall fall to his side.
A Muslim should think that when a Christian reads Bible he is looking for guidance and sonner or later will end up in Islam.

Sorry brothers - any inconvenience was purely accidental and incidental and it was not intended in the least bit. Profound apologies.

[Eujacwta]

Indeed that was it.
An atheist is hoping that when a Christian is reading the Bible he shall fall to his side.
A Muslim should think that when a Christian reads Bible he is looking for guidance and sonner or later will end up in Islam.

Sorry brothers - any inconvenience was purely accidental and incidental and it was not intended in the least bit. Profound apologies.

no worries brother, lol if I had to apologize for every time someone couldn't understand something I was trying to say I would be doing it all the time

[niemamczasu]

The Qur'an contains the most beautiful words in the world. Everything is clarified in the Qur'an.

Anyone who reads the Qur'an (cover to cover) and still is not convinced that the Qur'an is the word of God and that Islam is the only true path, must have serious issues.

[Eujacwta]

The Qur'an contains the most beautiful words in the world. Everything is clarified in the Qur'an.

Anyone who reads the Qur'an (cover to cover) and still is not convinced that the Qur'an is the word of God and that Islam is the only true path, must have serious issues.

this is very true, but disbelief itself is a serious type of confusion

many people who eventually become Muslims read it and at first reject it because it conflicts with some Humanist principles that they have been brought up to imagine are universal (it is part of their subconscious 'religion/deen' not to challenge these Humanist principles) or for other reasons.

but later many of these very same people come back to read the Divine text again and in this second approach to it they realize its Divine origin - and their issues tend to clear as they discuss them with believers, if they have not already.

Also though, their are some evil orientalist translations of the meanings of the Holy Qur'an into various languages that are in circulation and they very much distort the meanings of the Divine text to the extent that those reading them can get a very wrong impression of the religion - this is why Muslims have to speak out loudly against the orientalist translations - especially if they hear anyone arguing against Islam quoting from them.

[PriniMai]

The Qur'an contains the most beautiful words in the world. Everything is clarified in the Qur'an.

Anyone who reads the Qur'an (cover to cover) and still is not convinced that the Qur'an is the word of God and that Islam is the only true path, must have serious issues.

Except that most people can't read arabic. In english it isn't that impressive, you only get tiny gleams of what it actually means. And without any background knowledge of the subject, none of it will make sense or seem very impressive.

It is poetry, so it works based on using poetic and rhetorical devices that are specific to arabic. And english is not a poetic language at all.

[meridiasas]

If you are a Muslim its probably a very good idea for you to stop watching videos made by atheists on you tube.

I watch videos made by both Muslims, Christians, and Atheists --- I call each on their lies and false claims and give credit to each for any truth they speak. Just a matter of concentrating on the truth rather than what you want to be the truth which blocks you from seeing the real truth (this illness is mentioned in the Quran about people that see the truth but are unable to believe).

[sam]

I watch videos made by both Muslims, Christians, and Atheists --- I call each on their lies and false claims and give credit to each for any truth they speak. Just a matter of concentrating on the truth rather than what you want to be the truth which blocks you from seeing the real truth (this illness is mentioned in the Quran about people that see the truth but are unable to believe).

When I was in the process of converting to Islam, after years of childhood bible studies, I went off into the mountains by myself and read the Bible ( and other books too). Sitting on mountains and reading the Bible in the American southwest without distractions was a powerful, enlightening experience. But most important it openly my heart to belief in monotheism and the Creator was the real issue.

I found myself simply rejecting verses which contradicted the natural reality in front of me. The reality is creation itself is excellent but dependent, and the Creator would need to be independent, utterly beyond perfection, and certainly above the flaws attributed to him in the Bible.
I knew from my previous studies that the Bible made irrational claims against the Creator.
In fact, one can read in the Bible that its transcribers admit to "interpreting" stories, much like a biased politican would misinterpret a political event to suit his agenda. Ultimately, I established a belief in the oneness of the Creator, but by having to reject some aspects of the Bible (God turns into a man and is wrestled to defeat? I think not- audhubillah), I sought out a clear way to worship only the Creator and showed Him to be Independent, All Powerful.

The Bible has elements of truth in it and introduces humanity to a form of Tawheed which humanity might otherwise not know.
Most people don't think profoundly about the Creator. They just go about their lives and accept culture and traditions of their families.

Hindus and Buddhists have NO concept of a singular all Powerful, Beneficient, Lord of all the Worlds Who is unlike man or creation.
In fact, they and other mushirk nations have concepts of a 'major god', aka a "Great Spirit", the "primary god". However, they have other godlike figures who intercede and intervene between people and that "Great Spirit". And these shirk beliefs tend to focus on the lesser gods as animal spirits, or ancestors, or mythical gods, etc.

The Japanese follow Shintoism which recognizes a major "god", but focusses on daily life through worship and intercession of various lesser gods, ghosts, spirits, ancestors, etc. Native American 'indigenous peoples' also recognize a "Great Spirit" major "god", but they too do the same thing- focus on animal spirits, dream figures, ancestors, etc. Hinduism claims a major "god", but of course focus on minor gods including animals.
Greek and Roman mythology is heavily referenced in modern Western culture such that many children know of Greek gods through cartoons and TV shows. Zeus is seen as a major "god", but the lesser gods intervene and intercede daily.

The real issue is establishing awareness of the One True God who is above imperfection, Who is utterly Independent. Only the Holy Quran establishes this.

The struggle is to guide people to think profoundly about life, rather than succumb to prejudices, weaknesses, and failings which keep them in kufr.

And Allah knows best.

[nursopoutaras]

I watch videos made by both Muslims, Christians, and Atheists --- I call each on their lies and false claims and give credit to each for any truth they speak.

Is that Islam?
Didn't Allah (SWT) told us that believers are soft on other believers and tough on disbelievers?

[masterso]

When I was in the process of converting to Islam, after years of childhood bible studies, I went off into the mountains by myself and read the Bible ( and other books too). Sitting on mountains and reading the Bible in the American southwest without distractions was a powerful, enlightening experience. But most important it openly my heart to belief in monotheism and the Creator was the real issue.

I found myself simply rejecting verses which contradicted the natural reality in front of me. The reality is creation itself is excellent but dependent, and the Creator would need to be independent, utterly beyond perfection, and certainly above the flaws attributed to him in the Bible.
I knew from my previous studies that the Bible made irrational claims against the Creator.
In fact, one can read in the Bible that its transcribers admit to "interpreting" stories, much like a biased politican would misinterpret a political event to suit his agenda. Ultimately, I established a belief in the oneness of the Creator, but by having to reject some aspects of the Bible (God turns into a man and is wrestled to defeat? I think not- audhubillah), I sought out a clear way to worship only the Creator and showed Him to be Independent, All Powerful.

The Bible has elements of truth in it and introduces humanity to a form of Tawheed which humanity might otherwise not know.
Most people don't think profoundly about the Creator. They just go about their lives and accept culture and traditions of their families.

Hindus and Buddhists have NO concept of a singular all Powerful, Beneficient, Lord of all the Worlds Who is unlike man or creation.
In fact, they and other mushirk nations have concepts of a 'major god', aka a "Great Spirit", the "primary god". However, they have other godlike figures who intercede and intervene between people and that "Great Spirit". And these shirk beliefs tend to focus on the lesser gods as animal spirits, or ancestors, or mythical gods, etc.

The Japanese follow Shintoism which recognizes a major "god", but focusses on daily life through worship and intercession of various lesser gods, ghosts, spirits, ancestors, etc. Native American 'indigenous peoples' also recognize a "Great Spirit" major "god", but they too do the same thing- focus on animal spirits, dream figures, ancestors, etc. Hinduism claims a major "god", but of course focus on minor gods including animals.
Greek and Roman mythology is heavily referenced in modern Western culture such that many children know of Greek gods through cartoons and TV shows. Zeus is seen as a major "god", but the lesser gods intervene and intercede daily.

The real issue is establishing awareness of the One True God who is above imperfection, Who is utterly Independent. Only the Holy Quran establishes this.

The struggle is to guide people to think profoundly about life, rather than succumb to prejudices, weaknesses, and failings which keep them in kufr.

And Allah knows best.

Very well said, akhi.

[meridiasas]

Is that Islam?
Didn't Allah (SWT) told us that believers are soft on other believers and tough on disbelievers?

If the Prophet Mohammed himself made things up Allah says he would have cut off his right artery --- Calling out a "believer" on his false claims should never be "soft", as it is spreading falsehoods in the name of Allah and Islam. Calling out a non-believer on his false claims is equally important, but at least he/she is not spreading the falsehoods "in the name of Islam".

STOPPING the spread of FALSE belief --- Is Islam.

[meridiasas]

When I was in the process of converting to Islam, after years of childhood bible studies, I went off into the mountains by myself and read the Bible ( and other books too). Sitting on mountains and reading the Bible in the American southwest without distractions was a powerful, enlightening experience. But most important it openly my heart to belief in monotheism and the Creator was the real issue.

I found myself simply rejecting verses which contradicted the natural reality in front of me. The reality is creation itself is excellent but dependent, and the Creator would need to be independent, utterly beyond perfection, and certainly above the flaws attributed to him in the Bible.
I knew from my previous studies that the Bible made irrational claims against the Creator.
In fact, one can read in the Bible that its transcribers admit to "interpreting" stories, much like a biased politican would misinterpret a political event to suit his agenda. Ultimately, I established a belief in the oneness of the Creator, but by having to reject some aspects of the Bible (God turns into a man and is wrestled to defeat? I think not- audhubillah), I sought out a clear way to worship only the Creator and showed Him to be Independent, All Powerful.

The Bible has elements of truth in it and introduces humanity to a form of Tawheed which humanity might otherwise not know.
Most people don't think profoundly about the Creator. They just go about their lives and accept culture and traditions of their families.

Hindus and Buddhists have NO concept of a singular all Powerful, Beneficient, Lord of all the Worlds Who is unlike man or creation.
In fact, they and other mushirk nations have concepts of a 'major god', aka a "Great Spirit", the "primary god". However, they have other godlike figures who intercede and intervene between people and that "Great Spirit". And these shirk beliefs tend to focus on the lesser gods as animal spirits, or ancestors, or mythical gods, etc.

The Japanese follow Shintoism which recognizes a major "god", but focusses on daily life through worship and intercession of various lesser gods, ghosts, spirits, ancestors, etc. Native American 'indigenous peoples' also recognize a "Great Spirit" major "god", but they too do the same thing- focus on animal spirits, dream figures, ancestors, etc. Hinduism claims a major "god", but of course focus on minor gods including animals.
Greek and Roman mythology is heavily referenced in modern Western culture such that many children know of Greek gods through cartoons and TV shows. Zeus is seen as a major "god", but the lesser gods intervene and intercede daily.

The real issue is establishing awareness of the One True God who is above imperfection, Who is utterly Independent. Only the Holy Quran establishes this.

The struggle is to guide people to think profoundly about life, rather than succumb to prejudices, weaknesses, and failings which keep them in kufr.

And Allah knows best.

Thank you for sharing these thoughts -- Very nice overview of the religious peoples of the world that I will use.