30 July 2010

Surah 2:106-138: Abrogation, proof, and Allah's coloring book

The section begins with a verse that contradicts itself.

Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. 2:106

Nothing in the Quran, not a singe verse, is wrong -- except for the verses that are wrong, that is. And Allah will replace them later with better verses.

There is some disagreement among Muslims about this abrogation thing. Did Allah fix earlier messed up verses in the Quran with better ones later on? Or is every verse in the Quran correct as is?

They all seem to agree, though, that when it comes to the Quran, later is better. Allah may have made some mistakes when he revealed the Quran to Muhammad, but if so, he corrected them as he went along. Allah is wise, all-knowing, careful.

Next Allah tells us a few things about the people of the Scriptures. The Jews and Christians know damn well that the Muslims are right, so they try to make Muslims disbelievers because they envy the truth that they know the Muslims have.

Many of the people of the Scripture long to make you disbelievers after your belief, through envy on their own account, after the truth hath become manifest unto them. 2:109a

Well, Allah says that's fine. Play nice with them until Allah tells you to get nasty.

Forgive and be indulgent (toward them) until Allah give command. 2:109b

But when they say that you must be a Christian or a Jew to go to heaven, ask them to prove it (and hope they don't ask you the same thing when you tell them that they must be Muslim to go to heaven).

They say: None entereth paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian. ...
Say: Bring your proof (of what ye state) if ye are truthful. 2:111

Beyond that, don't worry about it. Allah will make their lives miserable in this world and torture them forever after they die.

Theirs in the world is ignominy and theirs in the Hereafter is an awful doom. 2:114

And pay no attention to the know-nothings that ask Allah for a sign. (Or ask him to say something good, kind, decent, or reasonable in the Quran.)

And those who have no knowledge say: Why doth not Allah speak unto us, or some sign come unto us? 2:118a

Their hearts are all alike (they suck). Allah's revelations are clear to those that already believe that Allah's revelations are clear.

Their hearts are all alike. We have made clear the revelations for people who are sure. 2:118b

Allah will take care of the disbelievers later (by burning them forever in the Fire).

As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the doom of Fire - a hapless journey's end! 2:126

Meanwhile, remember that Muslims are colored by God. And who is better at coloring than Allah?

(We take our) colour from Allah, and who is better than Allah at colouring. 2:138

I give up. Who is better than Allah at coloring?


Bogging the Quran
Surah 2:139-158 -- Changing holy directions (qiblah)

10 comments:

Xaratherus said...

It still is sometimes surprising to me how every holy text that I've read relies on the same 'evidence' - that of circular logic and blind faith - in order to validate its veracity.

Of course, it really shouldn't surprise me. H.L. Mencken said it best: "The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind."

skanksta said...

I'm glad no one found any more ways to get saved..

Matthew Blanchette said...

Same here; just reading through that entire list once was enough... :-P

Nathan said...

I think Bob Ross might be better at coloring than Allah.

twillight said...

Well, my 4 year old little nephew is pretty good with colouring. Rly.

And I myself am pretty good playing Resident Evil 2. Finished To-Fu; Hunk for an A rank... Ok, maybe I never got anywhere an S rank, but who knows what the requirements are for that?

barriejohn said...

Hmmm...So Christians and Jews have to provide "proof" that theirs is the way to Heaven, but the Muslims just KNOW that their way is right without evidence, then! What absolutely illogical garbage!!

kat said...

abrogation----in this verse, the word "revelation" is ayah in arabic and also means "signs". The revelations/signs referred to here are the some verses of the Quran as well as some previous revelation (such as Torah, Zabur, Ingil....). For example, while Islam mostly folows Jewish law, there are some differences---in Halaka (Jewish law) the penalty for treason is death while in Islam, there is a choice in the penalty between exile or death.
There are also occassions in the Quran where the changes have been gradual---for example, rather than forbid alchohol outright, it was done over a period of time---because, as the Quran says---religion is not meant to be a burden. Some social changes are more effective when done over time than done abrubtly.

Unknown said...

The Bible is all there is. There is nothing else that came after that is as important. Don't believe me, just read Revelation 22:17-19.

Nathan said...

So the Bible is true because it says it's true? So does the Quran, so how do I know which one is right?

Unknown said...

To Nathan, read for yourself. Explore for your own spiritual fulfillment. Do not just take the word of others as truth, they may misinterpret or be misunderstood. Instead, search diligently on your own accord. The truth will be found. Love is out there. Truth and Love are one and the same.