It’s September 9 again. Welcome to the second Blog a Koran Day, an opportunity for non-Muslim bloggers to blog a short passage from the Koran.
I am writing this from Turkey where I took my family to visit The Blue Mosque a few days ago in Istanbul.
Here is my passage from the Koran:
And recall Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were resourceful, and with vision.
We had chosen them to enforce awareness of the Hereafter.
And they are with Us of the elite, the best.
Not much comment to add. Jacob is mentioned 16 times in the Koran but never as wrestling an angel or deceiving his brother. And no mention of the ladder. But Jacob is taught as God’s servant, prophet and leader who was submissive to God.
That was the reasoning about Us, which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will, degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge.
We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) guided: and before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good:
Last year’s Blog a Koran is here. Let me know when your post is up with a comment below. We are doing these on the blogs and not Facebook so that they are more accessible to our friends and cousins around the world.
Also, I bought a book yesterday by Carl Medaris called Speaking of Jesus: The Art of Not-Evangelism
More blog resources are at Idiot’s Guide to Islam, Guardian, The Koran Blogspot. Suggestions for more links?
I have never read the Koran, but I have heard debates between Christians and Muslims where Christians were called polytheists due to our belief in the Trinity.
Yet both of the passages you quote use the plural to refer to God. Is this an example of the “Royal We” or is it something else?
Then, in their wake [meaning Noah and Abraham]
We followed them up
With (others of) Our messengers:
We sent after them
Jesus the son of Mary,
and bestowed on him
The Gospel; and We ordained
In the hearts of those
Who followed him
Compassion and Mercy. (S.57, A.27)
Though Islam does not accept Jesus as the Son of God, this quote shows the fundamental respect for him in the Koran.
My contribution is here- http://thisfragiletent.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/blog-the-koran-day-on-women/
Cheers
Chris
My post is here: http://nearemmaus.com/2011/09/11/blog-a-quran-day/
thanks guys
I look forward to your thoughts on Carl Medearis’s book – I think it could be a game-changer. He posts some interesting reflections on his blog: http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog
I also acquired Speaking of Jesus just after you noted on your blog here. I had it sent to me here in Livingstone, Zambia. I used Better World Books (free international shipping).
I really was encouraged by Carl’s down to earthy-ness and thoughts about following Jesus. Brilliant.
You might be interested in my review at http://www.readingtheology.com
Thanks Andrew for the heads up on the book : )