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