25/06/2016

Peter Riddell

Prof P G Riddell 25/06/2016 1

Imagine that the books of the entire Bible

were ordered from the longest to the
shortest. How would that affect your reading
of the Bible from start to finish?

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Psalms 2526 Rev 404

Heb 303
Genesis 1533 Ezra 280
Jeremiah 1364 Esther 272
Isaiah 1291 2 Cor 256
Ecclesiastes 222
Numbers 1289 Zechariah 211
Ezekiel 1271 Hosea 197
Eph 155
Exodus 1213
Lamentations 154
Luke 1151 Gal 149
Matt 1071 Amos 146
Song of Solomon 117
Job 1068 1 Tim 113
Acts 1006 James 108
Deuteronomy 959 Micah 105
1 Peter 105
1 Chronicles 943 1 John 105
Proverbs 915 Phil 104
John 879 Col 95
1Thess 89
Leviticus 859 Ruth 85
2 Chronicles 821 2 Tim 83
1 Kings 817 Joel 73
2 Peter 61
1 Samuel 810 Habakkuk 56
2 Kings 719 Malachi 55
Zephaniah 53
2 Samuel 695
Jonah 48
Mark 678 Nahum 47
Joshua 658 2Thess 47
Titus 46
Judges 618
Haggai 38
Daniel 530 Phlm 25
1 Cor 437 Jude 25
Obadiah 21
Rom 433 3 John 15
Nehemiah 405 2 John 13 5

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When the [four] There is no compulsion

forbidden months are
over, wherever you
encounter the idolaters,
kill them, seize them,
besiege them, wait for
them at every lookout
post; but if they turn [to
God], maintain the
prayer, and pay the
prescribed alms, let them
go on their way, for God
is most forgiving and
merciful.
in religion: true
guidance has become
distinct from error, so
whoever rejects false
gods and believes in
God has grasped the
rmest hand-hold, one
that will never break.
God is all hearing and
all knowing.

Q9:5 Q2:256

Theodor Nldeke (1836-1930) identifies 3

Meccan phases and one Medinan
Allows for composite suras (e.g. 6, 8-12, 14,
15, 18, 31, 46 etc.)

Prolific online provision for dawa

The Noble Quran - quran.com
Quran Explorer -
www.quranexplorer.com/quran/
al-quran.info
www.qran.org
Promoted as An easy way to read and recite Quran
Quran Flash - www.quranflash.com
And many, many more sites

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A number of these sites offer the user the

option of adjusting the order of the Qurans
chapters
Between the standard (non-chronological) order
And an order that is claimed to represent the
chronological order of the chapters
NB Meccan & Medinan

Q53:1-12: Muh. stakes claim to authority as the Consolidating claims of the Messenger
Messenger of Allah
The Quran is nothing less than a revelation that is sent
Muhammad aligned with previous prophets
to him. [The Prophets] own heart did not distort what (21:41, 25:4-6)
he saw. Are you going to dispute with him what he saw Muhammad responds to the rejecters
with his own eyes?
Role of the Messenger is to call all to the Significant space devoted to reassuring
message of the revealed Quran Muhammad, as opposition built up
Sura 112 encapsulates the faith that Muhammad was
calling his audience to embrace: Say, He is God the One,
God the eternal. He begot no one nor was He begotten.
No one is comparable to Him.
repeatedly told to give warning to the unbelievers

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Continuing rejection triggers Messengers Role of Muh further clarified; increasingly

distress and warning:
(6:35) If you find rejection by the
disbelievers so hard to bear
Q45:7-8: Woe to every lying sinful person
who hears Gods revelations being recited to
him, yet persists in his arrogance as if he had
never heard them- Prophet bring him news of
a painful torment!
elevated in his position and authority
Q58: how believers should conduct themselves in
his presence
Obey God and His Messenger (4:59,69;
8:1,20,46; 24:52; 33:33; 49:14; 64:12).
Those who pledge loyalty to you [Prophet] are
actually pledging loyalty to God Himself (48:10)
We have prepared a blazing Fire for those who
do not believe in God and His Messenger
(48:13).

Role of Muh cont.

not to raise ones voice above his or your
[good] deeds may be cancelled out (49:2)
God and his messenger may make decisions
together which are to be undisputed (33:36)

Muhammads duty in this phase still pre- Role of Muh

jihad: Q9:81: True believers should join jihad
your only duty is to deliver the message Little tolerance for hypocrites
clearly (16:82; cf. 11:12; 13:7; 29:18; 35:23) hypocrites are liars (63:1)
This Book has been sent down to you
[Prophet]let there be no anxiety in your
heart because of itso that you may use it to
give warning and to remind the believers
(7:2)

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Doctrine of jihad through battles and wars
sura 8 (battle of Badr),
sura 47, sura 3 (battle of Badr and Uhud),
sura 59, sura 33 (Battle of the Trench),
sura 48, and sura 9 (preparations for the
expeditions to Tabuk)
These Suras describe the eternal punishment
of the wicked in Hell (55:43; 56:94; 78:21;
79:36,39; 83:16; 89:23; 96:18)
and the eternal reward of the righteous in
Gardens of bliss (56:12,89; 68:34;
70:35,37)(52:18; 69:22; 78:32; 85:11).
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Doctrine of jihad through battles and wars
Specific instructions:
believers can incur the wrath of God in hell if
they flee from a disbeliever while in battle (8:16);
struggling for Gods cause is listed as one
ingredient for inheriting Gods forgiveness (8:74);
there is a high rank and tremendous reward
for those who take part in striving in Gods way
(4:95-96);
while in battle, God does not protect those who
prayinstructions are given to have some stand
guard while others pray (4:101-103)
Pervasive apocalyptic tone of these Suras
Note wealth of synonyms for the Judgment
the Day of Judgment (1:4; 56:55; 74:46; 82:15;
83:11); the Judgment (51:6; 95:7; 107:1);
Judgement Day (51:12).
the Day of Resurrection (68:39; 75:1,6)
the promised Day (70:42; 85:2)
the imminent Hour (53:57)
the Great Event (69:15)
the Overwhelming Event (88:1)
the Crashing Blow (101:1-3)
the Day of Decision (77:13f,38; 78:17)
the Day of Truth (78:39).
a two-age apocalyptic framework:
the present life and the life to come (53:25).
Quite often the life of this world is
contrasted with the Hereafter (87:16-17).
Or this fleeting world is set against the life
to come (75:20-21).
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Judgment theme continues to be reinforced Judgment theme continues to be reinforced

throughout
In almost every sura there was reference to the Day
of Judgement (15:35; 26:82; 37:20; 38:78), the
Day of Decision (37:21; 44:40), the Day of
Reckoning (38:26,53), the Day of Remorse
(19:38), the Day of everlasting Life (50:34), etc.
warning disbelievers of coming judgment and hell
(54:6-8; 37:19-39; 71; 76:4; 44:10-16; 50:20-30;
20:15-16,74, 100-111; 26:90-104; 19:37-39, 97-
98; 38:14-17; 36:48-65; 43:65-67; 72:15, 23-28;
67:6-11; 23:63-67, 101-104; 21:29; 25:11-14,
26-29; 17:8, 18, 63, 97-99; 27:90; 18:29, 52, 106)
throughout
the Day of Resurrection (6:12; 7:32,167,172;
10:60,93; 11:98f; 16:25,27,92, 124;
28:41f,61,71f; 29:13,25; 30:56; 32:25; 35:14;
39:15,24,30,47,60,67; 41:40; 45:17,26; 46:5), or
simply the Day (6:73,128; 7:53; 10:28,45; 11:8;
14:44; 16:111; 28:62,74; 29:55; 34:40; 40:16,
32f,51f,78; 41:19,47; 46:20,34), also commonly
referred to as the Hour (6:31,40; 7:187; 30:14;
41:47,50; 42:18; 45:27,32), or the Last Hour
(12:107; 34:3; 42:17).

Judgment theme continues to be reinforced

throughout
the Last Day (2:8,62,126,177,228,232,264;
4:38f,59,136,162; 5:69; 9:18f,29,44f,99; 24:2;
58:22; 60:6; 65:2)
the Day (3:9,30,106; 5:109; 9:77; 22:2; 24:24,64;
33:66; 57:12f; 58:6,18)
a Day (2:48,281; 3:25; 5:119; 22:55; 66:8)
the Day of Resurrection (2:85,174,212,275;
3:55,77,161,180,185,194; 4:87,109,141,159;
5:36,64; 22:9,17,69; 58:7; 60:3)

Clearly delineates believers from unbelievers Who are the disbelievers?

Q56 categories ungrateful to God (Q100:6)
Best believers deny the truth
Ordinary believers amuse themselves with idle chatter
Disbelievers
thrust into the Fire of Hell (Q52:12,13)

Activity: Read Q 56 and discuss

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message that works without belief are Even Satan and false gods will renounce
fruitless (Q18:103-105) disbelievers on Judgement Day
Character of believer irreproachable They will take full responsibility for their
(Q25:63ff) unbelief and disobedience
Believers show gratitude to God; disbelievers
do not

Calls for unity among the believers (Q3:105;

98)
Introduces warnings for believers: urges them
not to buy the life of this world at the price
of the Hereafter. (Q2:86)

References to biblical characters:

Adam (20:115-123; 15:26-50; 17:61);

Just as previous prophets were rejected in the
Noah (54:9-15; 37:75-82; 71:1-28; 26:105-122; 23:23-30; past, so too is Muhammad rejected
21:76-77; 25:37);
Abraham (37:83-113; 26:69-89; 15:57-60; 19:41-50; 38:45 they all rejected the messengers and they
43:26; 21:51-70); were deservedly struck by My punishment.
Lot (54:33-40; 37:133-138; 26:160-175; 15:61-77; 21:71-75;
27:54-58); (Saad,14)
Ismail (19:54-55; 21:85)
Moses (37:114-122; 44:17-33; 20:9-98; 26:10-68; 19:51-53;
43:46-56; 23:45-49; 21:48-50; 25:35-36; 17:101-104);
Job (38:41-44; 21:83-84);
David and Solomon (38:17-26, 30-40; 21:78-82; 27:15-44);
Jonah (37:139-148; 21:87-88)
Zechariah (19:1-15; 21:89-90);
Mary and Jesus (19:16-34; 43:57-60; 23:50; 21:91);

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Resemblances increasingly drawn between Q
and older scriptures
Growing tension with increasing rejection of
Muhs message
For first time, Muhammad understands his
beliefs as a new religion
Positive Delineation: Islam as separate faith
Sura 2 speaks of direction of prayer (v.142-149),
fasting (v.183-187), fighting (v.190-194, 216-
218), pilgrimage (v.196-203), suffering (v.214-
215), gambling (v.219-220), orphans (v.220),
marriage with disbelievers (v.221), menstruation
(v.222), sex (v.223), taking oaths(v224-227),
divorce (v.228-232), breastfeeding (v.233),
widows (v.234), refugees (v.243), and giving
(v.261-281).
ceremonial cleanliness is addressed thoroughly
throughout. (Women, 43)
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This new religion replaces the old Scriptures; Q28:49;
Q39: 27-28
(Q45:16-19): We gave scripture, wisdom, and
prophethood to the Children of Israel; We provided
them with good things and favoured them above
others; We gave them clear proof in matters [of
religion]. They differed among themselves out of
mutual rivalry, only after knowledge came to them:
on the Day of Resurrection your Lord will judge
between them regarding their differences. Now We
have set you [Muhammad] on a clear religious path,
so follow it. Do not follow the desires of those who
lack [true] knowledgethey cannot help you against
God in any way.
Negative delineation: Views of Jews &
Christians less favourable
Messenger no longer appeals to J & C
Rather establishes practices that delineate M
from J & C
Q2:144: Qibla introduced
Q2:183: Ramadan
Q2:197: guidance on pilgrimage
Later Medinan verses give instructions on
eating, praying, other codes of conduct
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Views of Jews & Christians cont.
Q3:28 dont befriend J & C
Q3:69-75 People of Book cannot be trusted
Q9:29: Jizya set for PoB
Sura 5 (late Medinan)
[051] O ye who believe! take not the Jews and
the Christians for your friends and protectors:
They are but friends and protectors to each
other. And he amongst you that turns to them
(for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth
not a people unjust.
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Sura 87 (early Meccan)
[18] Verily, this is in the former Scriptures -
[19] The Scriptures of Ibrhm (Abraham) and
Msa (Moses) (peace be upon them).
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Should Christians read the Quran? Why/why
not?
What should Christians and Muslims do about
awkward verses in their respective texts?
How could the information in this lecture help
you in forming friendships with your Muslim
neighbours?
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