21-
Quran can be interpreted in different ways and each person can grasp
something from it based on his own understanding and capacity. This is
the beauty of Quran.
Is it good to be able to
interpret a book of guidance that claims to be from God in different
ways? What is the purpose of a book of guidance? Isn’t it to guide us
definitely and without equivocations? Divine books are supposed to be
roadmaps for humanity. They have to show you the way and be consistent.
What if a map shows that your destination is to the right, and to the
left, to the north and to the south and to all directions? Such a map is
of no use at all. It is misguiding and pointless. The reason we consult
a map is to get the clear idea which route to take. If we had to
interpret it according to our own understanding, the map has failed to
do what it purports.
It is true that Quran is written in a
way that each person can interpret it according to his own
understanding, whims, inclinations and caprices. A tolerant Muslim may
be attracted to the earlier verses of Quran when Muhammad had no power
and spoke good words like: "Speak good to men..." (2:
83) "To you be your religion, and to me my religion" (109:
6) and "There is no compulsion in religion"(2:256).
But a bigot who has a sadistic predisposition will give emphasis to the
violent verses of Quran that were revealed when the Prophet became
powerful and need no more “speak good to men” or ask them to be
tolerant to him letting him practice his religion. So his tone changed
and he revealed violent verses like these: “Fight them on until
there is no more tumult and religion becomes that of Allah” (2:
193), "Whoso desires another religion than Islam, it
shall not be accepted of him; in the next world he shall be among the
losers."(3:
85)
Quran is full of these contradictions
and discrepancies. Each person can pick and choose what he wishes. A
pious person will lead a pious life and will see the good things in
Quran, while a terrorist can also find justification of his killings in
that holy book.
During the 23 years of his prophetic
life, the Prophet was catapulted from rags to riches. This dramatic
change affected his mood and teachings. Once a forbearing preacher and a
lonesome warner, turned into an intolerant despot. He was no more
sermonizing or "speaking good to men" or being “patient with
what they say, and part from them courteously" (73:
10), but was howling for killing and screaming for blood. He called
his followers to “Murder those of the disbelievers and let them find
harshness in” them (9:
123).
Therefore it is true that each person
can find in Quran something that would validate his own proclivity. This
is not a “miracle” of Quran but its biggest flaw.
Back to FAQ
|