April 2007

1. DEAR ABE: Is the Quran able to be modified to fit the 21st century? If so what kind of changes would be applicable? --T.M. IN THE U.K.

DEAR T.M.: The Quran cannot be modified, but it does not need to be.  When we apply God’s guidance from within the Scripture, we can see there is neither a law nor a requirement that will overburden us.  Any incompatibility that we see between the religion and modern culture is caused by sources outside the Scripture. We see people in modern society who apply all kinds of “rules” that are not from the Quran, to their own discomfort (1).  Head to toe Burqa’s, death sentences for “apostates”, and many supplemental dietary restrictions are not from the Quran (2). When we utilize the Quran for guidance without employing additional sources outside the Scripture (3), God’s religion will “fit” into any culture at any point in time.

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 3:108, 22:78, 20:2, 2:185, 20:123, 27:72-73, 52:47;  [2] 6:114-115, 39:29, 2:256, 2:190, 9:31, 42:21, 45:6, 77:49-50, 4:119, 2:168-169, 3:93-94; [3] 17:46, Appendix 18 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

2. DEAR ABE: God tells us “Whosoever follows a religion other than Islam, this will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers” (3:85) How are we supposed to view Christians and Jews who are not in the Muslim brotherhood while honoring this verse?  How are we supposed to treat the apostate? --MOHANNAD, EGYPT

DEAR MOHANNAD: This verse 3:85, on many occasions, is not only extracted partially and taken out of context, but, just as in the above quote, is not adequately translated.  Here is an accurate version, from R. Khalifa’s English Quran translation: (3:85) “Anyone who accepts other than Submission as his religion, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the losers.”  Now it becomes clear that God is the judge in this verse, not us (1). Also, the Quran tells us there can be Submitter’s to God in any religion.  This is because Islam and Muslim are not names, but descriptions of those who choose to submit to God alone (2).  One thing for sure, we are not to aggress against others based on their religion (3).

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 22:17, 34:25-26, 6:57, 6:62, 10:109; [2] 2:62, 5:65, 5:69; [3] 22:69, 2:256, 2:190, 2:193, 5:87, 42:42.

3. DEAR ABE: In the Quran, verse 2:29, the sequence of creation is opposite to the way mentioned in verse 79:28-30.  Please justify this contradiction logically or philosophically. I will wait for your response if you really work for the realization of Truth. --FAZEELA, PAKISTAN

DEAR FAZEELA: It becomes clear that verses 79:28-30, when viewed in their collective grouping of verses 79:27-33, are emphasizing events involved in the Creation.  They are not just a sequential recollection of the Initiation. Thus, it says "He constructed it", and continues with aspects of the construction (1). Verse 2:29, just like similar verses 41:9-11, describe events from the creation, and are not simply a chronological sequencing of Initiation from the Big Bang onward. Specifically, it discusses the Earth and calculating its provisions (2). Also, keep in mind that the universe is still expanding, as confirmed through science and Quran verses (3); thus “perfecting seven universes” does not necessarily occur in one point of time like the Big Bang, or Judgment Day. There is no contradiction between these verses.

Relevant Quran Verses: [1]79:27-33; [2] 2:29, 41:9-11; [3] 51:47, 46:3, 21:104, 27:88, 39:67, Science@NASA: Is The Universe Expanding?, PBS.org: Hubble Finds Proof that the Universe is Expanding .

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