The Holy Qur'an

(7th c. CE)

1955. The Koran Interpreted. Translated by Arthur J. Arberry. London: George Allen and Unwin.

The religion of Islam was revealed to an Arabian merchant named Muhammad in 610 C.E. Within about twenty years, by the time of Muhammad's death in 632, the religion was on firm footing within the Arabian Peninsula. The next few decades would see Islam spread quickly into Egypt and North Africa, as well as into the Middle East.

Shortly after Muhammad's death, in the 650s, an "official" version of God's words to Muhammad, as well as Muhammad's sayings, was written down. The Qu'ran is a document much like the Judeo-Christian Old Testament, containing the mythos of the religion, as well as its basic tenets and practices. Not surprisingly, given the influence of both Judaism and Christianity (or perhaps because, as some scholars suggest, the supreme God in each is actually the same being), there are many things that the three religions share in common. The following excerpt not only discusses some of the basic beliefs of Islam, but also illustrates some of the similarities between these three monotheistic religions.

Those unbelievers of the People of the Book

and the idolaters wish not that any good

should be sent down upon you from your

Lord;

but God singles out for His mercy whom he

will;

God is of bounty abounding. . . .

Many of the People of the Book wish they

might

restore you as unbelievers, after you have

believed,

in the jealousy of their souls, after the truth

has become clear to them; yet do you pardon

and be forgiving, till God brings His

command;

truly God is powerful over everything.

And perform the prayer, and pay the alms;

whatever good you shall forward to your souls'

account,

you shall find it with God; assuredly God

sees the things you do.

And they say, "None shall enter Paradise

except that they be Jews or Christians."

Such are their fancies. Say: "Produce your

proof, if you speak truly."

Nay, but whosoever submits his will to God,

being a good-doer, his wage is with his Lord,

and no fear shall be on them, neither shall

they sorrow.

The Jews say, "The Christians stand not on

anything";

the Christians say, "The Jews stand not on

anything";

yet they recite the Book. So too the ignorant

say the like of them. God shall decide

between them on the Day of Resurrection

touching their differences.

And who does greater evil than he who bars

God's places of worship, so that His Name

be not rehearsed in them, and strives to

destroy them?

Such men might never enter them, save in

fear; for them is degradation in the present world,

and in the world to come a mighty

chastisement.

To God belong the East and the West;

whithersoever you turn, there is the

Face of God;

God is All-embracing, All-knowing. . . .

Children of Israel, remember My blessing

wherewith I blessed you, and that I have

preferred you above all beings. . . .

And when his Lord tested Abraham

with certain words, and he fulfilled them.

He said, "Behold, I make you a leader

for the people." Said he, "And of my seed?"

He said "My covenant shall not reach

the evildoers."

And when We appointed the House to be

a place of visitation for the people,

and a sanctuary,

and: "Take to yourselves Abraham's station

for a place of prayer." And We made covenant

with Abraham and Ishmael, "Purify

My House for those that shall go about it

and those that cleave to it, to those who bow

and prostrate themselves." . . .

When his Lord said to him, "Surrender,"

he said, "I have surrendered me to

the Lord of all Being."

And Abraham charged his sons with this

and Jacob likewise: My sons, God has

chosen for you the religion;

see that you die not

save in surrender."

Why, were you witnesses, when death came

to Jacob? When he said to his sons,

"What will you serve after me?" They said,

"We will serve thy God and the God of thy

fathers

Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac, One God;

to Him we surrender."

That is a nation that has passed away;

there awaits them that they have earned,

and there awaits you that you have earned;

you shall not be questioned concerning

the things they did.

And they say, "Be Jews or Christians and

you shall be guided." Say thou: "Nay, rather

the creed of Abraham, a man of pure faith;

he was no idolater."

Say you: "We believe in God, and

in that which has been sent down on us

and sent down on Abraham, Ishmael,

Isaac and Jacob, and the Tribes,

and that which was given to Moses and Jesus

and the Prophets, of their Lord; we

make no division between any of them, and

to Him we surrender."

And if they believe in the like of that you

believe in, then they are truly guided; but if

they turn away, then they are clearly in

schism,

God will suffice you for them; He is

the All-hearing, the All-knowing;

the baptism of God; and who is there

that baptizes fairer than God?

Him we are serving.

Say: "Would you then dispute with us

concerning God, who is our Lord

and your Lord? Our deeds belong to us,

and to you belong your deeds; Him

we serve sincerely. . . . "

It is not piety, that you turn your faces

to the East and to the West.

True piety is this:

to believe in God, and the Last Day,

the angels, the Book, and the Prophets,

to give of one's substance, however cherished,

to kinsmen, and orphans,

the needy, the traveler, beggars,

and to ransom the slave,

to perform the prayer, to pay the alms.

And they who fulfill their covenant

when they have engaged in a covenant,

and endure with fortitude

misfortune, hardship, and peril,

these are they who are true in their faith,

these are the truly godfearing. . . .

O believers, prescribed for you is

the Fast, even as it was prescribed for

those that were before you -- haply you

will be godfearing --

for days numbered; and if any of you

be sick, or if he be on a journey,

then a number of other days. . . .

And fight in the way of God with those

who fight with you, but aggress not: God

loves not the aggressors.

And slay them wherever you come upon them,

and expel them from where they expelled you;

persecution is more grievous than slaying.

But fight them not by the Holy Mosque

until they should fight you there;

then, if they fight you, slay them --

such is the recompense of unbelievers --

but if they give over, surely God is

All-forgiving, All-compassionate.

Fight them, till there is no persecution

and the religion is God's; then if they

give over, there shall be no enmity

save for evildoers.

The holy month for the holy month;

holy things demand retaliation.

Whoso commits aggression against you,

do you commit aggression against him

like as he has committed against you;

and fear you God, and know that God is

with the godfearing.

And expend in the way of God;

and cast not yourselves by your own hands

into destruction, but be good-doers; God

loves the good-doers.

Fulfill the Pilgrimage and the Visitation

unto God; but if you are prevented,

then such offering as may be feasible. . . .

And when you have performed your holy rites

remember God, as you remember your fathers

or yet more devoutly. . . .

God

there is no god but He, the

Living, the Everlasting.

Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep;

to Him belongs

all that is in the heavens and the earth.

Who is there that shall intercede with Him

save by his leave?

He knows what lies before them and

what is after them,

and they comprehend not anything of

His knowledge save such as He

wills.

His Throne comprises the heavens and

earth;

the preserving of them oppresses Him not;

He is the All-high, the All-glorious.

No compulsion is there in religion.

Rectitude has become clear from error.

So whosoever disbelieves in idols

and believes in God, has laid hold of

the most firm handle, unbreaking; God is

All-hearing, All-knowing.

God is the Protector of the believers;

He brings them forth from the shadows

into the light. . . .

Those who believe and do deeds of

righteousness,

and perform the prayer, and pay the alms --

their wage awaits them with their Lord,

and no fear shall be on them, neither shall

they sorrow. . . .

God charges no soul save to its capacity;

standing to its account is what it has earned,

and against its account what it has merited.

Our Lord,

take us not to task

if we forget, or make mistake.

Our Lord,

charge us not with a load such

as Thou didst lay upon those before us.

Our Lord,

do Thou not burden us

beyond what we have the strength to bear.

And pardon us,

and forgive us,

and have mercy on us;

Thou art our Protector.

And help us against the people

of the unbelievers.

Glossary

Jews and Christians, who, like the Muslims, rely on their own sacred scripture as the word of God.