Finished “Surah 3 Al Imran” or more easily said: The family of Imran
“The Family of Imran or Surat Āl ʻImrān (Arabic: سورة آل عمران)[1] is the third chapter of the Quran with two hundred verses. Imran in Islam is regarded as the father of Maryam. This chapter is named after the family Imran, which includes Imran (Joachim), Saint Anne, Mary, and Isa (Jesus). The chapter is believed to have been revealed in Medinaand is either the second or third Medinan surah as it engages both the Battle of Badr in its first section and the battle of Uhud at its end.”
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Imran)
So, in my understanding (correct me if i'm wrong) Imran is the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I also did some digging, and found out that there is a chapter for Mary later in the book, and the Quran does refer to Mary/Maryam more than the new testament does.
Surah 3, does mention Maryam, but does not “evolve” around her per se.
I have a lot of verses I want to share, and some thoughts which I would very much like to get some wisdom or opinions on by you, the reader. It would be interesting to get a perspective from a muslim, other believer, or someone with some sort of religious and/or philosophical background. But of course, all opinions and contributions are appreciated.
My thoughts will be under the quotes.
Like my last post, I´ll separate the verses that hangs together ( verse 10 - 13) from those who stand alone ( verse 19)
Here are the quotes as written in my translated version of the Quran:
Surah 3 Al Imran
Section 2
10: Those who reject Faith - neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: they are themselves but fuel for the Fire
11: (Their plight will be) no better than that of the people of Pharaoh, and their predecessors: they denied Our Signs, and Allah called them to account for their sins, for Allah is strict in punishment
12: Say to those who reject Faith: ´Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together and driven into Hell - an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!
19: The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will): nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the signs of Allah, Allah is swift in account
Section 4
31: Say: If ye do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.´ 32: Say:Obey Allah and His Prophet´ : but if they turn back, Allah loveth not those who reject Faith.
Section 5
45: Behold, the angels said: ´O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;
46: ´He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous. ´
48:´And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel,
49:´And (appoint him) a messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): “I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Alla´s leave: and i heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah´s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe
52: When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: ´Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?` Said the disciples: “We are Allah´s helpers: we believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
Section 6
55: Behold, Allah said: O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute 56:As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help
59: The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: `Be´ : and he was.
60: The Truth (comes) from Allah alone; so be not of those who doubt
67: Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah´s (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.
69: It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray (not you), but themselves, and they do not perceive!
77: As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own plighted word for a small price, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter: nor will allah (deign to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will he cleanse them (of sin): They shall have a grievous penalty.
83: Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah? - while all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (accepted Islam) , and to Him shall they all be brought back.
85: If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).
86: How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that Clear Signs had come unto them? And Allah guides not a people unjust
87:Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the curse of Allah, of His angels, and of all mankind;
89: Except for those that repent (even) after that, and make amends; for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Section 11
102: O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state - of Islam
Section 12
116: Those who reject Faith - neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against Allah: they will be Companions of the Fire - dwelling therein (for ever).
Section 14
134: Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good;
141: Allah´s object also is to purge those that are true in Faith and to deprive of blessing those that resist Faith
Section 15
144: Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, would ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm would he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) would swiftly reward those who (served Him) with gratitude.
Section 16
149: O ye who believe! If ye obey the unbelievers, They will drive you back on your heels, and ye will turn back (from Faith) to your own loss.
Section 18
176: Let not those grieve thee who rush headlong into unbelief: not the least harm will they do to Allah: Allah´s Plan is that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter, but a severe punishment.
Section 19
185: Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.
186: Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil - then that will be a determining factor in all affairs
Section 20
198: On the other hand, for those who fear their Lord, are Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath; therein are they to dwell (for ever) - a gift from the presence of Allah; and that which is in the presence of Allah is the best (bliss) for the righteous.
Feeww, that was a lot to typing. Ok, so here are my thoughts:
I am no way near to finishing the book, so please take this into consideration. I am kind of surprised how much the book evolves around fear. You should fear Allah, and you should fear the grievous punishment that awaits for the unbelievers. I have always thought (may be a delusion) that Christianity focus more on “god loves you” and you should not fear god, rather follow him out of your love and devotion. I do not have this same impression after reading the three first verses of Islam. Now, I can be mistaken about Christianity and of course the Priests whom i've listen to may speak a very soft version of the new testament. I guess someone can comment on this, but i will get the answer when i'm reading the New testament later. So, potential muslim readers, do you devote yourselves and your lives to Islam out of fear of Allah and the potential punishment? Or out of love? or a little of both?
Another thing that keeps coming to my mind is this. Are the act of not believing in Allah evil in itself? Can you be an unbeliever but still a good person? I am asking cause the Quran mentions constantly that Allah loves good acts, and will lead you away from evil. But it also severely threaten me, and others who does not believe. It also says Allah is most merciful and “oft-forgiving”. But as i previously mentioned, the punishment of rejecting faith is to be “fuel to the fire”. Does this mean that Allah is most merciful, but can not forgive us not believing in him? What is best? Believing in Allah, but constantly breaking all his laws as stated in the Quran? or not believing in Allah, but unknowingly following his laws or in general living a life with only good deeds?
The reason i give these oppositions is because being good, is not the same as having faith, something I hope we all can agree on. Is the belief in itself so important that it blatantly overthrow everything else on the latter of importance? And if so, is the punishment of eternal fire justifiable?
I took many of the quotes about Mary and Jesus mostly cause I think many who read this are either Christian, or read this with a better knowledge of Christianity than Islam, and I would appreciate if you share some of the differences in the new testament and the verses i stated. For the moment this can be hard since it's only a few quotes, but there will be more on Mary and Jesus in later posts as well :)
"http://weheartit.com/mybeautyishijab/collections/24330521-al-quran?page=3&before=53081065"
I hope you enjoyed the post
Later!