Out of Sight, out of mind!

Submitted by Salah Ali (Norway), Jul 1, 2009 at 04:15

You are welcome to post comments. It fills my time with useful discussion and may as well remove illusions and misunderstanding inside our minds as well as in the body of knowledge we have had till this moment. I have read the verses you quoted. Unfortunately, they are cut out of their context. Every example you have provided has its interprtation, historical reference, and context. To take out sentence (in this case verses) out of their context is incorrect both logically and epistimologically. Both Arabic and the Qur'an are context-bound, i.e. context is important to understand the message. unlike English where what you want to say is there in language, i. e. Language in English equals thought. Moreover, Arabic is highly metaphoric. Take the dog simile for example...All animal metaphors are used in the Qur'an to bring to the hearers a thought. A dog as we all know pants and lolls its tongue whether it is quiet or active, and the reference is both general and specific: General in comparing the unbelievers who choose to stick to earth as a representative of chthonic creatures as snakes and reptiles and mundane desire to a dog in contrast to heavenly will that is elevated above primitivism and darkness.

Specific, the reference is not definite but some say it is to some Oldtestament figure who betrayed Joshua, some say it is to Ummiya ibn Abi As-Salt who believed in Hannafi creed but was hesitant to convert to Islam. There is also, the case of translation: Much of the meaning of the Qur'an is not clear in translations. I usually combine M. M. Pickthall with Yousef Ali and Sale to bring an idea clear to non-Arab Moslems. There is also the King Fahd standard translation. My point is that it is both objective and logical to consult context. I really feel sad that my Western colleagues misunderstand much of the Qur'an and take verses out of context to criticise Moslems and Moslem societies. But tell me are quarter of mankind all ignorant or not discerning in embracing Islam.

Why you install hatred and difference through ignorance of the cultural other. We cannnot reach a common ground if we leave dialogue and discussion. The strength and validity of Islam is in its ethics which have been made our family ethics. It is sheer injustice to take the exception for the rule. The mahority od Moslems are peace loving people. We are not Khaligi sheikhs all of us and we are not Wahabbis like some who interpret Islam as a religion of the sword only. It is a religion of cleanliness and integrity. We believe in the principle of word and we do not betray friendship. It is also wrong to confound Arab-Moslems with Persians and Turks as some orientalists who imaged Islam as a religion of desire for the young. I see your internet : There are some ten thousands sites on sex and pornography which leaves no margin for men and women dignity. Man is reduced to a sexual machine, woman (young and old) into prostitutes. But, can't you see I am wrong if I generalize this on the West. Of course, there are Universities, Churches and Justice in the West. The light of Christianity shone from the East on Europe creating cathedrals and the name of God is highly placed. So why as the Holy Qur'an says: let's come to a common meeting ground of understanding.. We can exchange views, leave pride and seek friendship. If justice is the principle sought by all religion, then justice is a common ground. But i end my comment by insisting on you not to strip verses out of their contexts.. We are not going to fight or displace one another as the Jews now displacing the Palestinians. both the USA and Israel have created hatred and violence and it is by noving away from the golden rule of hustice.It is a common sense indeed to talk and discuss everything and I invite you to straightforward and brave dialogue..on everything..

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