[Islam] 12 - The contents of the Qur'an: Mankind

[Cat of Ulthar]

12 – The contents of the Qur’an: Mankind

Man is one of the best creations of God. He has senses, intellect, therefore he rules the earth. Iblis (probably derived from Greek diabolos) is like the Fallen Angel of Christian tradition, except that he is not an angel but a jinni. The rest of the story is similar though: God gives Man supremacy over the earth, the angels complain that he honours Man thus when they are way better, God says they should not interfere with his business because he knows best, and to prove, he lets Man repeat all the names of his creation that he taught him, and that the angels do not know. They all agree to God’s wisdom and bow to Adam, except for Iblis.

All positive qualities Man possesses are given to him by God. However the bad qualities are inside himself. Man is lazy and tends to take the easiest road, he is ungrateful and disobedient. This causes decay and violence.

What are the duties of Man on earth?
Devote your belief and worship completely to God
Take no other Gods
Don’t state stuff about God you don’t know about.
Let yourself be led by God, not by Satan who will try to lead you astray
Be just
Don’t behave unjustly or violently
Don’t commit fornication
God does not demand total abstinence of good stuff, like Christianity does. You may drink and feast, but keep your wits and do it responsibly, keep your mind on God and your fellow humans. This last point however is contradicted by verses which are more ascetic.
Keep God foremost in your mind. Be ware of hubris caused by material gain or children. Don’t let yourself be tempted by Satan.
Give alms, this too is an act of worshipping God.
Be truly sorry when you have wronged anyone.

How does God behave towards Mankind?
The duties God gave to the first humans are still valid. This is the original pact. When mankind started out God closed this pact with all men who would ever live.
However, man fucked up big time right from the start: Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and their descendants act not much better. God on the other hand, is constantly merciful. He sends prophets to remind men of what the deal is and that they really should mind their duties towards God, trying to get man back on the straight and narrow. But man continues to be headstrong. Muhammad is the last Prophet, from then on history is no longer cyclic but linear. This is it, the last chance for man. Listen to this prophet because there won’t be another one ever.
This means that Jews and Christians really should follow Muhammad too. But he cannot force them.

God has ordained men should die, and thus end their life on earth, their trial. The believers will be taken from their graves on judgement day and taken to be with God before the world is destroyed.

[Darkfire]

God does not demand total abstinence of good stuff, like Christianity does. You may drink and feast, but keep your wits and do it responsibly, keep your mind on God and your fellow humans. This last point however is contradicted by verses which are more ascetic.


I would say it isn't so much a contridiction as a strengthening of the point. For those who can't behave while (in this case) drinking the stronger rule of no alcohol is put in place and applies to them.

I would also add to that list, since this is part of the deal of being the vice-reagent of the world, is that muslims are responsible to look after and maintain the environment around them.

[Northcott]

Interesting. I didn't know that there was a "back door" to the rule of no alcohol.

One of the muslims I've had contact with was, quite unfortunately, one of those massive assholes who talks a big game and makes a big show of their faith, but isn't true to it in the least. She was my wife's roommate in her 1st year of university. During periods of fasting, when food was allowed after nightfall she'd sleep all day to avoid the fast and make a glutton of herself at night. She took advantage of loans and grants for penniless students, but worked a very profitable job during the summer -- simply handing her paycheque over to somebody else and not declaring her income when asked about it. Her intent was to leave the country after she graduated, and thus avoid paying the money loaned to her for education.

But of course she couldn't so much as let a male bump into her going from class to class, because it was forbidden.

Fucking moron.



On the other hand, Mo and his wife were some of the nicest people I've ever met. Several children, wonderful neighbours to our friends. Excellent people with a strong sense of community and decency.

[Cat of Ulthar]

I would also add to that list, since this is part of the deal of being the vice-reagent of the world, is that muslims are responsible to look after and maintain the environment around them.

Can someone change Darkfire's user title to vice-reagent please?:D

[Darkfire]

oops :o

[Cat of Ulthar]

Pssst, you can change it yourself!!! Go on, be a vice-reagent!!!:D