How to Read the Quran Effectively

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
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Spectrum
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Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
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How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by Spectrum »

Here is my approach to reading the Quran effectively;

To understand the theme and ethos of the Quran [core of Islam] one must read the Quran from beginning to end many many times and in the various orders.

To ensure it is easy to read, the first thing to do is to import the whole 6,236 verses of the Quran into one column within Microsoft Excel and use its Database Features.

From that worksheet I can read the Quran in any order based on relevant themes very easily.
It is critical to read the Quran chronologically.
https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Chronologica ... the_Qur'an
The Quran at present is arranged in more or less in terms of the size of the chapters in terms of number of verses. If you read the Quran at present you will be very likely to be lost, bored and give up easily, [as Belindi has attempted to] thus not being able to understand its main theme.
If one do not read the Quran, how can one make any credible statement on the Quran and Islam?

I have read hundreds of exegesis of the Quran from various Muslim scholars.

To counter the charge, one need to know Arabic to understand the Quran, I have also learned basic Arabic. I agree knowing basic Arabic is necessary but one need to be an expert.

I refer to 50+ English translations of the Quran while using the Pickthall translation as the main reference, plus access to word-by-word meanings and Arabic-English Dictionaries.

From my Excel Worksheet I have analyzed the verses and marked into 1,300 columns represented various categories and sub-categories. I have also extracted the main theme and ethos of the Quran.
From my analysis it is noted >55% of the 6,236 verses contain reference to non-Muslims [as the derogatory Kafir, infidels] in a range of derogatory and dehumanizing terms.
One must wonder why a holy text of a religion [supposedly peaceful] end up with 55% of verses focusing on non-believers in a derogatory and negative mode.

For these 3400+ verses directed at the non-Muslims infidels I analyzed them into various sub-categories of condemnation against non-Muslims. If there is anything neutral to the infidels they are rare and abrogated in the later phase of the Quran's message.

One can also marked off those verses with terror and violent elements [300+ verses] but they should always be interpreted in the whole context of the Quran, not merely by the para or chapter.

Views? Your method?
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
Spectrum
Posts: 5161
Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
Favorite Philosopher: Eclectic -Various

Re: How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by Spectrum »

Greta, I anticipate you will think the above is garbage.

However, the above is useful knowledge and relevant in any philosophy forum.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
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ThomasHobbes
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Re: How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Spectrum wrote: July 31st, 2018, 1:18 am
Views? Your method?
You method is not applicable to understanding Islam. 3.2 billion Muslims - how many take that approach?
The Koran is but one book in the Hadith which informs Islam.

Only a tiny handful of people take this stuff literally.

You are basing your view of Islam on a minority of fundamentalists, as if Christianity could be understood by the KKK, IRA, or Guido Fawkes.
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ThomasHobbes
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Re: How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Sorry 1.5 billion Muslims.
Spectrum
Posts: 5161
Joined: December 21st, 2010, 1:25 am
Favorite Philosopher: Eclectic -Various

Re: How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by Spectrum »

ThomasHobbes wrote: July 31st, 2018, 6:06 am
Spectrum wrote: July 31st, 2018, 1:18 am
Views? Your method?
You method is not applicable to understanding Islam. 3.2 billion Muslims - how many take that approach?
The Koran is but one book in the Hadith which informs Islam.

Only a tiny handful of people take this stuff literally.

You are basing your view of Islam on a minority of fundamentalists, as if Christianity could be understood by the KKK, IRA, or Guido Fawkes.
Btw, you are in a philosophy forum which is focused on the 'truth' and ''wisdom'.
Your views above are promoting lies and falsehoods instead.

The point is a Muslim is one who has entered into a spiritual Contract with Allah.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15747
The terms of the contract are only in the Quran and no where else, not Ahadith nor Sira.

Therefore to be a true Muslim all Muslims must understand the Quran thoroughly and comply with the terms of the contract, otherwise they could end up in Hell and not to paradise with eternal life and virgins which they believed as promised.

The reality is not 100% will be literate and thus have to rely on the average who can read the Quran properly to educate the non-literate.
There are many methods for people to understand, what I had proposed is one of the more effective methods.

My current intention is not for ALL Muslims to be educated with the Quran thoroughly because that will increase the number of jihadists [who are reinforced with the true violent nature] and many will feel uneasy.
I am more for non-Muslims and people like you who are ignorant of the inherent 'evil' ethos of Islam to be educated on what Islam really is.
Realizing the reality, the non-Muslims can put pressure on the authorities to curb Islam.
Thereafter the 'moderate' Muslims should be educated to understand the 'violent' ethos within Islam per se.
Not-a-theist. Religion is a critical necessity for humanity now, but not the FUTURE.
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ThomasHobbes
Posts: 1122
Joined: May 5th, 2018, 5:53 pm

Re: How to Read the Quran Effectively

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Spectrum wrote: July 31st, 2018, 11:36 pm
ThomasHobbes wrote: July 31st, 2018, 6:06 am

You method is not applicable to understanding Islam. 3.2 billion Muslims - how many take that approach?
The Koran is but one book in the Hadith which informs Islam.

Only a tiny handful of people take this stuff literally.

You are basing your view of Islam on a minority of fundamentalists, as if Christianity could be understood by the KKK, IRA, or Guido Fawkes.
Btw, you are in a philosophy forum which is focused on the 'truth' and ''wisdom'.
Your views above are promoting lies and falsehoods instead.
This is the most childish projection.
I don't know what happened to you, but I do not feel any obligation to attend to your idiotic rantings.
If you don't like Islam why not get up off your spotty behind and go and do something about it?
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