May God reward those who seek the truth!

Since the 11th of September, Islam has faced a much higher profile in the minds of Westerners. This has led to selective use of Qur'anic verses to support various political or ideological positions. While this profile may be a blessing in some ways- in the sense that any news is better than no news - we must be aware that the goal of certain "quoters" is not to increase fellowship and understanding but to reinforce preconceived notions of distrust, even hatred.

It is therefore respectfully requested that people consider the following when reading the Qur'an

1. The message of the Qur'an is an integrated whole. The book has a style and a theme. This can only be grasped by those who approach the book with an open heart.

2. Be careful of words taken out of context, and remember that specific verses were revealed at a particular time and place, and need to be considered in relation to other verses. For instance, the following verse is often quoted devoid of context to slander the faith:

"And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place. Yet, if the repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them got their way: for behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace."

Repentance, Verse 5

In many cases, the first half of the verse ONLY is quoted. But even then, one needs to consider the historical context - a time when the pagans and their allies were renouncing the treaties they had made with Muslims, and ambushing and murdering them. The Muslims were not expected to allow this to go on unanswered, and they were asked to hold nothing back against those who violated their own agreements by attacking the Muslims.

This is clear from the Qur'an itself, if one considers the verses immediately before and after the oft-quoted one:

"But excepted shall be - from among those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God - [people] with whom you [O believers] have made a covenant and who thereafter have in no wise failed to fulfil their obligations towards you, and neither have aided anyone against you: observe, then, your covenant with them until the end of the term agreed with them, Verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him." VERSE 4

"And if any of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God seeks thy protection, grant him protection, so that he might [be able to] hear the word of God [from thee]; and thereupon convey him to a place where he can fell secure: this, because they [may be] people who [sin only because they] do not know [the truth]." VERSE 6

So, in context, the verses say, if disbelievers have kept their agreements with you and not behaved treacherously to you, behave likewise to them. If the disbelievers seek your protection, give it to them and escort them safely to their destination. Only those who have broken their agreements to you and attack you, fight them in return - in other words - a just war of self defence.

3. Consider the translator. 

Is he or she a Muslim, someone who believes in what they are interpreting? Personally, I wouldn't read a bible translated by a Buddhist or a Muslim - I want to know how Christians understand their own religion. On those grounds, Dawood (a Christian) and Arberry (an Orientalist) are out.

Is the translation commissioned by some government or political organisation? You may then question whether the translation is accurate or pushing a particular political perspective. Personally, I prefer Muhammad Asad, Marmaduke Pickthall or Yusuf Ali (the original work), for these reasons.

4. Consider you own motivations. Do you come with a genuinely open mind, or are you merely looking for fodder to support you preconceived notions? Are you searching for understanding, or are you looking for ammunition to throw against Muslims? This is a question which each of us has to ask ourselves, and sometimes the answer may not be immediately obvious, even to ourselves. In the initial verses of the second chapter of the Qur'an, this question that each of us must ask ourselves is alluded to:

"This divine writ - let there be no doubt about it - is [meant to be] a guidance of all the God-conscious who believe in [the existence of] that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance; and who believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon thee, [O Prophet,] as well as in that which was bestowed before thy time: for it is they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come!

It is they who follow the guidance [which come] from their Sustainer; and it is they, they who shall attain to a happy state!

Behold, as for those who are bent on denying the trth - it is all one to them whether thou warnest them or dost not warn them: they will not believe. God has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and over their eyes is a veil; and awesome suffering awaits them"

All of us have to decide which of the two categories we choose to place ourselves into! May God bless you in your search for guidance.