Huston Smith Part 2

Pg. 23-46

The Standing Miracle: How do Muslims view the Koran?

1.       The Koran is considered to be a recitation from God through Muhammad that was recorded by his followers.

2.       The Koran is viewed as a miracle since it provides the ground plan of all knowledge and at the same time is grammatically perfect and without poetic peer.

3.       The Koran is considered to have two forms:

a.       The Created form- The physical text of the Koran

b.      The Uncreated form- The Koran as it is being recited

4.       It is viewed as pure and not tainted by translation.

5.       Each individual sentence of the Holy Book as a separate revelation and to experience the words themselves, even their sounds, as a means of grace.

Thesis:

        The Koran is viewed as a miracle because Allah gave it to Muhammad, who was illiterate, over a few years and was able to be written down in perfect Arabic.

Basic Theological Concepts: What is the relationship between god, the human self, and the Day of Judgment?

1.       Since god is invisible this leads some people to doubt if he truly exists

2.       Monotheism was able to unite the Arab populations together since they all believed in the same all powerful being

3.       God’s compassion and mercy is mentioned 192 times in the Koran and wrath and vengeance are only mentioned 17 times

4.       Allah is compassionate when humans realize that they should submit to him.

5.       Knowing that the Day of Judgment will eventually arrive makes Muslims more cautions of their actions and seeks to live the lifestyle Allah wants them to live.

Thesis:

The center of the Islamic faith is the basic theological concepts and they are all intended to help Muslims practice Islam, or submission to Allah.