The book examined. A review of Islam’s sacred text.
Review Number: 3
Review Date: 23 October 2014
Title: The Qur’an
Author: Muhammad (Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib ibn Hāshim)
Country: Arabia (present-day Saudi Arabia)
Publication Date: 609-623 AD
Genre: Religious Text
What compelled an atheist like myself to read the Qur’an?
Curiosity and the desire to understand the central religious text of Islam. Muslims have been unfairly vilified by some parts of the media and society, and it was important to get to the heart and soul of their beliefs.
I was fortunate to receive the book for free. A few months ago, on the streets of south London, a group of young Muslims were handing out copies of the Qur’an (literally meaning “the recitation”) as part of the Qur’an Project. It seems Christian missionaries have competition.
It was not written in the traditional sense. Muslims believe God told Muhammad what to write through the angel Gabriel. This happened piece by piece over a period of 23 years, beginning in 609 AD.
This is the first problem with the Qur’an. No evidence, just a voice in one man’s head telling him what to do with his life. 640 years before this “miracle” and a world away – Livy was writing “The History of Rome”. While it’s not a religious text, this is one example of how a society was pragmatic enough to realise that facts were needed. Livy used historical records and recognised that the foundation of Rome was shrouded in myth. He was sceptical about anything that couldn’t be proved conclusively.
The second issue is that a voice in your head points to probable insanity. Picture the scene – some guy on a dirty street in east London saying God told me to do it. Well, that behaviour in our modern society has been classified as psychopathic.
The book itself consists of 114 surahs (chapters) – each offering guidance to Muslims. The very name of Islam means “surrender”. The Qur’an requires your unflinching obedience.
A lot of its alleged beauty and elegance must have been lost in translation. The Encyclopaedia Britannica says: “Because of Arabic’s sacred status, the Qurʾan is, strictly speaking, untranslatable, though the text has been rendered into nearly every other language.”
The English text is unfortunately a dull collection of platitudes and instructions – do this, do that.
As an atheist I don’t blindly accept everything or expect others to agree with everything I say or do. Humanity has advanced because we have questioned the world around us.
Also, and much more importantly, the Qur’an contains a considerable number of anti-Semitic and misogynistic remarks.
“If you fear highhandedness from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God], then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you have no right to act against them. God is most high and great.” [The Women]
“[In reference to inheritance] The share of the male shall be twice that of a female.” [The Women]
“And We had made known to the children of Israel in the Book: Most certainly you will make mischief in the land twice, and most certainly you will behave insolently with great insolence.” [The Children of Israel (aka The Night Journey)]
More evidence of the unpleasant anti-Semitism can be found at the Jewish Virtual Library.
This is a problem I have with most religions. They belittle others in a crude and nasty attempt to raise their beliefs to superior heights. It is disappointing to see such immature actions from those who profess great wisdom.
I would never want this book or any religion banned, as it goes against my core beliefs – you have the freedom to make your own mind up.
But the Qur’an, like the Bible, is an ugly text that has inspired some elements of society to embark on crusades of extreme violence.
Religion is at best restrictive, at worst dangerous. It stops us thinking and questioning. It is pertinent to note that as our knowledge of science has increased – the power of religion has decreased.
It was worth reading the Qur’an – the insight was invaluable. But when all religions are finally recognised as the ancient superstitions that they truly are – they will die out.
There is hope for the future.
