N J Dawood was born in Baghdad and is best known for his translation of the Koran.
The Dawood translation (revised) is published by Penguin Books, as is a parallel English-Arabic edition.
In this troubling age of never ending conflict maybe something can be gleaned from a study of the Koran I found myself thinking the other day.
Today I read the third chapter, The Imrans.
Here are some very pertinent extracts:
And remember the angels' words to Mary. They said: 'God has chosen you. He has made you pure and exalted you above womankind . . .'
His name is the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary. He shall be noble in this world and in the world to come . . .
'Lord,' she said, 'how can I bear a child when no man has touched me?'
He replied: 'Even thus. God creates whom He will. When He decrees a thing He need only say: "Be," and it is . . . '
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When Jesus observed that they had no faith, he said: 'Who will help me in the cause of God?'
The disciples replied: 'We are God's helpers . . . and follow the apostle. Count us among your witnesses.'
God is the supreme Contriver. God said: 'Jesus, I am about to claim you back and lift you up to Me.'
Jesus is like Adam in the sight of God. He created him from dust and then said to him: 'Be' and he was.
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. . . to be continued
You are doing a service even if some people, not necessarily all Muslim, take offense.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a terrible world and we in the U.S. are faced with a horrendous election of candidates who are all wanting in different ways.
As I mentioned before I first voted for JFK and I have always been able to vote for the candidate I think will cause the least trouble. I may not be able to vote this year.
At last report, the refugee count in America was a few more than a thousand Muslims and three Christians. Which, of course, if true, adds more fuel to a fire quietly roaring for almost eight years.
But once again, as the Pope said, who am I to judge?
Donal don't give up hope.
ReplyDeleteHarold Wilson once said: A week is a long time in politics.
I think I shall buy this Gwil - it just might make me understand things better - but then on the other hand it might just complicate the issue. The world is in such a topsy turvy state.
ReplyDeleteAnything that helps people understand each other must be worth looking into. Personally my great hope is with sportc. as means to reach this elusive goal. We can remember how rugby and cricket players helped change attitudes in South Africa for example.
DeleteThose who disobey will be punished. You left that bit out.
ReplyDeleteHi coming to that!
DeleteYou haven't gotten to the good parts yet. This part just sets it up by copying the Bible. The bit about Abraham is interesting though - I doubt that's in the Old Testament or the New.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered that Noah had a fourth son. He was drowned. I don't recall any mention of this in the Bible.
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