Quranalyze It
What this project is: This Ramadan, rekindle your spirituality and relationship with God by reading the Quran in a language you understand! To facilitate those who find reading the Quran for the first time daunting, we, at Quranalyze It, will be posting short chapter summaries to get you acquainted with the basic theme and content of a particular chapter. It is important to note, however, that these summaries are no substitute to reading the Quran, and should be used as a bridge towards the Quran, or as an additional tool.
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Chapter 2 starts with defining the behavior traits of Muttaqeen (Those who take guard) and declaring them as Muflihoon (Successful) in 2:5. Very interestingly, Chapter 3 ends with the idea of achieving this state of Falah (success). Therefore, both chapters seem to be complimentary.
While chapter 2 mainly dealt with the theoretical aspect of Islam, Chapter 3 is more interested with the “on the ground” realities. It talks about the implementation of “Islam” and prepares the reader for the resistance that is bound to come.
There are some general themes in the chapter that are often repeated:
- Zoom in and look at the bigger picture. Material things are temporary and are bound to perish, while what lies with God is everlasting.
- Some of the people who possess the book will try their best to deviate you from your path. So be wary of this, and remain attendant by not taking “protectors” outside of your ranks. However, not all are wicked, so avoid generalizations.
- Unity is encouraged throughout the chapter, while division is discouraged. Unity is key to success.
- Fight those who fight you, and don’t seek to appease your enemies who only seek your downfall.
- Some people seek to distort the book, claiming what they say is from it, while most certainly it is not. Therefore, don’t invent ordinances in the name of God.
Narrates the accounts of: Maryam, Eesa, and Zakaria. (Verse 33-63)
Unique aspect of this chapter:
- The only chapter to categorize verses as Muhkamat (Ordinances) and Mutashabihat (Historical accounts & Allegories). Muhkamat verses are the “mother of the book”, meaning these clear-cut verses should give birth/guide our way to understanding the Mutashabihat. Only God knows the “true” meanings of Mutashabihat, therefore there is no “correct” interpretation of these verses. Key to understanding these verses is to be humble, and sincere. (3:7)
Calls to People who possess the book (V64-99):
- Resolve differences between each other and come to a common word: Not to serve anyone except God, and not to set authorities with Him.
- Don’t dispute on things you have no knowledge of.
- Why do you conceal signs that you’ve witnessed on a personal level?
- Why do you mix truth with falsehood, fully aware of what you’re doing?
- Don’t hinder people from path of God by making it seem crooked.
Calls to Believers (100-200):
- If you obey some of the people who possess the book, they will misguide you from the path of God.
- Be conscious of God.
- Don’t divide yourselves.
- Be a community that advocates all that is good, and discourages all that is bad.
- Seek purity.
- Pay allegiance to God, not Mohammad. He will die, while God is ever living.
- Don’t take protectors outside your ranks because those people only seek your downfall.
- Don’t consume Riba (usually translated as usury).
- Seek protection from sins and spend in the way of God
- If you commit an error, immediately become mindful and seek forgiveness.
- Short-term trials will come, but don’t lose heart. If you are truly believers, you will succeed
- The chapter ends beautifully by asking the believers to exhort patience and support each other so that they may become successful.
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