Okay well, I was reading the translation of the Surah Baqarah: The Cow, and there was a section that confused me.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
Alif Lam Mim
This is the scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God, who believe in the unseen, keep up the prayer, and give out of what We have provided for them; those who believe in the revelation sent down to you [Muhammad], and in what was sent before you, those who have full faith in the Hereafter. Such people are following their Lord's guidance and it is they who will prosper.
As for those who disbelieve, it makes no difference whether you warn them or not; they will not believe. God has sealed their hearts and ears, and their eyes are covered. They will have great torment.
Okay. Well. I like the beginning. Its nice, simple. Straight to the point as in if you do this this and that, you will prosper. I like the word prosper in the religious term too. Its a delicious word.
But this is the area I am confused about:
1. When the translation says: "...give out of what We have provided...."
does "We" refer to Allah swt and the messengers?
2. I don't know how to interpret the phrase: "..and give out of what We have provided for them.."
Does it mean give to charity? or does it mean, we have brains and use them?
As for those who disbelieve, it makes no difference whether you warn them or not; they will not believe. God has sealed their hearts and ears, and their eyes are covered. They will have great torment.
3. Referring to the above: yes I agree with the first sentence. And I do realize, it doesn't matter what I agree with or not by the way. But, Im confused about the second sentence/ayat."God has sealed their hearts and ears, and their eyes are covered."
Does it mean that Allah swt has sealed the hearts.... so that they WILL disbelieve or that the people chose to disbelieve in the first place and so that Allah swt has sealed their hearts and ... ?
and if the people chose to disbelieve by God sealing their hearts and ear... doesn't that mean they lose the chance to see in Islam again?
I am NOT questioning the Qu'ran or the translations or Islam. I do realize every translation is different. I also know that me agreeing and disagreeing is not at all significant. I'm just confused and cant get my head round the above phrases and thought Id post this on the forum so people who are more knowledgeable than me can help me see it differently/or explain it to me. Maybe I'm interpreting it different.
Thank you.
It's the "royal we" - ie as a sign of respect, instead of translating to I it is translated to we.
I think.
I did mention however that just reading the translation may not be enough - you will need a commentary as well and I do recommend a teacher as jumping from subject to subject may not be the easiest thing in the world (and also most commentaries are not in english or too verbose.)
As for the rest, I will try to find something a little later on. I did study this dueing AS Level RS, but that was a long time ago.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Yes, you did. Thats true. But would a teacher not try and angle things the way they see it? :S
Thanks.
So would any text, translation or commentary that you study. What you then need to do is ask yourself if you accept what the teacher says, the methodology used etc and if you trust the teacher you will generally trust their teaching. Probably.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.