Approaching the Qur'an

  Through our reading of the Approaching the Qur'an and discussion in class, I've noticed a relationship between the theme of "human action" between Islam and other religions, specifically Hinduism and Buddhism. Sells states that sometimes " wrongdoers do seem to prosper and those who do right and follow the prophets remain oppressed"( 79). However, "at the day of reckoning,...both groups will finally see a just accountability"( 79). This concept of justice is similar to the Hindu concept of karma in that while one might not necessarily have best life at the time, performing good deeds was what would only matter at the end. Also, in the Dawn, the idea  of a peaceful soul is mentioned which " becomes a central symbol of the goal of religious life and moral discipline within Islam"( 81). Similar to this concept of leaving human existence is the concept of Nirvana described in Buddhism; achieving liberation from the release of human suffering.

On the same lines as human action, the human condition is heavily described in the Qur'an. Humankind is "in a state of forgetfulness, confusion, and loss and in need of reminder". However, I am confused between this statement and the Day of Reckoning. In the Fig, it is said that "those who hold the faith and do the right will achieve an unlimited recompense in the final reckoning "( 95). Is there a certain threshold of "good actions" that lead to this reward? Since humankind is described as naturally careless, one person's actions will not always be considered appropriate. How does one know if he/she is on the right path?

One aspect of the Qur'an that I found to be intriguing was the way that it should be read. Sells says that the Qur'an should be read by" interiorizing the inner rhythms, sound patterns, and textual dynamics"( 11). However, does the way someone reads the Qur'an affect someone else's understanding of it?