This blog contains the insights, questions, and reflections of college students from various institutions in Atlanta: currently, the members of the Spring 2014 Introduction to Sacred Texts at Spelman College and, previously, the members of the Fall 2012 Introduction to Sacred Texts class at Emory University.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Structure of Qur'an
I find the fact that Qur'an is a recitation of the word of God through Muhammad to be fascinating. This means that Muhammad is simply the "rasul", or the "messenger" and not the author of Qur'an. I also find it shocking that it has a nonlinear repetition through recitation, rather than chronological, so it might be hard for people to follow through. Thus this structure parallels with the teachings of Qur'an; the concept of the Day of Reckoning exists outside of time as it is an "intense ontological inversion and upheaval." Also, I think the teachings of Qur'an aren't dictated by order because God is said to transcend space, time, gender, and definite form; although the affirmation of God through five pillars are definite and absolute, individual's spiritual and mental journey can be limitless and unbounded. Each followers must endure and affirm their own faith, pray, give offerings, fast during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage. Thus, through the structure of the Qur'an, going from the longest surahs to the shortest and not in chronological order, Qur'an teaches that we must defy time and order and endure our own journeys.
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