Running head: Approaching the Qur’an 1

Approaching the Qur’an Essay

Robert J Gilmore

Seton Hill – Undergrad Student

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I’d like to start this essay with a brief summary of my experience with this class. I have to

admit that before the class started, I was not sure what to expect. Since the terrorist attacks on

9/11 my perceptions on Muslims had not been positive. The propaganda in the American media

didn’t help that perception. Even though I’m not extremely trusting of the media I still was

affected by all the negativity. When my family and friends found out I was going back to college

they inquired about what my major would be and what my first classes would be. When I told

them that my first class was titled “Islam religion and Culture” the inquisitive looks were almost

concerned. I even had a few people say things like, “Hopefully you don’t convert”. This was

definitely eye opening and made me more apprehensive. That being said, I tried to keep an open

mind for the first day of class. Deep inside I knew that there had to be something positive in the

religion of Islam for so many people worldwide to gravitate towards it. Once the class started it

was obvious to me that I was going to enjoy it. The overall message resonated with me from the

very beginning. I’m extremely grateful to my professors and their approach to the class. The way

the material was organized and relayed was excellent. The supplemental material was often more

valuable to me then the two texts were. I still enjoys the textbooks, but I really found myself

getting into the class notes and extra material. So, to end my introduction I’d like to say thank

you for opening a new world of knowledge to me and making me a better citizen of the world.

I think it would be fitting to start my essay talking about the Sura titled “The Opening”. I

chose this because of its similar meaning to “The Lord’s Prayer” in my religion. The Islamic

word fatiha translates to the opening. It is meant to mean the opening or beginning of a chapter

or story. I thought this was very fitting as a metaphor for my fatiha into understanding the

Islamic religion. Interestingly enough this is one of the most recited of the Qur’anic Suras. It is

not only used in prayers, but in everyday life as well. After business transactions it is often
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recited as a measure of understanding between the parties included in the exchange. This is quite

strange to me, but also inspiring. I couldn’t imagine reciting the lord’s prayer after striking up a

business deal, although maybe it would breed more honesty in business? The Opening is also the

only Sura that includes the phrase “In the name of God the compassionate the caring” as a part of

the Sura. All the other Suras recite this to start, but it is an acknowledgment and not part of the

Sura. Another beautiful thing about this Sura is that includes the two qualifications of God right

in it. “Lord of the worlds”, and “master of the day of reckoning”. The final interesting part of this

Sura to me is the line, “to you we turn to worship and to you we turn in time of need”. I really

think this speaks to how vulnerable people are and that we need God. The great part about this is

that it also reciprocates man’s part in the exchange. We worship you and in turn you help us in

time of need. It is not a one-way street where we expect help without dedication.

The second Sura I chose was “Destiny, Al-Qadr”. I chose this one because of its relation

to Muhammad’s prophecy. In my opinion the prophecy is one, if not the most important part of

the Islamic faith. It is the beginning of it all. I also have always been fascinated with the prophets

of the old testament so this is an interesting subject for me. There are disagreements on the sense

of Qadr in this Sura. Some say it is “destiny” and some say it means “power”. Muhammad’s

revelation is remembered in this Sura. I was also interested in this Sura because it is connected to

Ramadan. That was the subject of our group presentation so I wanted to revisit it. There is a

ritual towards the end of Ramadan called Qadr. This is often the first time a child will attempt

fasting and it is somewhat of a rite of passage. There is also a vigil when individual or groups

will stay up all night in meditation or prayer at this time. It is considered a mystic time due to the

switching of the normal life patterns. This reminds me of lent in the Catholic religion. The

practices are a little more lenient, but the idea is the same. Refraining from a certain thing for a
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period of time causing reflection and looking inward at yourself. It is a time to be more aware

and thankful of what you have and appreciate it.

The third Sura I chose was “The Slanderer”. I chose this one because it conveys a great

life lesson about materialism. People can start to believe they are above the law of nature and

Gad when they put too much value in wealth. You see this all the time with famous people and

politicians. It is also extremely common now with the popularity of social media. People put so

much value in building up their online persona. It’s almost as if they think they can cheat death

by having a perceived “perfect” existence. Part of getting older and more mature is coming to

terms with your mortality. Also, the more life experience you gain the more you should realize

the truly important things. Family, friends, faith and health are a few that come to mind. The

Sura reveals that if you put too much focus on the material side then your spiritual relationship

with God will suffer. It is a warning to be vigilant with your soul.

The fourth Sura I want to talk about is “The Small Kindness”. This one really hits home

for me because of my personal experience with Catholicism. There is a very judgmental

population within the religion. There are people who are very devout on the surface but judge

others for their transgressions. In general people are all works-in-progress and we are all human.

I think this is the point this Sura is trying to make. There are people who pray and practice

loudly, but pass judgment and also don’t help those in need. In my opinion the nature of religion

is to be a good citizen and help others. We all fall short and we all need picked up when we

faulter. The rejection of the reckoning is something that Muslims need to guard against. This is

the foundation of their faith. Also not helping orphans and people suffering is a horrible way to

be. Muhammad himself was an orphan (on separate occasions). It is fitting that this was a focus

of this Sura. It seems obvious to help the less fortunate, but people get busy and focus on
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themselves. Would Muhammad even have had the opportunity to receive revelation if he hadn’t

had the kindness of being adopted? This is an interesting thing to contemplate to me. Think

about your own life and the fortunate things that have happened to you. They shape who you are

and make a true difference in your life. It doesn’t have to be something huge either, it can be a

simple act of kindness that alters your path. I’m appreciative to all the people who have helped

me when I was down. They have made the difference in my life and I am thankful.

The fifth Sura I chose was “The Quraysh”. I love the metaphor of the winter and summer

journey in this Sura. It is obvious that this tribe had a huge influence on Muhammad’s life and

upbringing. He was raised in the ways of trade and him family was tied into this. The winter and

summer is a metaphor for the struggle of business people. There are good times and bad. This is

the same with people and their daily lives. Some days are good and some days are bad. In life

there isn’t much in-between in my experience. Maybe this is only perception, but when you live

day-to-day the now is your only reality. This is the way of the desert and of traders. The pact

with God isn’t always one that is smooth and Muhammed knew this. He had many struggles in

his life and he held strong in his faith throughout these struggles. The key to this Sura is that we

recognize life and worship for what it is, and that isn’t always any easy task. If you keep your

faith during the bad seasons and the good seasons you are bound to come up on top with God.

That is what this Sura means to me.

The sixth Sura on my list is “The Laying Open”. My favorite line in this one is the

second to last line, “when you finish, strive again.” This to me is the essence of existence as

human beings. This is the reason that I am still pursuing an education after I have already have

success in my life. It is the reason that I get up each morning. The basis of being a human to me

is to chose a goal, strive for that goal, achieve that goal, and then move on to the next goal. This
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is not to say that we are not to be content, this is more a statement of the nature of why I believe

we are here in this world. We are a physical manifestation of the universe and the universe is

experiencing itself through us. The beauty of any journey is not the result, but the actual journey.

In the beginning of the Sura the angels are speaking to Muhammad to let him know that they did

their part. They revealed themselves to him to reward his devotion and to give his life a purpose.

They recognized the dedication that he had and in return he was to bring the message of God to

the people of the world. The middle speaks of easing the hard times. This to me is once again

referring to life’s ups and downs. This is a reoccurring theme in these Suras.

The final Sura I’d like to talk about is “Help”. This is a great way to close my essay and

bookmark my new found understanding of Islam and the Qur’an. I chose this Sura because I see

at as vindication after Muhammad struggled for years. They key in this Sura is the forgiveness

that it invites into the conversation. Muhammad could have punished the people of Mecca after

they lost the war. It was customary in tribal warfare for the victors to punish those who were

defeated. Muhammad took another approach upon his return to Mecca. He brought the tribes

together and included them into Islam. In addition to that, many rose to prominence and

positions of leadership. The Sura represents the essence of that level of forgiveness. It speaks of

praise to God for allowing you to be victorious, and in that victory to show compassion for those

who doubted your cause was just. Anyone can slaughter a defeated enemy; it takes a true leader

to forgive and show compassion in that moment.

I must say that so many of these messages resonate with me personally. I’ve always

considered myself a deep thinker and an open-minded person. I was also brought up into the

Catholic religion so revelations and inspiration from God have always connected to me. In

addition to this I have many creative hobbies. I am a musician and I wrote poetry until about ten
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years ago. These Suras were very moving to me. It was inspiring and who knows, I may take up

that hobby again. When I experience creativity it always invigorating to my being. One

interesting thing to note is the passage at the end of Sells’ book about the masculine and

feminine aspects of language in the Qur’an. I’ve always been fascinated with this in my own

music and writing. I don’t recall ever hearing it spoken about before in any other writings. Either

this is something new to me or maybe I wasn’t ready to absorb it? Either way it hit home and that

is another piece of inspiration I can take from this class. In closing I would like to share one of

my poems with you. I think this fit well with the other Suras I’ve chosen in my essay and I hope

you enjoy it. Thank you once again for being my guide on this journey for new knowledge.

“Autumn Falls” by Bob Gilmore

Season change
It would seem
As for no reason at all
Autumn Falls

Sands shift
Continents drift
Slowly like a gift
Autumn Falls

Sleep is ended
Hope is mended
It’s never ending
Autumn falls
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References

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