WHAT DOES THE QURAN ACTUALLY TEACH? (PART 1)
WHAT DOES THE QURAN ACTUALLY TEACH? (PART 1)
You've probably heard that Islam is a "religion of peace" or that the Quran is a holy book full of wisdom. But what does it actually teach? Here are five things you need to know.
1. MOST MUSLIMS DON'T ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE QURAN—AND THAT'S BY DESIGN.
The Quran has 114 chapters, about half the size of the New Testament, but it's not meant to be read like a story. It jumps around, making it hard to follow. It also has to be read in Arabic - but amazingly 13% of Muslims worldwide speak Arabic, so 87% can't even read or understand it—they are just told by the clergy what’s in it. Their job is to memorize and recite verses without knowing what they mean.
For centuries, translations of the Quran were not available. Thanks to the internet, smart phones, and various translations now in circulation, Muslims are reading it for themselves,finding the inconsistencies or the contradictions, like the claim that the sun sets in a muddy pool, and realize it's not divine or holy. And many are walking away.
2. THE QURAN CALLS FOR DECEIT TO ADVANCE ISLAM.
The Quran not only allows lying if it helps Islam spread, but it actually requires it. This is maybe not too surprising, because in Chapter 3:54, it says Allah is the "greatest of the deceivers."
A key Islamic law book (Sharia), Reliance of the Traveler, has whole sections on "permissible lying" and "obligatory lying." For example, it's okay to lie in war, to settle disagreements, or even to your spouse about cheating. In extreme cases, like hiding a Muslim from an "oppressor" or gaining sympathy from a victim, even in something as awful as rape, lying is obligatory.
Then we come to one of the most important things you need to learn about Islam. Early verses in the Quran, written in Mecca at a time when Muhammad had few followers, sound peaceful, saying things like, “there is no compulsion in religion." But later verses, written in Medina after he became a warlord, command violence and deceit. And if there is a contradiction like this in the Quran, of which there are many, they have a law called abrogation, which means that the later passages override the earlier ones. So in true Islam, the aggressive commands win over the peaceful ones.
3. THE QURAN DESCRIBES ALLAH IN WAYS THAT SOUND A LOT LIKE SATAN.
Allah has 99 names in the Quran, and some are disturbing: "The Harmer," "The Arrogant," "The Deceiver," "The Humiliator," and "The Mischief-Maker.”
Even Muhammad the prophet was terrified by his "revelations." In a dark cave, an "angel of light" appeared, squeezing his chest and scaring him so much he wanted to jump off a cliff. Sounds demonic, right?
Well, the Bible warns about false angels (2 Corinthians 11:14), and says Satan is the ultimate deceiver and destroyer (John 10:10), while God brings life abundantly.
4. THE QURAN ONLY GUARANTEES SALVATION THROUGH VIOLENCE.
Unlike Christianity’s promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13), the Quran says your good deeds are weighed on a scale (Chapter 23:102-103). If they're heavy, you might make it to paradise; if they are light, eternal hell.
But how do you know if your good deeds are enough? You can’t. In fact, even the prophet Muhammad admitted he didn't know if he would be saved.
So what is the only way you can guarantee salvation in Islam? By dying in jihad (holy war). Chapter 3:169-170 says "Never think of those martyred in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for, rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty..."
It is perhaps no wonder that, though not true of every Muslim, many see religious violence as a viable way to follow and advance their faith.
5. THE QURAN COMMANDS JIHAD, AND IT'S OPEN-ENDED.
You’ve probably heard the word ‘Jihad’ before, which literally means ‘struggle’. However in Islam, Jihad isn't just an "inner struggle” like some say—it's also a physical holy war. Chapter 9:29 commands fighting non-believers (Christians, Jews, atheists, etc.) who won't submit to Allah, Muhammad, or Sharia law. And the only options you get when defeated are to either convert, pay a humiliating tax (called the Jizyah), or to die.
This warfare isn't defensive or time-limited—it's proactive to expel infidels from the land or force them to follow Islam (Chapter 2:191-193). Unlike the Bible, which depicts specific historical battles but doesn’t call believers to warfare as an expansion tactic, the Quran’s commands are general and ongoing.
READ PART 2 HERE (Coming soon)
You've probably heard that Islam is a "religion of peace" or that the Quran is a holy book full of wisdom. But what does it actually teach? Here are five things you need to know.
1. MOST MUSLIMS DON'T ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE QURAN—AND THAT'S BY DESIGN.
The Quran has 114 chapters, about half the size of the New Testament, but it's not meant to be read like a story. It jumps around, making it hard to follow. It also has to be read in Arabic - but amazingly 13% of Muslims worldwide speak Arabic, so 87% can't even read or understand it—they are just told by the clergy what’s in it. Their job is to memorize and recite verses without knowing what they mean.
For centuries, translations of the Quran were not available. Thanks to the internet, smart phones, and various translations now in circulation, Muslims are reading it for themselves,finding the inconsistencies or the contradictions, like the claim that the sun sets in a muddy pool, and realize it's not divine or holy. And many are walking away.
2. THE QURAN CALLS FOR DECEIT TO ADVANCE ISLAM.
The Quran not only allows lying if it helps Islam spread, but it actually requires it. This is maybe not too surprising, because in Chapter 3:54, it says Allah is the "greatest of the deceivers."
A key Islamic law book (Sharia), Reliance of the Traveler, has whole sections on "permissible lying" and "obligatory lying." For example, it's okay to lie in war, to settle disagreements, or even to your spouse about cheating. In extreme cases, like hiding a Muslim from an "oppressor" or gaining sympathy from a victim, even in something as awful as rape, lying is obligatory.
Then we come to one of the most important things you need to learn about Islam. Early verses in the Quran, written in Mecca at a time when Muhammad had few followers, sound peaceful, saying things like, “there is no compulsion in religion." But later verses, written in Medina after he became a warlord, command violence and deceit. And if there is a contradiction like this in the Quran, of which there are many, they have a law called abrogation, which means that the later passages override the earlier ones. So in true Islam, the aggressive commands win over the peaceful ones.
3. THE QURAN DESCRIBES ALLAH IN WAYS THAT SOUND A LOT LIKE SATAN.
Allah has 99 names in the Quran, and some are disturbing: "The Harmer," "The Arrogant," "The Deceiver," "The Humiliator," and "The Mischief-Maker.”
Even Muhammad the prophet was terrified by his "revelations." In a dark cave, an "angel of light" appeared, squeezing his chest and scaring him so much he wanted to jump off a cliff. Sounds demonic, right?
Well, the Bible warns about false angels (2 Corinthians 11:14), and says Satan is the ultimate deceiver and destroyer (John 10:10), while God brings life abundantly.
4. THE QURAN ONLY GUARANTEES SALVATION THROUGH VIOLENCE.
Unlike Christianity’s promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13), the Quran says your good deeds are weighed on a scale (Chapter 23:102-103). If they're heavy, you might make it to paradise; if they are light, eternal hell.
But how do you know if your good deeds are enough? You can’t. In fact, even the prophet Muhammad admitted he didn't know if he would be saved.
So what is the only way you can guarantee salvation in Islam? By dying in jihad (holy war). Chapter 3:169-170 says "Never think of those martyred in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for, rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty..."
It is perhaps no wonder that, though not true of every Muslim, many see religious violence as a viable way to follow and advance their faith.
5. THE QURAN COMMANDS JIHAD, AND IT'S OPEN-ENDED.
You’ve probably heard the word ‘Jihad’ before, which literally means ‘struggle’. However in Islam, Jihad isn't just an "inner struggle” like some say—it's also a physical holy war. Chapter 9:29 commands fighting non-believers (Christians, Jews, atheists, etc.) who won't submit to Allah, Muhammad, or Sharia law. And the only options you get when defeated are to either convert, pay a humiliating tax (called the Jizyah), or to die.
This warfare isn't defensive or time-limited—it's proactive to expel infidels from the land or force them to follow Islam (Chapter 2:191-193). Unlike the Bible, which depicts specific historical battles but doesn’t call believers to warfare as an expansion tactic, the Quran’s commands are general and ongoing.
READ PART 2 HERE (Coming soon)
