More Qur'an update (sick of this yet?)

[qatarperegrine]

I'm still not caught up; I had great intentions of doing three days worth of readings this morning but was distracted by a really interesting conversation with a Muslim coworker about historical criticism of the Qur'an, or lack thereof.

Sunday

Juz:	17
Surahs:	21 & 22
Themes:	warning not to ask for miracles, because even those who received miracles doubted; the folly of ascribing partners or children to God; God's care of the prophets; instructions for the Hajj.
Ayat:	For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow; so let them not dispute with you on the matter, but invite them to your Lord. Verily, you (O Muhammad) indeed are on the straight guidance. (22:67)
Hadiths:	"The most beloved religion to Allah is the tolerant monotheism." (Sahih Al Bukhari 1, O.P. 30.) Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion, will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings, afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1/39, O.P. 38.)

Monday

Juz:	18
Surahs:	23 & 24; 25:1-20
Themes:	Characteristics of upright believers; the glory of God's creation; that every generation has denied its prophet; arguments against those who disbelieve Muhammad. Punishments for adulterers and false witnesses; exhortations for believers.
Ayat:	Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna* and not to reveal l their adornment except to their own husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their women, or the [female] slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male attendants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful. (24:30-31) *so, the $64 question is, what does Juyubihinna mean? My Qur'an translates it as "bodies, faces, necks and bosoms") but some say it just means "necks." Or, on a cheerier note, Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp: the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west [i.e. it isn't only lit up in the morning or evening], whose oil would almost glow forth, though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind, and Allah is All-Knower of everything. (24:35)
Hadith:	Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari: A man from the tribe of Bani Aslam came to Allah's Messenger and informed him that he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and he bore witness four times against himself. [You can only be found guilty of adultery if four witnesses testify against you.] Allah's Messenger ordered him to be stoned to death as he was a married person. (Sahih Al-Bukhari 8/6814, O.P. 805.)