"God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear: each gains whatever good it has done, and suffers its bad".
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:286
Showing posts with label spiritual sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual sunday. Show all posts
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Just Deserts
On reaping what you sow:
"God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear: each gains whatever good it has done, and suffers its bad".
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:286
"God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear: each gains whatever good it has done, and suffers its bad".
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:286
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Being Humble
On humility:
"You who believe, do not cancel out your charitable deeds with reminders and hurtful words, like someone who spends his wealth only to be seen by people, not believing in God and the Last Day."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:264
"You who believe, do not cancel out your charitable deeds with reminders and hurtful words, like someone who spends his wealth only to be seen by people, not believing in God and the Last Day."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:264
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Brotherhood
On brotherhood and tolerance of other faiths:
"The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians...all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:62
"The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians...all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:62
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Freaky Sex
Responding to a Jewish belief (during the time of Muhammed) that having sex doggie-style would give you deformed children:
"Your wives are [like] your fields, so go into your fields whichever way you like".
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:223
"Your wives are [like] your fields, so go into your fields whichever way you like".
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:223
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Believing
On what it means to be a believer:
"Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, and times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of God."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:177
"Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in God and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity, and times of danger. These are the ones who are true, and it is they who are aware of God."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:177
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Quick Note on Religion
I grew up Christian.
Well, not really Christian-Christian; more like Santa-Christian. We never went to church as a family, I didn't grow up hearing the stories of the Bible. My understanding was that Santa gave us gifts on Jesus's birthday and the Easter bunny freaked me out but I liked jellybeans, so that leveled it out.
As I came into my teenage years, I chose to go to church on my own and really wanted to find my faith. I tried talking to my mother about it but she didn't want to get into it, saying she didn't want to ruin Christmas.
I get it- the holidays became more about building memories with family than anything spiritual, and that's fine, but I'm curious.
After trying several different churches and sects of Christianity, I'm still searching.
Recently, I was introduced to Islam.
Before now, I knew very, very little about it. I still don't know that much. I'm reading the Qur'an partly out of academic curiosity and partly to see if it can fill the void I feel.
So far, I really like it. I'm not talking about Sharia law or the way predominantly-Islamic countries are run; I'm just talking about the Book itself and my own interpretation. It preaches charity and non-violence, although you do have the right to self-defense. It recognizes Abraham, Moses, and all the prophets of the Old and New Testament, saying that Islam is the descendant of both. It recognizes Jesus as someone "strengthened by the holy spirit" and refers to sections of the Bible.
All I know right now is that I am glad to be learning about it, even if it only helps me to understand others and where they're coming from. It amazes me that something so close to Christianity and Judaism is represented as totally foreign here. I talked to my dad about it earlier and his first question (after he figured out Muslims aren't Buddhist) was, "Wait, weren't the terrorists Muslims?" And I had to explain it like, "Dad, the terrorists are to Islam as the Westboro Church is to Christianity. They don't represent the whole; some people are just off the deep end."
At the end of the day, I want to make up my own mind about it and not rely on others to interpret it for me; I want to think and feel based on my own impression. I'm going to put up a little bit of something every Sunday I think, whether it's the Qur'an or the Bible or a Charlie Sheen quote, whatever has me thinking about faith. I apologize ahead of time since I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (ahem...husband) but I just want to keep growing and thinking and trying to be better and I need to think it out.
As the late, great Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Do what in your heart you believe to be right. You'll be criticized anyway."
Well, not really Christian-Christian; more like Santa-Christian. We never went to church as a family, I didn't grow up hearing the stories of the Bible. My understanding was that Santa gave us gifts on Jesus's birthday and the Easter bunny freaked me out but I liked jellybeans, so that leveled it out.
As I came into my teenage years, I chose to go to church on my own and really wanted to find my faith. I tried talking to my mother about it but she didn't want to get into it, saying she didn't want to ruin Christmas.
I get it- the holidays became more about building memories with family than anything spiritual, and that's fine, but I'm curious.
After trying several different churches and sects of Christianity, I'm still searching.
Recently, I was introduced to Islam.
Before now, I knew very, very little about it. I still don't know that much. I'm reading the Qur'an partly out of academic curiosity and partly to see if it can fill the void I feel.
So far, I really like it. I'm not talking about Sharia law or the way predominantly-Islamic countries are run; I'm just talking about the Book itself and my own interpretation. It preaches charity and non-violence, although you do have the right to self-defense. It recognizes Abraham, Moses, and all the prophets of the Old and New Testament, saying that Islam is the descendant of both. It recognizes Jesus as someone "strengthened by the holy spirit" and refers to sections of the Bible.
All I know right now is that I am glad to be learning about it, even if it only helps me to understand others and where they're coming from. It amazes me that something so close to Christianity and Judaism is represented as totally foreign here. I talked to my dad about it earlier and his first question (after he figured out Muslims aren't Buddhist) was, "Wait, weren't the terrorists Muslims?" And I had to explain it like, "Dad, the terrorists are to Islam as the Westboro Church is to Christianity. They don't represent the whole; some people are just off the deep end."
At the end of the day, I want to make up my own mind about it and not rely on others to interpret it for me; I want to think and feel based on my own impression. I'm going to put up a little bit of something every Sunday I think, whether it's the Qur'an or the Bible or a Charlie Sheen quote, whatever has me thinking about faith. I apologize ahead of time since I know it's not everyone's cup of tea (ahem...husband) but I just want to keep growing and thinking and trying to be better and I need to think it out.
As the late, great Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Do what in your heart you believe to be right. You'll be criticized anyway."
Spiritual Sunday: Showing Faith
On making sacrifices and/or showing faith:
"They ask you [Prophet] what they should give. Say 'Whatever good things you give should be for parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers. God is well aware of whatever good you do.' "
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:215
"They ask you [Prophet] what they should give. Say 'Whatever good things you give should be for parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers. God is well aware of whatever good you do.' "
-The Qur'an
Sura 2:215
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spiritual Sunday: Thankfulness
On God's mercy and being thankful:
"We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf-a terrible wrong. Even then We forgave you, so that you might be thankful."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2: 51-52
"We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf-a terrible wrong. Even then We forgave you, so that you might be thankful."
-The Qur'an
Sura 2: 51-52
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)