My reading this week continued in chapter 22. It had both mention of Jew and Christian as groups between which Allah would judge on the day. Yet elsewhere it mentioned Allah defending those who worship him in synagogue and church. Also in this section is a curious statement that God has appointed various ways of worship--by implication including non-Islamic types of worship. The statement, "Allah will judge between you and me on the Day of Judgment" might leave open the door that some Jews and Christians might be accepted even though they worship differently. I'm not sure, but superficially it seems very possible to read it this way.
Some wonderful tortures in store for the damned. ;-) Way more stuff about hell in the Quran than in the Bible! I wonder if some of the Fire imagery and interaction has more in common with the Zeitgeist of Christianity in the 500's more than the New Testament. Since most people today read later church flavors into the Bible, I can see where a person might think that the Quran and Bible are a lot alike on these things.
One curious thing was about sacrifices. I didn't think Muslims sacrificed. But the sacrifice of camels is mentioned. It does say that the flesh doesn't reach heaven.
Also some Ancient House is mentioned whose site was shown to Abraham. I wasn't sure if this was referring to Mecca (which I consider most likely) but wondered if some equated this with the Dome of the Rock.
Found an allusion to the OT--a day with the Lord is as a 1000 years. Also found in 2 Peter 3.
Take this comment: "Whenever we send a messenger or a prophet ... Satan puts obstacles in the way." This is a common Christian way of talking as well in many churches, particularly charismatic churches. But it is not a particularly major New Testament way of talking.
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