Islam....

17th Angel · 11-30-2007, 12:36 PM

When looking into Islam..... For studying and so on and so forth, where would you suggest starting?

seattlegal · 11-30-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

When looking into Islam..... For studying and so on and so forth, where would you suggest starting?

I started with The Koran {The link also has a collection of Hadith, Pillars of Islam, etc.} I also like reading Sufi Texts.

17th Angel · 11-30-2007, 01:10 PM

I have sent off for a Qur'an I guess I should recieve that soon. Thanks for the links SG!

wil · 11-30-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seattlegal

I started with The Koran {The link also has a collection of Hadith, Pillars of Islam, etc.} I also like reading Sufi Texts.

I printed out that poem. Read it while walking a labyrinth, took me ten trips. Some of it rolls off your tongue, and is very emotive. Other parts are quite confusing. Do you know what language that was originally printed in? I always wonder with poetry how much is lost during translation. Poetry has its own issues with the poet trying to make rhymes and make sense, but when it is translated and the translator also insists on making rhymes I can't fathom how much it must change.

17th Angel · 11-30-2007, 01:23 PM

I'd say it changes because of the difference in language... But, rhyme isn't whatsoever important in poetry.... It's emotions right? So I guess, the translation loses it's power in the words... because of replacement not because of rhyme ;\

seattlegal · 11-30-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

I printed out that poem. Read it while walking a labyrinth, took me ten trips. Some of it rolls off your tongue, and is very emotive. Other parts are quite confusing. Do you know what language that was originally printed in? I always wonder with poetry how much is lost during translation. Poetry has its own issues with the poet trying to make rhymes and make sense, but when it is translated and the translator also insists on making rhymes I can't fathom how much it must change.

Which one? Bird Parliament? (That one is Persian.)

farhan · 12-01-2007, 03:02 AM

Quote:

When looking into Islam..... For studying and so on and so forth, where would you suggest starting?

IslamOnline.net- Home - Islam, Muslim, News, Shari`ah, Society, Family, Culture, Arts, Science

You will find almost everything here

----

Regarding texts, the best translation of Quran I read was by Muhammad Asad.(Message of Quran ). Others are usually old & boring. The “Official Saudi” Muhsin/Hilali translation is not that good either (as its claimed to be).

Recently, Thomas Cleary & Laleh Bakhtiar have worked on new translations. Never read them so cant say much.

For Sirah, try Martin Lings, Tariq Ramadan & Karen Armstrong.

For general introsuctions books try William Chittick, Carl Ernst, John Esposito, Hossein Nasr etc.

Anything by Hamza Yusuf (Hamza Yusuf - Alhambra Productions Inc.)

In the thread linked below are some of my recommendations to MW.

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...slam-7381.html

17th Angel · 12-03-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farhan

IslamOnline.net- Home - Islam, Muslim, News, Shari`ah, Society, Family, Culture, Arts, Science

You will find almost everything here

Farhan! Shukran akh!

(That right? lol....)

17th Angel · 12-03-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Sufi Texts.

SG!!!
'as-salāmu calaykum!

That is the chestnut! That is the same link to other references I was looking into I just didn't think to look at that, anyway! That has a version of the Qur'an which shows arabic writen then spoken then English writen that will -soooo- help me learn more of the Arabic language... My thanks again....

maca salāma

wil · 12-03-2007, 04:23 PM

17th,

I noticed some Sufi dances in your area. You get to pick up some prayers and chants in arabic by attending, plus having a great evening.

17th Angel · 12-03-2007, 04:30 PM

Thanks again Wil! Always giving me the low down on things... The nearest one to me on that list is aboot 3 or so hour drive... :\ lol.

wil · 12-03-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

Thanks again Wil! Always giving me the low down on things... The nearest one to me on that list is aboot 3 or so hour drive... :\ lol.

my bad, I keep thinking in three hours you can drive from one side of the island to the other!

17th Angel · 12-03-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

my bad, I keep thinking in three hours you can drive from one side of the island to the other!

We are but a small island compared to your mighty island.... But I am used to this small cage, so it becomes quite a large one in mind

Also I wouldn't be going across it I would be going up it :P But, I will keep this link certainly... If I -ever- get the chance to witness this I am sure I will take that opportunity!

bananabrain · 12-03-2007, 05:28 PM

my advice: check out whose interpretation is being pushed. that link that seattlegal posted appears to link to a translation with "the introduction of syed abu-ala' maududi", who is probably not the best person for you to be reading if you want to get a balanced view of islam and the qur'an, as a commentator who has inspired many of today's loony jihadis.

my suggestions for further reading:

karen armstrong's "a history of G!D", "the battle for G!D", "muhammad" and "islam, a short history"

Amazon.co.uk: A History of God: Books: Karen Armstrong

Amazon.co.uk: The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam: Books: Karen Armstrong

Amazon.co.uk: Muhammad: Prophet for Our Time (Eminent Lives): Books: Karen Armstrong

Amazon.co.uk: Islam: A Short History (Universal History): Books: Karen Armstrong

something on sufism:

Amazon.co.uk: The Sufis: Books: Idries Shah

and for the stuff "they don't want you to read", ie the critical stuff muslims are saying about themselves:

Amazon.co.uk: The Trouble with Islam Today: A Wake-up Call for Honesty and Change: Books: Irshad Manji

and, given your own particular background and experience with extremists, the following:

Amazon.co.uk: The Islamist: Why I Joined Radical Islam in Britain, What I Saw Inside and Why I Left: Books: Ed Husain

basically, if anything says "islam believes X", or "this is the islamic view", it's probably funded by the saudis, who supply most of the seemingly free islamic education as a means to propagate wahhabism worldwide.

enjoy!

b'shalom

bananabrain

17th Angel · 12-04-2007, 09:13 AM

Marhaban Banana!

As helpful as ever! Thank you... These are all being added to my to do list lol... Wading through them but not quickly as I wish not to miss important information..... The "radical" Islam link is obviously to just see how they tick and so on right? As I am sure you wouldn't think I would wish to join any extreme groups.....

maca salāma