exactly... there are many interpretations of the Quran and none of them can be claimed as the correct one.
all of them have their lenient parts and their harsh parts... Shafi'i is one of the more steady (i.e. less difference between the most lenient and harsh interpretations.
Do you believe Islam should be less about demoninations (Sunni and Shi'ia) and more about finding your personal path to Allah and paradise? It seems to me that some of the meaning of religion is lost when people collect together.
Yes I believe that if all Muslims (or any other religion for that matter) was devoted to doing what pleased Allah, there would not be this very disheartening separation of sects in one religion. And yes, of course, when people come together, there is always disagreement unfortunately.
Ok, first question/pointing out a contradiction: Us Iblis an angel or jinn? It says in some passages that he is an angle, EX
2:34 And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disbeliever.
Iblis is a jinn. you have to look at it in context too, the next sign says that Iblis refused because 'he was made of fire and adam was made of earth' i.e. of lesser value.
it is clearly stated in many places in the Quran that he is a jinn
True, but there are many saying Allah was speaking to the angels but Iblis, hinting he was an angle.
Sorry to jump to this, but these verses tend to get Muslim's in trouble... How do you feel about them?
3:151 "We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve."
4:74 "Fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
4:76 "Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil."
4:91 "Take them and kill them wherever ye find them. Against such We have given you clear warrant."
8:12 "I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger."
If you read on page 3, the quoted sign was during war. Many of these are similar... however, they are taken out of context like many other things in this world.
Muslims try to make peace (at least we are commanded and supposed to) as much as possible. When the muslims conquered Mecca, the prophet didn't kill a single person, or even punishe them. Even through everything they did to the muslims - The prophet's wife and uncle, both of whom he loved very much, were starved. The people of Mecca cut up muslims alive among many other things, such as the famous example of Bilal: He was a slave and his master used to strip him and tie his hands to a horse in the desert and put a boulder on his back. then he would whip the horse so it would drag him on his stomach along the sand.
I do not mean offense, I realize that there is some good in the book, but much like the Bible the cruelty overwhelms the good to me...
4:76 Those who believe do battle for the cause of Allah; and those who disbelieve do battle for the cause of idols. So fight the minions of the devil. Lo! the devil's strategy is ever weak.
I must admit that I haven't read the Qua ran cover to cover, but this one doesn't sound like it is taken from context, and it is only one example.
