Sura I: “The Opening”: In the name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Benificent, the Merciful. Master of the Day ofJudgment. Thee do we
serve and Thee do we beseech for help. Keep us on the right path. The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those
who go astray.
Sura 88: “The Overwhelming Calamity” In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Has not there come to you the news of the overwhelming calamity? (Some) faces on that day will be downcast,
Laboring, toiling, Entering into burning fire, Made to drink from a boiling spring, They shall have no food but of thorns, Which will neither fatten nor avail against hunger. (Other) faces on that
day will be happy, Well-pleased because of their striving,
Wherein you shall not hear vain talk.
Therein is a fountain flowing, Therein are thrones raised high, And drinking-cups ready placed, And cushions set in a row, And carpets spread out. …
Sum 107: “Alms”: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Have you considered him who calls the judgment a lie? That is the one who treats the orphans with harshness. And does not urge
(others) to feed the poor. So woe to the praying ones, Who are unmindful of their prayers, Who do (good) to be seen,
Sura 112: “The Unity”: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Mercian. Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And none is like Him.
Sura 114: “The People”
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Mercian.
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of men, The King of men, The God of men, From the evil of the whisperings of the slinking (Shaitan), Who whispers into the hearts of men,
From among the jinn and the men.
Question for First Short Written Assignment on Quranic Selections:
1. What characteristics are attributed to Allah or God in the selections? Why can one infer from them that Muhammad is not to be regarded as the divine son of Allah?
2. What kind of ethical behavior seems to be sanctioned by the Quran? How will people be judged for their behavior?
Answer both questions in about a page. Provide at least 2 short quotations to support your answer. After a quotation, note in parentheses the sum from which the quotation is taken such as ” ” (Sura
1).