What
characteristics of the text make it more likely that one should believe what it
says?
In the suras
assigned for our discussion on the Qu’ran, the idea of “Hellfire” (434) or “Hell”
(430) is brought up frequently. I think the mention of Hell (and its
juxtapostition to the eternal Garden of Bliss) contributes to an element of
fear very similar to the Old Testament. For example, multiple times in the
suras assigned the speaker states that the Believers who are chosen by God are
destined for an eternity in the Garden of Bliss (which I read similarly to
Heavan), whereas those who do not believe—including hypocrites, idol
worshippers, and pagans—are not given a chance for salvation but are instead
banished to Hell. This struck me as interesting, because while the Qu’ran
includes many of the same stories as the Old Testament, it’s focus on the
afterlife is unique. Because I think the mention of the afterlife adds to the
element of fear, the Qu’ran seems more believable—or, at least, people would be
fearful to disregard its teachings.
Secondly, the Qu’ran
is written in a style that tells, not shows. Although there are stories and parables
included, many of the suras are almost completely comprised of descriptions of
rules or the speaker telling the reader how to live their life. Many of the
suras blatantly discourage the reader from disregarding the word of God, from
refusing to accept the so-called obvious signs that God exists, and from
skepticism without using stories or parables to do so. For example, in sura 39,
the speaker states, “[God] is the One, the Almighty. He created the heavens and
earth for a true purpose…He created you from a single being, from which He made
its mate; He gave you four kinds of livestock in pairs...How can you turn away?”
(295). Instead of using description to illustrate God’s actions, the speaker
dictates to the reader how they were created, why they should believe in the
Prophet, etc. This style of rhetoric also reminded me of the Old Testament,
connecting back to the element of fear in the beginning. I think that because
there is a sense of no room for discussion in the Qu’ran, the rules seem like
they must be followed…or else!
I agree that the Qur'an seems to encourage a god-fearing mindset, though not quite to the extent of that created in the Hebrew Bible. The destruction and ruthlessness of the Hebrew Bible's god against Gentiles who go against him seems a bit more extreme than the condemnations the Qur'an asserts against those outside the Muslim faith. I think that this is a result of the openness of each of these faiths; while the Hebrew Bible's community is the chosen people, the Israelites, the Qur'an is open to any and all who hear and accept the word of Allah. Even so, the grace of Allah rests upon people serving him when they are made aware of his word, as you pointed out. While the fear the Hebrew Bible and the Qur'an instill may have similar results as to their compulsion to be followed, I think that it is still worthwhile to make a distinction between the two different texts' purposes and methods of achieving these ends.
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