Wednesday, September 8, 2010

International Buy a Qur'an Day!


Dr. James White has suggested that instead of a 'Burn a Qur'an Day' on 11th September we ought to have a 'Buy a Qur'an Day' instead, Christians should be buying copies of the Qur'an, reading them and finding out what it actually says. We have to make sure that we don't behave like ignorant Fundamentalists who have no understanding at all.
Now, it just so happens that I had already decided to do so. That and three of the authoritative Hadith collections, namely Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and Sunan Ibn-i-Majah. The volumes arrived at my door today in two huge boxes, which rather amazed me. Then I found that Sahih Muslim and Sunan Ibn-i-Majah were both in small boxes inside the huge boxes. Despite the blurb on the internet, Sahih Muslim is in four volumes, not three! But Al-Bukhari, in nine volumes, came wrapped in the most amazing sackcloth and cardboard box, which was in turn wrapped in brown heavy-duty tape! The Islamic Book Service is certainly determined to make sure no harm comes to Al-Bukhari! But I persevered, and as the second picture shows, the books are now out of their boxes, and on my shelf, ready for serious study.
So go on, if you really want to engage with the Muslims, buy a Qur'an, read it, compare it with the Bible - and be amazed!
Now, if only those JWs would come back for a chat!
Update: They did! I pointed to John 1, Colossians 1 and 2, and then... well, then they had to go, leaving a JW Bible sudy book, and Proverbs 8. I in turn pointed out that Wisdom in Proverbs 8 is female!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Studying Islamic books might be one way of reaching muslims for Jesus but talk about the cross might be better. I find a discussion about the death of the innocent Jesus for the guilty (me and my muslim friend)can be fruitful. Muslims are no different to any other religious people who are hoping their good will outweigh their bad. If that could be done Jesus died in vain....But who am I to say God didn't lead you to study about Islam to witness better to muslims. Bless you brother. Ant

Highland Host said...

Both and in my case, not either/or. Muhammed was deeply influenced by heretical groups - in fact it's my opinion that he had far more contact with them than with orthodox Christians. As a result he did not understand the cross - and hence it has no place in Islam. But the study of these things is indeed something one must be led to. It takes time!