Questions about Islam.

[Sister_Amy]

The Qur’an, contrary to some misinformed popular opinions, does not talk about Alexander the Great.

The man, Dhul-Qarnayn, who is mentioned in the 18th chapter (surah Kahf) of the Qur’an, is more recently believed to be Cyrus the Great of Persia, who was Zoroastrian (and therefore someone who worshiped God) but by all accounts was a seemingly righteous man, who freed the Jews (from their captivity) and is credited with the first charter of human rights (the Cyrus cylinder).

Cyrus the Great fits much better as Dhul-Qarnayn than Alexander–who was notably pagan, not particularly righteous, and isn’t credited with doing what the Qur’an describes.

 

[Angelos]

The Qur’an, contrary to some misinformed popular opinions, does not talk about Alexander the Great.

The man, Dhul-Qarnayn, who is mentioned in the 18th chapter (surah Kahf) of the Qur’an, is more recently believed to be Cyrus the Great of Persia, who was Zoroastrian (and therefore someone who worshiped God) but by all accounts was a seemingly righteous man, who freed the Jews (from their captivity) and is credited with the first charter of human rights (the Cyrus cylinder).

Cyrus the Great fits much better as Dhul-Qarnayn than Alexander–who was notably pagan, not particularly righteous, and isn’t credited with doing what the Qur’an describes.

More recently? Who had that “righteous man of God” been identified with prior to this innovation in Islamic circles? Did Cyrus the great of Persia go and see the Sun setting in a pool of mud? Does the Koran say the people that righteous man supposedly came across were Jewish?

Many more questions to come

 

[Sister_Amy]

More recently? Who had that “righteous man of God” been identified with prior to this innovation in Islamic circles? Did Cyrus the great of Persia go and see the Sun setting in a pool of mud? Does the Koran say the people that righteous man supposedly came across were Jewish?

Many more questions to come

You can read the Qur’an yourself if you please. There’s even a wikipedia article about how it’s more likely to be Cyrus the Great than Alexander.

Truth is that the Qur’an calls him Dhul-Qarnayn, and that means we don’t know exactly who it is. The Jews asked about him, God revealed the answer to Muhammad, and it is in the Qur’an. Why would the Jews ask about Alexander, I wonder? They would know about Cyrus, though.

But anyway, it doesn’t really matter who it is, because you can’t prove it either way. Even the scholars of Islam, the best they could do was to guess. And sometimes they made a poor guess. They aren’t infallible, btw.

 

[LaMar]

More recently? Who had that “righteous man of God” been identified with prior to this innovation in Islamic circles? Did Cyrus the great of Persia go and see the Sun setting in a pool of mud? Does the Koran say the people that righteous man supposedly came across were Jewish?

Many more questions to come

You’re missing the point of the whole text.

G-d (or Muhammad, as I know you prefer the theory that he cooked Qur’an up on his own) was sending a message of tolerance toward people who did not wish to join the new faith.

Who the name referred to is not important. The underlying message suggests that unbelievers are O.K. too.

This is a revolutionary message and something we should admire, rather than criticize. Muhammad (saw) was encouraging the new Muslims not to fight with their neighbors simply over religion. He was affirming the fact that G-d loves all people, and that G-d judges people equally.

Some Muslim I talk to privately told me that Islam is the best and easiest way to G-d, but it isn’t the only way. This was unheard of among Christians of the 6th century, and among most Christians today, who are hung up on “no man cometh to the father but through me”.

 

[Angelos]

You can read the Qur’an yourself if you please. There’s even a wikipedia article about how it’s more likely to be Cyrus the Great than Alexander.

I have read the Koran several times in various languages so far. What makes me conclude that Dhul-Qarnayn is Alexander the Great is the emphasized universality of his mission in that narrative of Surah 18 in addition to striking similarities between these two characters. Besides, there are many articles at answering-islam proving that the Koran presented Dhul-Qarnayn as Alexander the Great.You could go and check them if you have time.

Truth is that the Qur’an calls him Dhul-Qarnayn, and that means we don’t know exactly who it is. The Jews asked about him, God revealed the answer to Muhammad, and it is in the Qur’an. Why would the Jews ask about Alexander, I wonder? They would know about Cyrus, though.

This is a contradictory statement. You first suppose that Jews asked Mohammad about Dhul-Qarnayn and then claim that it is impossible to identify him because he is called that way in the Koran. If Jews had used that name for the righteous man of God while asking the supposed question, it IS possible to know his identity.

Finally, your inference that Dhul-Qarnayn was more likely Cyrus is derived from your assertion that the question was posed by Jews. Nevertheless, this specific information which is crucial for the validity of your argument is missing from the Koran.

But anyway, it doesn’t really matter who it is, because you can’t prove it either way. Even the scholars of Islam, the best they could do was to guess. And sometimes they made a poor guess. They aren’t infallible, btw.

This confession about guesswork again rebuts your allegation that the question about Dhul-Qarnayn was asked by Jews.

 

[Angelos]

You’re missing the point of the whole text.

G-d (or Muhammad, as I know you prefer the theory that he cooked Qur’an up on his own) was sending a message of tolerance toward people who did not wish to join the new faith.

Who the name referred to is not important. The underlying message suggests that unbelievers are O.K. too.

This is a revolutionary message and something we should admire, rather than criticize. Muhammad (saw) was encouraging the new Muslims not to fight with their neighbors simply over religion. He was affirming the fact that G-d loves all people, and that G-d judges people equally.

I think you are unaware of the following verses in the Koran:

Surah 5:14 And with those who say: “Lo! we are Christians,” We made a covenant, but they forgot a part of that whereof they were admonished. Therefore, We have stirred up enmity and hatred among them till the Day of Resurrection, when Allah will inform them of their handiwork.

Surah 2:120 And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till thou follow their creed. Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah (Himself) is Guidance. And if thou shouldst follow their desires after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, then wouldst thou have from Allah no protecting guardian nor helper.

Surah 3:85. And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.

Is this what you define as a revolutionary and admirable message showing tolerance to the people of other faiths?