Islam Radicals Obsession with War

Aish.com sent something over today which is quite interesting. It is promoting a movie that talks about radical Islam trying to take over the world. This is interesting especially the fact that I am living in the midst of fellow citizens who are Muslims and have friends who are Muslims.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227393,00.html
http://www.ObsessionTheMovie.com

Now I read with interest about someone who can read Arabic in the fox news forum Q&A about the documentary. This is what he Says and the producer of the documentary replied:

I read and speak Arabic. In the Arabic Koran, there are over 300 verses that declare "jihad" — killing and conquering all infidels. A Muslim told me that the Koran is perfect and it is to be believed and followed in its entireity. If Muslims follow the Koran, aren't they bound by the Koran to carry out its instructions; or do some Muslims not believe everything in the Koran? Wouldn't this make them infidels? This confuses me after reading the Arabic Koran and then watching your show on FOX News. What do you think? Thanks, Jim in Detroit

Raphael Shore: According to Islamic scholars, the Qur'an cannot be understood without secondary sources. One of these is the Sunnah (the example of Mohammed). One form of Sunnah is known as hadith (the sayings of Mohammed). According to Professor Shahul Hameed, "It is impossible to understand the Qur'an without reference to the Hadith; and it is impossible to explain a hadith without relating it to the Qur'an… Hadith, in practical terms, explains, clarifies, and paraphrases the Qur'an. If we reject the Hadith, we may misread the Qur'an; so Hadith is central to a proper understanding of the Qur'an." Within the context of these sources, there is room for interpretation. Take, for example, the word "jihad," which means "struggle." There are those who say that jihad means a struggle with others, to force them to submit to Islam by the sword, if necessary. Others say it refers to a struggle with oneself, to become a better person (this is discussed in "Obsession"). Another example of differing interpretations is homicide bombing. Many Radicals support this, and promote it as a quick route to paradise, while other clerics interpret the texts as strongly forbidding it under the prohibition against suicide. A great resource for more information is www.IslamOnline.net.

So to get a proper understanding on the teachings of Islam via the Quran, they need the Hadith. Now I am not trying to ridicule Islam and its Holy Book but if claims to be perfect, then it has to be perfect to at least understand it without the need for external sources.

If one can read from the Old and New Testament, I think it is clear that the Bible is very clear for most parts except for some prophetic verses about the end times that need in depth studies. Even if there are prophetic dreams, the Bible included explanations to help the reader. Close to most cases, if a bible scholar is good enough and with the help of Holy Spirit, he or she is able to use the Bible to interpret the Bible verses and to come to a conclusion of what it is teaching.

Yes I am comparing these books. And I am really stepping on dangerous grounds here...however out of academic curiosity, wouldn't a perfect being able to do everything perfectly? So wouldn't a perfect book able to at least explain everything without the need for another external source?

Our finite minds can never know everything...however God will provide enough evidences about us like using nature to let us know that He is around. So in the same way, whatever the Bible teaches, it has allow us to 'compare notes' on what it claims are truths. We believe after certain things it said are true about human nature for example & the prophecy it has predicted that has come to pass. Most without the need for an external source to understand the bible.

I think that if God is of the opinion that we really need help, He would not use something we do not understand to pass the message that we need help. Christ comes amongst the Jews and spoke in the language of the day to pass His message, God then use Paul and the Apostles to preach in the language of the day to their audiences. As times went by, we now have, through God's providence, the bible in different languages. I would believe that if there isn't a way for God to reach the unsaved, He will make a way.

My belief in a all powerful God will do anything for the sake of human beings because of who He is; and that's is what Christ has done. If He needs us to do anything for Him in order for us to gain heaven, then God in a sense is not really powerful isn't it?