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According to Wikipedia, some Muslims believe that some of the texts held sacred by Jews were modified, and thus convey divine revelation imperfectly. How widespread is this belief among religious leaders and laypeople? Is it enunciated in any exegetical works popular today? Are there any organized tendencies within Islam that do not take this position and/or do not hold to a supersessionist view of Judaism? As a bonus question: are there any organized tendencies that do not take a supersessionist view of Christianity?
posted by phrontist on May 27, 2021 - 2 answers

Following the recent Islamic extremist attacks in the UK, a narrative has come from the far right that somehow all Muslims think the same way and believe the same things. It seems that western societies are open to the idea of variation and disagreement within Christian culture, but tend to see Islamic cultures as homogenous. What examples are there of major disagreements within Christianity? [more inside]
posted by matthew.alexander on Jun 4, 2017 - 28 answers

I am looking for scholarly commentaries on Bible stories, particularly the Old Testament. These can be Christian, Jewish, or Muslim (since there's a lot of overlap between the Bible and the Koran). [more inside]
posted by FencingGal on Mar 31, 2017 - 13 answers

What is the best scholarly, annotated, edition of the Koran? I am trying to find something in English similar to the Oxford Annotated Bible. I am not a Muslim, and I have little background to date, so an edition that assumes very little in terms of prior knowledge would be ideal for me.
posted by mortaddams on Aug 28, 2015 - 5 answers

When my husband and I got married we were both practicing Muslims. We've been married almost 3 years and now I don't think I believe anymore. Can I make this work despite the religious differences? [more inside]
posted by deeba on Aug 22, 2015 - 17 answers

I am currently living in Austria, where it is typical for people entering a semi-public space (e.g. doctor's office, barber shop) to greet the entire room and receive a greeting back. What is the appropriate response when greeted with "salaam alaikum" (selamün aleyküm)? [more inside]
posted by frimble on Jun 30, 2015 - 8 answers

How to deal with a member of my daughter's girl scout troop whose religious beliefs make it difficult to engage in regular group activities? [more inside]
posted by Creamroller on May 29, 2014 - 46 answers

I know that Islam requires followers to perform the Hajj at least once in their lives if able... but what determines that ability? I presume it's a matter of health and financial concerns, but even so, I imagine many Muslims make great sacrifices and take significant risks for this. Are there generally-accepted measures of when it's understandable for someone not to make the Hajj, or is it all a matter of personal faith & judgment? I also know there was a time when one could send someone to more or less take their place... is that still an accepted practice? [more inside]
posted by scaryblackdeath on Nov 12, 2013 - 5 answers

Hello, I am looking to find out what this tag reads in English: http://oi44.tinypic.com/w2j8t0.jpg Thanks very much to anyone who speaks Arabic and can translate this. Thanks
posted by bostonhill on Jul 24, 2013 - 6 answers

My very religious parents have invited me back into their home for the first time since I declared my agnosticism. I don't want to go. Am I making a mistake? [more inside]
posted by guessthis on Oct 12, 2011 - 47 answers

What politically neutral book(s) should I read on multiculturalism and Islam, immigration/integration politics and/or ethnic/religious tensions in Europe? [more inside]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane on Jul 25, 2011 - 11 answers

My father unexpectedly passed away last weekend from a heart attack. I am not religious. Part of my family, and most of our community of friends & extended family, are. Help me navigate the religious talk without either going on the defensive, or being complacent. [more inside]
posted by raztaj on Jul 20, 2011 - 8 answers

How do I stop feeling guilty for not wanting my boyfriend to convert to Islam? [more inside]
posted by guessthis on Jun 14, 2011 - 64 answers

I'd like to learn about various religions—scriptures, beliefs, everything. [more inside]
posted by reductiondesign on Apr 23, 2010 - 31 answers

Is there an official bible for the Greek myths? [more inside]
posted by Flying Saucer on Mar 13, 2010 - 24 answers

I'm trying to find a book about Islam and intellectualism. I can remember the cover, and the content - but not the title or the author. Gah! [more inside]
posted by divabat on Apr 26, 2009 - 11 answers

I've recently started learning more about Islam, and it intrigues me. But I had a conversation today with my muslim boyfriend in which he was adamant that he can't be muslim and believe in evolution. I'm okay with agreeing to disagree, but it's got me thinking. I've known many muslims who are scientists, and who would take no issue with evolutionary biology - how do they reconcile the two? [more inside]
posted by scrute on Jan 13, 2009 - 16 answers

My close friend is converting to Islam. Do you think he's doing the right thing? [more inside]
posted by dydecker on Dec 19, 2008 - 41 answers

After living most of my life in a secular bubble, I've been asked to fill in as a producer for a religion-focused public radio show. Religious folk: please help me to do the best job I possibly can. What's going on in your religion or faith community right now? And what should I, as a secular humanist journalist, know in order to broadcast respectfully about your faith? (anonymous because my question relates to my job and employer, which could be identified from my posting history) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 12, 2008 - 27 answers

Where can I get the Islamic equivalent of Jewish Literacy? [more inside]
posted by parkbench on Jul 30, 2008 - 8 answers

IslamFilter: I'm looking for examples of regional cultures/ethnic groups within the present-day Ummah that were bypassed by the expansion of Islam. For example, most of the people of the mountainous and hard to access Nuristan province of Afghanistan only converted to Islam ca. 1890. Prior to that it was known to everyone outside Nuristan as "Kaffirstan" (land of the unbelievers/infidels). [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on May 26, 2008 - 11 answers

As a student of international relations, I'm trying to acquire a broad understanding of Islam and Middle-Eastern culture. I'm looking for a few books to read in my spare time that touch on these subjects. [more inside]
posted by aheckler on Apr 2, 2008 - 13 answers

The Rowan Williams fiasco brought to mind a book that I read within the last year, but I cannot retrieve it now. In it, a Republican presidential candidate surprises everyone by calling for the adoption of sharia law in the United States. Can anyone help to identify it?
posted by yclipse on Feb 19, 2008 - 1 answer

Has there been higher criticism (such as the documentary hypothesis) or textual criticism of religions other than Christianity and Judaism?
posted by Pants! on Jan 10, 2008 - 10 answers

Can you refer me to sophisticated discussions of violence that is driven by hybrid forms of capitalism and religion? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 16, 2007 - 2 answers

In Islamic discourse, how harsh a pejorative is the term "kafir"? Is it necessarily a pejorative at all?
posted by stammer on Aug 28, 2007 - 8 answers

A happy Eid Al Adha? [more inside]
posted by brautigan on Dec 31, 2006 - 7 answers

Can anyone help me locate a list of the 114 surahs that indicates from which period each dates? [more inside]
posted by AlexanderBanning on Oct 31, 2006 - 6 answers

Genuine question: Given that Mohammed was a succesful military leader who led armies to kill many thousands, at what point did he switch approach and promote peace? [more inside]
posted by pettins on Sep 16, 2006 - 10 answers

Is God perfect? [more inside]
posted by fatbobsmith on Jun 25, 2006 - 32 answers

The Christmas holiday is fast approaching as we all know. My fiancee is Muslim, and we have always celebrated religious holidays separately. This year, I would like him to be a part of the family celebration. For my family it is more of a family bonding time (and become more of an American Tradition) than a religious event. If I'm correct, the celebration of Christmas is for the birth of Jesus. From what my fiancee has told me of Muslims, they believe in Jesus as a prophet, but have many differences in beliefs from Christians overall about who he was.

So would there be a debate between the two religions over the actual birth of Jesus (how he was conceived, is he the son of God....etc.) that would be conflicting for him to join us for dinner and this particular holiday itself? I want to be well informed when talking to him about it, and try to find a way to celebrate the holiday.
posted by Gooney on Dec 8, 2004 - 20 answers

The Koran. I read it long ago. I found it confusing, odd, hard to understand, in dire need of unpacking. I'd like to try reading it again. Can anyone recommend a superlative translation, or perhaps even better, a great paraphrase. Or at the very least one with decent annotations. I'm not averse to a version that does intelligent re-arranging of the sequence, as I recall chapters on cows following stuff on love. There are a number of current translations so pointers to informed reviews of them would be welcomed too.
posted by kk on Nov 15, 2004 - 11 answers