| Pain, Pleasure and Prejudice The Complete Layman’s Guide to the Koran Eve, First in a Verse The implication of the following revelation is so astounding that I have provided alternate translations. In Fakhry’s interpretation of revelation 7:189, Eve appears to have been created before Adam – my understanding (italics mine) of “It is He Who created you from a single soul from which He created her mate.” Majid Fakhry 7:189 It is He Who created you from a single soul from which He created her mate to live in comfort with her. Then when he approached her she bore a light burden; and so she carried on easily. When she became heavy, they called upon Allah, their Lord saying: “If You grant us a righteous child, we shall be thankful. Muhammad Assad 7:189 IT IS HE who has created you [all] out of one living entity, and out of it brought into being its mate, so that man might incline [with love] towards woman. And so, when he has embraced her, she conceives [what at first is] a light burden, and continues to bear it. Then, when she grows heavy [with child], they both call unto God, their Sustainer, "If Thou indeed grant us a sound [child], we shall most certainly be among the grateful!" Yusuf Ali 7:189 It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): "If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." Mohsin Khan’s interpretation is the only translation consulted which confirms that the couple in question is indeed Adam and Eve. 7:189 It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife (Hawwa (Eve)), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her. When he had sexual relation with her, she became pregnant and she carried it about lightly. Then when it became heavy, they both invoked Allah, their Lord (saying): "If You give us a Salih (good in every aspect) child, we shall indeed be among the grateful." And there’s more. Islam considers Adam to be Allah’s first Prophet. It is possible that the first Prophet was also the first idol worshipper. 7:190 He then gave them a righteous child. But they considered it to be given not only by Him, but also by associates whom they set up with him. But Allah is exalted above those associates. “Occam's razor” is a principle (also referred to as “the law of parsimony and succinctness”) which recommends that, “from among competing hypotheses, selecting the one that makes the fewest new assumptions usually provides the correct one, and that the simplest explanation will be the most plausible…” If the principle of the simplest explanation applies to translations of the Koran, then Fakhry’s is the most likely correct translation. The semantic gymnastics evident in the alternate mainstream translations to explain the contradiction in revelation 7:189 is further evidence that the wisdom in Occam's razor may be applicable to translations of the Koran. Quite the introduction to one of the more interesting and revealing rants against associate gods, and those who allege Allah has partners in the god department e.g. Christians. It is in His revelations about other gods that Allah often reveals the most about Himself, as is the case here. 7:191 Do they associate with Allah those who can create nothing, while they, themselves, are created? 7:192 And they can neither help them or help themselves. Except for the Prophets perhaps, can anyone else claim to have had God tag along when asked? 7:193 And if you call them to guidance, they do not follow you. It is the same for you whether call them or you remain silent. 7:194 Indeed those you call, apart from Allah, are servants like you; so call them and let them answer you, if you are truthful. Allah may not be much different from you and me, but much bigger. 7:195 Do they have feet to walk with; do they have hands to smite with; do they have eyes to see with; or do they have ears to hear with? Say [O Muhammad]: “Call your associate-gods, then plot against me and give me no respite.” 7:196 My protector is Allah who sent down the Book and He protects the righteous. ------------------------ A revelation that gives us an idea of the size of God. 39:67 They have not recognized Allah’s true measure. The whole earth shall be in His grasp and the heavens shall be rolled up in His Right Hand on the Day of Resurrection. Glory be to Him, and may He be exalted above what they associate with Him. From the size of Allah we came extrapolate the size of His throne, and from its size the size of angels, as eight only will be required to carry it on Judgment Day. 69:17 And the angels shall be ranged around its borders, eight of whom will be carrying above them, on that Day, the Throne of your Lord. ------------------------ Again with those other gods not being able to help themselves, let alone you! 7:197 And those you call, apart from Him, are not able to help you or even to help themselves. 7:198 If you call them to the guidance they do not hear; and you see them look at you, but they do not see. So here is what you do, and why, and hope your brethren don’t interfere. 7:199 Hold to forgiveness, enjoin the good and turn away from the ignorant. 7:200 And if a temptation from the Devil troubles you, seek refuge in Allah; He is truly All Hearing, All-Knowing. 7:201 Indeed, those who fear God, when a visitation from the Devil afflicts them, will remember [Allah’s Commands], and behold they will see clearly. 7:202 But their brethren will plunge them further into error, and [then] they will not desist.
|
