Muslim VGCers: What's the difference between Sunni and Shiite?

[Joelcool7]

huaxiong90 said:

Joelcool7 said:

I LOVE GIGGS said:
I think what they mean is you, as a christian, should believe that it is a holy text and shouldn't through it at the ground.

Hey wait a second I never said I threw it at the ground. Its just I have no room on my shelves and stuff is all over my apartment (Fairly messy) I tend to loose my Bible often. So I set it on the ground by my bed so that I know where it is at all times. I didn't think it would offend anyone especially a Muslim because I couldn't understand how the Bible is seen as a Holy text.

Its still hard for me to understand. But I guess if Muslim's believe the Bible was the word of God and was tampered with and such maybe it could still be a holy text in their eyes.

Sorta confusing for a Christian to understand. Especially since my friend quotes the Bible.

Another funny thing I don't get is. He at least believes this, that the Quran shouldn't be translated. As such he has never actually read the Quran as he only knows english. He also believes in praying in arabic despite not knowing arabic, he memorises prayers his Imam teaches him and prays them.

I can't see how someone could believe in a Holy Book they can't read. Theirs english versions availible but he thinks that its blasphemy to read them. He believes anything his Imam says. I find that weird, as even I have read parts of the Quran. I just can't see how anyone can have faith based on a holy text they themselves have not read or know much about.

I guess thats why some extremists Imam's can so easily brainwash some believers. If they can't read the Quran themselves and believe what ever their Imam tells them. Thats sorta dangerous.

Do all Muslim's believe you can't translate the Quran? Or is it a belief only shared by certain sects?

No, that's probably just insecurity over there being some verses lost in translation. The Qur'an I study has the original Arabic text, an English translation next to it, and an explanation of the verse's meaning in English.

And your friend is horribly misguided. It's IMPERATIVE that Muslims achieve their faith through educating themselves instead of listening blindly to their imams.

Now then, to explain your confusion (since I didn't do so when I answered you in the other thread): It's as superchunk said. We respect them individually as the books of God, but that mankind distorted/corrupted them through time. We believe they (the Gospel, Zabur, and Torah) only contains some parts that are true to the original message, but there are also details that have either been removed or added.

Basically, us Muslims believe that all the original holy texts taught the exact same morals and way of life as the Qur'an, with only some minor differences here and there. Then it became corrupted through time, particularly when Islam came into the picture.

Make of it what you will. This is just what we believe.

Cool thanks for the explanation. I'm glad to know not all Muslim's believe the Quran shouldn't be translated. At least then they aren't blindly believing everything that their Imam says. I think knowledge of your Holy texts are really important in people's faiths. If you can't read your own Holy Text how can you call yourself a follower of that religion.

My Muslim friend also has a very bad outlook on Christian's and Jews which he says is founded in the Quran. However like I said he hasn't read the Quran. I'm not sure what his Imam is teaching but its sorta scary some of the stuff this guy says. Freaks me out, especially since he doesn't actually read the Quran.