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Secrets Of The Koran
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Item Description...
Overview
Revealing Insight into Islam?s Holy Book
Forget all those evening news sound bites or diplomatically correct half-truths about the Koran and the religion of Islam. If you want to know what the Koran is really about, you have to know what it really says.
Don Richardson gives you a nitty-gritty inside look at the Koran, helping to separate fact from fiction. These hard-hitting observations are not the author?s opinion based on what he thinks the Koran seems to imply. Muslim boys are indoctrinated in military camps. Madrasses (schools) force memorization and repetition of the Koran?particularly those verses that promise heavenly rewards for martyrdom. It took courage to write this serious, documented and well-sourced book. But the price of truth is courage, regardless of ones religion.
Includes chapters devoted to the following topics and many more:
Chapter 4: How Muslims Try to Defend the Koran
Chapter 7: New Testament Morals and the Koran
Chapter 9: Islamic Strategies for World Domination
Publishers Description
Forget all those evening news sound bites or diplomatically correct half-truths about the Koran and the religion of Islam. If you want to know what the Koran is really about, you have to know what it really says. Don Richardson gives you a nitty-gritty inside look at the Koran, helping to separate fact from fiction. These hard-hitting observations are not the author's opinion based on what he thinks the Koran seems to imply. Muslim boys are indoctrinated in military camps. Madrasa schools force memorization and repetition of the Koran particularly those verses that promise heavenly rewards for martyrdom. It took courage to write this serious, documented and well-sourced book. But the price of truth is courage, regardless of ones religion. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 260
Dimensions: Length: 0.75" Width: 5.5" Height: 8.25"
Weight: 0.7 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Release Date Jun 1, 2008
Publisher GOSPEL LIGHT PUBLISHERS #9
ISBN 0830731237
EAN 9780830731237
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Availability 11 units.
Availability accurate as of May 27, 2012 01:30.
Usually ships within one to two business days from New Kensington, PA.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Excellent Resource Jan 27, 2012 |
| I picked this book up early in my investigation as to what Muslims believe and why. I found it very helpful and recommend it highly to anyone wishing to gain knowledge about the differences between Islam and Christianity, and the danger it poses to all of civilization. I of course had a Koran handy to check the references and the context myself and found Mr. Richardson to be fair and truthful as well as insightful. | | | | A must read. Mar 16, 2007 |
| If you want to understand the Koran and learn about their prophet muhammad [ no caps on purpose ] this is for you. If you want to study islam, start here. | | |  | A Good Place To Start Mar 11, 2007 |
Richardson, Don. Secrets Of The Koran: Revealing Insights Into Islam's Holy Book.
Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2003.
1.Summary Of The Author's Thesis
Don Richardson examines Islam and searches for what he calls "redemptive analogies," or coherent ideas that exist between Islam and Christianity. He examines The Qu'ran as well as other Islamic texts such as ahadith, and Islamic culture in search of the analogies he is seeking. Richardson has in the past sought to find coherent ideas in the cultural belief structures of animistic tribes (The Sawi, and Yali) and in his descriptions he found them. (P. 14-17) Due to a rise of Islam in and around those cultures, Richardson set out to look for similarities between Islam and Christianity. Richardson says that after searching The Qu'ran, ahadith and "a shelf full of research books" he found no such coherence between these two beliefs and he further states, "I realized when it comes to Islam the redemptive-analogy approach cannot work." (P. 17-20)
After Sept 11th 2001, the time he was searching for a redemptive analogy between Islam and Christianity, Richardson decided to take a closer look at Mohammad and the Qu'ran and discover through a thorough investigation just what foundational Islam is. (P.17) Richardson wants us to "...try to cast off any presumptions you may have about Islam, Mohammad and the Koran." (P.19) Richardson wants us to examine Islam from the stated position and discover who has the scriptural authority according to The Qu'ran. Does someone like Usama Bin Laden hold that authority or does the moderate Muslim have the high ground? Is the Qu'ran a book of peace; is Islam a religion of peace? What is the example of Mohammad? Has Islam been hijacked, and by whom? (P. 21-29)
Richardson takes the reader on a tour through the Qu'ran to examine the question of just who has the wider tradition in Islam; who follows the example of Mohammad and who does not. Richardson quotes President George W. Bush who said that Usama Bin Laden has "hi-jacked" a great religion. (P. 22) In fact, what President Bush stated is, "Our enemy doesn't follow the great traditions of Islam. They've hijacked a great religion."1 Richardson gives examples throughout the book from the Qu'ran and ahadith to demonstrate the solutions to situations Mohammad and his Muslims used when dealing with others in various ways, and how Mohammad instructed future followers to behave. Richardson does not finger point at all Muslims, he keeps his focus on the words and actions of Mohammad and his Qu'ran. (P. 20)
1.President George W. Bush, U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. October 11, 2002.
2.Tracing The Argument
Has Islam been hijacked as President Bush has said? Richardson examines the facts. Starting from the idea that Islam is a religion with great, noble traditions that has been hijacked, Richardson opens the Qu'ran and pours over the facts to enlighten the reader as to the true nature of Islam, whatever that my be. First in line is the idea that Islam is "peace." Richardson asks the question "is the Koran a book of peace?" (P. 21) If the Qu'ran is a book of peace then where do the "extremists" get their authority? If the Qu'ran is a book of violence, where do the moderates get their authority?
What does the Qu'ran say about peace? Richardson takes a brief look at certain issues and asks questions concerning the validity of the typical responses people are being given concerning those questions. One of the first questions has to do with the idea of Friday being a holy day for Muslims. Friday prayers are considered very important and Muslims are called to Mosque for these prayers and sermons. Richardson examines the idea that if Islam teaches peace in the Qu'ran, then why are Fridays known to Western embassies in Islamic countries to be some of the most violent days of the week? And, if Muslims have been taught peace why are Westerners openly attacked in the streets immediately following Friday prayers/sermons? (P. 22-23) Richardson then goes on to give many examples of Islamic violence throughout the world.
Richardson continues and poses the idea that if all this violence is just a "hijack" of Islam as President Bush stated, then we as Westerners need to be doing more than sending troops to fight these radicals. We need to be helping the moderates reclaim their religion of peace. (P.24) Richardson then prompts the idea of what is meant my "peace" in Islam? He goes on to ask "...what if, in fact, the Koran-on any other basis-calls for war against all non-Muslims?" (P.24) Is the "peace" talked about in Islam a "peace" that has only an Islamic meaning? Richardson states that if the Qu'ran does in fact call for violence against all non-Muslims then the concept of Islamic peace is "...only a carrot dangling from a stick." (P. 24)
If the Qu'ran, and Islam teach "peace," and that "peace" taught by Islam is only "a carrot dangling from a stick," then what does this say about the so-called "hijack" of Islam? Richardson points out the wider implication involved and states "Moderate apologists for Islam within our borders and Muslim terrorists striking from outside then appear-perhaps-unwittingly-as conspiring operatives in a good cop/bad cop stratagem." (P. 24) On one hand, the moderate apologists explain Islam is "peace" and has been "hijacked," while the so-called radicals claim authority from the Qu'ran and wider tradition and example of Mohammad. Richardson says, "If radical Muslim views of the Koran are correct, there will always be Muslims answering the Koran's call to violence."(P. 25) and "Islam applied strictly according to the Koran relies upon conquest, not charisma" (P. 141)
3. Critique The Authors Thesis
Can Richardson's thesis be proven? What is "peace" in Islam? According to Islam, there can only be peace with true Muslims. What then is a true Muslim? A true Muslim is one who professes faith in Allah alone, professes the prophetic office of Muhammad, adheres to sharia law, recognizes the Qu'ran as the source of religious law, and recognizes that the Ka`ba is qibla to which all must turn in prayer. "Everyone who professes belief in all this, and does not assimilate it to any heretical ideas (bid`a) which would lead to unbelief, is a Sunni monotheist."1
A further examination of the "peace" as taught in Islam yields some interesting concepts. Islam divides the world into two categories: Dar al Harb and Dar al Islam. Dar al Harb means "House of War" and Dar al Islam means "House of Peace." The "house of peace" (Dar al Islam) are those countries that are already subjugated under Islam, where Islam is the only recognized religion, sharia is the law of the land, and the Muslims adhere to the articles described above. Conversely, the concept of House of War (Dar al Harb) are those countries that are not Muslim, who do not have sharia as the law of the land, and do not hold to the fundamentals as previously described (in 1). 2
Not only does Islam divide the world into two groups, it further divides humanity into two groups. The first are the true Muslims, the second are the Kuffar, or "disbelievers," which includes the so-called "people of the book," atheists, and every other religion on the planet including other forms of Islam which is not considered true Islam. These Kuffar are those who do not willingly or otherwise submit to the god of Islam (Allah) and confess that Muhammad is the final prophet and are not Sunni monotheists. For the Kuffar, there is only Jihad until they willingly, or by force, submit to Islam and "pay the Jiyzah [poll tax] with willing submission," (which is basically paying for the privilege to be a slave) or if they refuse, they are killed.3
What is the Qu'ranic passage to back this up?
Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah [poll tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.30. And the Jews say: 'Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allâh. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allâh's Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth! [Islâm]. 4
1. From `Abd al-Qahir al-Baghdadi, Kitab al-Farq bain al-Fairq (Cairo, 1945), P. 13-14.
2. Ibn Warraq, Why I Am Not A Muslim, (Prometheus Books, 1995) P. 218.
3. Serge Trifkovic, The Sword of The Prophet (Regina Orthodox Press, Inc. 2002) P. 51.
4. The Noble Qu'ran, Surah 9:29-30.
Richardson gives us another example of how Islam teaches "peace," or enlarges Dar al Islam, and states "He [Mohammad] imbued Islam laterally with a strongly supremacist attitude toward the two older monotheisms [Judaism & Christianity]." (P. 114) Then he goes on to quote Surah 61:9, which states:
"He it is who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâmic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger Muhammed SAW) hate (it)[i.e. Islam]. 1
It is a reasonable and logical conclusion to draw that all humanity will not willingly submit to Mohammad's Allah, especially those with strong foundations in their perspective faiths or beliefs. The only way the resistant will be brought under control of Dar al Islam is for Muslims to fight them "until the last day." The Ahadith backs up the claim to perpetual Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah) and forcing the submission of all to Allah alone. Amazingly, The Ahadith glaringly points out the genocidal madness prevalent in true Islam when it states:
Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some ofthem will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' 2
Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with The Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him." 3
Surah 98:6 states: "Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures."
When studying Islam it is important to know the concept of abrogation. Abrogation is critical in being able to decipher the true intent of Mohammad. What is abrogation? Abrogation is the concept that Mohammad's Allah changes his mind about things he has said (in the Qu'ran), and with this change of mind, Mohammad's Allah issues a new command to replace or abrogate an already existing command (Surah). This idea is shown in Surah 2:106. "Whatever a Verse (revelation) do we abrogate or cause to be forgotten, we bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allâh is able to do all things?" Islam's message of peace to the world is "submit to Allah, and live in peace." When reading a passage such as Surah 109. Al-Kâfirûn, know that it is an earlier Meccan Surah and was abrogated by later conquest Surah.
1. The Noble Qu'ran, Surah 61:9.
2. Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176, Narrator: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar
3. Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177, Narrator: Abu Huraira
Conclusion
Richardson's thesis proves out, Islamopologists will be relentless in their denials and will face just as fierce an opposition to their slight of hand and blatant obfuscation of the reality of Islam. Someone may ask the question, does this mean all Muslims are evil? The answer from Richardson is an adamant NO! On that Richardson states, "The vast majority of Muslims are not bad people." (P. 20) In fact, the first victims of Islam are Muslims, after that, everyone else. Richardson wants us to prove out the truth of Islam with frank and open dialogue and says, "Lets wage truth on Islam-because truth is the doorway to genuine peace. Peace not founded upon truth cannot last." (P. 250, 251) Hiding and pretending will only confuse the issue.
Islam is Dar al Islam; Dar al Harb is all that is not Islam, and according to Mohammad and his Allah, Dar al Harb is to be conquered till all religion is for Allah alone. Mohammad tells his Muslims that "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing, which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not" Qu'ran 2:216, And another Ahadith tells us "Muhammad said: "I swear by Him who has my soul in his hands, I was sent to you with nothing but slaughter."1
So, what are we to learn then from all this? Why, that Islam is peace, of-course!
1. Sahih Ibn Haban, vol. 14, p. 529
| | | | The Koran explained and exposed Jan 15, 2007 |
I bought this book because I knew next to nothing about the Koran or Mohammed, and I had loved this author's story in "Peace Child" of how he and his wife had found the key to unlocking the hearts of the Sawi, a bloodthirsty headhunting tribe of cannibals whose ideal was treachery, by using one of the Sawis' own traditions to relate to Jesus Christ. This was so successful that Mr. Richardson used this method and found a "gospel key" in many tribes around the world.
I was expecting the same type of story, but was shocked to discover that, far from being able to find a key to peace between Islamic and Judeo-Christian countries, Mr. Richardson found that the Koran itself prohibits this peaceful cohabitation.
Using eight different translations of the Koran so that there would be no question as to the meaning of each verse, Mr. Richardson exposes several terrifying facts about it. Let there be no mistake: this is not a religion of peace. According to Mohammed all followers of Islam are to kill the infidels (everyone who is not a Muslim). This means not just Jews and Christians, but Buddhists, atheists, New Age, etc. (By the way, there are 109 verses in the Koran urging Islamists to go to war. And yes, they are promised virgins in heaven if they are martyrs to the cause.)
Although I didn't know much about the Koran, I still expected it to be beautifully written; I was surprised to discover that it's a boring, plebian book, with many repetitions and contradictions. It's as if a 7th grade boy wrote it. If it weren't so awful, it would be funny how often Mohammed suddenly changes tack, saying that something that was previously banned is now okay, but only for himself and his followers.
Although this book is written more as an expose, there is valuable information as to how we can reach the peace-loving Islamic people who have been bamboozled into believing that the Koran is the work of a prophet.
| | | | I was pleased! Jan 9, 2007 |
| Thanks for your prompt service. Book was in condition described. I have been very happy with service received through this site and its affiliates. | | | | A handy resource that would be even better without the sarcasm Sep 28, 2006 |
Richardson's volume is a handy resource for those who have no knowledge about Mohammed, the Koran, or the founding of Islam. It is hardly a comprehensive history, but the author doesn't claim it to be so; in fact, what he wants is for readers to consult other resources (and he lists many suggested resources) and to test the veracity of the claims found in his book. Richardson himself consulted seven different English translations of the Koran: some by Muslims, some by non-Muslims, some by objective translators, and some by Islamic apologists. I know that Muslims claim the Koran can only be read, understood, and appreciated in Arabic, but this claim is absurd. Certainly there are always certain nuances that are lost when a book is translated from one language into another, but the meaning can be clearly retained. If the Koran doesn't make sense in English it is because, as Richardson points out, it doesn't make much sense in Arabic either.
For the uninformed, who have been bamboozled by the liberal media into believing that Islam is a "peaceful religion," this should be a great wake-up call. The silence of so-called moderate Muslims every time that there is a terrorist attack by radicals is a clear indicator of the validity of many of Richardson's arguments concerning the history and ultimate goals of those who follow Islam. The fact that Muslims resort to emotional blackmail every time that they are offended by "the West" also supports much of what Richardson has to say in terms of the differences between Christianity and Islam and the threat that the latter poses to the civilization of the former. When Muslims are offended, whether by comments from the pope or Danish cartoons, they riot and threaten to kill (a threat on which some follow through). When Christians are offended by blasphemies such as those found in "The Da Vinci Code", they attempt to engage in intelligent dialogue (as is evidenced by the many books and video programs that addressed the claims found in Dan Brown's novel). There is obviously a great difference in the two approaches, and it is unfortunate that the Muslim approach seems to be the more effective one right now (witness the pope's current trip to Turkey, which is an obvious attempt to calm Muslim opinion about his previous comments on Islam).
The only problem with Richardson's book, as I see it, is his often sarcastic tone. He makes his points quite clearly, so I see no need for him to add so many sarcastic commentaries at the end of many points. I think the sarcasm is more likely to create a spirit of hostility toward Muslims. While Richardson obviously is issuing a warning to Western Civilization that if we don't start to defend and protect our Christian heritage then we will lose it, I don't think he is trying to stir up antagonism against Muslims. Since he is a man of God, I know that he desires the gospel of Jesus Christ to be spread throughout the Islamic world. The trouble with accomplishing that, however, is also highlighted in Richardson's book.
The bottom line, as Richardson makes clear, is that true Christians should attempt to reach Muslims with the gospel of Christ, but that they should also take steps to defend themselves by calling on their leaders to stop allowing Islam to influence public policy through its methods of fear and intimidation through violence (terrorism), emotional blackmail (the "we're offended, so let's riot" attitude mentioned previously), and flat-out lies about the so-called 'truths' found in the Koran. | | | Write your own review about Secrets Of The Koran
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