Chapter 33: “The Last Two Verses”, added to the sidebar

As its name suggests, chapter 33 covers the last 2 verses of our surah: verses 2:285 and 2:286.
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They are also called “the verses of the throne”, as it is an Islamic tradition that Muhammad received these verses from a treasure trove beneath the Throne of Allah, and no Prophet before Muhammad was given them, or ever reached the Throne.
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They are also fundamentally positive, but with a typical Islamic twist. Read about them on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 32: “Financial Matters”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 32 covers verses 2:275 to 2:284, which deal with loans, interest and money matters. It is a fundamentally positive and socially responsible collection of ideas.
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This is where the Quran prohibits the charging of interest, which is a good idea when the loan is between individuals, but not so practical when it comes to financial institutions.
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Here we also have the longest verse in the Quran (2:282), which in essence contains the terms and conditions of the Islamic loan contract.
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Interesting read. Get it on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 31: “A Few Parables, Charity and Financial Jihad”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 31 covers verses 2:261 to 2:274, which are mostly long-winded verses supposedly relaying biblical text and ideas, but getting them hopelessly wrong and distorted.
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If you saw Peter Sellers in the movie “Being There” from the 1980s, one verse will sound just like something he would say – vague and meaningless.
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It talks about financial Jihad, that is, providing material support to those who fight in the way of Allah, and almsgiving, all to glorify Allah and his messenger, whose cut of the loot is 20% or more.
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The reward for those who give away their money, however, will come from Allah. They just have to be patient in waiting.
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And so on and so forth… on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 30: “Theological Discourse and Signs”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 30 covers verses 2:258 to 2:260.
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These verses relate stories involving Ibrahim (Abraham) and unnamed people who witness Allah’s supernatural powers. These stories, as told, cannot be found anywhere else, however some elements thereof may be traced to Jewish Midrash or to the Bible.
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The purpose in these stories is to show that Allah can perform supernatural acts, whereas his rivals cannot.
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Still, it is fun to read… You can read it on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 29: “On Submission and Compulsion”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 29 covers verses 2:254 to 2:257, and deals with the Islamic principle that no one should be compelled to convert to Islam.
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However, the way it is articulated, the reader knows that if he does not convert, things will not end very well for him, as he clearly ignores the only truth and the best way of life, and for that, he will pay dearly.
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Although it is stated expressly in the Quran, many Islamic clerics and rulers all but ignored this law, and made those who chose not to convert pay dearly.
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See? I told you they will pay dearly. You can read more about it on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 28: “More Mixed Up Bible Stories”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 28 covers verses 2:243 to 2:253, eleven longwinded and mostly obscure verses. They relate some confused biblical narratives.
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Those of you who have some familiarity of the Scriptures will recognise quite a few biblical stories and personalities.
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You will, however be stunned by the extent of inaccuracy, misinterpretation and sheer ignorance of the source material.
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It is really embarrassing for those who want to support the Quran as bona fide scripture.
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Have a look. It is posted on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 27: “Marriage and Divorce and Other Matters”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 27 covers verses 2:215 to 2:242.
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This is where the Qur’an provides some social instruction.
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It begins with charity and almsgiving (only if you can afford it), goes on to discuss gambling and consumption (forbidden, unless you gain entry to Paradise, where wine and women are free and in unlimited supply).
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It then lays out to the believers the lawas of marriage and divorce, and touches on the now controversial issue of the treatment of women.
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There is much more in this chapter. Check it out, on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 26: “Submit and You Will Be Saved”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 26 covers verses 2:204 to 2:214.
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This is where the Qur’an tells you that Islam means “Submission”.
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It also contains the obligatory dose of “bad Jews not heeding Allah’s word”, even thought they witness his miracles and signs.
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And we all know where they will end up for their stubbornness!
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The Believers, on the other hand, are destined to Paradise, although they are warned that the road to Paradise is perilous.
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Most of this chapter could be categorised as “more of the same”. Still, it is worth reading. Check it out, on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 25: “The Hajj”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 25 covers verses 2:196 to 2:203.
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Some long verses that deal with some of the rites and rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage.
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We hardly see any unique, original Islamic contributions in the area of legislation and custom. These are taken, and as we saw, often misinterpreted, from existing belief systems.
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Read it as one chapter, on the menu bar of pages, on the right.

Chapter 24: “A Touch of Jihad”, added to the sidebar

Chapter 24 covers verses 2:190 to 2:195
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This is where we are introduced to the Islamic duty of Jihad – striving in thew way of Allah.
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It contains instructions of how and when to fight the enemy (yes, Jihad is fighting the enemy to glorify Allah and his messenger), and when to desist.
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It encourages the Believers to provide material support to the fighters.
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Jihad fighting as a struggle to gain control of Mecca, but after Muhammad’s resounding success in this enterprise, Jihad became an eternal duty to make Islam rule over all other belief systems.
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It is all in there, on the menu bar of pages, on the right.