God in the Qur’an

The Abrahamic faiths share so much and yet have substantial differences. This work seeks to explore the concept of God in the Quran and compare it to the Judeo-Christian faith, by examining the scriptures of all three religions. The issue with this approach is that the concepts of God in the Christian and Judaic faiths share similarities, but are also profoundly different. Hence the study should adequately be a three-way comparison.

While the work is ostensibly about God in the Quran, the chapters themselves review interactions with major Islamic prophets (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Jesus), hence omitting some aspects of living the Good Life (ordained in the Quran) as it pertains to Muslims. The work also draws from multiple sources from the European tradition (Augustine, Milton, and others). This approach hinders exploring Muslim perspectives while (sometimes unnaturally) imposing Judeo-Christian perceptions on Muslim religious interpretations. For instance, when exploring humanity’s banishment from Eden, the work draws from Milton’s Paradise Lost rather than the arguments of Quranic verses referred to as Adam’s Prayer where forgiveness is sought and granted immediately after the fall. While the approach helps non-Muslim readers appreciate how Muslims view God, it does little for Muslim readers.

A work that seeks to understand our similarities and differences, with the intent to increase understanding and collaboration should be a celebrated work, despite its shortcomings. In this respect, God in the Quran is a good book that will help non-Muslims gain a deeper understanding of their Muslim neighbors’ view of God.

For those who believe that all the Abrahamic faiths worship the same God, this work helps show that the portrait of God we each carry is a slightly different one. Overall, God in the Quran is a good read.