Women and the Q'uran

[S O F I]

Once up on a time, a friend of mine remarked that women aren't supposed to physically touch the book. Now, from what I understand, menstruating women aren't supposed to, but what about just in general? Was he wrong? Also, I remember reading once somewhere that, you're supposed to be taught the Q'Uran in the Middle East by "knowledgeable" folks. In other words, you don't pick up the Q'Uran and read it yourself.

Can anyone clear this stuff up for me? Preferably with some sources to look at?

 

[Jokerman]

Menstruating women can read the Quran if they're wearing Tampons and you beat them properly

But for real. Women can touch the Quran and read it. Menstruating women can usually touch and read it because neither the Quran nor the teachings say they can't. Scholars debate it though, and, of course, depending on where you are, it's accepted, frowned on, or prohibited. So, obviously, under the Taliban, I doubt they could because women weren't even allowed to breathe.

Anyone can pick up and read the Quran. Of course, many sects or leaders will say you won't really understand it unless you learn from knowledgeable folks.

I can't find any links that don't ramble on about it in a religious scholarly way using many Arabic names, but this is as good as any:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/islam...truating-woman-read-the-quran/145083365516738

 

[Prize Gotti]

Of course, many sects or leaders will say you won't really understand it unless you learn from knowledgeable folks.

This is where the problem with Islam lies. They're taught it as to how certain people believe it should be interpreted. Alot of "rules" associated with Islam aren't in there, such as the popular "women should be covered head to toe", no where in the Quran does it say this, but its what has been taught by people with their own, edited to fit themselves, interpretation.

In the Quran it states that Allah provided us the Sea to feed from, as creatures from the Sea are Halal, however a huge amount of Muslims consider Shellfish to not be Halal. This again is not in the Quran, its one person opinion that they have taught others to believe.

They also teach that what they are teaching is the only truth, and any one who questions the interpretation, and any other interpretation of Islam, is wrong. This issue is so extremely important to Muslims that they will kill each other to defend their beliefs. Much like Catholics and Protestants did hundreds of years ago. Luckily they woke up and accepted people have the right to believe what they want. Unless of course they're Irish.

Muslims need to apply the same thing to Islam before its too late. Being several hundred years behind other religions doesnt do their reputation any good. They really need to find another way to teach Islam if they want to prevent another war, because the extreme views many have will only cause their downfall.

*waits for Seb to quote my post with his bigoted opinion*

 

[not really ken]

Menstruating women are diasavowed from praying the five daily prayers; this they find reduces the mandatory burden. They can read the Qur'an though; they can't touch the Qu'ran because in order to do so, you are required to perform ablution, a menstruating woman can't perform ablution; so the book can't be touched, but the words can be recited, from memory; as their is no condition of ablution for verbal reciting. However, once the menstrual period is over, then women are allowed to physically touch the book.

Men are also not allowed to physically touch the book without ablution.

The Qur'an can't be recited without learning arabic enunciation beforehand; slight changes in the nuances of how the letters are pronounced, completely changes the meanings of the words; so it is sacriligious to recite for example the word 'sacred' as 'forbidden' as the two words are differentiated just by the holding of a beat for 1 second.

'Knowlegable folk' means teachers; i'm sure you don't learn anything without a teacher? Or if you do, then it's a pretty tacit understanding that having a teacher is better than self-study.

 

[Pittsey]

I don't let people touch me without ablution either.