Assignment: The Qur'an

Norton Anthology, 1203-1225

Analytical questions

1. Compare and contrast the Muslim images of heaven and hell with those in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

2. Describe the status of, and Muslim attitudes toward, women as reflected in the Qur'an and the cultural and historical background.

3. Compare and contrast the story of Joseph as depicted in the Qur'an and in Genesis 37-46.

Factual reading questions

1. What is the literal meaning of the word qur'an? 1203

2. Which two "prophets" does the Qur'an associate with the Christian gospels? 1203

3. Who are the "people of the Book"? 1203

4. T/F: According to the Qur'an, the Torah and Gospels are also divinely inspired. 1203

5. T/F: Those who submit to the Torah and Gospels can also be sure of entering paradise. 1203

6. According to traditional belief, the true virtue of the Qur'an "can be appreciated only in the..." what? (three words) 1204

7. From which of the two types of suras, Meccan and Medinan, do our editors include the greater number? 1204

8. Which sura did Muhammad himself say is most important? 1204

9. T/F: Muhammad wrote nothing himself. The Qur'an is a later transcription of his recitations. 1205

10. In what year was the official version of the Qur'an finally completed? 1205

11. T/F: The Qur'an never includes pictorial illustrations. 1205

12. When are you "forbidden to kill game"? 1206

13. With what should one cleanse oneself when you "can find no water"? 1207

14. What should be the punishment for those "who wage war against God and his messenger"? 1208

15. If one does not seek "an eye for an eye," it is assumed to be "atonement for" one's (two words) 1209

16. T/F: Muslims should try to be allies of the Jews and Christians.

17. Who "are defying [the truth]"? 1211

18. Who are "the closest in affection towards the believers"? 1212

19. With what does Satan seek "only to incite enmity and hatred among you"? 1212

20. Whom should one ask to be "witnesses to the making of a bequest"? 1213

21. What did Jesus ask the Lord to "send down to us"? 1214

22. Whom does Joseph's father say he should not tell about his dream? 1220

23. What animal did the brothers say ate Joseph? 1220

24. What is it that "most people do not realize it"? 1220

25. According to Joseph, what kind of people "never prosper" 1221

26. Except for what would Joseph "have succumbed to her"? 1221

27. Why doesn't the Egyptian believe his wife, Zuleikha? 1221

28. What do the women do when they see how handsome Joseph is? 1221

29. What did Joseph prefer "to what these women are calling me to do"? 1221

30. According to the king's dream, what did the seven lean cows do to the seven fat ones? 1222

31. To what does Joseph say he does not pretend? 1222

32. Who suggests that Joseph be put in "charge of the nation's storehouses"? 1222

33. What must Joseph's brothers bring to him before he will give them more corn? 1222

34. T/F: Joseph reveals himself first to Benjamin. 1223

35. Into whose pack does Joseph hide the drinking cup? 1223

36. What do they say should be the punishment for whoever stole the cup? 1223

37. What do they place on Jacob's face that restores his eyesight? 1224

38. What is it "that they pass by and give no heed to"? 1224

39. What has been given to "men chosen from the people of their towns"? 1224