In response to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/4949
-----------------------------------------------------

I read your reply to message/4932.

I have some doubts.

1) I have not studied the Holy Quran but I am told by one of my
learned Muslim friend that the holy book is written in simple Arabic
language so that any layman can read and understand it. That it is
written in simple language is even mentioned in the book itself.
If my friend is right, we can conclude that a proper translation is
quite possible. And therefore I believe that there should be no
misinterpretations just because someone is using a translated version
of the holy book. What do you say?

2) You have emphatically mentioned that to understand a Sura, we
should include, along with its literal meaning, the context in which
it was uttered by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Now this makes the Sura(s)
appear very earthly things whereas I used to think that the Suras
were told to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by the Almighty Allah for the
benefit of mankind. My question is if the Suras are so context
specific and were uttered by the Prophet to solve some specific
problems so many years ago, how can these be so relevant to today's
world which is so different after all these years? Along the line,
another question to you:

Do you find all the Suras very relevant to your life?
Are all of these acceptable to you?

3) I also heard that music and painting are prohibited in Islam.
First of all, I would like to know whether this is true. If so, I
guess that these also must be told in the form of Sura. Then my
question to you: Can you imagine any reasons behind this?

Best Regards,
Nabin.

PS:

Friends,
This is my first posting to mukto-mona. Since Afsarunnesa wrote that
she is not very religious but at the same time it seems she has
studied the Holy Quran carefully, I have asked her some questions to
clarify my doubts. At the same time, I will be happy to receive
feedback on my questions/doubts from any other mukto-mona members.