Religion: Taking a Look at the Koran, part II

Religions do share some similarities. In most cases, there is a concern about the choice of how to live: the right way (God's way) or the way of wickedness (our selfish way).

When I read the first Sura of the Koran, I found myself thinking of Psalm 1; hence, the side-by-side presentation below.

(1) AL-FATIHA (THE OPENING) In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

Psalm 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

As I continue to explore the Koran, my plan is to note similarities to the Christian faith I'm familiar with. I'll also point out differences and pose questions of things that I don't understand.

Previous post in this series:
Part I