The Qur’an: Who Does it Belong to, Anyway?

By Liaquat Ali. 01/07/02

The first chapter of the Qur'an starts with "Al Hamdu Lillah e Rabbil

Aalameen."

The last chapter of the Qur'an starts with "Qul Aozu Bi Rabbin Naas."

Therefore, God is the Sustainer (Rabb) for all universes (Aalameen), including all human beings (Naas.)

In chapter 2, verse 62, the Qur'an states:

“It does not matter whether they are believers and thus call themselves Muslims, and those who are Jews, Christians and Nature worshippers, if they truly believe in Allah and in the life Hereafter and serve humanity, they will find their reward with their Sustainer. For them there will be no fear from without, nor will grief touch them from within.“

The Qur'an teaches Muhammad to call people towards the message of the Qur'an in the best possible speech and manners.

The Qur'an clearly says that the best among people is the one who has better character.

The message of the Qur'an is universal.

Any verse of the Qur'an that is understood in a stereotypical way towards any group of people based on their present religion, gender, race or language, represents the inclinations of the interpreter(s), and not of the Qur'an itself.

One third of the current Muslim population lives in societies that are predominantly non-Muslim. We need to work towards creating peace and harmony among all human beings.

Even the name of our Deen is "Islam", that is, Peace.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of humans are non-Muslims. How can we explain the message of the Qur'an to non-Muslims when, first we interpret it in a stereotypical way, then, insist that we don't keep any meaningful contact with non-Muslims.

The Qur'an belongs to ALL HUMANS. Muslims, one-fourth of the human population, do not have any right to use it as a source of discrimination against their fellow human beings.