What Inspired Libyan Writer to Compile Encyclopedia of Quran’s Stories
According to IUMS, the Encyclopedia of Stories of the Prophets in the Quran is the work of Dr. Ali Muhammad Al-Salabi, a Libyan writer and researcher, who presents inspiring models from the life stories of prophets such as Prophet Joseph (AS), Prophet Job (AS), and Prophet Moses (AS) for dealing with crises.
Reading this book brings the meanings of the Quran closer to the reader’s mind and distances them from weak stories and superstitions, and increases religious, moral, historical, political, economic, and civilizational awareness in confronting oppression and atheism.
In an interview with the media office of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Al-Salabi talked about the purpose of compiling this encyclopedia.
“The idea of compiling this encyclopedia came about during my trip to Italy (the Vatican) at the invitation of the Sant’Egidio organization (a civil society organization for peace) and a meeting with a number of friends in 2015. There, a discussion arose about the importance of peace in human life and the topic of Prophet Jesus (AS). Among the audience was an Italian Catholic lady who was an Arabic translator and translated the talks between us and the priests. In this discussion, we concluded that the Holy Quran is a source that has expressed the complete truth about Jesus Christ (AS) in terms of beliefs, history and questions related to Prophet Jesus and Mary (SA). There are also some Surahs of the Quran, including Al Imran, Maryam, Al-Ma’idah, etc., which deal with the story of Prophet Jesus (AS).”
He added, “When I recited the verses of Surah Maryam to them, the translator began to cry. I said to myself: Glory be to Allah; how much we have failed in expressing the truth of this great Prophet!”
Al-Salabi continued, “It was from here that Allah gave me the opportunity to write a book about the life of Prophet Jesus (AS). In this book, I have collected everything that is mentioned about Prophet Jesus (AS) in the Holy Quran using the method of thematic interpretation and I have addressed the doubts about him and the Quran’s response to these doubts.”
He noted that this book, entitled “The Complete Truth about Christ, Jesus the Son of Mary”, was widely published and translated into several languages.
“I held academic conferences in Europe about it. At these conferences, some believed that there was a new narration about this divine prophet that did not exist in Catholic culture.”
The Libyan author added, “After Jesus (AS), I turned to writing about the lives of the arch-prophets. So I started with Noah (AS) and then I wrote the story of Adam (AS). In the meantime, I realized that the Quran presents great models that can be emulated.”
Read More:
Regarding the purpose of this encyclopedia, he said, “The purpose of this encyclopedia is to connect humans with the Quran, strengthen monotheism, rationally explain the prophets and their methods in fighting falsehood, and also provide practical models to follow and answer the big questions in life.”
Asked how Quranic stories can provide realistic solutions to confront the challenges of contemporary man, Al-Salabi stated, “Quranic stories are full of real models that inspire man in dealing with trials and challenges. For example, the story of Prophet Joseph (AS) is an example of patience, chastity, planning, and facing temptations and ultimately victory; and this story inspires the youth.”
He added, “Also, the story of Prophet Job (AS) is an example of beautiful patience and resorting to the good names of God in times of severity and hardship. The story of Prophet Yunus (AS) is also a model for seeking refuge in God in times of hardship. And the story of Prophet Abraham (AS) is an example of confronting idol worship and establishing reason with reason and logic and reaching human conscience.”
According to Al-Salabi, the story of Prophet Moses (AS) also provides a model for fighting against oppression and injustice, rescuing the oppressed, and being patient in the face of the persecution of the oppressors, and the end of the criminals and corrupters.
“The lives of all prophets are the embodiment of a great moral code.”
The author explained the role of Quranic stories in forming religious and moral identity during times of great upheaval, saying the word Ummah is mentioned in the Holy Quran as a single nation, a nation that has continued from the time of Prophet Adam (AS) to the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and is a nation of monotheism, dignity, and justice that resists deviation and irreligion.
Read More:
He continued, “Quranic stories create a moral identity based on monotheism and worship of God, and confront the school of Satan that calls man to oppression, irreligion, and major sins. This identity appears in the lives of prophets such as Prophet David (AS) and Solomon (AS) as righteous rulers, Prophet Zechariah (AS) as a model of humility before God, Prophet Hud (AS) as a model of trust in God Almighty, Prophet Joseph (AS) as a model of good relationship with God Almighty and doing good to people who opposed monotheistic beliefs.”
Regarding the impact of this book on the awareness of readers, Al-Salabi said that with this book, “I want to convey the life of the prophets to people in the way of my era and answer doubts by presenting Quranic stories and relying completely on the Quran and authentic hadiths so that a sound understanding of the mission of the prophets is created and this encyclopedia is one of the resources that helps preachers, missionaries, scholars and students in carrying out their missionary activity and the general public can also use it.”
He went on to say that all the stories of the Quran “have had an impact on me, but the story of Prophet Moses (AS) has had a greater impact because of his confrontation with the oppressive government of Pharaoh and the patience of Prophet Moses (AS) during the persecution of his people and how he resisted to free the oppressed.”
Al-Salabi saidThe story of Prophet Moses (AS) is repeated throughout history and is inspiring in resisting oppression and rebellion. “The story of Prophet Abraham (AS) is also distinctive because he used his intellect and logic and the discourse of nature and conscience to help monotheism and founded the Sacred House of Allah.”
He continued, “The story of Prophet Joseph (AS) also includes forgiveness, tolerance, testing and obedience, which inspires man in life. Other stories of prophets such as Prophets Job (AS), Yunus (AS), Zechariah (AS), John (AS), Isaac (AS), Jacob (AS) and Ismail (AS) are also a miraculous system of belief, ethics, history, Sharia and civilization.”
Read More:
At the end of this conversation, the author of the Encyclopedia of Stories of the Prophets in the Holy Quran prayed to God that this book would be beneficial for everyone and that all people would be able to benefit from it, because Quranic stories are part of human memory in the history of mankind.
4322621
