Why does the Qur’an place such great emphasis on gardens and/or feasts?
As a part of Abrahamic religion, Islam is the second large one in the world. With a similar origin, we can find out some common features among Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They are all believe in one almighty god, have a similar setup such as hell and heaven. And the whole reason why the Qur’an place such an effort on describing gardens and feasts is to draw the picture for its believers to follow the belief. The Qur’an has successfully depict the beautiful of how heaven should look like through the phrases and words. In the Feast chapter, it states” they will have Gardens graced with flowing streams…” It is like a reminder for the reader to fully oblige them into Islam because the obey one will enjoy the feast and the disobey one will have nothing but punishment.

What purpose does the retelling of the Joseph story serve in the sections of the Qur’an you’ve read?

The purpose of retelling the story of Joseph is too highlight the virtues that we are suppose to possess as people. That is being kind, forgiven, and obedient. Joseph was obedient to God’s word despite the situation that he was is. He was able to forgive his brother’s and showered them with kindness regardless of they treated him in the past. This story was retold to show emphasis on how we are too live our lives.

It is interesting to note that in the Ramayana, only Rama and Sita are monogamous making a special bond between them. Every other character is either single or has multiple wives. Rama’s father, Dasaratha, and Ravana both have multiple wives and their relationship with them seems to be somewhat less than ideal. Rama’s mother, Kausalya, weeps when she finds out that Rama will not become the crown prince. She states that, “I have always been treated with less affection and respect than Kaikeyi’s servants were treated.” Ravana tells Sita that she is his most favorite and that he would gladly get rid of his other wives for her. In both cases the polygamous relationship features disrespect towards the wives. Only Rama and Sita respect each other, both of them come to each other’s aid, Rama saving Sita from a crow, demons, and Ravana himself, while Sita joins him in his exile claiming that she was his other half. They both remain virtuous towards each other and they are both triumphant in the end. It seems that even though Valmiki, the author, lived in a society that accepted polygamy, he favored monogamy instead.

Why does the Qur’an place such great emphasis on gardens and/or feasts?

From prior knowledge of the Islam, followers of this religion attend Hajj, which is a pilgrimage to Mecca. Throughout this journey, the people are required to fast as they would for Muslim holidays such as Ramadan, follow the rules of Islam, and pray multiple times a day. The Qur’an states that in order to fulfil your obligations, you may only consume the food announced to you. “You are forbidden to kill game while you are on pilgrimage… do not violate the Sacred Month, the offerings, the garlands, nor those going to the Sacred House to seek bounty or pleasure on their lord (The Feast, 74).” The Qur’an places such great emphasis on feasts because within the month on the pilgrimage, one must show respect to God as well as be pure when entering God’s home. It is forbidden to eat pig’s meat or meat from any type of animal that has been strangled or a victim of violent blow or fall but it must be slaughtered in the correct manner. Those who follow Islam must abide by the rules of God and if they shall not do so, they will be on the wrong path and will be distanced from other Muslims. As for those who are faithful to the religious are then rewarded by wiping away your sins and admitting you to the gardens, representing paradise and good fortune.

How is the sanctity of marriage bond portrayed throughout the narrative?

The bond of marriage is sacred to the main character Rama and Sita, but marriage is not held on a pedestal in the relationships of the parents or others. The narrative portrays the marriage of Rama and Sita, who both are considered royalty and deeply in love with one another. “To a woman her husband is verily god himself… Even a pious woman who is otherwise righteous, if she does not serve her husband, is deemed to be a sinner (Ayodhya 24-25).” This was spoken from Rama to his mother, Kausalya, explaining the importance of a wife to her husband. Kausalya wishes that Rama would not disperse into the forest for which she will burn to her death without him. Rama wished that his mother stay put and take care of his father like any wife should but she would rather be with the one whom she gave birth too because her husband was occupied with his other wives. On the other hand, Rama had yet to tell Sita, his wife, that he was succumbed to the forest for fourteen years and that he had to leave her behind in respect to his father wishes. Sita insists she follow him to the forest where she says “I should go too; I am your half: and because of this, again I will not be able to live separated from her husband.” She also compares being with her husband as if being in heaven. “Life with the husband is incomparably superior to life in a palace, or an aerial mansion, or a trip to heaven! … Nor will I regard life in the forest as exile or as exile or as suffering. With you it will be more than heaven to me. It will not be the least hardship to me; without you, even heaven is hell (Ayodhya 26-27).” Their love is filled with passion and they both would sacrifice their life for one another. As for other character such as Ravana, who has abducted Sita and wishes to marry her, does not value his marriage seeing that he has multiple wives and has abducted other wives in the past. Even though Rama and Sita only belonged to each other, their society accepted polygamist actions.

What purpose does the retelling of the Joseph story serve in the sections of the Qur’an you’ve read?

The retelling of the story of Joseph in the Qur’an presented the theses that God is dominant. Joseph was in a poor situation: severed from his brothers, sold to other country as slave, someone tried to set him up and seduce him. He is thrown into prison and he rely upon God. At later scene, when Joseph reunited with his family, his brother admits their fault and ask forgiveness from the God. The retelling of Joseph’s story is trying to show people that how loyalty that he is. No matter how many obstacles that he have been faced, he still believe in God. At the end people can still get what they want as long as they hold on to their belief in God.

Discuss the royal of betrayal and distrust in the story, e.g. why is Sita so quick to accuse Laksmana of trying to get her alone with him?

When we talk about the royal of betral and distrust in the Ramayana story, we must think about Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya, and Sita, the wife of Rama. At the beginning of the story, in Book 2 Ayodhya 17-18, the King Dasharatha has decided to keep his words to Queen Kaikey that he would banish his heir apparent, Rama, for 14 years and let Queen Kaikeyli’s son Bharata to be crowned. However, Dasharatha betrayed the rules of dharma – the eldest son should rule. Although in the this Book, Dasharatha does not want to tell Rama about this truth since he does not want to do that. However, he keeps his words to Kaikeyli but betrayed his son and the rules of dharma.

Another betrayal or distrust occurs on Sita. From Book 3, aranya 34-35, we know that Ravana is attacted by the beauty of Sita from Supanakha’s speech. Then he set up the trap with magical Golden deer to abduct Sita. She did not following what Rama and Lakshman said to stay in the protective circle since she thought Ravana is a brahmana. She “betrayed” Rama and Lakshman’s trust. On the other hands, when Rama saved her from Ravanam, she has been asked to prove her purtity. This shows the distrust that Rama has on Sita.

The story of Joseph is one that is told in multiple spiritual works. It is present in both the Bible and the Qur’an, and they serve similar purposes. In the Bible, the story of Joseph is told not only as a tale of the power of God, but also as a story of the importance of filial loyalty. In the Qur’an, much more emphasis is placed on the role of God and his great power over his followers. Throughout the story of Joseph, the characters are constantly harkening back to the teachings of God, especially Joseph and Jacob, who are descended from the great prophets Isaac and Abraham. Joseph demonstrates that unwavering belief in God and avoidance of sin will lead to a good life, even if some hardships are thrown in along the way. According to the Qur’an, if you are a good person who follows God’s teachings, you will have a fortunate life.

The reason why the Islamic heaven is a rich and fertile garden isn’t stated in the text explicitly, but there are some connections that can be made to explain this. The first connection is the fact that Muslims, Christians , and Jews share some similar foundations between their religions, one of which is the Garden of Eden. The Garden of Eden was where people were close to God and enjoyed peaceful lives in bliss, which is the reward for following the Qur’an and God’s will. The Qur’an states that there will be a Judgement Day and that the “good” people who accepted God and followed his will, will go to heaven and be under his protection, living their life in bliss and happiness. This seems to be a return to the same Garden of Eden. However, the ones who disobey God will not return and instead be forbidden to enter the Garden, just like the time when Adam and Eve were cast out for eating the Forbidden fruit. Those “losers” will be forced to live in a hellish, hot, and dry place which coincidentally seems closer to the conditions in the Arabian peninsula, where the religions first started, than heaven.

Why does the Qur’an place such great emphasis on gardens and/or feasts?

While many other religions believe that heaven is an enchanted kingdom somewhere in the sky, the muslim community holds the belief  that it is similar to that of earth. The Qur’an describes heaven as a garden. The Qur’an describes the garden as a form of reward for those who are faithful. It is described as having rivers of milk and wine and honey and compassing fruits. I found it funny that it is against muslim traditions to consume wine, however it would be available flowing in the form of a river paradise. The garden is seen as the enchanted garden where one would want for nothing. Everything needed for survival would be easily accessible to the faithful followers of the muslim community.