The second chapter in the Koran is entitled The Cow. Now, before reading the chapter, I have some initial observations.
Why lead with The Cow? I mean after the initial praise and request for guidance in chapter 1, why the leap into the Bovine?
Well, for one, chapters in the Koran are not ordered chronoligically. According to N. J. Dawood, who translated the version of the Koran I am reading, no one knows the chronological order of the chapters. Traditionally, the chapters were ordered from longest to shortest. It's a sort of arbitrary way to go about it. So, The Cow being placed at the beginning does not mean it was written first.
But still, being placed at the beginning makes The Cow the longest chapter in The Koran. Length can denote importance.
It will be interesting to see what happens in this chapter.
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3 comments:
I've randomly stumbled across your blog. What an interesting concept!
I appreciate your honest assessment of both your bias and yet your openness to what you will learn through this process... your reflections beyond the text of the Koran itself have been interesting.
I look forward to reading more.
Heather, gload to have you here. Hope it meets your expectations.
When will you write more? I am starting to read the koran and I am confused already! Your blog has brought insight on the first chapter!
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