I'll be interested in this program. I read the Koran several years ago before 9/11, actually, to see if I could figure out what drove some Muslims. I had some questions and a local Imam said he would answer them, but I chickened out and never made an appt. It was interesting to see that some biblical figures also appeared, in different roles, in the Koran.

This documentary has made many Muslims in the UK very upset about the way Shia Islam is biasedly portrayed, and the incomplete nature of the examinition of the Quran exhibited in the film. One cannot simply read the Quran and analyze it- the Hadith (verified recorded accounts of the Prophet's life, words and actions) and the Sunnah (the example of the Prophet's life ) must be taken into account for context in analyzing the Quran. Muslim viewers in the UK have been up in arms about the fact that Channel 4 (the network that commissioned the film) refuses to apologize for the inflammatory and incorrect assertions the film makes about Shia beliefs and practices and Quranic interpretations or analysis. Making media programs that are inaccurate and have the potential to sow more seeds of misunderstanding and sectarian strife in Western Muslim communities is incredibly irresponsible. Shame on you, Channel 4, and shame on you, National Geographic, for picking up the documentary without sufficient explanation of the problems with the film.

See these articles to explain the pushback against the film's inaccuracies- http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/29/religion.islam
and another two articles from the Guardian-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/28/islam.channel4
and http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jul/29/channel4.ofcom1

that didnt seem like an attack on the show..they just said they have high hopes for it and dont want to be disappointed. there wasnt any opinion there about the show itself at all..i also have high expectations from ngc. nothin wrong w that.

What a shame! This documentary did not touch the beauty or depth of Qu'ran. It begins with a horrific view of women; the worst in degenerative muslim cultures. The one woman scholar is made to look out of touch, and side lined, even by this program.
It is hard to make the transition from there to any logical discussion; male and female reciprocity and love being the basis for the formation of family and society. The tone of the documentary was dark, the voice overs sound condemning, even when they are actually talking about the wonderful art, medicine and architecture which were born out of the creativity and inspiration of the people of the time.
If National Geographic wants to produce an interesting documentary on Islam, they need to look beyond the borders of islamic countries, and look to the west, where islam is rising in a fresh, new and inspiring way, where it is not about a culture, a food, a tradition of the past, but a living dynamic practice of compassion, creativity
and joy. Show me that!

I missed the beginning of this programme, but the portions I did watch appeared to be fairly represented to a non-believing lay person with a six year interest in this subject matter.
For those not satisfied with the portrayal of any sect, this was not an effort at dawa or PR for Islam. Rather, the programme topically examined several different interpretations and did a fine job illuminating some distinctions. I will look to purchase this programme when it becomes available. It provided many useful tidbits and encourages further examination.

Inside the Quran is a wealth and treasure that is accessible to anyone that has a sincere desire to know themselves, and the divine source from which they and all things arise. The first word of the Quran is "Iqra" read, seeing and percieving from a heart that has been emptied of all, but the presence of the divine light.From that perspective the world and all become living signs, full of wisdom, speaking to the heart of all that is possible for the awakened human being. Your documentary was not "Inside the Quran" but inside the vain and misguided minds of those pursuing a hopeless agenda to cover the imense nature of the Quran, the Prophetic teachings and all those who aspire to imbibe the transformative, transmsission that the Quran offers. Shame on National Geographics to demote themselves from a medium of sharing the wonders of the world to a cheap vendor of fear mongering and propoganda.

*In response to Shadow*
Granted that part was shocking, but an interesting part of your comment is "I wanted to see more happy women"... That's exactly the wrong kind of mindset that far too many people have. A desire for blissful ignorance, thinking everything is all fun, games, and that the picture of everything is rosy even if clearly that is not necessarily the truth. When you think about the Yugoslav civil war and the tortures and ethnic cleansings in Bosnia, what do you want history books and documentaries to say "well, there was a lot of bad stuff happening but we're gonna show you a meadow of flowers in the middle of all this and it wasn't so bad after all!"?
No, that's ignorant, and that's refusing to acknowledge what's raelly happening, and in a sense it makes a person wanting that not too much more of a moral high horse than someone perpetrating the terror, because you don't want to see it happening and thus you do NOT respect the fact that these people went through this and though they may have been scarred they survived and are trying to live and tell their stories to try - sadly, often in vain - and prevent it from happening to someone else.
I do agree that it would be good to show both the "bad" and "good" aspects as espoused by followers of that faith, as that would offer more perspective.
And genital mutilation to me is also gruesome... but then you have to think about that we've been in a Western culture... in that culture in that part of the world, it is a perfectly acceptable and respectful rite of passage. Until that culture recognizes that there is much pain or emotional trauma caused, it doesn't quite make it a misdeed or immoral action/practice - who are we to judge from OUR point of view THEIR cultural practices? Change has to come from locally, not from outside, or else it will neither be welcomed nor will it actually last.

I found this to be an excellent program, presenting a sensitive subject in as much detail as conceivably was possible in only two hours and exhibiting, for the most part, what I saw as an attempt to be as fair as possible. It presented a variety of Muslim opinions, letting the viewer draw his/her own conclusions.

It was not intended to be an Islamic religious program, but instead a documentary. I think perhaps that some of the commenters before me who felt unhappy with this program may not realize that this was clearly a program aimed at an audience of average Westerners, who may know little about the Muslim faith. For this intended audience, I think the program probably succeeded quite well. I was happy to see, for instance, that there were references made to the Muslim tolerance of other faiths in living in their lands during the middle ages, as well as the debt that we owe to the Muslim world for the knowledge that it provided to the West. Similarly, although the program did interview and show excerpts of the speeches of some Muslims who would be viewed by the West as extreme, it also showed many moderate, dignified, and peace-loving Muslim people - this can only be a good thing given some of the fear-mongering that has occurred in the U.S. since 9/11.

I was struck as I watched the program by how much some of the seeming contradictions in the Koran mirror those of the Bible. I also was very impressed by the section that told about how the Koran teaches that each person is equal in the eyes of Allah; in Islam, each person is given personal worth and value.

My thanks to National Geographic for presenting Inside the Koran.

To Raven : How could you say that Islam is a beautiful religion? Almost all of young un-married people in Iran (a so-called super ISLAMIC country, where the whole culture and thoughts are formed based on Islam) are masturbating shamefully, because they are NOT ABLE to marry due to back-breaking financial problems. Islam has proven to be failed, like Communism failed in Soviet Union. Yes, it is a beautiful religion, like Christianity, ONLY when you is applied within personal space, not a means to govern a society. Please OPEN your eyes, see the REALITY, see the world, the most misirable nations on the world are unfortunately, Muslim countries. At least one side of almost any current wars in the world is a Muslim country. Just reflect, and think about it.
You be judge.

I'm always interested in the overreaction people have about TV shows on their religion. Christians freak out over any show that questions their beliefs, its no different here. I'm not Muslim, but have great respect for the religion. You can seek out negatives if you'd like - but I walked away thinking positive overall about the Muslim religion - isn't that what you are looking for? There was a lot of debate about the interpretation, but I guess that's the point - it means different things to different people. Its great to see more shows on religions outside of Christianity - I hope this is the beginning of a trend.

However, I still find it funny how worked up people get. I don't think this or any show will change the minds one way or another. You have to step back and be more objective - its a 2-hour film (with commercials) - only so much can be covered. If you want a big theortical debate - stick to educational films. Not all non-Muslims are idiots, we can think on our own based on the information provided to us.

I only watched the hour-long version of this documentary, but what I saw, was to a degree-fair and balanced. As an African-American who embraced at the age of 16 in 1989, I like many American born Blacks, have an entirely different perspective about Islam and how the religion regulates our lives.

First and foremost, the Qur'an IS ABOVE HADITH, NOT EQUAL TOO. When analyzing hadith and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), a thinking person must take into account what is eternal, and what is temporal or temporary, and that study is helped through the guidance of a wise shaykh or imam with NO AGENDA. Secondly, a thinking Muslim man and woman must value education and the pursuit of knowledge, not just in Al-Islaam, but in life period. The pursuit only seeks to enrich being a Muslim, not take away from it, which is not the case for many poor Muslims around the world, including the United State of America. The massive contributions Islam has made to the world-from the 7th to the 11th century understood those principles. How can anyone be a Muslim, and not love science, when Allah (SWT) tell man, SCIENTIFICALLY, how he was created?

I studied under various schools of thought; Nation of Islam, Ansaaru-Allah, Sufi-Tijaniya, Sunni, etc., and the six words that puts Islam in perspective for me came from Elijah Muhammad - ACCEPT YOUR OWN AND BE YOURSELF. As individual Muslims, we give too many people power over our lives and how we should lead them. If you put your trust and faith in Allah (SWT) ALONE, follow the Qur'an, guided by the Sunnah (not some unverified, questionable hadiths), educate yourself about yourself, Islam and the world around you - being a Muslim in the 21st cenutry an be a glorious thing.

When I hear some Muslims in the States talking about they would not take plane to make Hajj, but swim or take a boat, is the some of the most insane things I have ever heard. This line of thinking has slowly crept into some masjids, particularly in African-American neighborhoods over the past 15 years. Only Allah (SWT) knows why he created the human mind with unlimited potential. Why don't we as Muslims use it for a change

Unless we are using an extremely unusual definition of the word 'interpretation' the use of such word in the context used already and continued to be used is non-sensical. The first thing that you must realize is Islam considers the Quran to be the immutable, unchangeable, eternal text existing in heaven. It is to be taken literally for teaching, law, and examples. Islam is a total belief system using this text and supplemental texts that provide and make sense of the Quran: the hadith/sira etc. which are the traditions of the islamic prophet.

There is no way to 'interpret' Quran verse 9:29 or 9:5. It mandates violence against non-believers. If you want to ignore it, suit yourself, however that's not an interpretation. There is no ambiguity in, (Yusuf Ali): 'Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.'

It is open-ended and mandates violence. It is not time specific nor has ever been thought to be that by any muslim exegete for 1400 years. What's more, there ARE plenty of contradictions in the Quran, and the way the exegetes got around this (and muhammad himself) is through verse 2:106, 'None of Our revelations do We abrogate [nansakh] or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?' That is, the LATTER verse takes precedence (doctrine called "naskh"). You'll see that alcohol was looked at as being marginal and then it was prohibited later (the first revelation was abrogated). There are many other examples, but the point is that Chapter 9 'Repentance' has for all of history been treated as the last chapter revealed to Muhammad (a few succeeded but didn't have impact or didn't abrogate anything). So, the abrogation of all peaceful verses is in effect, because that is the only way to make sense of the Quran. Those in islam have painted themselves in a corner by saying that these words came straight from God. Anyone with discipline of mind can see the reality of the situation. But it is indeed hard to overcome emotional and familial ties for the truth.

Shari'a and islam for centuries has allowed for the beating of women when disobedient (up to man's discretion) 4:34, Al-Azhar university, the most respected sunni muslim university in the entire muslim world details as acceptable how parents cannot be punished for killing their offspring or grandchildren. Women are half the value in testimony as a man, and get unequal inheritances ... the list goes on and on. I am not saying this, Muslims themselves say this because this is what the Quran says and they believe it comes from God. No, it is NOT interpretation. Muslims, as human beings, can rationalize or ignore whatever they desire but they rarely 'interpret' anything. Muslims may be moderate, but Islam is not. It is self evident from the most respected historians and exegetes, Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Juzaay, etc. on their commentaries of the Quran and what the Quran says. Wishing this weren't the case doesn't make it disappear. Unfortunately, the example of Muhammad does not help this either. It fuels the fire. All you have to do is read to the most respected Muslims and the examples of the Islamic prophet through ahadith and sira.

Those sound thinking "muslims" only contribute to the problem when they don't want to recognize the aforementioned problems. Let's be honest, and ask yourselves the question ... MILLIONS of people are misunderstanding the teachings? With even the most cursory amount of research you'll unfortunately see that the "moderates" have no counter to the pure islamic followers (wahabbi and salafists) and it is rather they who are ignoring the teachings and examples. It is curious as well that the only people that act like there is moderate islam are in western countries, non islamic countries, and are afforded the ability to live with freedom and equality never seen in any islamic empire for history. They bear witness in their emigration to their own false claims.

It's somewhat funny to me that you say that I am the one that is confused. Wouldn't it be better to tell that to the MILLIONS of muslims that are confused by the islamic prophet's examples of war and violence and how his revelations justify these examples? Explain Surah 9 and the hundreds of tafsir and hadith that corroborate it, then, Mr. Amin. You are contributing to the problem by denying this. Muhammad said, "I was made victorious by terror" (Sahih Bukhari V4 Book 52:220) and (Sahih Muslim Book 1 #30) "I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah". Those are the most reliable hadith according to islamic sources themselves and they go hand in hand with the doctrine, theology and jurisprudence that mandates violence against non-believers.

Anyone reading this please go and read Sahih Muslim and Bukhari. You'll find that these passages have absolutely nothing to do with interpretation. They are open ended statements that define only muslims as being worthy of any respect and dignity, not anyone else until they submit.

In order for you to be taken seriously, Mr. Amin, you have to have a counter-argument for the above examples. Unfortunately, you can't find it in Muhammad's life or the writings otherwise about him.

UNDERSTAND this point: If my above examples weren't so obvious (and it is Muslims themselves that say this, I am just reporting what they say) and violence were not occurring, would we even be having this conversation? Of course not. The burden is on you sir, to be honest and to not take seriously ANYTHING related to Muhammad, ultimately. It is the only way to live with peace, harmony, and EQUALITY with others --- something that has never happened in Islamic history.

To Palamas:

Matthew 10: 34-35
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a SWORD. For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Hey Palamas, my friend! This is much more violent than 9:5 or 9:29, cos it is much easier to "fight those who believe not in Allah" than "to be set AGAINST your own FATHER". You be judge :-)

PS: (Holy Quran, 39:41)
"Whosoever is guided, is guided for his own gain, and he who goes astray, it is only for his own loss."

To Palamas:

(Holy Bible, Matthew 10: 34-35)
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a SWORD. For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Hey Palamas, my friend! This is much more violent than 9:5 or 9:29, cos it is much easier to "fight those who believe not in Allah" than "to be set AGAINST your own FATHER". You be judge :-)

PS: (Holy Quran, 39:41)
"Whosoever is guided, is guided for his own gain, and he who goes astray, it is only for his own loss."

I watched the video and it has its good and bad sides. Noone should expect to understand a whole religion in a couple of hours. Maybe you can see big picture roughly not the details.

But when I watched any documentary about Islam, I really want to see Turkey and Turks and their role in Muslim world. For example they talked about "Sufi" tradition and there was no authority from Turkey to talk about it despite Turks having the most important Muslim sufis in their history. They also have valuable professors who can talk about Islam throughout the history of religions. Professors like Abdulaziz Bayindir should be contacted about it from Turkey.

I only catched the last 5 minutes of this program, does anybody know when it is going to air again?

thanks

a

Muhammad did that, what's wrong with it?! Did he broke any of Allah's law on marriage? Did he treated Aisha unjustly?

I would like to beg you dear sir to "move", it's not time to stand against truth.

We should be careful when we approach laws and interpretations in Quran, but the theology is perfect.

Mr(s). Moderator:

Please do not allow the intentional disruptive conduct of Mr. Allah's Slave to trump and win out over regularly and fairly exercised posts of others and myself. Please consider moderation to be fair and not to shut it down after he has used these methods. Please do not post this, rather, consider what I've said and the ramifications of your filtering. Thank you.

Where can I purchase the video?

The Quran does not need further interpretation, it completly dynamic and up to date, you either believe it or leave it.

my way:

nod if you have heard of inquisition, crusades or dark ages? Christianity as a religion is very closed minded and has a history full of war, violence and fascism. Christians have harmed jews, muslims and other christians in the name of the lord all throughout the history. What's worse is that Christianity has all the means of endorsing bigotry through Vatican and other churches to the extent that some old senile man has the power to kick people out of a religion as if it's a country club, now that is something you can never say about Islam. In Islam, the religion is only between the believer and the creator, no church can kick you out.