The Encyclopedia of World Religions

368 S Qur’an

several institutions of higher learning, including such colleges and universities as Earlham, Haver ford, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. The spirit of Quakerism finds expression in the philanthropic activities of the American Friends Service Committee. In 1947 the commit tee, along with its British counterpart, received the Nobel Prize for Peace for its relief activities follow ing the devastations of World War II. Further reading: Hugh Barbour and J. William Frost, The Quakers (Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1994); Brent Bill, ed., Imagination and Spirit: A Contemporary Quaker Reader (Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 2002); Eleanor Nesbitt, Interfaith Pilgrims: Living Truths and Truthful Living (London: Quaker Books, 2003). Qur’an Also spelled Koran; the sacred book in I SLAM . The Arabic word “Qur’an” means rec itation. Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the supreme revelation of G OD to human beings. It consists of Arabic poetry received from God and recited by the prophet M UHAMMAD (570–632 C . E .). In theory the book governs every aspect of Islamic life. HISTORY Muhammad was accustomed to retire occasion ally to the desert for spiritual retreats. On one such occasion in the year 611, Muslims believe that God spoke to him. This event is known as the “night of power.” Islamic tradition associates this event with a particular surah or chapter of the Qur’an. The angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and com manded him, “Recite.” Muhammad asked, “What shall I recite?” The angel answered in the words of surah 96: Recite in the name of your Lord Who created. He created man from a clot.

titles when addressing people. In their regular meetings, they met—and still meet—in silence, waiting for God’s revelation to come to someone present. That person then shared God’s revela tion for discussion. Because God’s Light is found in every heart, Quakers never forbade women to hold positions of leadership, as many branches of Christianity have. Quakers have also been active in social causes. The oldest tradition in the Society of Friends is quietistic. It emphasizes a passive waiting upon the Inward Light of God. In the early 1800s some Quakers found the tenets of evangelical Christian ity attractive ( see E VANGELICAL C HRISTIANITY and FUN DAMENTALISM , C HRISTIAN ). These tenets emphasized the B IBLE as God’s revealed word and Jesus as sav ior. As a result, the society split. In the early 1900s, the Quaker teacher Rufus Jones added another strand to the tradition. He taught a form of ethical MYSTICISM . Because Quakers often rejected practices that their neighbors considered normal or normative, they have been persecuted. In 1659 and 1661, the authorities of Massachusetts Bay Colony executed four Quakers for practicing their religion. Other colonies, such as Virginia, had equally harsh laws against Quakers, although in Virginia Quakers were never executed. During the Revolutionary War American Quakers were persecuted because they refused to fight. In the late 1700s Quakers emanci pated their slaves. In the 1800s they became active in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. Quakers have made other prominent contribu tions to American and British life. As is well known, a Quaker, William Penn (1644–1718), founded Pennsylvania. The colony followed Quaker prin ciples in its concern for religious toleration, paci fism, and respect for indigenous Americans. Brit ish Quakers founded prominent financial institu tions, including Lloyd’s of London and Barclay’s Bank. The early champion for women’s rights, Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906), and the American presidents Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) and Rich ard Nixon (1913–94) were of Quaker background. In the 19th century American Quakers founded

Recite: your Lord is Most Honorable, Who taught (to write) with the pen Taught man what he knew not.

(96.1–5, M. H. Shakir, altered)