DM Sahib should sit in the front row of any mosque

#39 DM Sahib, {" The verses are not preceded by a qualifier whether a particular verse is addressed to the Prophet or to all Muslims or to both. Nor does it clarify whether the message is meant for the Arabs who were the Prophet’s contemporaries or for all humanity. ..
Secondly, would it be possible for an organisation like the OIC to come up with a consensus on which verses in the quran were meant only for the 7th century Arabia and are no longer valid?"}

DM Sahib,
Again, you deserve the front row in any mosque. :) The questions you raise and the ideas you project deserve serious responses and even more serious consideration.

What most Muslims, especially the Mullahs, forget is that the revelations or supernatural experience of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) happened to him and were all intended for him. These were messages to him about what to observe, what to say, how to prioritize, in his dealings with the people of Mecca and then Medina. The Holy Koran, as compiled today, is not in chronological or topical sequence. It is merely organized by the length of the suras. The earlier revelations in Mecca were meant to warn the Holy Prophet (PBUH), to encourage him, to advise him, and even to chastise him. There are verses telling him to stand up to the unbeleivers and not to be timid. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a non-violent man and quite humble by nature - apparently God wanted him to be more assertive, more aggressive, and even confrontational at times. He did what he was instructed to do. Also, he passed on his revelations to his followers. Not everything that was incumbent on him is necessarily incumbent on all of us - 1400 years later. The Holy Koran is there for reference and not to be blindly followed for all issues. I give the analogy of the Pathan tribesmen in NWFP who used to raid hospitals to steal the medecines, because they knew that medecines cured diseases. :) It’s just not that simple. You always have to know what is applicable and what is not.

Your suggestion about the OIC, or any other representative organization, doing a study and coming up with a consensus about the applicability of Koranic verses is an excellent one. Not only does this need to happen, but such consensus needs to be updated periodically. Therein lies the problem. Who would represent the various factions and how can they agree on a change management approach. Thanks.