Learn How to Pronounce Harut and Marut | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Harut and Marut

Quick Answer: In Arabic, the names Harut and Marut are written as هَارُوت وَمَارُوت.
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Meaning and Context

In Islamic theology and Quranic exegesis, Harut and Marut are two angels whose narrative serves as a profound cautionary tale about the boundaries of permissible knowledge and the perils of disbelief. Mentioned explicitly in the second chapter of the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (verse 102), they were sent down by God to the ancient city of Babylon as a divine trial. According to Islamic tradition, these angels did not teach magic (sihr) to corrupt humanity, but rather to test the people's faith, explicitly warning that their teachings were a fitnah (trial or temptation) and advising against turning to disbelief. The story of Harut and Marut in the Quran is often cited in discussions of Islamic eschatology, the nature of angels in Islam, and the prohibition of sorcery and black magic. This account underscores a core Islamic belief in God's absolute sovereignty and the consequences of transgressing divinely set limits, providing a critical lens through which scholars examine the difference between miraculous signs (mu'jizat) and forbidden occult practices.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The names "Harut" and "Marut" are transliterations from Arabic (هاروت وماروت) and, as such, have consistent standard spellings in English. However, variations can occur due to differences in transliteration systems or regional pronunciations. Common minor misspellings include "Haroot and Maroot," which reflects a phonetic spelling of the long vowel sounds, or "Harut and Marut" with a single 'r'. Occasionally, the names may be reversed as "Marut and Harut," though the Quranic mention places Harut first. A frequent conceptual error is conflating their story with that of fallen angels in other Abrahamic traditions, such as the Watchers from the Book of Enoch; it is crucial to note that in mainstream Islamic exegesis, Harut and Marut are not considered "fallen" in the same sense, as their descent was an obedient act by divine command for a specific purpose. Another common typo is "Hārūt" and "Mārūt" using macrons to indicate long vowels, which is academically precise but less common in general writing.

Example Sentences

The Quranic verse recounting the tale of Harut and Marut emphasizes that they taught no one without first issuing a stern warning about the spiritual dangers involved.

In Islamic scholarly circles, the narrative of Harut and Marut is frequently analyzed to delineate the clear boundary between seeking beneficial knowledge and delving into forbidden sorcery.

Many preachers cite the example of Harut and Marut to illustrate how even knowledge presented by angels can be a test of one's faith and devotion to God.

The people of Babylon failed the divine trial presented by Harut and Marut, using the angelic teachings for malevolent purposes rather than heeding their caution.

When discussing the ontology of angels, theologians note that Harut and Marut represent a unique case of angels interacting directly with humanity in a pedagogical, yet testing, capacity.

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