The Quran and I

When I am back in PD, I have much time to myself, occupied with watching TV, surfing the net or going out for fun to overcome boredom. I have more time to do some reading. There are a number of books on my shelf not read for lack of time and focus. I recently bought another new book entitled The Quran and I. This is an enjoyable light reading with heavy messages. Not a preaching book on Islam but a semi autobiography by the author, Anas Zubedy, who relates his life and ideas to the teaching in the Quran. Not being a proficient scholar on Islam and the Quran, I found this book is an opening for me and I am learning more about the Quran and compare it to the many rigid beliefs of the Malay Muslims who portray Islam as a rigid, uncompromising and static religion. This approach not only frightened the non-Muslim, it frightens me too, making me question, is Allah that unmerciful? This is so contradicting. I was taught to recite 'Bismillahir rahman.....' everytime we do anything. Isn't Allah is all loving and merciful but why some Muslims make it sound as if Allah is so merciless? There are so many dont's and judgmental 'I am holier than thau' attitude that disgust me. Anyway, I am a staunch Muslim and will practice it as I was taught.