6-The Quran is not literal

And the Messenger said, "O my Lord, indeed my people have rendered this Quran a thing abandoned.Quran 25:30 Is the Quran meant to be read literally? Most Muslims follow a literal and historical translation of the Quran. When a verse was revealed, before or after the hijra, and why it was revealed, circumstances surrounding the …

5-The significance of root words

Languages are constantly evolving, new words are introduced into the vocabulary by way of colloquialism and slang every generation. Here are some examples of evolution in the English language: https://ideas.ted.com/20-words-that-once-meant-something-very-different/ Nice: This word used to mean “silly, foolish, simple.” Far from the compliment it is today. Naughty: Long ago, if you were naughty, you had …

4-Confirmation bias fogs Quran

The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him. Leo …

3-Quran addresses the rational mind

Why is it so that so many Muslims are afraid to speak publicly and criticize Islam and its traditions? Because the Sharia laws of blasphemy and apostasy can actually get you killed. These laws were canonized into Islam centuries ago to censure and stifle free speech and free thinking in the Muslim world. Secularism.org reports: …

2-Horizontal reading of Quran

Once your head is cleared of all preconceived notions, the next step is a horizontal reading of the Quran. A horizontal reading, or a comparative reading, is a method of textual analysis used by Biblical scholars to compare multiple accounts of a similar event, side by side, cross-referencing for contradictions. https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Horizontal_reading. In other words, reading …

1-Preconceived notions and hadith

In Quran verse 15:9, Allah says "Indeed, it is We who revealed the Quran and indeed, We will be Its guardian." What exactly does this mean? If He guarded the Quran why do Muslims go to hadith (tradition) for explanation? Surely it cannot mean He only guarded the words, as the status quo suggests. A …