The traditional meaning of the words rabb and riba are Lord and usury. As shown throughout these posts, tradition and Quran are vastly different. Tradition is based on colloquial or derived words and a historical context. The Quran utilizes root words, independent of a history of a particular people in a particular time. If you … Continue reading 18-Quran does not mention Lord or usury. Study of the word Rabb
17-Nisa does not mean women in the Quran
When I first began studying the Quran I saw what appeared to be a text concerned with social coherence and social justice. A text which addresses societal issues and how to attain a balanced and just society. What is unraveling is far better than I anticipated. So far from what I have studied, the Quran … Continue reading 17-Nisa does not mean women in the Quran
16-The Dead, Blood, Swine, Strangled, Beaten, or Gored does not refer to Forbidden Foods, Verse 5:3
Verse 5:3 translation from Islam Awakened and root words from Lanes Lexicon. ...حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ ذَٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ Prohibited for you are carrion, blood, the flesh of swine, and animals dedicated … Continue reading 16-The Dead, Blood, Swine, Strangled, Beaten, or Gored does not refer to Forbidden Foods, Verse 5:3
15- Life and Death of the Intellect in the Quran
The concept of life and death in the Quran centers around the intellect. It hinges on the ability to think and reason. The resurrection in the Quran is one of an intellectual revival not a physical one. Allah, per Quran, is the Rabb of all knowledge and directs us through our rational mind. As always … Continue reading 15- Life and Death of the Intellect in the Quran
14-Eat and Drink Means to Consume and Imbibe in Quran (Ramadan)
This post continues on the theme of diet from Post 9-Food for thought what Quran says about eating and Post 10-The Swine in Quran. The Quran is not a dietary book. It is self described as: 2:2 a Book in which there is no doubt a guidance for the righteous. Who are the righteous? 3:134 … Continue reading 14-Eat and Drink Means to Consume and Imbibe in Quran (Ramadan)
13-Does Rabb Al-Alamin mean Lord of the Worlds?
The phrase Rabb-al-Alamin occurs 42 times in the Quran and is translated as Lord of the Worlds. There are numerous explanations in tradition attempting to explain this translation. However, if the Quran by its own words is clear, distinct, and detailed, then why go to tradition for answers? Here are a few of the explanations … Continue reading 13-Does Rabb Al-Alamin mean Lord of the Worlds?
12-Is Bakkah same as Makkah?
Was the first house of worship established at Makkah as suggested in 3:96? Although the actual word used in the verse says bakkah, Islamic tradition dictates it means the city of Makkah. Before studying bakkah through the Quran's own words and not through the lens of tradition, we have to clear our minds of all … Continue reading 12-Is Bakkah same as Makkah?
11-Hijab, what does it really mean in Quran?
The word hijab is a perfect example of how a word evolves over time. Hijab went from meaning a barrier, to the universally recognized word for a Muslim woman’s head scarf. This highlights the importance of studying an ancient text like the Quran through Its root words. The root remains the same, while the derived … Continue reading 11-Hijab, what does it really mean in Quran?
10-The Swine in Quran
Continuing from the previous post, the Quran is not a dietary book. What we eat cannot guide us towards righteousness. The Quran is instructing the reader to think deeply about what is written. It is appealing to their sense of reason and directing them to contemplate on its themes such as justice, truth, and egalitarianism. … Continue reading 10-The Swine in Quran
9-Food for thought what Quran says about eating
Around 200 verses in the Quran mention the words food, eat, and drink. Why is a “Book of guidance” so painstakingly concerned about our dietary intake? Could what we eat and drink actually impact our virtue or lead us to righteousness? Well according to the status quo, the answer is yes. Yet we should ask … Continue reading 9-Food for thought what Quran says about eating
8-Surah Fatiha and Jewish History
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. (All) praise is (due) to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Judgement. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon … Continue reading 8-Surah Fatiha and Jewish History
7-Juxtaposition of Heaven and Earth in The Quran
Juxtaposition is a literary device wherein the author places a person, concept, place, idea or theme parallel to another. The purpose of juxtaposing two directly or indirectly related entities close together in literature is to highlight the contrast between the two and compare them.Literary-devices.com This is exactly how the Quran introduces two opposing concepts to … Continue reading 7-Juxtaposition of Heaven and Earth in The Quran
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 … Continue reading 6-The Quran is not literal
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 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 … Continue reading 5-The significance of root words
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 … Continue reading 4-Confirmation bias fogs Quran
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: … Continue reading 3-Quran addresses the rational mind
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. /Horizontal_reading. In other words, reading … Continue reading 2-Horizontal reading of Quran
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 … Continue reading 1-Preconceived notions and hadith
