31-Israel’s Strategic Location

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As they say, the three most determining factors when considering real estate are location, location, location! This couldn't be more true for Israel, whose strategic positioning within the Fertile Crescent (aka the cradle of civilization) shaped its historical trajectory. Being the sole land bridge between Africa and Eurasia made it the most embattled real estate … Continue reading 31-Israel’s Strategic Location

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28-Hijab, was it always about modesty?

The modern concept of hijab is very different from what it was centuries ago. It was not always the symbol of devotion, piety, or religious identity it claims to be today. Muslims believe the moment the verse of hijab (24:31) was revealed women immediately tore up their waist wraps and covered their hair with them. … Continue reading 28-Hijab, was it always about modesty?

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27-The Thawab / Sawab of Quran

This post will examine the root word for ثَوَابَ, thawab (savab or sawab in Iran, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan). Hadith, tradition, dictates thawab as being a reward from Allah. This is a root word study of the Quran independent of hadith, history, and tradition. It is not a metaphorical or allegorical reading of the text. We … Continue reading 27-The Thawab / Sawab of Quran

26-The Hajj of Quran

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Hajj, according to Islamic tradition, is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca commemorating Prophet Ibrahim, and is mandatory for every able Muslim once in their lifetime. The rituals of Hajj include pelting stones at pillars representing satan, running between the hills of safa and marwa, circulating the Kaaba seven times, … Continue reading 26-The Hajj of Quran

25-The Sawm of Quran-making better decisions

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If you are new to this study please begin with post 1 to understand the rationale behind root words, their consistency throughout Quran, independent of a historical narrative. This is a study based on root words in Quran unbiased by hadith, tradition, and history. This is not a metaphorical or allegorical reading. This post will … Continue reading 25-The Sawm of Quran-making better decisions

24-Shahru Ramadan شَهْرُ رَمَضَان in Quran

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If you are new to this study please begin with post 1 to understand the rationale behind root words, their consistency throughout Quran, independent of a historical narrative. This is a study based on root words in Quran unbiased by hadith, tradition, and history. This is not a metaphorical or allegorical reading. The root ش … Continue reading 24-Shahru Ramadan شَهْرُ رَمَضَان in Quran

22-Reveal or decline? nazala ن ز ل

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If you are new to this study please begin with post 1 to understand the rationale behind root words, their consistency through out Quran, independent of a historical narrative. The root ن ز ل appears 293 times in the Quran, as revealed, descend, sent down, phases, lodging, hospitality. In Islamic tradition, hadith, the words derived … Continue reading 22-Reveal or decline? nazala ن ز ل

21-Maqam-e-Ibrahim, Quran vs Tradition

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This post will examine the root ق و م (q-w-m), notable in phrases like aqimu l-salah and maqam-e-Ibrahim. If you are new to this study please begin from post 1 to understand the reasoning behind root word definitions, their consistency throughout Quran, independent of a historical narrative. Two related roots of ق و م need … Continue reading 21-Maqam-e-Ibrahim, Quran vs Tradition

18-Quran does not mention Lord or usury. Study of the word Rabb

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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?

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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?

11-Hijab, what does it really mean in Quran?

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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?

9-Food for thought what Quran says about eating

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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

7-Juxtaposition of Heaven and Earth in The Quran

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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