31-Israel’s Strategic Location

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 …

30-Fire in the Quran

The control of fire was a watershed moment and a crucial catalyst for human evolution (see previous post). Fire served as a source of light, warmth, protection, cooking, forging metal for weaponry, and further technological advancements. There is no surprise that cultures across the world have a myth of their own fire bringer, a savior …

29-What is the Shaytan of Quran?

Who or what really does Shaytan mean in the Quran? Islamic tradition tells us one thing, but the root word says another. This is a study of Shaytan through root words, independent of Islamic folklore, hadith, tradition, tafseer. It is not a metaphorical or allegorical reading of the text. I will begin with an overview …

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. …

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 …

26-The Hajj of Quran

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, …

25-The Sawm of Quran-making better decisions

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 …

24-Shahru Ramadan شَهْرُ رَمَضَان in Quran

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 …

23-What is Ramadan in Quran?

If you are new here please begin with post 1 for the rationale behind using root words, independent of a historical narrative, to follow along and understand this study of the Quran. This is not a metaphorical or allegorical reading. It is based on roots words and Quran only, unbiased by secondary sources of hadith …

22-Reveal or decline? nazala ن ز ل

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 …

21-Maqam-e-Ibrahim, Quran vs Tradition

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 …

20-The Zakah of Quran

Zakah is a mandatory poll tax for Muslims and one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Traditionally due in Ramadan, it amounts to 2.5% of ones disposable income and possessions during a full lunar calendar year. The Quran does not stipulate the 2.5% nor the minute details. This information comes from the hadith literature. The …

19-The Salah of Quran

Traditionally salah is a ritual prayer and one of the five pillars of Islam. This is not, however, the salah of the Quran. This post is a study of ص ل و and its related roots. If you are new to my blog please read the previous posts starting with Post 1 to understand the …

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …