By Abdur Rab on 7/24/2009 6:43 PM

Religion, or call it “deen” if you will, is arguably often the least understood, or the most misunderstood, and probably the most contentious, subject. Part of the reason is, of course, that there have been different prophets and books and teachings by their names, and partly because of the fact that with the coming of each religion, false prophets or religious clerics emerged on the scene, who deliberately introduced new things into the religion. Because ideas die hard, the followers of earlier religions though superseded by later ones generally stick to their own books of such teachings. Interpretations of religions vary even more. There are multiple interpretations of the same religion, even  among followers who have grown in their intellect and wisdom. However, differences in religious understanding tend to narrow when wisdom grows to a certain level. Since the source of religion is God and divine revelation, all prophets must have brought the same message, and religion with God always must have been, or must be, the same one (3:1; 41:43; 42:13; 6:115).

Read More »

By Kamran Cheikh on 7/12/2009 6:23 PM

 

 

 

 

Often some verses in the Qur’an about Jesus are often missed or misinterpreted because of the lack of use of tasreef, reason or also the lack of knowledge about  the context of the verses. This leads some  people to come to conclusions that are not supported by the Qur'an.  I have listed some verses below that shed some light on the life of Jesus in the Qur’an. My comments are below in bold.

 

 

 

 

Important points to consider

 

As  stated in my blog on wahi Malikah(angels) also refers to individuals who are chosen to deliver God’s message of what He wills according to His Laws either  because they are able to receive wahi or have authority to deliver a message that  is ordained at an appointed time  in previous revealed scriptures. Verse 42:51 gives the different ways humans receive wahi.

 

42:51 “And it is not for any human being that God will speak to him other than through direct Revelation (to His prophets)...

Read More »

By AY Mol on 12-7-2009 12:54

In the understanding of Grand Mufti Alim Muhamed Abduh, Mufti of Al-Azhar University, till his death in 1905:

“ 1. The primary purpose of the Qur’an is to affirm the Tawhid, the unicity of God, and all other subsequent doctrines that affirm God’s action of revelation, the sending of prophets, and the reality of resurrection and human recompense.

2. The Qur’an is a complete and comprehensive revelation; believers cannot be selective in what portions they choose to adhere to.

3. The Qur’an is the primary source for legislation for a righteous society. (While Abduh endorsed the use of reason and science in understanding the text he insisted that social life is to be organized according to the teachings of the Qur’an.)

4. Muslims should not imitate their forebears in interpreting the Qur’an, but must be authentic and true to their own understanding.

5. Reason and reflection should be utilized in interpreting the Qur’an. (Abduh saw the Qur’an as urging people to search and...

Read More »

By General on 7/12/2009 2:21 AM

This is a piece of work in progress, not a complete article yet. Readers find below 34 main verses which the author could identify in the Holy Qur'an about creation and evolution, on the basis of his little knowledge. These are presented in the order of creation and evolutionary  processes.

 

Meanings are explained by consulting with known interpreters like Bin Katheer (Arabic) and Yusuf Ali (English) and by looking at the scientific evidence, particularly from anthropology, biology, and cosmology. The objective is to tell the story of God's creation of life and how it evolved on planet Earth, with particular attention to the creation of humans.

 

Researchers can find support to the evolutionary theory from the meanings of of these verses. God Almighty started the creation of life on Earth, then left it to evolve as a result of learning from the adaptation to various environments, with intervention from Him to make His creation better.

Read More »

By Kamran Cheikh on 7/6/2009 1:32 PM

"Precise... acutely perceptive... a revelation, an opening up of knowledge too long buried." The Sunday Independent

"Wise and passionate... An incisive, scholarly primer in Muslim history and an engaging personal exploration." The New York Times Book Review

"A stimulating history of Islamic history and thought." New York Review of Books

 



"An eloquent, erudite paean to Islam in all of its complicated glory." Los Angeles Times Book Review

"Grippingly narrated and thoughtfully examined... a literate, accessible introduction to Islam." The New York Times

Short-listed for the Guardian First Book Award Best Book of the Year (Politics and Religion) The Financial Times

Best Book of the Year (Non-Fiction) Los Angeles Times



Though it is...

Read More »