In 13:4 of the Quran there is an interesting word that often times is mistranslated in most translations. The word is صِنْوَان ṣin'wān [13:4] On earth, there are adjacent lots that produce orchards of grapes, crops, palm trees— صِنْوَانٌ (ṣin'wānun) and other than صِنْوَانٍ (ṣin'wānin). Although they are irrigated with the same water, we prefer some … Continue reading Dioecious And Non-Dioecious
Khamr (Intoxicants) vs. Sukara (Intoxication)
The Quran uses the word sukārā (سُكَارَىٰ) for the state of being intoxicated, while using the word khmar (خَمْرِ) for intoxicants. Sukārā (Intoxication) [4:43] O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated (sukārā), so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on … Continue reading Khamr (Intoxicants) vs. Sukara (Intoxication)
Importance of Understanding
Millions of Muslims throughout the years have spent much of their lives memorizing the Quran, yet spend virtually no time to understand the meaning of what it is that they are reciting. Usually when Muslims are questioned about this they claim that God credits those who recite His revelations in Arabic, and so understanding is … Continue reading Importance of Understanding
Rivers of Wine in Paradise
Some individuals ask that if intoxicants are prohibited, then why does God describe rivers of wine in Paradise? [47:15] The allegory of Paradise that is promised for the righteous is this: it has rivers of unpolluted water, and rivers of fresh milk, and rivers of wine— delicious for the drinkers—and rivers of strained honey. They have … Continue reading Rivers of Wine in Paradise
Proper Translation of 47:35
Sura 47 verse 35 of the Quran states the following: فَلَا تَهِنُوا وَتَدْعُوا إِلَى السَّلْمِ وَأَنْتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ وَاللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَنْ يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ Before we get to the proper translation for this verse, let's look at the word by word breakdown: فَلَاSo (do) notتَهِنُواyou [all] weaken / waver,وَتَدْعُواand you [all] invite / callإِلَىtoالسَّلْمِ[the] peace,وَأَنْتُمُand you [all] … Continue reading Proper Translation of 47:35
The Tyranny of Idol Worship
A tactic that God utilizes to explain matters in the Quran is done by drawing distinctions through the use of opposites. This allows the students of the Quran to better understand these concepts through knowing what something is by understanding what it is not. This can provide the constrast needed to help clarify things, much … Continue reading The Tyranny of Idol Worship
Trump As An Idol
For the last four years, millions of people have been in perpetual anguish over President Trump. The situation had gotten so bad that health experts coined the term "Trump Anxiety Disorder" to describe the pain and frustration people have been feeling the last four years of Trump. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbES3Rbs9Wk&feature=youtu.be I remember in 2016 after Trump won … Continue reading Trump As An Idol
The Purpose of The Universe
In 1929, Edwin Hubble while observing the distant galaxies noticed that the light from these galaxies were showing a redshift in the light spectrum. This indicated that the galaxies were moving at tremendous speeds away from each other. What he also noticed was that the further away the galaxy was the greater the redshift. This … Continue reading The Purpose of The Universe
Following Truth In Face of Bias
A crucial test that every soul will have to face is to see if it is willing to follow the truth in the face of any bigotry, bias, or prejudice it may hold. The oldest example of this can be seen in the history of Iblees (Satan). Satan and Adam When God created Adam and … Continue reading Following Truth In Face of Bias
Follow The Quran, Not The Ulama
When debating with many Muslims a common argument some of them make is that the average Muslim is incapable of understanding the Quran and therefore it is necessary to rely on the interpretation of the Ulama, the Muslim scholars and imams who study these matters, to understand the Quran. If we follow the Ulama we … Continue reading Follow The Quran, Not The Ulama