The following is a thread by scholar Joshua Little regarding Harald Motzki : https://twitter.com/IslamicOrigins/status/1388495411489431556 Thread App write-up Harald Motzki (d. 2019) was an extremely influential scholar in secular Hadith Studies, best known for his criticisms of Joseph Schacht and Gautier Juynboll; his work on the Muṣannaf of ʿAbd al-Razzāq; and his defence of the isnād-cum-matn … Continue reading Some Popular Misconceptions about Motzki (Joshua Little Thread)
High and Low Hadithology: Mapping the Madhhabs’ Views on Hadith Authority
When scholars of Christianity speak of high and low Christology, they are not referring to two different religions but to a spectrum of belief regarding the status of Christ. Some traditions elevate him to pre-existent divinity, while others see him primarily as a prophet and teacher. The same framework can help us think about the … Continue reading High and Low Hadithology: Mapping the Madhhabs’ Views on Hadith Authority
Sunni Apologist Hadith Fragment (AP 259) Dishonesty
In a recent debate with Sunnis on Discord, some individuals cited a scholarly paper to claim proof of hadith manuscripts from the first century Hijri. In their typical fashion, rather than sending a link to the article, they only sent a screenshot of the article's first page, underlining a single sentence: “The date of this … Continue reading Sunni Apologist Hadith Fragment (AP 259) Dishonesty
Lessons in Epistemology from the Story of Joseph: Truth, Deception, and Divine Knowledge
The Quran presents the account of Joseph not merely as a tale of betrayal and redemption but as a sophisticated study in how humans come to know truth amid deception, doubt, and shifting appearances. How can the same shirt serve as both fabricated evidence of death and authentic proof of life? Why do dreams that … Continue reading Lessons in Epistemology from the Story of Joseph: Truth, Deception, and Divine Knowledge
Münchhausen Trilemma
Imagine standing on the edge of reason, asking the most basic question: How do we truly know anything? Every answer you reach for seems to slip through your fingers. If you justify a belief by appealing to another belief, you enter an infinite regress with no foundation. If you loop back on your assumptions to … Continue reading Münchhausen Trilemma
The Hawk & The Dove (Quran & Gospel)
The opening verse of Sura 53, "The Stars" (Al-Najm) states: [53:1] As the stars fell away. وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ 1wal-najmiوَٱلنَّجْمِBy the star2idhāإِذَاwhen3hawāهَوَىٰit fell down / fell away Dr. Rashad Khalifa provides the following footnote for this verse: *53:1-18 Muhammad was summoned to the highest universe to receive this Quran into his heart. The stars fell away … Continue reading The Hawk & The Dove (Quran & Gospel)
Possible Origins of the word Ḥawāriyūn (Disciples)
The Quran refers to the disciples of Jesus with the term ḥawāriyūn (ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ), which appears five times across four verses: 3:52:12l-ḥawāriyūnaٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَthe disciples5:111:4l-ḥawāriyīnaٱلْحَوَارِيِّـۧنَthe disciples5:112:3l-ḥawāriyūnaٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَthe disciples,61:14:12lil'ḥawāriyyīnaلِلْحَوَارِيِّـۧنَto the disciples,61:14:18l-ḥawāriyūnaٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَthe disciples, The term is derived from the root "ḥ-w-r" ( ح و ر ), and one of the meanings of this root is to wash or, more specifically, whiten … Continue reading Possible Origins of the word Ḥawāriyūn (Disciples)
Does 9:107 Forbid Praying Behind Hypocrites?
Some argue that the following verse prohibits a person from praying behind someone they deem a hypocrite. [9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are … Continue reading Does 9:107 Forbid Praying Behind Hypocrites?
How John Rewrote Thomas to Silence a Rival Gospel
In 1945, a remarkable discovery was made near the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi. Hidden in a sealed jar for over a thousand years, a collection of Coptic manuscripts was unearthed, among them a text that came to be known as the Gospel of Thomas. The text is attributed to the apostle Thomas, also called … Continue reading How John Rewrote Thomas to Silence a Rival Gospel
Apostolic Succession Debunked
One of the most distinctive claims of the Catholic Church is the doctrine of apostolic succession. According to this teaching, the authority that Christ gave to his apostles did not die with them but was passed on to their chosen successors. Through the laying on of hands, this authority is believed to have continued in … Continue reading Apostolic Succession Debunked
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