Mutawātir: A successive narration that has been transmitted by such a large number (thousands) of narrators at each level of its chain of transmission that it becomes practically impossible for them to have collectively agreed upon a lie or fabrication. Among Sunnis, Mutawatir Hadith are often presented as the gold standard of authenticity—a shield of … Continue reading The Myth of Mutawatir Hadith
How Christians and Sunnis Justified Their Idolatry
Historically, both Christianity and traditional Islam have grappled with the tension between their foundational scriptures and the later traditions that emerged within their communities. Both faiths began with firm proclamations of strict monotheism with the declaration that there is no god but God. Yet, over time, scholars and theologians in both religions were compelled to … Continue reading How Christians and Sunnis Justified Their Idolatry
The Sunni Quran Isnad Dilemma
The Sunni faith is fundamentally built upon its traditions, which, in turn, rely heavily on the credibility of their chains of transmission (isnad). Many Sunni scholars assert that if the isnad is deemed reliable, the authenticity of a Hadith must be accepted, regardless of its content. This reasoning is even extended to the Quran, where … Continue reading The Sunni Quran Isnad Dilemma
Cædmon & the Hadith of the First Revelation
Cædmon, often regarded as the first known English poet, lived during the 7th century in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria. He was a monk or lay brother associated with the monastery at Whitby, led by the abbess St. Hilda. His story comes to us primarily through the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written by … Continue reading Cædmon & the Hadith of the First Revelation
Why Stylometry Can’t Prove Hadith Authenticity
Stylometric analysis is the quantitative study of linguistic patterns in texts to identify unique characteristics of an author's style. It leverages statistical and computational methods to analyze features such as word frequency, sentence structure, punctuation, and even rhythm or syntax. Stylometry assumes that each writer develops an unconscious and consistent way of expressing themselves, which … Continue reading Why Stylometry Can’t Prove Hadith Authenticity
Paul Rasulullah According to Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir (c. 1300–1373 CE) was a prominent scholar of Sunni Islam, renowned for his expertise in tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), tarikh (history), and fiqh (jurisprudence). He authored one of the most widely used and influential commentaries on the Quran among Sunni Muslims, which remains a cornerstone in Sunni understanding of the Quran. However, much of … Continue reading Paul Rasulullah According to Ibn Kathir
Messengers vs. Tradition
No messenger was ever sent to a people with the message that everything they were doing was perfect and that no change was needed. Such a notion runs entirely counter to the very essence of a messenger's mission. A messenger's role is not to affirm the status quo but to challenge it—serving as a disruptor … Continue reading Messengers vs. Tradition
Power, Interpretation, and the Enduring Nature of Truth
All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth. – Friedrich Nietzsche Interpretation lies at the heart of human understanding, shaping how societies construct meaning from events, ideas, and phenomena. Yet history reveals a persistent tension: while those in power may dictate interpretation, … Continue reading Power, Interpretation, and the Enduring Nature of Truth
The Messenger vs. The Message
A messenger of God comes to deliver God's message, and it is this message that should be valued and pursued throughout one's life. However, people often shift their focus from the message to the messenger, losing sight of the true purpose of their coming. This is evident, for example, in how many Christians have become … Continue reading The Messenger vs. The Message
Notes from The Second Canonization of the Qur’an (324/936)
Below are notes and thoughts from Shady Nasser's book The Second Canonization of the Qur'an (324/936). This book examines the process of Qur’anic canonization, focusing on how the seven canonical readings of the Qur’an were standardized. This "second canonization" was led by Ibn Mujahid in 936 CE (324 AH), a pivotal figure in Islamic history … Continue reading Notes from The Second Canonization of the Qur’an (324/936)
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