The notion that Prophet Muhammad never existed — sometimes called Muhammad mythicism — is a fringe idea that has gained attention in certain circles, not because it is supported by credible historians, but because it has been aggressively promoted by Christian polemicists like Jay Smith and Robert Spencer. These are not scholars searching for truth, … Continue reading Muhammad Mythicism
Oldest Surviving Manuscript of Imam Malik’s Muwatta’
Early Manuscripts and Fragments of the Muwatta’ Imam Malik’s al-Muwaṭṭa’ was compiled in the 2nd century AH (8th century CE) and was transmitted by many of his students in slightly variant versions. The very earliest physical evidence of the Muwatta’ dates back to Malik’s own lifetime. For example, a papyrus fragment (PERF No. 731) from … Continue reading Oldest Surviving Manuscript of Imam Malik’s Muwatta’
The Case of Ibn Shanabūdh: When Isnād Was Not Enough
Abū al-Ḥasan Ibn Shanabūdh (d. 328/939) was a prominent Qurʾān reciter, scholar of Arabic language, and prayer leader based in Baghdad during the Abbasid era. Renowned for his deep knowledge of variant Qurʾānic readings (qirāʾāt) and for his extensive travels to study with leading Qurʾān masters, Ibn Shanabūdh enjoyed a respected scholarly reputation among his … Continue reading The Case of Ibn Shanabūdh: When Isnād Was Not Enough
The Identity of Tāʾ Marbūṭa
The tāʾ marbūṭa (ة) is commonly described as a grammatical variation of tāʾ (ت), functioning as a feminine marker at the end of many Arabic nouns and adjectives. However, a closer examination of its behavior in script, pronunciation, numerical value, and historical linguistics reveals a more complex identity. Though it plays a feminine grammatical role … Continue reading The Identity of Tāʾ Marbūṭa
Hadith: The Oral vs. Written Dilemma
If Hadith had been the cornerstone of understanding Islam from the beginning, why did none of the early Caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, or Ali—make any effort to systematically write down and preserve them? This absence of early documentation remains a fundamental challenge to Sunni claims that Hadith serves as a binding source of law in … Continue reading Hadith: The Oral vs. Written Dilemma
Hermeneutics: Mimetics vs. Reason
In daily life, people navigate decisions using different approaches, often without realizing it. Sometimes, we rely on imitation (mimetics)—following established norms, routines, or the behaviors of those before us. Other times, we use reasoning. Consider a doctor treating a patient. If the doctor follows a mimetic approach, they might apply textbook treatments precisely as written, … Continue reading Hermeneutics: Mimetics vs. Reason
By the Even and the Odd
In Sura 89, Dawn (Al-Fajr), God swears by the even and the odd. [89:3] By the even and the odd. (٣) وَٱلشَّفْعِ وَٱلْوَتْرِ The Quran is composed of 114 Suras (chapters) and 6,234 numbered verses. Summing the Sura numbers sequentially (1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 114) gives a total of 6,555. Separately, the total … Continue reading By the Even and the Odd
Urwa ibn Zubayr Burned His Hadith
Urwa ibn al-Zubayr (c. 643–712 CE) was an early Islamic scholar, historian, and one of the most influential figures in the transmission of Hadith. Born in Medina, he was the son of Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, a prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and Asma bint Abi Bakr, the daughter of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, … Continue reading Urwa ibn Zubayr Burned His Hadith
Make Christmas Pagan Again
Christmas, widely cherished as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, is among the most beloved holidays in the Christian calendar. Yet beneath its festive veneer lies a rich, complex tapestry of history—one that intertwines Christian theology with the ancient practices of paganism. Far from a purely Christian invention, Christmas owes much of its origin, timing, … Continue reading Make Christmas Pagan Again
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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