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)
History of the Umayyad Caliphs & History of Islam & The Sunni Dilemma
Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (1445–1505) was a prominent Egyptian scholar, muhaddith, theologian, and historian widely regarded for his prolific contributions to Sunni scholarship. Born and raised in Cairo, Suyuti was a Shafi'i jurist and belonged to the Ash'ari school of theology. He wrote on a wide array of subjects, including Quranic exegesis, hadith studies, linguistics, and … Continue reading History of the Umayyad Caliphs & History of Islam & The Sunni Dilemma
Ibn Khaldun Genius and Ignorance
Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) was a renowned Arab historian, philosopher, and sociologist from North Africa, widely regarded as one of the founders of sociology and historiography. Born in Tunis, he spent much of his life in the Maghreb (Northwest Africa), Andalusia (modern-day Spain), and Egypt, where he held various political and administrative roles and served as … Continue reading Ibn Khaldun Genius and Ignorance
Non-Arabs (Mostly Persian) Influence on Sunni Islam
In early Islamic society, a Muslim ruler once asked about the judges and scholars overseeing various provinces, only to learn that most were non-Arab clients, or mawālī—a term referring to freed slaves or non-Arab converts who became clients under the patronage of Arab tribes. This account is recorded in Al-ʿAqd al-Farīd, written by Ibn ʿAbd … Continue reading Non-Arabs (Mostly Persian) Influence on Sunni Islam
Evidence of Arab Literacy Through Arabic
It is a commonly held belief that the Arabs, particularly in the Hejaz region during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, were largely illiterate. This assumption, however, overlooks key factors that indicate otherwise. In this article, we will explore key features observed in Arabic that indicate literacy among the Arabs. These elements demonstrate that the … Continue reading Evidence of Arab Literacy Through Arabic
The Smoke of 537 & The Rise of Islam
Life often feels like a collection of disconnected moments, where the purpose of our experiences remains hidden in the fog of the present. Yet, throughout history and scripture, we see the unmistakable fingerprints of a God who weaves together seemingly unrelated events into a masterful design, often only revealed long after the fact. What may … Continue reading The Smoke of 537 & The Rise of Islam
Sunnis Have 28 Different Authorized Qiraat
Qira'at ( قراءات ) refers to the different canonical methods of reciting the Quran. These variations encompass differences in pronunciation, intonation, meanings, verse counts, and, in the more extreme cases, differences in the words and phrases used. Historically, these differences took root after the death of the prophet when Islam expanded to new lands. Various … Continue reading Sunnis Have 28 Different Authorized Qiraat
Quran Talk Blog 