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
Traditionalists vs. Quranists Compass
In understanding one's political affiliation, one of the tools a person can use is called the political compass. The political compass is a conceptual framework that allows individuals to locate their beliefs on a two-dimensional grid, providing a more nuanced understanding of political ideologies beyond the traditional left-right spectrum. It takes into account both economic … Continue reading Traditionalists vs. Quranists Compass
“Wa” in the Quran
The prefix "wa" ( وَ ) in the Arabic language is an important particle that appears frequently in the Quran, and it can serve a variety of functions depending on the context in which it is used. Below are some of the main forms and uses of "wa" in the Quran, along with examples from … Continue reading “Wa” in the Quran
When “god” is used for other than God in Quran
In English, there is no distinction between the words "god" with a lowercase "g" and "God" with a capital "G." Yet, this is not the case in Arabic. In Arabic, the word for "god" with a lowercase "g" is "إله" (ilah). In Arabic, "ilah" signifies a being that is worshiped, irrespective of whether it is … Continue reading When “god” is used for other than God in Quran
Why Are Muslims Suffering?
In the Quran, a common pattern that we are presented with is that when people deviate from God’s guidance, He allows hardship or external forces to come upon them as a means to remind them of their covenant and guide them back to the straight path. This concept reflects God's mercy and desire for people … Continue reading Why Are Muslims Suffering?
Who Did Jesus Say Would Come After Him?
In the Gospels, Jesus references the coming of individuals to come after him, including prophets, wise men, and teachers, as well as one he references three times in the Gospel of John as the Paraclete, which can be translated as a counselor, comforter, or Advocate (Paraclete). Matthew 23:34 - Prophets, Wise Men, and Teachers to … Continue reading Who Did Jesus Say Would Come After Him?
Turning God’s Blessings into Idols
One of the classic examples of turning God’s blessings into idols is found in the story of the Children of Israel and the golden calf, as described in the Quran. After being delivered from the tyranny of Pharaoh by God’s grace, the Children of Israel were given numerous blessings, including guidance and freedom. However, when … Continue reading Turning God’s Blessings into Idols
Which Messiah Was Jesus? Ben David, Ben Joseph, or Ben Aaron?
Christians assert that Jesus is a descendant of King David in order to connect Jesus with the Old Testament prophecies that speak of a future Messianic figure who would establish God’s eternal kingdom. According to these prophecies, the expected Messiah would come from David's lineage. According to 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God makes the following promise … Continue reading Which Messiah Was Jesus? Ben David, Ben Joseph, or Ben Aaron?
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)
The Supernatural: Science Waiting to Be Understood
Some skeptics argue that miracles are as logically impossible as a four-sided triangle. Just as a shape ceases to be a triangle if it has four sides, they claim that an event ceases to be real if it is classified as a miracle. Their reasoning is that invoking the concept of a miracle means attributing … Continue reading The Supernatural: Science Waiting to Be Understood
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