The Quran warns the believers that some people have established masjids to cause harm and to promote disbelief and that the devotees of God alone should avoid such masjids for the sake of protecting their souls. [9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those … Continue reading Masjid of God vs. Masjid of Satan
Arabs vs. ‘Aarabs
In modern Arabic, there is a distinction between the words Arab ( عرب ) and A'rab ( أَعْرَاب ), where the former means Arabs and the latter implies Bedouins. Interestingly, the Quran does not use the term Arab ( ٱلْعْرَب ) but only the term Aʿrab ( ٱلْأَعْرَاب ). This is because the Quran does … Continue reading Arabs vs. ‘Aarabs
Take what the messenger gives you (59:7)
One of the sentences traditionalists often quote to justify the upholding of Hadith is the following from Sura 59 verse 7. [59:7]…Take what the messenger gives you, and refrain from what he forbids you from it… وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ 24wamāوَمَآAnd whatever25ātākumuءَاتَىٰكُمُ[he] gave you [all]26l-rasūluٱلرَّسُولُthe messenger,27fakhudhūhuفَخُذُوهُso take it [you all]28wamāوَمَاand whatever29nahākumنَهَىٰكُمْhe forbade you [all]30ʿanhuعَنْهُfrom it,31fa-intahūفَٱنتَهُوا۟then … Continue reading Take what the messenger gives you (59:7)
Satan Became a Jinn (18:50)
In the previous article, we saw that the Quran references Satan as Iblees before his fall. The Quran also informs us that Iblees was an angel that became a jinn after he disobeyed God. The most comprehensive verse depicting this is the following: [18:50] We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, … Continue reading Satan Became a Jinn (18:50)
Bashar & Insan
Two words are predominately used in the Quran to denote the human. The first word is bashar ( بَشَر ) and the other is insan ( إِنسَـٰن ). In the Quran, the word bashar occurs 38 times, and insan occurs 91 times in their various forms. Summary of Context for Bashar Here is a summary … Continue reading Bashar & Insan
Iblees & Satan
There appears to be a pattern in the Quran where it gives the name Iblees ( إِبْلِيسَ ) to Satan before he defied God's commandment to fall prostrate before Adam, and after his exposure, he is referred to as Satan ( l-Shaitan / ٱلشَّيْطَـٰن ). The name Iblees occurs 11 times in the Quran and … Continue reading Iblees & Satan
Miracles & Timing (Part III)
In the initial article from this series, we delved into the dual mechanisms through which God enacts miracles in our world. The first method is encapsulated in the divine command, "Be" (kun / كُن ), which instantaneously brings into being what is decreed (fayakūnu / فَيَكُونُ ). The second method involves the intricate weaving of … Continue reading Miracles & Timing (Part III)
