It is a common practice for leaders, teachers, legislators, and judges to typically reference their own prior words. Individuals in these roles often remind their audience: "As I said before…" or "Remember what I told you last time…" This practice not only reinforces authority but also demonstrates continuity of teaching. Given this very natural human … Continue reading Did the Prophet Ever Cite His Own Hadith?
The First Crusade: Holy War or Holy Hypocrisy?
The First Crusade (1096–1099) is often remembered in church history as a sacred mission to liberate Jerusalem from Muslim control, clothed in the language of holy war and divine justice. Pope Urban II’s fiery words at Clermont promised forgiveness of sins and eternal reward for those who “took the cross,” while Byzantine Emperor Alexios I … Continue reading The First Crusade: Holy War or Holy Hypocrisy?
Some Popular Misconceptions about Motzki (Joshua Little Thread)
The following is a thread by scholar Joshua Little regarding Harald Motzki : https://twitter.com/IslamicOrigins/status/1388495411489431556 Thread App write-up Harald Motzki (d. 2019) was an extremely influential scholar in secular Hadith Studies, best known for his criticisms of Joseph Schacht and Gautier Juynboll; his work on the Muṣannaf of ʿAbd al-Razzāq; and his defence of the isnād-cum-matn … Continue reading Some Popular Misconceptions about Motzki (Joshua Little Thread)
Muhammad Mythicism
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
Sunni Punishment for Abandoning Salat (Quran vs. Hadith)
In Sunni Islam, apostasy is punishable by death. This ruling is drawn directly from hadith literature, such as the report in Sunan al-Nasa’i: Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever changes his religion, kill him.'" أَخْبَرَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ … Continue reading Sunni Punishment for Abandoning Salat (Quran vs. Hadith)
A Gettier Problem in Hadith Justification
Some truths in Submission (Islam) are so foundational that they require no debate. Two such truths are the obligation to give Zakat and to perform Salat — both core pillars of faith, emphasized clearly and repeatedly in the Quran. For most believers, these are established facts. Yet a curious shift happens when a Hadith is … Continue reading A Gettier Problem in Hadith Justification
Mass Hadith Forgery: The Foundations of Sunni Islam
The foundations of Sunni Islam were built upon a sea of forged traditions. By the mid-9th century CE, the compilers of the Kutub al-Sittah (Six Books) sifted through millions of reports attributed to the Prophet. What they found was damning: nearly ninety-nine percent of these reports were rejected as fabrications, exposing a religious culture flooded … Continue reading Mass Hadith Forgery: The Foundations of Sunni Islam
Companion Hypocrisy and the Hadith & Sunnah House of Cards
For centuries, Hadith has been the bedrock of Sunni Islamic law and theology. But what happens when one of Sunni Islam’s most prominent voices admits that this foundation doesn’t stand up to scrutiny? In a recent interview on the Sképsislamica podcast, promoting his new book “Understanding Salafism,” Yasir Qadhi made a startling admission: “Nobody in the academy affirms … Continue reading Companion Hypocrisy and the Hadith & Sunnah House of Cards
The Letter Nun in Qur’an 68:1: Early Tafsir Interpretations and Cross-Cultural Parallels
The interpretation of the letter "Nun" (ن) at the opening of Surah 68 in the Qur’an has long intrigued scholars, mystics, and rationalists alike. Classical Islamic commentators such as Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari, and Al-Qurtubi preserved a range of early opinions—some viewing it as a disjointed Arabic letter with unknown meaning, others presenting vivid cosmological imagery … Continue reading The Letter Nun in Qur’an 68:1: Early Tafsir Interpretations and Cross-Cultural Parallels
A World of Stories, But No Shared Reality
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” It’s a quote that’s been repeated so many times its origin is nearly forgotten. But in an age where information is endless and truth feels negotiable, its meaning has never been more relevant. We live in a world flooded with data, headlines, opinions, and “breaking … Continue reading A World of Stories, But No Shared Reality
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