In 1759, at the height of the Enlightenment—when European philosophers preached that reason would perfect humanity and history marched inevitably toward paradise—Voltaire published a novel called Candide to serve as a scathing critique of this naive optimism. In this book, the hero is dragged through every conceivable horror—war, plague, earthquakes, and executions—yet ends not with … Continue reading Cultivate Your Garden: Lessons from Voltaire and the Quran
Did the Prophet Ever Cite His Own Hadith?
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?
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
From Refuge to Responsibility: A Symbolic Map of The Cave
Sura 18 of the Quran, The Cave (Al-Kahf), is one of the Quran’s most unique chapters, particularly for the layered stories it presents and the historical narratives it subtly invokes. It features three major episodes: the account of the youth who sought shelter in a cave, the journey of Moses with a mysterious teacher, and … Continue reading From Refuge to Responsibility: A Symbolic Map of The Cave
Which Paradigm Better Aligns With Jesus’s Teachings?
In a previous article, we addressed the popular Christian argument known as the Islamic Dilemma, which goes as follows: The Quran instructs Christians to follow the Gospel (Injeel). Therefore, Christians must adhere to the New Testament as it exists today. But the New Testament contradicts the Quran. Therefore, the Quran is false. This line of … Continue reading Which Paradigm Better Aligns With Jesus’s Teachings?
Why Marriage?
A recent tweet exchange between Andrew Tate and Richard Cooper lit up social media. It was brief, smug, and resonated with a growing number of disillusioned men: “What’s the benefit of marriage for a man?”“There is none.” This sentiment has become increasingly common in certain circles: marriage is framed as a raw deal, a trap, … Continue reading Why Marriage?
<1% of Companions Are Cited as Sources of Hadith
The prophet was said to have had over 100,000 companions (ṣaḥābī) according to sources like Abū Zurʿa al-Rāzī, with some sources indicating that 114,000 companions performed the pilgrimage with the Prophet after their conquest of Mecca. Despite their large number, most companions did not transmit hadith, even though prophetic Hadith could be simply observing something … Continue reading <1% of Companions Are Cited as Sources of Hadith
Fidelity to God Alone
What does guarding your chastity have to do with guarding your prayers? At first glance, these might seem like separate aspects of personal conduct—one physical, the other spiritual. Yet twice in the Quran, God places them side by side in His portrait of the ideal believer. In both Surah 23 and Surah 70, we are … Continue reading Fidelity to God Alone
God’s Ayat Through Nature (Natural Theology)
In modern Arabic, the term "āyah" (plural: "āyāt") is often understood as “verse,” referring to the Quranic text. However, in the Quran, the word carries a much broader and deeper meaning, signifying a sign, miracle, proof, or evidence. While many occurrences in the Quran pertain directly to written revelation or the miracles of the past … Continue reading God’s Ayat Through Nature (Natural Theology)
When Fatherhood Awakens Faith
Dr. Michael Egnor was a committed atheist and accomplished neurosurgeon who believed that all of life’s mysteries could ultimately be explained through material processes. In his view, every question—from the nature of consciousness to the origin of thought—had a purely physical answer rooted in the brain. But the deeper he went into his surgical career, … Continue reading When Fatherhood Awakens Faith
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