Counting the Letter waw as a Word When Used to Mean “and” Confirmed in Birmingham MS + “wild cards” in the Quran

This may seem like a small point, but when counting words and letters and extrapolating meanings and possible miraculous connections, it makes a difference because waw can be a word when used by itself to mean “and” (a one-letter “word” like “a” as an article in English), but waw is also a letter when used only to form a word. This makes a great difference, for example, in the usage of waw regarding the Balance Scales, as well as the connection to the genetic code found in Surat Al-Ikhlas. My understanding of this usage is thanks to the work of the Quran researcher (and engineer) Abduldaem Al-Kaheel. But comparing waw as used in the Birmingham manuscript with its use in the same page in a modern typeset mus’haf (written Quran), the difference is clear.

A Closer Look at the Oaths in Surat Al-Tīn 95

Surat At-tīn is analyzed here on this blog, where I discussed how “all four oaths are possibly places where significant messages were sent to their respective messengers.” Here I want to examine the oaths a bit further to reveal an even bigger picture. 

These oaths are the first three ayat/verses of this sura which has a total of eight (8) ayat. Notice the first aya contains two different oaths, both of which are fruits, the fig with many seeds and noted for its sweet flesh, and the olive with one seed/ pit, not sweet but known for its oil. In the 3rd and 4th oaths located in the 2nd and 3rd ayat (a {2,3,4} set) Allah swears by two places: Mt. Sinai, a “wild/natural” place away from people, and Makkah, a city, which is in essence a civilized place, a human construct. It’s not referring to the Kaaba but rather to the city itself as a secure place. Of course all 3 ayat containing 4 oaths (a {3,4} set) relate to the sending of Divine revelations through prophets; all these meanings tie together. 

More Profound Meaning in the Quranic Initials’ Placement in “Nautilus” Chart

Previously I discussed the “disconnected letters,” Muqatta’at or Quranic Initials (QIs) in terms of the ayat that follow them showing, in 26 out of the 29 suras where they occur, that they point to the Quran in several ways, and what that means. For this post, I will examine what we can learn from the context of their placement in the Quranic Architecture Chart as discussed on this blog and shown below. As before, I’m not searching for a “miracle,” but merely presenting meanings and possible interpretations. Because they do not form words, even scholars seem to be stymied by these Initials, often saying “only Allah knows what they mean.” I believe this issue occurs because they are viewed as a “code” or hidden meaning of some kind but after much study they didn’t find it. So it’s like who are we to presume the interpretation of letters that are not even words? But I believe one is less likely to find meaning when viewed this way, as if Allah the Exalted is asking us to read His inscrutable mind. On the contrary, He is supremely communicative! Why not take from them what is knowable, however simple it may be? These letters are given to us, and who knows us better than the All-Knowing?

The Quranic Initials or Muqatta’at

The Muqatta’at or “Quranic Initials” – which can be abbreviated as “QIs” – are 14 unique Arabic letters arranged in various groupings which do not form words, hence the Arabic name meaning “cut off” or separated. They form 14 unique “sets” of letters containing from 1 to 5 letters each. Counting repeats, they comprise 30 sets in 30 ayat in 29 suras – sura 42 (Al-Shura) contains two sets of QIs, each in a separate aya (42:1-2). With this one exception, these initials occur in the first aya/verse of a sura, some comprising the entire aya, and others followed by words in the same aya. Many scholars throughout history have studied these, with varying results and ideas, some concluding that we cannot know their meaning, dubbing them “mystic/mysterious” letters. You may have heard of them as part of a “code,” claimed to be protecting the Quran from adulteration (most famously Code 19). But would the Almighty even need such a code? These letters are at least presented to make us think. So we’ve thought about them and their meaning in the Quran, bearing in mind that this is a book by the Almighty Omniscient, and nothing He does is “meaningless.” Clue: Allah’s words are decrees but these are letters that don’t form words – thus an opening where fate is not sealed.

The Elephant in the Room – as Caretakers of Earth, Muslims Must Oppose its Destroyers

Pollution has appeared on land and at sea because of what man’s hands have accomplished, so he may let them taste something of what they have earned, in order that they will turn back [in repentance]. (30:41)

Although many translators translate fasad as “corruption,” it can definitely also refer to “pollution” which is indeed a kind of corruption that conveys to modern understanding that this isn’t about leaders getting kickbacks or bribes, it’s about directly destroying the earth and its resources.

It is both dereliction of our duty and a threat to our survival as a species to harm the earth. The Quran warns us not to commit fasad (corruption of any kind) upon the earth many times (around 60x including non-environmental corruption). And our mandate from the Almighty as humans is to be caretakers of the earth. Thus we must also struggle against those who cause the pollution and destruction of the resources of our planet, its water, living things, minerals, air, everything. But now the earth is horribly polluted and made toxic at the hands of humans, and who is the biggest criminal? The U.S. military.

The Deliberate Sterilization of God’s Mention from Western Culture

You can notice it in news broadcasts, in television series, in Disney movies and all kinds of cartoons, especially the Marvel series. You can find it in public discourse as the “standard model” of communication – the scrupulous avoidance of mentioning God or anything “sacred” in Western culture – except rarely when covering news about religion. Yet even then the word “God” is usually replaced with “approved words” like “nature” or “Mother Nature” (which Apple capitalized for me!). This is something I’ve been aware of for the longest time, but it’s extremely important to articulate it now in light of world events, the culmination of a long-standing erasure of the Sacred from so-called “Western” culture. Public mentions God are rare except in “sanctioned” phrases like “OMG” or “god-forsaken” or “godawful.” Compare to public discourse as it used to be in Muslim countries, like Egypt, where the name Allah was one of the most frequently-used words, effortlessly incorporated into daily life. Now with the imposition of Nazi and hedonistic “leaders” such as Sisi in Egypt or MBS in Saudi Arabia, the elimination of God in language, even where Islam is the dominant religion, is underway.

But maybe insha’Allah not for long…

Allah/God is our only Ballast

Many people who think themselves modern or of a superior worldview disparage religion (although with the ongoing genocide by Israel is changing people’s outlook), and in particular disparage the “idea” of God, as if God was nothing more than an idea. Although this contradicts the narrative of Jewish faith one thinks of in the public sphere, where God is One, ineffable, and interacts with humanity in a very real and tangible way, more or less like Islam, if one examines how the rabbinical and general interpretive stream goes, it tends toward muddying the waters between human and Divine.  As per below:

God is not a static being, but a dynamic becoming. Without human participation, God remains incomplete, unrealized. It is up to us to actualize the divine potential in the world. God needs us.

As for the “dynamic,” this is very true and I’ve often argued that very point, that “God is not a static Being,” as shown in the Quran. But “becoming” can be understood as “not yet realized” whereas Allah the Exalted is completely and fully realized. The problem with this is “realized” in the next sentence in bold which uses the word “becoming” to imply an insufficiency on God’s part which humans supposedly fulfill. This is false and totally contradicts truth. God/Allah is free of need, and does not “need” us at all. The Quran repeatedly tells us this!

O mankind, you are the ones in need of Allah. Indeed, Allah is the Free of Need, the Praiseworthy. (35:15)

Indeed, Allah is our only true Ballast. Without Him, we have neither true north nor south, nor any direction whatsoever, and truth becomes an invention, something anyone can make up, a fantasy, and thus we lose both balance and direction, rendering life itself pointless and meaningless. Which is where the “modern” mindset, denying God/Allah outright, has taken us. Yet many still have their conscience, their innate Fitrah.

Eid Mubarak!

Eid is a time of festivities, especially for children, and to express our gratitude for what Allah has blessed us with. We hope for everyone a blessed Eid.

It’s also important, as we focus on gratitude to Allah, to continue our efforts in behalf of Palestinians in Gaza and Palestine who are under not only a siege of bombing and sniper attacks on whole families and children in particular, but also literally being starved to death by Israel deliberately preventing food, water, medicine, and other aid to enter Gaza, as well as continuously attacking Palestinians in the West Bank and elsewhere.

Despite the horrors, Palestinians are working to keep the Eid festival a moment of relief and kindness for children. (This photo in Rafah)

There are many actions we can take to help, from bringing awareness by protesting and calling our government leaders wherever we live, to donating to some of the Palestinians themselves who have accounts with PayPal or GoFundMe, and other means one can find on social media, and much more. Israel doesn’t care about humanity, let alone their holidays, so we must always be alert to times like this not to become complacent. Enjoy, but also remember.

Good and Evil Have Rarely Been So Obvious

Palestinian family sharing a Ramadan meal in the rubble.

The photo above is the perfect image of human dignity and goodness under unimaginable circumstances. Despite bombardment, soldiers killing children by the thousands, no shelter and no safe place to go, yet they find this moment. They deserve our undying support and admiration to do whatever we can to help their people in this genocide in Gaza and all of Palestine. Contrast with the image below:

And many more would have shot him on sight.

Or this/

Worshipers in Al-Aqsa mosque zip-tied for praying there.

Is there any greater depravity?

This was the least offensive of many images showing off women’s lingerie making lascivious faces and gestures, one man wearing woman’s underwear over his uniform.

These are all attempts to humiliate and dehumanize Palestinians as their society routinely does. But NOTHING can destroy the resilience, courage, and high moral character and faith of the Palestinians. Not even these depraved satanic forces. And of course, it’s obvious who is going to hell and who is going straight to the highest paradise for their powerful faith and patience under the most dire persecution imaginable.

Trying to celebrate Ramadan in the most dire circumstances. Is that not bravery and faith for such small children?

Our Relationship to Allah in the Basmalah

The paired names of the Basmalah represent how Allah relates to us: with His power/authority (Al-Rahman) and mercy (Al-Raheem). These two names contain 6 letters each for a total of 12 letters, and the number 12 is associated with 12 months, suggesting “in time.” The first 7 letters are the words “bism Allah” or “in the name of Allah.” The number 7 symbolizes 3 basic things: a test of what we value or “evaluation;” balancing “opposites;” and marriage or significant pairing (where the pairing involves a change in status, usually raising up in some way). Marriage can refer in Arabic to any pair somehow joined together: the body with the soul, the day and night as a dynamic duo, Allah and His messengers, the Almighty, All-Merciful, life and death as a cycle rather than a timeline, this world and the Hereafter, and our souls – if we choose the upright path seeking Allah – with the Almighty All-Merciful.

Some thoughts on Free Will, Faith, and Allah’s Wisdom

Recently I attended a class discussing such things as the Islamic view of free will, guidance, and the “problem of evil” – why is there is evil in the world if God is good – and other related subjects no single title could really cover. It was well-presented, so I will try to bring some of those insights here. I believe this is “standard” Islamic theology, and mostly conforms to the Quranic text, although the terms used are modern English, and there’s a difference between the two.

Two immediate things: the “problem of evil” does not exist in Islam, but exists in Christianity (and probably Judaism although it wasn’t named), which now poses this question to Muslims, many of whom don’t understand their own theology, thus clarification is needed. “Free will” (in the sense of “I can do whatever I want”) also doesn’t exist in Islam, but that definition doesn’t sound plausible in any philosophy or rational understanding. “Free will” in my former definition meant a limited measure of autonomy and choice, whose confines are unique to each person, and for which one can be held accountable. Otherwise, what is Judgment Day, where by definition God is absolutely Just?

Oldest Video of the Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca + Hajj History and benefits

Made in 1928, this video is purported to be the oldest video recording (actually is was probably film transferred to video) of the Hajj, annual pilgrimage to Mecca, also showing the preparations, travel by camel, and other aspects of what was once a much more arduous journey to the holy site. Back then you had to bring your own tents and the entire city was off-limits to non-Muslims.

The history of the Hajj (now also spelled Haj) is not only about the rituals that are performed during the annual Hajj during the month of Thul-Hajja 8-12, but also the journey to get there, which reflects the history of transportation and related development.

A Beautiful Video Message from Mecca

LETTER FROM MECCA pic.twitter.com/oChq19D04a

— SNEAKO (@sneako) December 31, 2023

He captures his discovery of the spirit of Islam in Mecca and Medina. Very moving regardless of your POV.

This video eloquently expresses the impact of being in Mecca and Medina, feeling the soul of Islam as a way of life, an attitude, a sanctuary and peace he now must take home with him to the very different materialistic West.

The Only “Trinitarian” Verse in the Bible was “Fake” not part of the Original Greek Manuscript

The main difference between Islam and Christianity lies in the concept of Jesus’ “divinity,” which relies on the concept of the “Trinity.” Paul Williams gives us the history of how the single Biblical verse that explicitly describes the Trinity doctrine was actually manufactured to conform with church doctrine and authorities, who confronted Erasmus, who had originally produced a Bible without this verse, and demand he include it, although it wasn’t in the original Greek Bible. He refused to include it at first, but under pressure stated he would include it in a future version, but only if they found a genuine Greek translation that included it. This was in the 16th century.

Amazing Link between First Revelation and Laylatul Qadr

While looking to verify something different in Surat Al-‘Alaq 96, I counted the number of words and letters in the first five ayat (96:1-5), which is said to be the first portion of the Quran to be revealed to prophet Mohammad (pbuh). The results are 21 words and 76 letters. If we add these two sums (something I often do with meaningful results), the total is 97, which is the number of Surat Al-Qadr, describing Laylatul Qadr, the night in which the Quran was sent down to the prophet.

It was the Spirit Jibreel (archangel Gabriel) who “brought it [the Quran] upon your [Mohammad’s] heart” (2:97), and the verse number that mentions this is also numbered 97! We can consider this to possibly mean all the Quran came down into the prophet’s heart, of which portions would be revealed over time. And it could also be that these five ayat were revealed in that same night. And so a connection between the sum of words and letters in these first revealed words and the night of their revelation could be made.

New Page published for those new to Islam and Quran

Just published! The For Those New to Islam and Quran page includes a selection of posts, a brief vocabulary list, a chart of the names of prophets in Islam, even a short video on salat, all of which focus on the meaning and purpose of Islam rather than lists of rules and regulations such as one can find anywhere. During Ramadan it seems more people are interested in the Quran, and indeed reading and studying the Quran intensifies during this beautiful and blessed month. Ramadan Mubarak to all!

What is the Purpose of Fasting Ramadan?

This post on the single Quranic aya which describes the why of fasting in the month of Ramadan, covers its purpose in the context of the aya. The purely physical benefits of “intermittent fasting,” of which Siyam (fasting) in Ramadan is an example, are surprisingly numerous. But of course, the purpose for Muslims goes deeper, and we must never forget the agony of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, but rather continue doing whatever we can to bring about justice and an end to Israel’s horrific genocide. One of the reasons to fast is to increase our sympathy with those deprived of food and water. And who is more desperately in need of these things than Palestinians? Because of the Israeli Blockade, it’s hard to know how to help. Here are some suggested ways. (Pictured above, the Palestinian sunbird.)

How the West Is Wrong

The genocide in Gaza has been an awakening for people of conscience worldwide as to the hypocrisy of the so-called “West,” whose leaders have been exposed as morally bankrupt. Whether they were ever guided by the ethics they claim to espouse is itself in doubt. Among such people of conscience are Muslims, whom the West has demonized as terrorists in lockstep obeisance to Israel and their Zionist ideology.

The West is characterized by hubris, thinking they are the elites of the world and everyone else is dross, lower-level human, and there’s this secret, subterranean drive among them to subvert the rights of “lesser” humans to make life better for the “superior” ones. If anything, the genocide proves Western leaders are devoid of what is required for people to be good: a sense of truth, justice, compassion, right and wrong. Either one believes in these values or rejects them, but the only way to reject them is to cover them up. This is the meaning of the Arabic word kufr – to cover up. And what are they covering up? Al-Fitrah, the conscience, which is, one could say, “hardwired” into our hearts/minds by our Creator. Children are born with it. Such innocents, if exposed to that which is abhorrent to the Fitrah – evil deeds, pain, torture, and abuse – will dissociate from it, literally. This is being used by certain (perhaps numerous!) Western leaders to create human slaves to serve their outward heinous needs. The entire Western project must fall, and it can’t be soon enough! It is our responsibility as Muslims to unite with all people of conscience, and be able to discern who they are, in order to establish a moral authority that is universal, compassionate, reasonable, and God-fearing. Let me define that further.

Why Don’t Muslim Countries Help Palestinians or Stop the Genocide?

The video above answers this question in about ten minutes. I would add that among the “leaders” he mentions as having been the target of the U.S. and Israel is Bashar Al-Assad, himself is a tyrant who was waging a war on his own people when they came out in peaceful demonstrations against his Nazi-style rule in the wake of the Arab Spring. Israel had no problem with Assad or his father Hafez whom they once said “did even more than us” in terms of brutality against “rebels” among his own people. Many of the leaders taken out in coups were themselves dictators, but all the Israel-US alignment did was replace them when they got problematic. But it may be the genocide itself shows these puppet regimes that Israel does not hesitate to kill anyone – and these are not the sort of guys to sacrifice themselves for a cause other than themselves.

Video Explains Israeli Cruelty, Similar to How the Quran Describes Satan

In this video, an Israeli who is against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the siege of Gaza tells us “How Israelis Live so Easily with Occupation.” He explains why they commit atrocities and are comfortable with the occupation, as well as the current war crimes in Gaza and now Rafah, where they can hear children’s screams of agony from starvation and fear. His answers show us a mindset like Satan’s as described in the Quran, although that was not his observation. How can people commit these evil, unconscionable atrocities against mothers and children and celebrate them? Why do they dehumanize Palestinians, who welcomed the first refugees in the aftermath of WWII, and in return were massacred?

Satan’s “original” sin which condemned him to hell was arrogance. We may have wondered if that’s enough to warrant hell. But this arrogance is the root cause of all evil.