The Quran on Fossil Fuels and Modern Travel – New Tafsir

There are still many scholars who insist we should not “re-interpret” the Quran but only take the interpretations of prior scholars from hundreds of years ago. Whereas finding new relevant additional interpretations that are applicable to our current developed world (and could not have been known in prior eras) show the timeless, eternal applicability of the Quran to all eras, acknowledging that each era changes and therefore has its separate circumstances. Therefore it is imperative to be able to understand how the Quran is relevant to people of each “world” and timeframe, taking into account how it applies to one’s own time and place. To deny such interpretations is to deny that change occurs or that we are living in a world of time which is indeed ever-changing. So will they not use their minds? Or would they prevent us from using ours?? 

Among the fascinating new applications for Quranic ayat are these from Surat Ya Seen 36 and Surat Al-Waqi’a 56 below, referring generally to the benefits Allah gives to humankind from trees, specifically how they are used as fuel to ignite fire. In a modern context this meaning is expanded even further.

Sura 98 Al-Bayyinah, Sign of the Hour’s Approach

Examining the latter suras in the Quran, we may consider them as showing us signs of the  approach of Judgment Day, starting with the sending of the Quran itself described in Surat Al-Qadr 97. Sura 98 Al-Bayyinah, or “The Evidence/Proof,” further strengthens that understanding, describing the Quran, the final revelation, as a Proof, where such a proof’s denial is not a matter of a single community as were previous messages, but given to all humankind. This sura tells us it is prophet Mohammad as the messenger, and the Quran itself that separates those who deny from those who trust in Allah and His way (presented in the Quran as universal, a system of ethics and compassionate behavior) — for all humanity over time, which is now rapidly approaching its end. 

Surat Al-Ma’un 107: The Importance of Being Kind

The title word ma’un is translated “aid, assistance, small kindnesses,” or simply “help.” So the sura begins with this word as its title and ends with it as the last word in its last verse/aya. But what is most striking is its central aya: “Woe to those who pray!” And the word salat is what is translated “pray,” all the more striking because salat is obligatory in Islam, the first thing mentioned in sura 74:42-43 when those in paradise asked those in hell “what put you in hell?” And they answered, “we were not of those who prayed (salat).” So why is this person called out for doing what Allah required us to do, even to avoid going to hell?

Please Check Out the New “Quranic Architecture: Overview” Page

Please check out the newly-revised “Quranic Archiecture: Overview” page on this site. It explains in more detail what this site is all about, and what informs my outlook.

The picture at the top of the page is a rough sketch of the entire Quran fit into a graphic based on the ideas mentioned there. However, we are working on a more accurate and hopefully more presentable graphic. We welcome any assistance from those who are graphically-inclined or who have knowledge of the use of computer-aided design in producing the image/chart, which is actually fairly basic. Our contact info is on the “About” page. Jazak Allah khairan!!

Eid Mubarak!!!!

Pilgrims on Mt. Arafat at dawn, above.

Hajj is the ultimate lifetime journey. The sheer numbers of pilgrims who make this journey each year is unlike anything else.

Each ritual has a deeper meaning than its mere performance. All pilgrims are equal in the Hajj regardless to ethnicity or race or nationality or “school” of Islamic practice. They wear special clothing to emphasize this, as simple as possible.

A picture of Makkah from about 1700. The Ka’aba itself looks the same! But look at how the city has changed.

The same rituals are performed as they were during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammad. Below, a picture from around 1940.

And below this, a modern photo of the same ritual, throwing stones at a rock representing Satan.

More people, more urgency to get enough space to do the ritual. Sometimes gets out of hand. And other rocks are much larger to accommodate more people.

The front of the Ka’aba from up close, with its beautiful cover and calligraphy.

Remembering Arafat, the high point of the Hajj, we return to the Ka’aba to circle it seven times.

And have a blessed Eid!

Ramadan and Taqwa: The Purpose Of Fasting

We all know Ramadan as a sacred month of fasting and worship, of purification, of compassion and contrition. Looking at the meaning of the word “sacred” in English, it is not an exact translation of the Arabic word haram, which means “prohibited” or “protected by prohibitions” in a sense, but also it means “sacred” in the sense of being reverenced, which brings us to another word, taqwa. This word is mentioned frequently in varying grammatical forms, sometimes translated as “fear of God,” or “reverence.” I like the word “reverence,” because although there’s an element of fear and respect in reverence, it is of a particular kind, a willing attitude of one who appreciates the value and power and importance of that which is revered. It acts as fear of God in causing one to avoid doing anything that would incur God’s wrath, so it is a directed fear, and that involves the mind. The Quran also uses the word taqwa in the sense of “beware” or “be aware,” invoking mindfulness, whereas fear itself, expressed in a very different Arabic word khauf, is an emotional reaction that does not involve thinking or the mind.

Allah Has No Gender

That Allah has no gender should be obvious to all Muslims, for the Quran makes it clear that the Creator does not procreate, is neither created nor begotten, nor is there anything whatsoever similar to Him. He created male/female in His creation, but Allah has no equivalent and, as exemplified by the great names Al-Rahman, Al-Raheem, which, like the concepts of yin and yang, comprise both power and receptivity (in an abstract sense, female and male principles) in one Supreme Being.