A few of you wanted to know who was the author of this reading. His name is Christopher T.R. Hewers, and he is currently a Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations at St. Ethelburga’s Centre in London, England. He earned his PhD in 1998 and a post-graduate diploma (2003) from the University of Birmingham (Centre for the […]
‘Before Orthodoxy’ by Shahab Ahmed
Summary of Main Thesis Before Orthodoxy: The Satanic Verses in Early Islam is Shahab Ahmed’s study of early Muslim attitudes to the Satanic verses incident. The story of the Satanic verses narrates the occasion on which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is alleged to have mistaken words suggested to him by Satan as divine revelation. These […]
Which is the True Islam?
So how does someone like me decide which of the two schools of thinking is the true Islam? Both factions endeavour to portray the other one as extremist and as a fringe. I do understand your protestations that yours is the correct one but then the other lot would stress that they are. Maybe those […]
The Verse of the Sword
Regarding ayahs 9:2–6, is God commanding an Islamic state to conduct a foreign policy, which is the following: First, make a treaty with idolatrous nations and if they maintain the terms of the treaty then peaceful coexistence is possible. Second, if these nations refuse to make a treaty or violate the terms of the agreement, […]
Prayer of the Oppressed
This attachment is so profound, so inspiring, and so poignant, that I had to share. . . It touches on many points regarding the cosmic purpose and response to oppression and puts them all in the context of over-arching justice. It answers the “big questions” that we often forget when discussing the details. Shaykh Hamza […]
Literal Interpretations of the Qur’an?
I do understand that, as in all religions, there are a variety of opinions as to how literal their Holy Book(s) ought to be interpreted. I could well imagine that you would be of the more liberal persuasion. My problem is therefore not with you but with those who would favour a more fundamental expression […]
