FN#7 covers Surah Al-Qalam, verses 8-16, and its Part II (this is long-er chapter). To recap, check out FN#2 Part I. By the time these verses of Al-Qalam are revealed the message of the Quran was being openly propagated by the Prophet. He was also facing stiff opposition. Opposition…there’s the external sort, and then the internal sort.Continue reading “MQSP: Field Notes #7”
Category Archives: Islam
MQSP Bibliography
I guess I need to put together a list of resources I am using for the Millennial Quran Study Project. This post is a collection, which I will continue to update as the project goes along, of resources I am using. Quran and Tafsirs The Meaning of the Quran, by Syed Abul Ala’Maududi; however, thisContinue reading “MQSP Bibliography”
MQSP: Field Notes #3
Before a mission can be given, there must be preparation for it. The Prophet had spent significant time secluded from society, searching in this solitude for the Divine. When the Divine finally answered his prayers the message came down first as an acknowledgement that human capacity is limited unless it is coupled with knowledge ofContinue reading “MQSP: Field Notes #3”
MQSP: Field Notes #4
The Shrouded One I mentioned that I learned that the Quran revelation from God stopped for a period of time after the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq in my MSQP Field Notes (FN) #1. This actually was news to me. I was under the impression that once revelation began it was continuous, without fail.Continue reading “MQSP: Field Notes #4”
MQSP: Field Notes #2
The Pen, or Surah al Qalam, came down after the exhortation from God to “Read!” According to Asad. A casual observation of the title of this chapter and the contents from the first revelation would suggest a clear connection between Reading, Writing, and Knowledge. All three were from the deep ocean that is Divine Wisdom. What a magnificent foundation for religious belief!
Learning How To Say Allah In Chinese
When you ask people what language they speak in China, the majority of folks say its Chinese. In the US we seem to think that in categorizing nations the simple rule to follow is that everything is derived from its name. So in China the Chinese speak Chinese. People do that with me as well.Continue reading “Learning How To Say Allah In Chinese”
QYP: Is Revelation Order Important?
Preparing for the Quran Year Project (QYP) involved thinking through how I wanted to read the Quran. I concluded that I wanted to read the Quran in the order it was revealed to the Prophet. I think one of the issues I ran up against when I was researching and preparing for this project wasContinue reading “QYP: Is Revelation Order Important?”
Introducing the Quran Year Project
Thanks for stumbling onto this blogpost. The purpose of this Quran Year Project is laid out here, however, if you are looking for more, try the content guide which you can check out here. “To truly understand the Quran you have to learn Arabic,” said a well meaning friend. “It is in the Arabic, notContinue reading “Introducing the Quran Year Project”
NYC: A Tourist Attempts to Escape the Crush of Humanity
…or my failed attempt to get some alone time in New York City. One thing that I just don’t get about New Yorkers is how they can live with so many people all the time. I found it taxing to constantly be in a sea of people, having to find myself thrust into their conversationsContinue reading “NYC: A Tourist Attempts to Escape the Crush of Humanity”
Sorting Out this Travel Experience from Central America
Why am I going on this trip to Central America? I keep asking myself this question over and over again. I promised to be reflective, as an act of worship as much as an act of internal probing about this trip. I came to the conclusion that I don’t need to justify this trip inContinue reading “Sorting Out this Travel Experience from Central America”
