'IQRA': The Challenge: OVERVIEW

Sunday, January 1, 2012

OVERVIEW

Welcome Friends: Ahlan wa sahlan!

It is 2012.

I've been working on this project for two years now, and it's not done; Qur'anic research is so much tougher than I had ever imagined!

Do not focus on 'dates' and what seem like 'outdated' posts. Actually, the later posts were put up quite recently (under the heading of 2010 ) so as to maintain the concept of a ‘One year Qur'an Study Project’ for Readers!

So, dear Readers:

If you'd like to obtain an understanding of the Qur'an as close to the time of Revelation as possible, begin with the first post, and continue with me as I go along.

Read each Post, and send in your comments and we’ll get to discussing important issues together, God-willing.

But keep in mind:
Objectivity is near-impossible in explaining anything!
There is only one original Arabic Qur'an, and countless interpretations/explanations of its meanings, each explanation reflecting that particular scholar's knowledge, mind-set, and era. Although this applies to my explanation/interpretation as well, I am hoping that it would be less subjective and closer to the original than most, aided by a reliance on the oldest Arabic Lexicons, supported by Qur'anic context and cross-reference, enriched by wide travel and world-view, and well-delivered in English which happens to be one of this Researchers two 'mother-tongues.'

Peace unto all!

Randa Hamwi Duwaji

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Beautiful translation of Al Faatiha...
Thank you!; January 11, 2012
R.H.D. said...: My honor and pleasure ...; January 13, 2012

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TEEN MOTTO: I RESPECT MYSELF

TEEN MOTTO: I RESPECT MYSELF

I respect my SELF, therefore I will become a better person. I respect my MIND, therefore I will support it with knowledge. I respect my CONSCIENCE, therefore I will comfort it by good conduct. I respect my SOUL, therefore I will nourish it with faith. I respect my BODY, therefore I will protect it from harm. I respect my DESIRES, but since they contradict one another, I will be selective: I will control ANY desire that does not respect my SELF, my MIND, my CONSCIENCE, my SOUL, and my BODY! (See full Motto posted Aug.11th)

Let's think outside the box!

A remarkable poem written by the first Ming Emperor of China, Zhu Yuanzhang (born 1328).

A remarkable poem written by the first Ming Emperor of China, Zhu Yuanzhang (born 1328).

"Since Creation of Universe, Divinity had already appointed, Faith-Preaching Great Saint. From West He was Born,To receive Holy Scripture, With thirty part Book.To guide all Creation, King of all Kings, Leader of Holy Ones. With Support from Divine, To Protect His Nation, With five daily prayers,Silently hoping for peace,With heart toward Allah.Empowering the Poor ,Saving them from calamity,Seeing through the Unseen,Pulling souls and spirits,Away from all wrongdoing. Mercy to the World,Walking ancient Crowned Path, Evil vanquished to One, Religion Pure and True,Muhammad, The Noble High One.

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

Did you know that the term 'rijaal' in Arabic is the plural of 'rajul,' meaning 'man' AS WELL AS the plural of 'rajla' meaning woman? As seen in this everyday dictionary (Mukhtarul Sihah), the connotation is about someone active, on their feet 'arjul' and is not restricted to gender, although that is the more common context. ‘Rijaal’ is not only opposite to ‘nisaa’ but also opposite to ‘rukbaan,’ which means ‘riders’ (on their mount) HQ2:239. In travel, you’d have men, women, or both together, travelling on foot ‘rijaal’ while others would be ‘rukbaan.’ Unfortunately, since the usage of dictionaries is uncommon these days in the Arab/Muslim educational system, only linguists would be familiar with this, whereas common-folk would be misinterpreting and misrepresenting Islam as related to women. We are responsible today, especially if we're Arabs, to at least make sure that each of our families has an Arabic-Arabic dictionary (pocket size costs $1), and more importantly, that each Arabic-teaching school ANYWHERE uses one. Only then perhaps would women in the entire Muslim world feel as welcome in the hallowed halls of learning as men. The Qur'an certainly welcomes them! As for 'Tradition,' let us remember that MOST TRADITIONS have always been biased against women, and that 'Muslim tradition' is kinder than 'Judeo-Christian tradition!' Click on picture.

QUESTION: What is 'siraat?'

QUESTION: What is 'siraat?'

* السراط: الطريق الواضح السهل الذي يسلكه المرء في مرٍّ وذهابٍ حتى لكأنّه يغيب فيه. Siraat’ in Arabic is defined as “the clear, smooth road which persons pass through until they seem to disappear into it*.”Variations of the word are used for: the act of swallowing food (‘misrat’ means pharynx)- and ‘sarataan’ is the Arabic name for both ‘crab’ (the crustacean) and ‘cancer’ (the disease). Western linguists (and some Arab commentators influenced by them) have postulated that there are words in the Qur’an that are not Arabic, and that this is one of them. They say that, similar to ‘street,’ ‘strasse,’ strada,’ ‘siraat’ is derived from the Latin ‘strata, stratum’ meaning ‘paved road’. Arab linguists and historians who have studied the Qur’an tell us it is, indeed, the OTHER way around: many Arabic words migrated into other languages during the period when Arabic was the language of information, innovation, architecture, science, and art; when Arabic was the 'Lingua Franca.' There are many other examples which appear in our Posts: Put 'etymology' in 'Search this Site!'

OUR TESTIMONY & SUPPLICATION

“Our Lord! We believed in what You sent down, and we followed the Messenger, so assemble us with the Witnesses*” (Qur'an: 3:53)

(رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ)

*This testimony by the Disciples of Jesus, peace upon him, is what we, in turn, testify to today. We believe in what God has sent down and we follow His Messenger Muhammad, peace upon all God's Messengers.