a deen is not a religion

We are undertaking a reevaluation of the term  hoor  (حُورٌ), which contrasts centuries of traditional religious interpretation with a linguistic and contextual analysis of the Quranic text itself. After we derive the true meaning of the word, it raises the question of its relevance, and following from that, its application for us in the present. This article is then broken into three parts accordingly. For readers interested in deeper research, each part is accompanied by a

Introduction When you look at the Qur’an on its own terms, the question quickly shifts. The Qur’an never treats literacy as a sign, never links the messenger’s authority to a disability, and never presents “illiteracy” as part of his identity. The word ummī —often used to support the illiteracy claim—consistently refers to people without prior scripture, not people who can’t read or write. Later tradition turned this into a literacy issue to build a miracle narrative that the

The Core Verses on Time-Reckoning The System Established 36:39-40  - About the moon: "And the moon - We have determined for it phases/stations (manāzil) until it returns like the old/curved date stalk. The sun is not to overtake the moon, nor the night outstrip the day. Each in an orbit they swim/float." The moon has manāzil  (stations/phases) - a clear measurement system visible to all. 10:5  - The purpose of sun and moon: "He is the one who made the sun a radiance (ḍiyā') a

Did Jesus pass away, and is there a Second Coming? To synthesize this exploration through the lens of the Quran’s Arabic text, we can evaluate the traditional narrative against the specific linguistic constraints found in the verses we have analyzed. The belief that Isa (Jesus) never died and is currently in "the heavens" awaiting a physical return is quite well accepted in traditional Islam - but it relies on external sources. When we look strictly at the Quran, the text pro

What Tradition Says Traditional Islamic scholarship tells us that ribā  means "interest" or "usury" - specifically, any predetermined increase on a loan. This interpretation has led to entire systems of "Islamic finance" designed to avoid interest while achieving similar economic outcomes through complex contracts. The traditional view establishes: Any interest on loans is forbidden Even small, fixed percentages are ribā Alternative structures (murabaha, ijara, etc.) are need

The Case Against Physical Miracles: A Scriptural and Scientific Audit For centuries, traditional narratives have attributed hundreds of "miracles" ( mu’jizāt ) to the Prophet Muhammad—from the splitting of the moon to water gushing from his fingertips. However, when the Qur’an is analyzed as a self-contained system of guidance, it reveals a startling reality: The text consistently denies the Messenger the use of physical miracles. 1. The Scriptural Negation: "Only a Warner" T

“Prophet Muhammad had the best understanding of the Qur’an!” How many times have you heard this claim? For centuries, a dominant sectarian narrative has maintained that the Prophet Muhammad possessed a unique, metaphysical understanding of the Quran—a "secret key" that rendered his personal explanations the only valid lens through which the text can be understood. This belief creates a dependency model, positioning the Messenger as a necessary filter between the Creator and t

1. Introduction Ask most Muslims when the Quran was revealed, and you'll hear a familiar story: the first verses came to Prophet Muhammad in the Cave of Hira, then more verses were revealed gradually over 23 years, responding to various events, situations, and questions. This piecemeal revelation narrative forms the foundation of traditional Islamic scholarship. But what does the Quran itself say about how it was revealed? The answer might surprise you. The Quran makes clear,

🔍 Introduction Our investigation acts as an expert guide committed to understanding the Qur'an as a complete, self-referencing source of guidance for the Deen  (a holistic system of life and accountability). We adhere strictly to the Arabic text, using contextual self-referencing  and Lane's Lexicon as our sole tools to derive meaning, thereby isolating the text from all external interpretations, including Hadith, historical accounts, and traditional jurisprudence. Our found

Introduction The Quran as Holistic Guidance: A Thematic Analysis Using Hermeneutical Methodology This study examines the main themes of the Quran when approached as a comprehensive book of guidance (هدى - huda) for Deen rather than merely a religious text. Employing a hermeneutical methodology that prioritizes contextual self-referencing within the Arabic text itself, this analysis identifies eight interconnected core themes that emerge from the Quranic discourse: Tawhid (Div

Introduction: A Book of Guidance, Not Supernatural Tales The Quran presents itself as a book of guidance (2:2) for deen  - a complete way of life grounded in reality and reason. Yet throughout history, it has been interpreted through the lens of supernatural miracles that defy natural law. This reading misunderstands the Quranic framework and creates unnecessary conflict between divine guidance and observable reality. By applying careful hermeneutics - allowing the Quran to i

Introduction The Quran describes itself as guidance (2:2) - but how are we meant to understand this guidance? Surprisingly, the answer lies within the Quran itself. Ayah 3:7 provides not just information about the Quran's structure, but a complete methodology for understanding it. When examined carefully using the Quran's own words, this verse reveals a profound system of self-explanation that empowers every reader while warning against the very structures that have historica

For centuries, discussions around Muslim dress have centred on detailed lists of rules—measurements, colours, and specific garments like the "hijab." But when we turn exclusively to the Qur’an, we find a foundational guidance that is far less prescriptive and far more focused on behaviour, context, and consciousness. The Qur’anic imperative is not a wardrobe checklist; it is a set of universal principles designed to foster dignity, safety, and modest conduct in all societies.

Introduction: What the Quran Says About Itself Before developing any method to study the Quran, we should first ask: What does the Quran itself say about how it should be understood? The Quran makes remarkable claims about its own nature: It is free from internal contradiction  (4:82) It is consistent within itself , with parts explaining other parts (39:23) It repeats its teachings from multiple angles  (39:23) It is fully detailed  and requires no external explanation (6:11

Introduction Most readers and traditional readings of the Qur'an assume verse 4:3 permits men to marry multiple wives, but the Arabic text says otherwise. The verse speaks about fairness and responsibility toward dependents, not marriage. When read contextually, fa-inkiḥū  means “formalize agreements,” and mā ṭāba lakum  refers to what is proper or manageable — not women. Together with 4:129, the passage limits overextension and demands justice, dismantling the idea of Qur’an

Introduction The phrase “Abrahamic religion”  suggests that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam form a single religious family tracing back to Abraham. The Qur’an, however, never uses this term and does not group guidance in that way. It presents one dīn  — a just and upright system of truth — revealed to all communities through different messengers, languages, and contexts. Limiting this universal message to an “Abrahamic” lineage distorts what the Qur’an repeatedly emphasises:

What is Code 19? In the 1980s, Rashad Khalifa claimed that the Qur’an contains a hidden mathematical structure based on the number 19. He...

Pre-history References to same-sex relationships, behaviors, and roles appear in texts and records older than the Torah. Here’s a breakdown: 1. Mesopotamia (Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, Assyria – 3rd–2nd millennium BCE) Inanna/Ishtar hymns: The goddess is associated with gender variance and same-sex love. Priests (the gala) sometimes assumed female roles and engaged in homoerotic practices. Gilgamesh (c. 2100 BCE): The Epic depicts Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s bond in terms that many sch

For the longest time, I've wondered why the Qur'an is called a "Reminder". Because we know God doesn't use words frivolously, this word...

What does the Qur'an mean when it talks about Nisāʾ and Rijāl, and contrast this with Unthā and Dhakar to elicit what the guidance is.