In contemporary discussions about the Quran, critics often claim that the Quran is primarily a book meant for men. Thereby relegating the role and status of women to the periphery. However, a closer examination of the Quranic text reveals a profoundly different reality. A reality that underscores the Quran’s unequivocal commitment to the equality, dignity, and significance of women. Let us embark on a journey through the Quranic verses that challenge these misconceptions, as we explore their vital roles and significance in Islam. Equal Creations of Allah From the very beginning of the ..read more

  In the contemporary discourse surrounding the Quran, it’s not uncommon to encounter critics who claim that the Quran is a book primarily meant for men, thereby relegating the role and status of women to the periphery. However, a closer examination of the Quranic text reveals a profoundly different reality—a reality that underscores the Quran’s unequivocal commitment to the equality, dignity, and significance of women. Let us embark on a journey through the Quranic verses that illuminate the status of women and challenge these misconceptions, as we explore their vital roles and signific ..read more

In the realm of divine revelation, every word and every verse of the Quran holds immense significance. It is a scripture that transcends time and space, guiding humanity with its profound wisdom. Yet, one aspect that often perplexes many is its non-chronological arrangement. Why, one might ask, is this sacred text not presented in the order it was revealed? To unravel this enigma, we must delve into the depths of divine wisdom and seek to comprehend the broader tapestry woven by the Creator. The Quran, bestowed upon humanity as a beacon of light, is a complex tapestry of narratives, guidance ..read more

The Quran is our sacred book and represents the Divine word of Allah, as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It serves as a guide for us, providing essential knowledge and teachings about ethical values, morality and how to lead a righteous life. However, despite its importance, many of us neglect to even attempt to understand its teachings, which is considered a major sin in Islam. It is crucial to recognise that the Quran was revealed in Arabic and not everyone is proficient in this language. As a result, translations of the Quran are now available in various languages, ma ..read more

Question: I have a translation of the Quran in English and I was wondering if it is permissible to highlight a verse or to even write on the side of the pages? Answer: Yes, it is permissible to make notes while studying the Quran, as long as one maintains adab in doing so. In fact, many scholars of the Quran have done this in the past without any harm. Most of the respected and knowledgeable scholars also support this view and they even point out that there is precedent for taking notes from the practice of the companions (May Allah be pleased with them). Here we must emphasise the importance ..read more

Surah naming traditions have developed over time and have been influenced by various cultural and linguistic factors. However, despite the differences in names, the content remains exactly the same in both versions. The Indopak version, which is used mainly in the Indian subcontinent, follows a tradition of naming the Surahs based on the central theme or subject matter of the Surah. This tradition was developed by early Muslim scholars and is based on their interpretation of the Quranic text. On the other hand, the Uthmani version, which is the most widely used version of the Quran, follows a ..read more

Most translators have used ‘Merciful’ or ‘mercy giving’ for Rahman and Rahim, I translated Rahman as “the Kind”. The word Rahman is derived from the Arabic verb Rhm meaning kindness not merciful. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (SOED) defines mercy as: A) Compassion forbearance shown to enemies or offenders in one’s power. B) God’s forbearance and forgiveness of sins. According to the SOED ‘kind’ means, feeling other people’s sufferings as one’s own experience, a feeling of closeness and connection with the other person and relieving them of their suffering. To be kind implies having sy ..read more

Most translators have used ‘Merciful’ or ‘mercy giving’ for Rahman and Rahim, I translated Rahman as “the Kind”. The word Rahman is derived from the Arabic verb Rhm meaning kindness not merciful. The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (SOED) defines mercy as: A) Compassion forbearance shown to enemies or offenders in one’s power. B) God’s forbearance and forgiveness of sins. According to the SOED ‘kind’ means, feeling other people’s sufferings as one’s own experience, a feeling of closeness and connection with the other person and relieving them of their suffering. To be kind implies having sy ..read more

There are two main styles of Arabic scripts used in the Quran today. Both are widely circulated and known by various names. Firstly, we have the Uthmani or Madani script and the second is known as IndoPak or Farsi script. Both employ the Uthmani script standards but differ slightly in the convention of the diacritical marks. The two scripts are written by different calligraphers who have different writing styles. There are technical differences as well. The IndoPak script is usually found in the 13-line Qurans, which are more commonly used in the Indian subcontinent and South African regions ..read more

There are many differences and similarities between these two holy books, we won’t be able to cover all of them in this article but here are a few of them to give you an insight into this discussion. Christians recognise the Holy Bible as God’s inerrant word, perfect as given to His people. The Quran is revered as holy by more than 1.6 billion Muslims who believe it is the final, perfect and infallible source of Divine revelation. The Bible is a library of 66 ancient books written over 4000 years ago by different people in different settings. It contains the books which the Quran mentions, th ..read more