In the Quran, the capacity to accurately interpret a divine message previously obscured from the masses is a sign of divine favor and authorization. This revelatory ability is reserved for those whom God deems righteous, as He does not grant such profound insights to those who are insincere or liars. [72:27] Only to a messenger that He chooses, does He reveal from the past and the future, specific news.  إِلَّا مَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ مِن رَّسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَسْلُكُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ رَصَدًا A case in point is Joseph’s ability to correctly interpret the dreams of his two ..read more

How much better to get wisdom than gold,     to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16 The Quran informs us that real wealth lies in wisdom, not status or wealth. [2:269] He bestows wisdom upon whomever He chooses, and whoever attains wisdom, has attained a great bounty. Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.  يُؤْتِى ٱلْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ Numerous examples in the Quran convey this point. Solomon & the Hoopoe Solomon was blessed ..read more

After Jesus’s death, James, Jesus’s brother, and Paul disagreed on whether righteousness was achieved through deeds or faith alone. Paul argued that after Jesus’s death, one could not be saved by works, only by faith, as shown in Romans 3: 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. On the other hand, James, the brother of Jesus, argued that faith and works were needed for salvation. This is perfectly illustrated in the following passage from James 2: 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can ..read more

One of the Quran’s verses often butchered in translation and interpretation is Sura 2: The Heifer (Al-Baqarah), verse 223. نِسَآؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا۟ حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ وَقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّكُم مُّلَـٰقُوهُ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ Here are some of the common traditional Sunni translations of this verse. Your wives are your tilth; go, then, unto your tilth as you may desire, but first provide something for your souls, and remain conscious of God, and know that you are destined to meet Him. And give glad tidings unto those who bel ..read more

Sahih Bukhari is considered the most revered collection of Sahih Hadith among traditional Muslims. Among these most “authentic” narrations, we see that ‘Amr bin Maimun claims the following account regarding a she-monkey being stoned for adultery. Narrated `Amr bin Maimun: During the pre-lslamic period of ignorance I saw a she-monkey surrounded by a number of monkeys. They were all stoning it, because it had committed illegal sexual intercourse. I too, stoned it along with them ..read more

In the below interview with Dr. Samuel Zinner, he shows how the Biblical passage in Exodus 3, where God informs Moses of His identity, also has a subtle divine echo in the Quran. 13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”  When we look at the Arabic, we can see an echo of this expression, “I am who I am,” i ..read more

When Satan refused to abide by God’s order to fall prostrate before Adam when he was commanded, instead of repenting and reforming, he requested a respite from God till the Day of Judgment. [7:12] He said, “What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?” He said, “I am better than he; You created me from fire, and created him from mud.” [7:13] He said, “Therefore, you must go down, for you are not to be arrogant here. Get out; you are debased.” [7:14] He said, “Grant me a respite, until the Day of Resurrection.” [7:15] He said, “You are granted a respite ..read more

Envision a circle of art experts deeply engaged in discourse over the nuances of Renaissance artistry. As a newcomer interlaces into the dialogue, the original members of the group may be skepticial if the new member is qualified to contribute worthy commentary to the discussion. Yet, in a turn that transforms the tenor of the conversation, this fresh voice astutely remarks on the interplay of chiaroscuro in the corner of Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” They note that the seemingly innocuous shadow not only lends dimension to the scene but also ingeniously masks the vestiges of architectural alt ..read more

The Bible narrates several key covenants that God made with humanity. These covenants are significant because they reveal God’s unfolding plan for redemption and His relationship with His people. Here are the primary covenants mentioned in the Bible: 1. The Noahic Covenant After the flood, God made an everlasting covenant with Noah and all living creatures that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow is given as the sign of this everlasting covenant. Genesis 9: 8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish My covenant with you&nbs ..read more

Sura 111 of the Quran is entitled Thorns ‘Al-Masad’ ( الـمسد ) and is about how both Abu Lahab and his wife were condemned to Hell for not only leading the opposition to the prophet during his life but also for fueling his opposition. [111:1] Condemned are the works of Abee Lahab, and he is condemned. [111:2] His money and whatever he has accomplished will never help him. [111:3] He has incurred the blazing Hell. [111:4] Also his wife, who led the persecution. [111:5] She will be (resurrected) with a rope of thorns around her neck ..read more