Good manners, as defined in the Qur’an and by the Prophet, are applied ethics. They are qualitatively different from other ethical systems because the Qur’an and the Prophet consider them acts of worship. When the social need for ethics extends beyond regulating individual behavior to organizing institutional and governmental sectors, …
From reading and studying the Quran, I have always felt that Islam was using a similar approach for slavery as it did for alcohol—an approach that ideally would have led to an end of that institution. Let us consider the following points: Handling Prisoners of War: The way to handle …
The town of Mecca According to Arabian traditions, and later confirmed by the Qur’an, the town of Mecca was established by the Patriarch Abraham and his son Ishmael. The location is not very far from the west coast of the Red Sea in a rocky valley with few agricultural resources. …
The question of making sense of one’s existence is deeply intertwined with the concept of consciousness. Consciousness involves not only awareness of the external world through our senses but also self-awareness and introspection. This self-awareness allows us to ponder our existence, purpose, and identity. Most people live their lives using …
Islam, as it has developed up to this point, is often seen as a highly ritualistic and legalistic institution. Many Muslims frequently seek guidance from religious scholars on what is permissible or forbidden, fostering a culture that discourages the enjoyment of this life. This belief system suggests that true pleasure …
If you’re familiar with the Bible and interested in peace with your Muslim neighbors, you need to familiarize yourself with the Qur’an. In the West, the least understood of the Holy Books is the Qur’an. The Qur’an tells us that the origin of all revealed books is God Himself, and …
One of the troublesome problems of translation is the disparity among languages. The bigger the gap between the source language and the translation language, the more difficult is the transfer of the message from the former to the latter. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the translation of the …
Introduction Many Muslim scholars worldwide are diligently working to develop ethical boundaries for AI advancement. However, when we encounter predictions like those of Ray Kurzweil, it prompts us to pause and reflect. If these predictions are destined to come true, are these scholars’ efforts in vain? Some of Ray Kurzweil’s …
The collective Muslim mind often reflects with pride on our glorious past. When discussing today’s challenges, many Muslims look to the wisdom of Ibn Khaldun, Al Ghazali, or al-Shāfiʿi for guidance. While it is essential to honor our intellectual heritage, it is equally important to engage with the present using …
Introduction The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of technological advancement, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and significant ethical challenges. This article explores the multifaceted relationship between AI and Islamic ethics, guided by the insightful inquiries of The International Qur’an Research Association IQRA’ and its passionate …
