Nothing will rectify this nation at the end, other than what rectified it at the beginning.
Imam Malik ibn Anas
(93–179 AH/ 711–795 CE)
In our understanding today, ‘rijaal’ only means ‘men’, as opposed to ‘nisaa’ which only means ‘women’.
Yet ‘Rijaal’, plural of ‘rajul’ (m), is also plural of ‘rajlaa’ (f), denoting an active woman on her feet, independent of a mount.
More than 1,000 years ago, everyone knew what these words stood for.
In our understanding today, ‘Islam’ characterizes our entire faith (‘Eman’), and serves as its ‘definition’.
Yet the important distinction between these two words was made 1400 years ago.
Muslims/Muslimeen are not addressed in the Qur’an.
Those who Attained Faith/Allatheena Aamanu are repeatedly addressed in the Qur’an. Their community is one of ‘Mu’mineen’.
‘Eman’ is superior to ‘Islam’.
‘Islam’ by definition is about entering fully into Peace/Silm, unrelated to one’s faith. A person who does no harm is ‘Muslim’ by definition.
Eman includes Faith and Trust in God, in the Arabi Qur’an, and in Muhammad as His final Messenger .
Early recipients of the Qur’an made the distinction between Islam and Eman.
They named the national Treasury (which served everyone) ‘Beyt maal al Muslimeen’ while calling their leader ‘Ameer al Mu’mineen’.
After entering Islam and attaining Eman however, the epitome of Islam is in pure reverence to God while striving for Ihssaan/beauty and excellence in everything.
More than 1,000 years ago, everyone knew what these words stood for.
In our understanding today, ‘Shukr’ is gratitude, and our Shukr toward God is by saying ‘Al HamdulilLah’.
However, Shukr is unrelated to feelings or words. Shukr is in productive action; causing something to ‘yushkar’, to appreciate/be enhanced.
Communities perform ‘Shukr’: Using resources productively, their yields appreciate and they prosper.
God is Shaakir ‘Aleem: He All-Knowingly enhances what He gives. How excellent a recompense for all who are working!
Our hearts and tongues should be saying “Al HamdulilLah!” while we work in Shukr/Appreciation.
That is how our predecessors worked and prospered, more than 1,000 years ago, knowing what these words meant.
Want to know more?
Visit Qur'an Blog
The ‘Iqra!’ command was not only the tried and tested principle which early Mu’mins proved effective, but it is the principle which we Cognizant Humans must adopt and activate before it is too late. Time is of the essence.
Both the English and Arabic editions of Revival of the IQRA! Principle are now available, having undergone linguistic and scholarly examination and gained excellent reviews.
Visit the author's website for her other worksThe prevalence of certain misinterpreted words and concepts is partly due to the gradual decline of the Arabic language among its speakers as well as to the absence of dictionaries and lexicons in the Arabic and Islamic educational systems which provide readers with approved definitions and explanations at the bottom of their texts.
Listen to Audio
This researcher takes full responsibility -in real time- for what she shares in these talks, asking listeners to bear in mind that with ongoing research there would be probable additions and possible corrections.
This entire project is built around ‘tadabbur’ of the Qur’an, following its context and the earliest definitions of its words to the end result, all the while gaining insight from authenticated tradition and scholarly works.
Discerning listeners are encouraged to do the same, noting that later works would be more precise, and that no single session is definitive in its findings.
