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josephislam1@gmail.com

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

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AREAS OF RESEARCH AND SCRUTINY 

 

• Islamic jurisprudence and the early formative period.

• Islamic tradition and thought including the Prophetic Sira (Biography), the Maghazi genre and the canonisation of the Ahadith corpus.

• Quranic Exegesis / Tafsir within the ambit of both classical and modern commentaries.

• Islamic poetry in its historical context and development.

• Classical Arabic and the influences of early grammarian schools in particular relation to Quranic text.

• Quranic manuscripts and transmission.

• New Testament Biblical scholarship with particular interest in textual criticism including a scrutiny of early formative history of the Biblical canon.

• Study of the Jewish Tanakh and the reading / appreciation of the Jewish Talmud in its historical context.

 

My research with regards to Islam in particular has endeavoured me to scrutinise as wide a perspective as personally possible covering both the ambit of traditional (Muslim) and Oriental scholarship.

 

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OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST AND RESEARCH

 

• Human psychology, general theology and philosophy of religion.

 

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RELIGIOUS VIEWS AND AFFILIATIONS

 

Though you may find references to my work or links to this website elsewhere, I am not affiliated with any religious group, sect, particular doctrine, thought, author, website or any religious or academic authority whatsoever. I am also neither a 'Quranist' nor a 'traditionalist'. Yet, I do recognise that truth can exist in various guises and be shared by the adherents of different theological positions.

My complete submission is to the following verse of the Quran in which I believe in what the Messenger of God believed and those termed as 'wal-mu'minuna' (and the believers) believed.
 

002:285 

 "The messenger believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying" 

 

My humble yet ardent and sustained efforts are simply to discern using the guidance revealed by God to humankind.

 

Please see section:  Copyrights & Credits

 

 

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THE MISSION OF MY WORK

 

• To present consistent, clear and cogent arguments from the Quran with a view to address popular misconceptions of Muslim and anti-Islamic thoughts that remain at variance with the true message of the Quran.

• To challenge extreme interpretations and mistranslations which have often lead to extremism, sectarianism and intolerance.

• To challenge unfounded doctrines and rituals, unquranic beliefs and punishments neither advocated nor supported by the Quran.

• To vindicate the truth and to present a peaceful and tolerant message of the Quran.

 

I, Joseph Islam (the author) categorically denounce any form of extremism or discrimination against fellow human beings regardless of gender, culture, race or religion and uphold the sanctity of human life in all its forms. I categorically denounce any form of injustice and continually work towards (God willing) promoting tolerance and peace which I also firmly believe to be the essence of the message of all God's scriptures.

 

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AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND A DISCLAIMER

 

Dear Reader,

 

I personally do not claim to be an authority over any particular speciality, discipline or thought other than to sincerely present you with what I feel are clear arguments as a result of sustained ardent academic research during my life. Research is an ongoing endeavour and I am always open to better use of evidence and sources of arguments. I am a mere servant of God with all the inherent weaknesses of a fallible human being.

Anything true that I share is a blessing from God. All mistakes are only my own and my soul shall bear the brunt of any transgressions on the Day of Judgment.

If it is your intention to solely follow an authority of a particular line of thought, then I humbly submit that this website, its purpose and its content may not be for you.

It is a complex web of acquiring information and I believe that God takes us past what I call are 'watering places' if He intends to guide and 'water' those that truly seek His way. It is often a case of traversing these stepping stones with an open mind / heart and indeed moving on when the time is right.

My work (my humble effort) is merely a small piece in this immense web. Please take anything from it that is good and move on from anything that you do not find convincing.

My work represents my own personal journey and seeking a path which represents 'truth'. It is solely intended for free thinkers and those with critical thought. Those who are prepared to engage with the Quran for themselves to understand its message through sustained endeavour and seeking guidance from their Creator alone.

I humbly request the reader to analyse the arguments presented with complete sincerity, an open mind and to verify all the claims for themselves with no other motive other than to seek the path of truth. Please do not follow me or my work blindly.

 

Please accept or reject the claims based on the veracity and strength of the arguments, the evidence submitted and not merely on the grounds that it may not represent a popular majority view or the view of a particular scholar or preacher. The majority view may not always be correct and no authority or authorities have exclusive claim to 'the truth', whatever that may be.

 

The Quran remains the final source of judgement and the ultimate authority for all true believers.

 

Let us race (fa-is'tabiqu) with one another in good works (2:148).

May God help all those that sincerely seek His way.  Ameen.

 

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As this site will be regularly updated, please email me if you would like to be notified of new content.

Page last updated on the 22^nd September 2011

 

 

Joseph Islam's Personal email:  josephislam1@gmail.com

 

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