Occasion of Revelation

This is an excerpt from the commentary of the Holy Qur’an by Imam Farahi – a very academic discussion about the true nature of the narratives that purportedly divulge the sha’n-i nuzul (occasion of revelation) of a surah or part of a surah of the Holy Qur’an. Although very compact, it aptly unravels the matter and closes the door of utter confusion, opened by not correctly understanding the narratives in point.

Belief in God

Belief in God is the sublime fountain from which springs the stream of Islam. In this short essay, Javed Ahmad Ghamidi endeavors to capture the stance of the Holy Qur’an regarding the “belief in God” inasmuch as it pertains to the being of the Almighty.

Heads for Zakah Spending

This essay enumerates the heads under which zakah may be spent. It is, in fact, a part of a major treatise of Imam Amin Ahsan Islahi, in which he has criticized the condition of tamlik (exclusive personal possession) considered mandatory by our jurists for the proper payment of zakah. The discussion about the heads, however, can be appreciated on a stand-alone basis, as presented in this issue.

The Originalist Approach to Understanding Islam

It is an analysis by Khalid Zaheer of three major approaches to understanding the Holy Qur’an, namely, Traditionalist, Modernist and Originalist.

A Resume of Arabic Philosophy

This essay is a very compact but elaborative profile of Arabic philosophy. Inasmuch as it retraces the roots of this philosophy, it highlights the original contribution made by the Muslim philosophers as well.

The Psychology of Religion: A Short Introduction

This is the title of a book which explores the impact of religion on the psychological life of people. A review of this book is presented in this issue.

The Character of a Happy Life

A beautiful poem that spells out the ingredients of a happy life.