Browse Tag
Sunni Islam
8 posts
Sunni Islam (الإسلام السني): The largest branch of Islam, Sunni Muslims follow the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad as recorded in the Hadith and Sunnah. They emphasize the importance of the community (ummah) and the consensus (ijma) of scholars in interpreting Islamic law. Sunni Islam is characterized by its adherence to the four major schools of jurisprudence: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali.
The Human Blockchain: How al-Isnād (الْإِسْنَاد) Verified History Before the Internet
Long before fact-checkers, Islamic scholars built a "human blockchain" called al-Isnād (الْإِسْنَاد) to save the truth from gossip. From the "Golden Chain" of Malik and Nafi to the rigorous "Science of Men," discover how this ancient system of source criticism verified history—and what it can teach us about digital accountability today.
Arabic Vocabulary for Diplomacy: Analyzing ‘Rift’ (قطيعة) and ‘Sanctions’ (عقوبات) | Media Arabic Booster 02/25
This month (02/25) in the Media Arabic Booster: The U.S. and Russia met in Saudi Arabia, and how the U.S. is trying to stop the flow of money to Lebanon through Iraq.
Why Netflix’s ‘Perfect Strangers’ Sparked Backlash, and How to Add English Subtitles
"Perfect Strangers" (أصحاب ولا أعزّ), Netflix's first Arabic film, faced backlash in Egypt for its themes of infidelity and homosexuality. This article covers the film's plot, reasons for controversy, and a trick to watch it with English subtitles.
Sunnah.com & Shamela.ws: Investigating the Authenticity of Their Digital Sources
sunnah.com and shamela.ws are popular Islamic resources, but their digital sources are often unverified. This guest article by an open-source developer examines their origins and raises critical questions about the authenticity of online Hadith and Islamic texts.
The History of the Minaret: From Prayer Call to Islamic Icon
The minaret is a key symbol of Islam, but early mosques likely lacked them. This article traces the history of the Islamic prayer call (Adhan) and the development of minarets, discussing their origins and meaning in Islamic architecture.
Ism al-Fi’l (اسم الفعل): Understanding Arabic’s Unique “Nouns with Verbal Force”
The Islamic phrase حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلاةِ (Come to prayer!) features a special type of Arabic word: a noun with verbal force (اسم الفعل). This article explains these unique indeclinable words, which carry verb-like meaning and governing power, and how to use common imperative forms like صَهْ (hush!) or آمِينَ (Amen!).
TV Series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English Subtitles
Finding TV series in Classical Arabic (الفصحى) with English subtitles can be challenging. This guide presents notable historical dramas like Musalsal Fath al-Andalus and the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal series (all 31 episodes with English subtitles), and also discusses Bible stories in Classical Arabic, offering valuable resources for language learners.
“Prayer is Better Than Sleep”: The Unique Grammar of خَيْرٌ (khayr) in Arabic
The Arabic phrase "Prayer is better than sleep" (الصَّلاةُ خَيْرٌ مِن الْنَّوْمِ), recited during Fajr, has unique grammar. This article explains why خَيْرٌ means "better," deviating from the typical comparative pattern, and clarifies its usage and historical development from "good."
