By Paigham Mustafa If morality were not intrinsic to human beings, it would be difficult to explain a simple and universal fact: people across cultures, histories and belief systems possess an immediate sense of the difference between good and bad. This recognition does not require formal education or philosophical training. It appears early, often instinctively, and shapes how individuals judge actions, intentions and character. The more productive question, then, is not whe

By Paigham Mustafa Debates about how the Quran should be translated and interpreted have long occupied both scholars and lay readers. In recent decades, these debates have increasingly focused not only on theological commitments but on methodology: how meaning is derived, how language functions, and how interpretation can remain both faithful to the Arabic text and intelligible to contemporary audiences. At the heart of the discussion lies a fundamental question: what does it

IF NOTHING CHALLENGES YOU, NOTHING WILL CHANGE YOU. By Paigham Mustafa Discussions of angels and devils in the Quran are often clouded by inherited imagery: winged beings, external demons, and a cosmic struggle played out beyond human responsibility. Yet the Quran’s own language, when read carefully, offers a far more grounded and demanding vision—one that places the drama firmly within the human Self. Central to this re-reading are two key terms that are frequently misunders

By Paigham Mustafa An online exchange suggested that a 300-page book on AI may be of limited value because “30% will be out of date before anyone can finish it” invites scrutiny. On what basis is this figure derived? Even if we were to accept it, the implication remains that 70% would still be current and of use — a proportion far exceeding the reliability of much material circulating online. It is no secret that a vast amount of online information is superficial, misleading,

Hard Truths Behind the Fear and Hostility Towards Islam By Paigham Mustafa Islamophobia is often explained away as ignorance or prejudice. While those factors exist, they are not the whole story. The fear and hostility directed at Islam today are driven by deeper, more uncomfortable realities—some external, others internal. Addressing them requires honesty, intellectual discipline, and a willingness to distinguish between Islam as articulated by the Quran and the behaviour, n

By Paigham Mustafa Public discussions about Islam often get derailed before they even begin—largely because of the language being used. A recent online exchange highlights this problem clearly. The term “Islamism” was introduced as a way to describe the political dimension of Islam, followed by a claim that Muslims must choose sides in an “undeclared war” between it and Western liberal democracy. But that framing is exactly where the issue begins. First, the idea of an “unde

By Paigham Mustafa To live in peace and security, we all need the same enduring universal values. Common values remove barriers and bring people together whatever their background; if individuals are good then, unfailingly, society will also be good. Religions by their very nature are fissile – we can see this by the ever-increasing number of sects in each religion. Gender, race, ethnicity, class, caste, nationality, and many other aspects of bigotry further divide people. Th

How reverence can distance people from the Quran By Paigham Mustafa People, through ignorance or habit, often elevate objects and ideas to a status far beyond their original intent. What begins as guidance, teaching or reflection is gradually wrapped in layers of sanctity until it becomes untouchable. In some traditions, this process of sacralisation reinforces devotion. In others, it may quietly displace the very purpose for which the text was first presented. Consider how r

By Paigham Mustafa For all individuals, without a doubt, the odds in this life are against them. However, the obstacles are there not to frustrate, but to bring out the best in you. They are designed to put you on your mettle and permit the indomitable Self you possess to reveal itself in all its glory. You develop yourself while overcoming obstacles. Frustration will force you to reconstruct your personality. Rebuffs and setbacks toughen and harden you and, by facing challen

By Paigham Mustafa Among the majority of professed Muslims, belief in the Quran is accompanied by belief in another body of texts known as the hadith. In this context, hadith means a narration: sayings and actions attributed to the messenger Muhammad. Yet the Quran uses the word hadith repeatedly—around 28 times—without ever attaching it to the messenger, and in fact warns against “profane hadith” (Verse 31.6). The hadith corpus, then, is an addition that the Quran neither en

By Paigham Mustafa The idea that early Muslims prayed towards Petra keeps resurfacing like a bad penny. The claim rests on the orientation of some ancient mosques, while mainstream tradition insists the original qibla (direction of prayer) was always Mecca and that any odd angles are just the result of early navigational guesswork. Reformist voices point to buildings that really do seem to face Petra; traditionalists counter with the Quran’s references to Mecca and more munda

By Paigham Mustafa Social behaviour, both within families and among strangers, shapes our relationships and signals our roles in wider society. The Quran offers guidance on this and places particular emphasis on how women should interact with others. But why is this given special attention? A woman’s role is regarded as pivotal. Her words or gestures, even when innocent, may sometimes be misunderstood, which could draw unwanted attention or, in the worst cases, lead to seriou

SHAFEEH Fiduciary not Intercessor By Paigham Mustafa A shafeeh is commonly understood as someone who looks after another’s interests. In legal and ethical terms, it denotes a fiduciary: a person bound by duty and trust to act responsibly on behalf of others. In this sense, the Quran itself functions as a shafeeh, safeguarding human welfare through guidance that promotes justice, accountability and social balance. What the Quran does not endorse, however, is the religious no

MS Akhtar A review by Paigham Mustafa It is understandable that many readers of the Quran—particularly those who regard themselves as progressive thinkers—seek to reinterpret or expand its message through personal lenses. While intellectual engagement with revelation is indeed encouraged, any interpretation that diverts from the Quran’s fundamental objective—to establish a system of life based on permanent values and pragmatic utility—does more harm than good. Deen–Islam is

MS Akhtar A review by Paigham Mustafa There was a time when mythology held a strong fascination for me. I read widely, following every interpretation I could find, and I recognise that such material still exerts a powerful pull, particularly on those with religious fervour or an interest in the history of spiritual ideas. My own approach, however, has changed fundamentally since I began a sustained engagement with the Quran. That engagement has forced a methodological discip

Belief, Doubt and the Quran: Why Belief Cannot Be Argued Into Existence By Paigham Mustafa When people speak of the Quran, they often approach it through the lens of religion — as a text of faith, worship, and salvation. Yet this perception misses the essence of what the Quran itself declares. The Quran’s Deen al-Islam is not a religion or a set of spiritual exercises; it is a pragmatic socio-economic system — a complete code of governance and living. The Quran does not divid

Belief, Doubt and the Quran: Why Belief Cannot Be Argued Into Existence By Paigham Mustafa What binds a society together is not uniformity of dress, ritual or slogan, but the quality of its people. Across cultures and convictions, human beings require the same foundations to live with dignity: security, fairness and freedom from fear and turmoil. Where individuals act with integrity, society follows. The harder question is how good conduct is defined, and by what standard rig

Belief, Doubt and the Quran: Why Belief Cannot Be Argued Into Existence By Paigham Mustafa Doubt has a way of arriving close to home. When questions about faith surface within one’s own household, they carry an emotional weight that abstract debate rarely does. For many believers, encountering atheism not as a distant philosophy but as a lived position held by someone close can feel destabilising. Yet such moments are not new, nor are they necessarily signs of failure. They a

By Paigham Mustafa Did God decree a human sacrifice? It seems strange that the Quran never decrees futile rituals, but people believe God is appeased by a sacrifice. Abraham's dream to sacrifice his own son: “Abraham said, "I am going to the One who Sustains me, He will guide me." "My Sustainer, grant me upright children. “We gave him good news of a righteous child. When he grew old enough to work with him, he said, "My son, I saw in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What d

By Paigham Mustafa Sacrifice of a child or an animal has been a ritual for many pagan religions. What does it say about the people who perform such killings? People believe the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son was commanded by God. For this reason, after the annual pilgrimage rituals in Mecca have taken place, a lamb or a sheep is sacrificed on the day of Eid-ul-Adha, or the ‘Feast of Sacrifice.’ An animal is sacrificed because, it is believed, at the last minute A