Salaam aleikum, peace to all.
Welcome to the Deen Research Center
We are a Think Tank that researches the workings of the universe, how mankind fits into this design and the ways to develop ourselves further in positive and progressive ways as a species. Mankind must understand the universe through scientific and philosophical methods to attain a realistic and holistic view of the universe and pursue a peaceful and providing world-society for all individuals. Only in this manner will humanity further evolve. With mankind's complexity in its different cultures and beliefs, it is important to create a global system wherein every individual can live in peace and prosperity regardless of background or understanding of reality.
This complex and beautiful universe contains countless celestial phenomena, stars and planets. On one such planet, the human species has emerged over millions of years of evolution to form cultures, each with its own respective language, expression and understanding of the universal framework. This diversity has resulted in the most beautiful achievements of mankind; however it has also caused conflicts that spring from a difference in their worldview still prevalent today. Within the history of mankind a leap was taken 1400 years ago creating one of the most developed societies on earth. The main cause of this leap was a message collected into a book called the Qur'an, that is claimed to have come from the First Cause of all reality.
The main focus of DRC is to study this claim by researching the Qur'anic cosmology and philosophy it presents. This can be achieved through systematic investigation of the language used in the Qur'an and its connection with all fields of modern science and humanism. One of the most intruiging observations is the Qur'an's message for all individual on earth to unite, whatever be their understanding of the universe, towards achieving a common goal: A cooperation towards peace and justice to benefit all; regardless of ethnicity, religion or status. By researching the universe, sharing and best utilizing resources for society's betterment, and creating global bodies to effectively manage conflict and justice. Our research has thus far reinforced our understanding that the Qur'an presents us with a holistic scientific, democratic, pluralistic, socio-economic, and peace and justice management framework. By implementing these universal guidelines, mankind can create achievable solutions to the recurring issues throughout history: War, oppression, hunger, racism, discrimination, backwardness and crime. It is a guide towards our continued development and evolution as a species.
The approaches to the Qur'an of the last 1200 years were developed under the influence of the political and religious environments between the 7th and 14th centuries CE, which on many issues were strikingly different from its intended message. To refresh our vision on the Qur'an, to clear up misunderstandings and to understand its neglected potentials and messages, an objective, rational and critical approach must be undertaken. To facilitate this enterprise, the DRC website contains numerous tools in the form of research papers, short articles, books, exegeses, and Qur'anic commentaries coming from multiple viewpoints. These are available for everybody to use and research the Qur'anic message and to see the most up-to-date understandings on the Qur'an.
انا انزلناه قرانا عربيا لعلكم تعقلون
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran, so that you might encompass it with your reason and intellect. (12:2)
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Qur'anic Cosmology; A modern introduction by Arnold Yasin Mol
This essay is a short scientific introduction into the wide topic of the Qur’anic cosmology. Using a scientific approach, the cosmology is laid out in 27 short steps. What is attempted to do is to present the worldview of the Qur’an and tried to connect it together with present scientific and philosophical opinions. Arabic words will be explained which show the rational approach the Quran has on the universe. The presentation will begin with the creation of the blueprint of the universe, its formation of its laws, the creation of the universe, the planets, the emergence of life, humans, and then it will move on to the formation of societies, why societies are in conflict, how we can solve these issues, what is our goal in the universe, how can we create a sustainable world society, how we can develop as species, the formation of the new universe and how mankind is placed within the new creation based on its deeds.
Read the full essay here:
Quranic Cosmology; A modern introduction by Arnold Yasin Mol (PDF)
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Evolution and/or Creation: An Islamic Perspective
In "Creation AND/OR Evolution: An Islamic Perspective", T.O. Shanavas describes an Islamic theory of creation that is not incompatible with evolution. He accomplishes this by weaving together insights from modern science, the Qur'an, and pre-Renaissance Muslim history. He proposes that evolution is an intelligent design created by a higher power to manifest His omniscience, supremacy, and grace in a universe constructed with creatures with limited free will. He shows the origin of the evolution theory in Muslim thought in the middle ages and how they viewed it as coinciding with the Qur'anic message and not contradicting it.
To purchase the book, go to:
Evolution and/or Creation: An Islamic Perspective by T.O. Shanavas
To read an article by Shanavas, see:
Islam Does Not Inhibit Science by T.O. Shanavas (PDF)
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The Other: A Restructuring of the Islamic Concept
by Dr. Fathi Osman
The "other" is a term to define the group that isn't part of your group. As our world becomes more interconnected and populations more diverse and mixed then ever before, it is important we restructure our understanding of how that diversity defines ourselves. As God has created humankind with a disposition towards diversity. Individuals and societies are distinct based on the objective environmental circumstances of the time and place in which they live, their own subjective motivations, and the interaction between the two elements. However, human beings, with all their diversity, are equal in their human origin: Religious faith cannot mean exclusive and permanent rightness for a certain individual or group, and the opposite for all others, since all human beings have their free will and intellect, and no human is errorless, except those individuals who were entrusted by God to convey His message to people and were protected by Him against making any error in delivering the divine message. This book represents a comprehensive ijtihad on the subject of "The Other" within an Islamic framework. Ijtihad in Arabic means the practice of the greatest possible intellectual effort to interpret and implement the divine guidance. This includes considering the sources in their entirety and recognizing their structure and their inter-relations. This book will enhance the understanding of the Islamic conceptualization of relations between the rulers and the ruled, the haves and the have-nots, the national and the universal, different genders and generations, and Muslims and non-Muslims.Read the first chapters here:
The Other: A Restructuring of the Islamic Concept by Fathi Osman (PDF)
To purchase the book, go to:
The Other: A Restructuring of the Islamic Concept by Fathi Osman
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Inside the Gender Jihad: Women's Reform in Islam
by Dr. Amina Wadud
This book is a result of Dr. Wadud's more then 20 year long participation in the feminist movement of Islam. Herself being one of the founders of using Islamic reasons, and not Western ones, for reform, her books stand as the foundation of the modern movements. In this study, Dr. Wadud explains her own journey as a woman, wife, mother and more then all, as a human, how she has explored Islam and how she uses Islam to explore itself. Her insights into the Qur'anic purposes, historical limitations and unlimited potentials as being a guide beyond the text itself, are fascinating and show a deep and long experience of her engagement with the text. The "Tawhidic Paradigm" which she presents in the book, is that all humans are equally united with Allah. The Tawhidic unity thus means that no one is more or a lesser human then anybody else, since all are part of the same unity. The implications of this insight on Qur'anic interpretation and human rights are enormous and groundbreaking. This book is an important introduction into the feminist movements, the personal life experience of an important scholar and new insights into the study of the Qur'an.
To purchase the book, go to:
Inside the Gender Jihad: Women's Reform in Islam by Amina Wadud
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Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform: A Collection of Articles
from Contemporary Thinkers on Islam
This important book is a collection of writings of more then 30 modern writers on Islam. From professional Islamic scholars to individuals writers and thinkers, this collection is unique as a serious collection of 21st century Islamic thought on critical research, reform and renewal in Islamic and Qur'anic interpretation. With diverse subjects on the interpretation and message of the Qur'an and its relation to human rights, freedom and wellfare. History of Islam, society and thought. Modern experience of being a Muslim, the concept of gender and needed actions for reform.
To purchase the book, go to:
Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform by Edip Yuksel, Arnold Yasin Mol, Farouk A Peru (Editors)
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The Qur'an, Morality and Critical Reason: The Essential Muhammad Shahrur
Dr.Muhammad Shahrur is one of the most important modern thinkers in Islam. His analytical and systematic research on the Qur'an has showed the many important, and also many times, neglected messages and potentials of the Qur'an. His scientific and universal approach to the Qur'an is groundbreaking and has opened new doors for understanding the Qur'an as a guidance for mankind. This book is the first in English to discuss Shahrur's main ideas and discoveries in detail. It is a complete summary of his 3 books.
To purchase the book, go to:
The Qur'an, Morality and Critical Reason by prof. Andreas Christmann
Read a small summary of Shahrur's first book "AlKitab wa-l-Qur'an":
The Nature of the Book (PDF)
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QXPiv (The Qur'an as it Explains Itself (Fourth Edition) By Shabbir Ahmed, M.D.
As the title suggests, this book is an understanding of the Qur’an from within itself. Using a scientific, rational and social approach towards the text, this translation and explanation of the Qur'an is the most modern today. It presents the message of the Qur'an in a revolutionary way and shows the importance of the message for the world present and future.
The translation can be read in full here:
QXPiv (THE QUR’AN AS IT EXPLAINS ITSELF (Fourth Edition) By Shabbir Ahmed, M.D. (PDF)
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Islam: A Challenge to Religion by G. A. ParwezA deep research and explanation of the universal and Qur'anic worldview. This groundbreaking philosophical presentation of the Qur'anic cosmology is unparalleled in history. Read the full book here: Islam: A Challenge to Religion by G. A. Parwez (PDF)
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Exposition of Islamic Reform by Dr.Edip Yuksel
The Quran might be the most read book, but unfortunately, due to the concerted effort of religious clerics, it has been turned into the least understood and the least followed popular book in history. This a layout of the differences of the Qur'anic message versus that of traditional understandings and beliefs.
It is a clear and convincing exposition on how 1000 years of tradition has distorted the human rights displayed in the Qur'an.
Read the full book here:
Exposition of Islamic Reform by Dr.Edip Yuksel (PDF)
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The Islamic Roots of Democratic Pluralism
by prof. Abdulaziz Sachedina
This study tackles the most significant issues facing Muslims today. As Islam and Muslims enter the 21st century, Sachedina argues, it is necessary to re-open the doors of religious interpretation - to re-examine and correct false interpretations, replace outdated laws and formulate new doctrines that respond to changing social contexts. Always using the Quran as a yardstick, Sachedina demonstrates how and why Islamic law came to reflect political and social influences, leading to regulations that violate the spirit and the letter of the Quran. He critically analyzes Muslim teachings on issues of pluralism, civil society, war and peace, violence and self-sacrifice, the status and role of non-Muslims, and capital punishment. He show how the Qur'anic philosophy is democratic in its nature, but also completely pluralistic and universal.
To purchase the book, go to:
The Islamic Roots of Democratic Pluralism by Abdulaziz Sachedina
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