Author: Corbin

Theresa Corbin is an indoor-sy type who holds a BA in English Lit and an Master's of Library and Information Science. She has lots of opinions and more work experience than cats have lives. Corbin has been a teacher, office manager, hemodialysis tech, fundraiser, designer, interfaith and inter-cultural bridge builder, public speaker, researcher, editor, and writer. Her hero is Elastigirl for obvs reasons. Corbin is a socially poised introverted and HSP. Her hobbies include thinking, giving unsolicited advice, and putting her phone on silent.

Summertime And The Livin’ Is Crafty: Crafting Hijab Friendly Clothing

June 27, 2013November 29, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 8 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

This week I have been a busy little bee, sewing, baking, writing, editing. In my endeavors to be productive, I noticed something vitally important … it is flippin’ hot (this being my first summer since I moved back to Louisiana). Snowball stands are open for their delicious cooling business, the heat is all anyone is talking about, and people are starting to peel back the layers of clothing.

This is not really a surprise to me, and not really much different from the place I moved from to get back home to NOLA. It is hot all over The South, but the New Orleans area is just so humid. And since I refuse to undress for the heat for many reasons including modesty (read my blog post about my hijab habit), I have decided to get off my sweaty you know what and get started on putting together a new wardrobe.

Sure I could order abayas off the internet, but I like to keep my own style. A quick look around the mall and Target had left me with the conclusion that the fashion industry wants to make women as exposed as possible.

Any shirt that you pick up is either see-through, or barely covers anything, and when you do, by some miracle, find a shirt that looks relatively modest, i.e. long sleeve, it is either so low cut it is pointless or the moment you put it on it turns into shrink wrap, suctioning itself to the skin.

I remember wearing clothes like this in my pre-Islam days, but I guess I was used to the level of discomfort my clothing collection offered. These days if an article of clothing doesn’t offer a potential breeze to circulate between me and it, I cannot stand it.

I see people in short shorts and tight tees and cringe, not because of the amount of skin showing (I don’t judge. You do what you wanna do), but because I cannot imagine what kind of nerves-o-steel and tolerance for torture by clothing it takes. I would freak and run home for PJs.

ANYWAY, the wheels in my head were churning, the dust on my sewing machine was collecting, and then it happened. My sister asked me to join her on a fabric store expedition. I know good and well that when I get into a craft/fabric store I will not come out the same person. Usually the monster that emerges that was once me is loaded down with fabric and notion and tons of happy ideas about how wonderful life will be once I make such and such.

All my Pinterest activity sprang to life in my head and I bought two cuts of fabric. This was only the beginning. It was a gateway shopping trip. I won’t go into the details, but it got pretty ugly. And as of now I still have 5 projects pending.

I have managed, however, to make a pretty solid start to a summer wardrobe.

My first adventure was in the land of headscarves. I found a great hemming tutorial on Pinterest that has worked wonders on those slippery fabrics that I love to buy and hate to hem. This tutorial from cratsy.com works miracles.

And this was my first product, a minty green square hijab with black filigree looking patterned edges.

With one scarf over my head, I was well on my way to a new summer line. So, I started on a maxi skirt. This tutorial of course was also from Pinterest and I had been thinking about trying it out for a while. It’s from the blog Individual Rivalry and was super easy. I used linen (the official fabric of The South) in one of my favorite colors, mustard, and it turned out splendid.

But, a scarf and a maxi skirt does not a wardrobe make, so, what’s next for islamwich you might be wondering? More maxi skirts, for sure. One in sheer sucker-a light and breezy fabric for sipping alcohol-free mint juleps on the veranda- and some upcycled men’s shirts like the one from cutandkeep.net, but with long sleeves.

All these tutorials and more crafty ideas can be found on the islamwich Pinterest board “Just DIY“. Stop on by and see what else islamwich is pinning on Pinterest.

Follow us (upper right of the page). Email us (islamwich@yahoo.com). Like our face with your face on Facebook (facebook.com/islamwich). Tumble with us on Tumblr (islamwich.tumblr.com). Pin with us (pinterest.com/islamwich). Follow us on twitter (@islamwich).

Like the post, share it, pin it, comment on it, and/or do whatever social media magic it is that you prefer. Find out more about us in the understandably named “About” page and browse other posts in “Table of Contents”.

Part 2 Guide to Islamic Parts of Speech: Back with Arabic

June 20, 2013November 25, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 9 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

My first post here on islamwich.com was about the Islamic parts of speech, what the difference between Islam, Muslim, Islamist, and Islamic are, and what in the world an “islamwich” is.

When I wrote that very first post, I was sick and tired of people saying that I am Islamic, or that I am Islam, or the dreadful Southern drawl of a mispronunciation of Muslim (MOOOzlim). And that post was my feeble attempt at learnin’ y’all a thing or three (or maybe just tellin’ y’all what ya already know).

So here I am again, serving up some fresh islamwich info for those who:

-Have only ever heard the phrase Allahu Akbar used as some sort of battle cry and you fear people who use it.

-Or you thought Allah was the name of some moon god.

-Or if you heard someone say InshaAllah and said “God bless you” in reply because you thought they sneezed.

-Or you have heard people greet each other with the phrase Asalamu Alaikum, and wondered what it meant.

If any of these things describe you, what follows might be useful to know, and if you already know and know people who do not know then pass it on, so we can all know, ya know?! You can also check out our g lossary for definitions of these words and more.

Allah [uhl – LAH] (n.)- The name of the one God who has no partners, The Creator, The Sustainer, The Provided, The Judge of all in existence. Allah is not a man, a woman, a stone, or an animal. Allah has created all of this and is far beyond comparison with any of His creation. It is the word in the Arabic language that is similar to the English word “God” with a capital “G”. But the Arabic word “Allah” cannot be made plural, a fact which goes hand-in-hand with the Islamic concept of God’s oneness.

ex: Allah created you and me, the moon and the trees, and Jesus and Muhammad (Peace be upon both of them).

Allahu Akbar [uhl – LAH – who – ACK – bar] -1.) A phrase used many times in the five daily prayers meaning “God is the greatest”. Also used when one truly feels Allah’s presence in their life. 2.) A phrase often misused by Muslims to symbolize death and destruction and misunderstood (understandably) by non-Muslims who may believe it is a call to battle.

ex: 1.) Allahu Akbar! The Saints won the super bowl!!!

InshaAllah [in – SHA – uhl – lah] – 1.) God Willing. If God allows it. A phrase used when making future plans or referencing anything that has not happened yet. Founded on the fact that nothing will happen without the will of God even if you and all that is in the heavens and earth try to make it happen. 2.) A phrase often misused by Muslims who are not willing to fulfill their commitments and misunderstood (understandably) by non-Muslims who may believe it means that someone will not do what they say.

ex: 1.) I am going to make some halal peeps today, using the islamwich recipe found here, InshaAllah 2.) Yeah, yeah, yeah, InshaAllah, I will be finished with your drywall by Wednesday.

Assalamu Alaikum [As – sa – LAMB– oo – ah – LAY– coom] – 1.) Used as a greeting meaning “peace be upon you”. The person greeted should respond with the phrase “Walaikum Assalam”, meaning “and peace be upon you”. Also known as giving salam (peace).

ex: Me: Assalamu Alaikum, Kiran. What’s up?

Kiran: Walikaum Assalam, Corbin. Nothin’ much.

Jinn: A Creature Made of Smokeless Fire

May 29, 2013November 25, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 18 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

Like any good scary movie with plot and intrigue, any creepy jinn story attracts the darker side of my attention. And it has been brought up on a number of occasions by people who don’t even know each other that they thought I was going to write about the jinn. (Maybe the jinn told them to say that to me?!)

I have no clue. I have never been known to write about any creepy crawly subjects, even though I think it would be tons of fun.

Some may be wondering WTH are you talking about, Corbin? You talkin’ ’bout that Star Wars dude, Qui Gon Jinn?

If you are wondering this, then let me be the first to introduce you to a whole world of the unseen.

The Islamic belief in the jinn is where the Western culture gets the idea of a genie in a bottle. But this is not at all the reality of the jinn, or unseen creatures that walk among us.

Allah says in the Quran:

And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.

And the jinn, We created before from scorching fire. (Quran 15:26-27)

From Allah’s words we know from which substance each was created. And that the jinn were created before man from fire. But why jinn?

Allah says:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Quran 51:56)

So, the purpose of the jinns’ creation is the same as human creation: To worship The Creator of all things. The Quran was revealed for jinn and mankind alike.

The jinn are like us

They think and reflect, eat and drink, get married and have children. They can be good or bad. They live and die,

and will be questioned on the Day of Judgement.

And they are different from us

They are not visible to the human eye, but they can make themselves appear to us as a person or an animal. They have much longer life spans than we do. They posses the ability to travel long distances in a very short time.

God has given the jinn these powers and abilities as a test for them, they are forbidden from using them against His creation, but much like human beings they do use their powers for evil anyway.

Some mean us no harm

An entire group of jinn converted to Islam and became Muslims when they heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recite the Quran. Some are good and listen to the commandment of Allah not to interfere with mankind.

As a matter of fact there is an entire chapter in the Quran (Surat al-Jinn) named after them, in which the belief of and some of the activities of the jinn are explained. Check it out. It is a short chapter of only 28 verses.

And some mean us harm

Once upon a time, their was a jinni (singular for jinn) who was so good he was allowed to pray with the angels. Then Allah created man and told the angels, including the jinni who prayed with them, to bow down to man (Adam). The jinni refused out of arrogance and pride and perhaps jealousy.

This jinni’s name was Iblees, or as he is known in Christianity, Lucifer. He was cast out of the ranks of angels and allowed to roam the earth, swearing that he would try to mislead man until the end of time and so far he has made good on that promise. He is Iblees, the Shaytan, the Devil. And some jinn choose to follow in his path.

Allah tells us about him in the Quran:

[Iblees] said, “My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all

Except, among them, Your chosen servants.” (Quran 15:39-40)

Allah has given us direction in the ways we can protect ourselves from the evil of the jinn.

Let me share some jinn stories with you:

Tale 1: Upon waking

When I first converted, I experienced something terrifying upon waking from sleep. I was lying on my back when all the sudden I couldn’t move, my chest felt constricted and I couldn’t speak. Everything went pitch black.

A horrible male voice said that I would give up my religion. Then it showed me a dark hole that never ended and told me he would throw me in if I didn’t turn away from my faith. I was terrified and then all of the sudden the vision, the voice, and the feeling went away.

Allah knows best, but it seemed to me to be a jinni from among those that follow Iblees trying to scare me away from the true path of Islam.

Tale 2: Move!

Just a few days ago, my husband and I were lounging in the living room. I dozed off on the couch and woke up around 3 AM to what I thought was my husband shouting at me saying, “We need to move!”

I thought he was trying to tell me to move to the bed. I shot up and swore I saw his face, just his face no body. Then a second later it was gone, and I could hear him snoring in the bed. Then I realized he would never risk yelling at me while I am sleeping, or any time for that matter, but especially while I am sleeping. He would likely be harmed for the offense. j/j … maybe.

I changed my sleeping position recited Ayat al-Kursi (a verse in the Quran that is recited for protection) and went back to sleep on the couch (Not wanting to face the snoring) very shaken. The next morning I awoke remembering the incident and thought maybe it was a jinn trying to make us move from the house.

May Allah protect us from the evil of mankind and jinn!

Candy Conundrum and The Search for Halal Peeps

May 3, 2013November 25, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 11 Comments

Test kitchened and Written by Theresa Corbin

Those who know me can attest to the fact that I am candy crazy. At one point while in high school I even overthrew the ~~dictator~~ teacher of my French class and became its supreme ruler just so that I could instate a weekly “sugar fest” where all my French class subjects would bring candy to feast on. My love for candy borders on the insane.

All my favorite holidays, pre-Islam, were candy based: Halloween being numero uno in my book and Easter coming in at a close second. Christmas didn’t make it to the top two because some of the gifts were not candy.

My absolute favorite holiday candy treat was the peep. You know what I am talking about. It is the colored sugar covered marshmallow that people either love to hate or just LOVE. I fall in the camp of LOVE with a couple of extra o’s than the normal citizen of peep-land. And even better than a peep is a stale peep. When you open the wrapper of a peep phalanx and let it sit out overnight you will be rewarded with a crispy stale outer sugar coating that adds an amazing texture to the creamy mallow-y filling. *drooling*

Anyway *wipes mouth*, when I started to think seriously about converting to Islam, I started to incorporating the Islamic behaviors into my lifestyle. And one of those behaviors was to stop drinking alcohol and eating pork.

Which was all well and good and my life improved greatly with these changes. Until I started realizing how much food has hidden pork in it. If you are familiar with this, you are probably shaking your head right now in agreement.

Starbursts and skittles and marshmallows OH MY! All had gelatin in them. Gelatin being the boiled down bone marrow from an animal, and in most cases it is from a pig. This constitutes pork. I had given up eating pepperoni pizza and bacon on my burgers, but I had never imagined that this pork prohibition would affect my candy addiction.

Much to my relief, I realized that starbursts and skittles were both made from beef gelatin. I called the company myself and then began to call every company that touted gelatin as an ingredient. Just Born company’s gelatin peddling peeps were 100% pork. Bummer!

Through the peep deprived years, I have thought about activating my Jewish and Muslim candy loving friends to protest the porked peep situation. But I just don’t have that much energy (Candy induced lethargy? Perhaps). So, I decided to take matters in to my own hands.

I ordered a rather large bag of halal gelatin powder online, did some digging around for homemade peep recipes and this is what I came up with …

What follows is my very own recipe for pork free peeps that taste better than store bought. :p to Just Born

Pork Free Peeps Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unflavored kosher gelatin (i.e. gelatin from beef, fish, and they even have veggie jelly)

1 cup ice cold water, divided by 1/2

1- 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon imitation vanilla extract (without alcohol-I got mine at dollar general)

A few drops of your favorite color food coloring

1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

Nonstick spray

another 3/4 cup granulated sugar for sanding

Directions

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat. Cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes (I don’t have a candy thermometer and 7 mins was the perfect time). Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.
Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
Add the vanilla and food coloring during the last minute of whipping.
While the mixture is whipping prepare the pans by combining the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.
When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later.
Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Now turn your marshmallow into peeps: Once the marshmallow is set, cut out peeps with a lightly oiled cookie cutter of your preferred shape.
Put a few drops of your favorite color food coloring into 3/4 cup granulated sugar to make sanding sugar. Shake the coloring and sugar mixture well until all sugar is colored and food coloring clumps disappear.
Sand the cut marshmallows in colored sugar.

Caution: While this recipe is a bit involved, these can be very addictive. Make them at your own risk.

Not Brainwashed: Converts Speak for Themselves

April 30, 2013November 25, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 13 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

Never ever again will I judge a person’s freedom and liberties by the length of their skirt -Yvonne Ridley famous British journalist who converted to Islam.

Recently, news stories about the deceased Boston Bombing suspect’s wife, Katherine Russell Tsarnaev, abound. Reports speculate about her life and her choice to become Muslim.

The media, to its credit have run some article’s from the Muslim women’s perspective, but by and large they are portraying Katherine, and women like her, as having been forced to convert to Islam.

Many news outlets are trying to portray Katherine as some sort of weak woman who fell into the hands of an overpowering force and was brainwashed straight out of Christianity and in the headscarf, Islam, and the arms of a terrorist. Absolutely ignoring the possibility that Katherine may have converted after much soul searching and reflection done of her own free will.

“She was a very sweet woman, but I think kind of brainwashed by him,” reported the Associated Press, quoting Anne Kilzer, a Belmont, Mass., woman who said she knew Katherine and her 3-year-old daughter.

As a wife, I cannot imagine what Katherine is going through. As an American woman who converted to Islam, I am very familiar with the stereotype that is pushed upon women who choose Islam.

When a woman in the West converts to Islam, it is always assumed that she has been coerced. Why else would she leave her life full of every imaginable freedom, right? She must have converted for a man, she must have been brainwashed, or she must have been at gunpoint.

It is insulting. It is a roundabout way of saying that women who convert to Islam are weak minded.

This is not the case by a long shot. Women who convert to Islam are typically outspoken, well educated, free thinkers, and are brave enough to deviate from the path society has set for them.

When I converted to Islam, the sister who was giving me shahada (the statement of faith) asked me why I was converting. She asked me twice if I was doing it for any person or felt forced to do it in anyway. “Because”, she said, “if you say that you believe and someone made you say it, your faith would not be accepted from you. Allah (SWT) knows what is in your heart.”

Brainwash [BRANE wosh] verb- to make someone adopt radically different beliefs by using forcible pressure.

How can someone be brainwashed and sincere? How is it that in Islam your faith will not be accepted from you unless you are sincere? Sincerity cannot be coerced. It is like saying you were forced to fall in love, it just doesn’t work that way.

And where is the follow up to the brainwashing? In order to sustain a state of “brainwashing” you also must isolate the subject from the outside world. You don’t see this with Muslim converts.

They go on to study at universities; work as teachers, scientists, military personnel, journalists and so on; they do charity work; they are politically active and motivated to be productive members of society.

With headlines like the following, journalists are scrambling to find a reason for so many people entering Islam in the West:

CNN WORLD NEWS: Islam is the fastest-growing religion

Why European women are turning to Islam

Washington-Report: The Nation’s Fastest Growing Religion

We convert because we find truth and beauty in Islam. We convert because we find freedom from objectified in Islam. We convert because we don’t let the media tell us what to think. We convert because Islam speaks to our nature. We convert for a million reasons.

We are truth seekers. We are logical, thinking human beings. We are a group of women who are strong enough to face giving up all that we know and have in order to become closer to God. We are a group of women who have faced bigotry daily from loved ones and strangers alike.

We are a group of women who despite how we are portrayed in the media, we hold our heads up high because we know who we really are. We will not be explained away as feeble minded or weak. We can speak for ourselves. And we will:

Fatima, a Canadian who converted to Islam says:

[…] I experienced the absolute power of prayer as I watched on TV for the first time in Tahrir square, Muslims pray.

This was my first call to prayer, I felt a blindness in my life had been cured. Shortly after this a good friend of 3 years I had met on Facebook, who lives in Cairo, Egypt showed me via Skype the Masjid outside his window just as Fajr [pre-dawn] call to prayer sounded.

I bowed my head and in my heart felt this to be the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. This was my second call to prayer, I felt a deafness I had in my life had been cured. I then purchased a Qur’an [the holy book] opened to Al-Fatiha [the first chapter of the Quran] and first few pages of Al-Baqarah [the second chapter], I knew I was about to find out what I always prayed for, the meaning of life, serenity, and peace of mind. I spent a year and half on a very special journey (that continues by the minute) soul searching leading me to begin studying Islam […]

I received an email inviting me to attend Iftar [the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast] on 2 Ramadan 1433 H […] This was the opportunity I had been waiting. I had not went to a Mosque since I heard my first call, there was a voice that kept telling me to wait, I would know the perfect time. It was this night I declared, As-Shahadah [the testament of faith].

Immediately upon entering the parking lot of the Masjid and a Sister greeting me at the door I felt a light shine and my spirit jump and was fully awakened realizing I was always a Muslim by heart but did not know until Allah Subana Wa Ta’ala [God] decided it was my time to live and to be given a right to life with dignity through the Muslim way of Life shown to us through the perfected life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam).”

Western women who convert to Islam have chosen a different path that takes commitment, courage of conviction, and strength of character in today’s world. Never assume a women is brainwashed simply because she is choosing her own path.

Proof of Life for the Apostate in Islam

April 24, 2013November 24, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 33 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

Recently, I was questioned about my position on the death penalty for the Muslim apostate. I am embarrassed to say that I had until recently blindly followed what I was told. And what I was told was that the Islamic scholars agree: the death penalty is prescribed for the apostate, that the apostate in an Islamic state is like the the one committing treason in a democracy.

Even though Islam had liberated me from taking the word of people as my religion, apparently, I continued to do so in some things.

As far as Islamic knowledge goes there are clear sources. Something unique to Islam. The Quran has never been altered, something we unfortunately cannot say about the Bible or the Torah. And the hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him-PBUH)) have been recorded and verified by authentic chains of narration. Something that has been lost for all other prophets.

And even with these sources available to me, I had neglected them. And took what the people said in their place.

And when it is said to them, “Follow what Allah has revealed,” they say, “Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.” Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided? (Quran 2:170)

I no longer looked to my forefathers for my religion. I have no Muslim family other than my husband who also has no Muslim family or forefathers, so we look to those who have more Islamic knowledge for some answers.

This is a slippery slope and a dangerous path to be on if this is the only place you look to for your religion. Because like doctors, scholars can make an incorrect diagnosis. While scholars deserve an immense amount of respect, they should not be followed without question. And sometimes we may need a second opinion.

Seeing the flaw in my logic for accepting this platitude of “the scholars agree on the punishment for the apostate” I began my own research and these are some of the reasons why I changed my position on the death penalty for the apostate: Read more ›

A Challenge of Qur’anic Proportions

April 3, 2013November 24, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 5 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin

The Bedouins (nomadic Arabs) of the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were known for their mastery of poetry. There was a Shakespeare or Chaucer in every corner in every tribe. They took great pride in composing and refining every word and line of their art.

When Muhammad (PBUH) told these poets about the message of Allah, they asked him for a miracle to prove his prophethood. And Allah answered them in a revelation.

And they say, “Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?” Has there not come to them evidence of what was in the former scriptures? (Quran 20:133)

And these seasoned poets were in awe of the Arabic recitation that is lost in translation. Those who were enemies of the Prophet (PBUH) and Islam would even hide in places where they could sit and and listen to the Quran. How could Muhammad, an illiterate Arab, in a land of pagans–a man who had never produced poetry or prose of any kind–suddenly produce the most eloquent speech of the Quran?

The answer is he could not and did not. Muhammad (PBUH) did not produce the Quran. The Quran is from God and is in itself the miracle the Arabs asked for. It is a mastery of language that even the most skilled poet from among poets could not approach.

In the Quran, God sets forth a challenge to those who doubted the message and its chosen messenger:

And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a chapter the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful. (Quran 2:23)

And it was not [possible] for this Quran to be produced by other than Allah, but [it is] a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of the [former] scripture, about which there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds. (Quran 10:37)

Or do they say [about the Prophet], “He invented it?” Say, “Then bring forth a chapter like it and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allah , if you should be truthful. (Quran 10:38)

It is important to note that when the Quran is translated into another language, even though the general meaning can be understood, sadly the actual miracle is lost.

The Arabs who were at the pinnacle of their poetry and prose during the time of revelation of the Quran could not even produce the smallest chapter similar to it (the smallest chapter in the Quran consists of only 3 verses).

Forster Fitzgerald Arbuthnot, who was a notable British translator, said:

That though several attempts have been made to produce a work equal to it as far as elegant writing is concerned, none has as yet succeeded.

Even Goethe, a famous German writer, has been quoted as saying that the Quran:

[…] soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence […] Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand – ever and always, truly sublime – So, this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence.

Many linguists, poets, thinkers -whatever their faith- speak about the style of the Quran with veneration.

When it is read aloud or recited it has a hypnotic effect.

This effect became even more clear to me while on a road trip. My husband and I, both American converts, were driving from New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama with three of his Christian nieces in the back seat of the car. These young ladies were in their early teens, and all were their usual hyper, talkative, and boisterous selves.

We feared that our small car would not be able to contain the teenage energy until the loudest niece shouted from the middle seat that she had heard my husband praying. She said that she liked the way it sounded and wanted to hear more. So we told them that if we played the Quran for them they would have to be quiet and listen.

They all agreed and within 20 seconds all three of them were sleeping peacefully. My husband and I looked at each other with astonishment. Up to this point we had only heard rumors that they did in fact sleep from time to time.

The Quran is the speech of the Creator. No one can bring rest to the hearts of the creation but the one who has created it.

Life is not like box of chocolates, as Forrest Gump has so famously claimed. To me, life is like a ship sailing on a stormy sea. When we have nothing to guide us we become fearful and stressed. Allah has given us a guide in the Quran, and when we let it lead our lives, those lost in the storm can be at ease.

The challenge of the Quran does not mean that we should not write prose or craft poetry. We should use the creativity and ability to communicate that Allah has given us. The challenge is put forth simply as proof that the Quran is the word of God. It has never been met and will never be met.

Follow us (upper right of the page). Email us (islamwich@yahoo.com). Like our face with your face on Facebook (facebook.com/islamwich). Tumble with us on Tumblr (islamwich.tumblr.com). Pin with us (pinterest.com/islamwich). Follow us on twitter (@islamwich).

Like the post, share it, pin it, comment on it, and/or do whatever social media magic it is that you prefer. Find out more about us in the understandably named “About Us” page and browse other posts in “Table of Contents”.