We discuss shirk (idolatry) in an intellectual, spiritual and modern context and examine the story of the messengers and man from a nearby town in Surah Ya Sin (36: 13-27)

Why is shirk or association with God referred to as the 'unforgivable sin' in the Quran? What does idolatry do to the human soul and intellect? What does Tawhid or a belief in the oneness of God do for the human soul and intellect?

The holy Quran tells us that our good deeds will be multiplied for us many times over but that our evil deeds will be counted for what they are. In this way, God tells us that none is wronged by Him, nor does anyone get but what they have earned in their lifetimes.

Yet in Surah al A'raf verse 38, God makes it clear that the punishment for those who did evil and did not mend their ways is "already multiplied for them, if only they knew".

We discuss the idea that while God does not multiply evil, evil deeds often have unintended and lasting effects on the world and beings around them. In this way, we find that humans might be held accountable for the karmic effect of what they have contributed to the world. In this way, we examine the "opposite of charity".

Enjoy!

Abraham (Ibrahim) is revered not just by over a billion Muslims, but also Christians and Jews alike. The Quran asserts the Abraham (Ibrahim) was not Christian or Jewish, and that Christians and Jews both should agree (based on their own texts) that he precedes any formalized Jewish or Christian religion. However, the Quran describes Abraham as being "upright, a Muslim" yet he too precedes a formalized Islam and certainly precedes any hadith, sunna of prophets, fiqh, or organized religions. What then does it mean to be Muslim? Join us as we examined these ideas while thinking about the person in history who unites three of the world's monotheistic faiths.