Professor Matthew Davies's YouTube videos
A friend of mine recently sent me a YouTube video link to a 3-part lecture by Professor Matthew R. Davies on "Understanding Islam". You can view the series by clicking here, here and here. I recommend this lecture series to any non-Muslim who is interested in the subject. As a knowledgeable Christian, who teaches religion, Mr. Davies did an excellent job in discussing the faith of some 1.7 billion Muslims in the world.
During the Q&A, Professor Davies was asked a question about grace in the Qur'an. The questioner was told by some Christians that the word 'grace' does not appear in the Qur'an. I am glad that Mr. Davies was able to correct the misconception on this subject.
The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) in the early 7th century, C.E., in piecemeal over a period of 23 years in Arabia in the language of the Arabs, i.e., Arabic. Obviously, it would be foolish to expect the English word 'grace' within the Qur'an. So, what is meant in the Q&A is the Arabic equivalent of the English word 'grace'.
There are at least two Arabic words that convey the meaning of grace - these are rahmah and fadl.
The Qur'an starts with the phrase: Bismillahir Rahmaneer Raheem, meaning: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
This exact phrase appears 114 times in the Qur'an - 113 of which are in the beginning of 113 surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an. [See also the discussion here on the subject by Adnan Majid.] As to the word 'rahmah' this phrase appears 151 times in the 147 verses in the Qur'an (outside the beginning phrase). See Muhammad Habib Shakir's translation for checking this out.
The Arabic word 'fadl' - appears 105 times in 95 verses of the Qur'an. One can find the citations in the link here. Here are some examples:
"Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace (fadl) of Allah and His mercy (rahmah) on you, you would certainly have been among the losers. " (سورة البقرة, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #64)
"Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do not like, nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent down to you from your Lord, and Allah chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace." (سورة البقرة, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #105)
"Say: Surely grace is in the hand of Allah, He gives it to whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing." (سورة آل عمران, Aal-i-Imraan, Chapter #3, Verse #73)
"He specially chooses for His mercy whom He pleases; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace." (سورة آل عمران, Aal-i-Imraan, Chapter #3, Verse #74)
During the Q&A, Professor Davies was asked a question about grace in the Qur'an. The questioner was told by some Christians that the word 'grace' does not appear in the Qur'an. I am glad that Mr. Davies was able to correct the misconception on this subject.
The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S) in the early 7th century, C.E., in piecemeal over a period of 23 years in Arabia in the language of the Arabs, i.e., Arabic. Obviously, it would be foolish to expect the English word 'grace' within the Qur'an. So, what is meant in the Q&A is the Arabic equivalent of the English word 'grace'.
There are at least two Arabic words that convey the meaning of grace - these are rahmah and fadl.
The Qur'an starts with the phrase: Bismillahir Rahmaneer Raheem, meaning: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
This exact phrase appears 114 times in the Qur'an - 113 of which are in the beginning of 113 surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an. [See also the discussion here on the subject by Adnan Majid.] As to the word 'rahmah' this phrase appears 151 times in the 147 verses in the Qur'an (outside the beginning phrase). See Muhammad Habib Shakir's translation for checking this out.
The Arabic word 'fadl' - appears 105 times in 95 verses of the Qur'an. One can find the citations in the link here. Here are some examples:
"Then you turned back after that; so were it not for the grace (fadl) of Allah and His mercy (rahmah) on you, you would certainly have been among the losers. " (سورة البقرة, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #64)
"Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do not like, nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent down to you from your Lord, and Allah chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace." (سورة البقرة, Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #105)
"Say: Surely grace is in the hand of Allah, He gives it to whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing." (سورة آل عمران, Aal-i-Imraan, Chapter #3, Verse #73)
"He specially chooses for His mercy whom He pleases; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace." (سورة آل عمران, Aal-i-Imraan, Chapter #3, Verse #74)
I had seen those videos of davies lectures before read this blog. It's truly important videos, not just for non-muslims, but for us as muslims. Salam
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that it is for muslims too especially the young generation living abroad.
DeleteI have watched several times all the videos from YouTube and I am looking for more of his works, if anyone know where I can find it, please let me have sources. Appreciate it.zawmyintlayusa.2020@gmail.com and my name is Zain.thanks
ReplyDeleteDavies has tried to do a fair job in explaining Islam. Though there are quite a few minor mistakes in his understanding of Islam, one major one I had to point out. Almost at the end of Part 1 of the video, in answering to a question he says that in Islam one believes that Jesus (pbuh) was not crucified or killed on the cross (true so far) but went on to live a long life into his sixties and died a natural death - which is mistake. Islamic belief is that Jesus was raised up live into the heavens by Allah when they tried to kill him, that he is going to return to the earth close to the end of time and will die a natural death.
ReplyDeleteYes all Sunnis's have firm believe on that.
Delete@Atya wrote: "... Islamic belief is that Jesus was raised up live into the heavens by Allah when they tried to kill him ...."
DeleteThis cannot be since the Quran itself stated that Jesus died as we see in
Sura 19:33 "So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life [again]"!
Yes, he was raised as we see in Sura 4:158. But he died before he was raised.
Yahka
DeleteThis is speaking about the future.
‘ and the day I shall be raised up to life’.
In English , this is definitely futuristic words.
This man's believes are Khadiani.. as he believes that Isa (as) lived up long and died a natural death.
ReplyDeleteI have so far watched part 1 and 2 so far but despite some point where I differ otherwise overall it is an excellent effort by a non-muslim to help others understand Islam. I appreciate his lectures were impartial and not a single moment he ridiculed or let down Islam or muslims and was always an honest speaker. Thanks you Prof. Matthew.
ReplyDeleteby: ISHRAT SIDDIQUI, MISSISSAUGA, CANADA
I'm currently watching the video part 1, and I've find that it's nice that Matt Davies study so much about the sentiment and belief of Islam and Quran. His work is almost perfect, except there are few error on his part when he tried to justify what Quran said about Bible. Such as that the Gospel (that is translated from Arabic word, Injil) which was revealed to Jesus in Greek, whereas there has been no actual proof that Jesus was Greek. As Injil was the revelation given to Jesus supposingly in his own language, which was Aramaic. And Bible and Gospel was not the same thing, because Bible was a compilation of books by few writers, which claimed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit (which the Christian belief to be Jesus). He also indicates that based on Quran, Christianity and Judaism are acceptable by God because the religion teach about submission to God, without mentioning the full context. It's almost like he partially revealing the truth while trying to fit it into his own Christian understanding, which is understandable since he was explaining this whole thing in the church to the Christians.
ReplyDeleteAgree with your comments and we need to have a dialog with Prof. Matt so he can correct himself. Also he said in Part 1 that hijab or burka are not in Quran, quite true but word 'jilbab' in Surah Ahzab talks about veil or covering.
DeleteWell done! Excellent work by Matt Davies for explaining Islam in a very fair and balanced manner. I think some muslim scholar should have done this job of removing the manufactured perception of Islam.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE SEEN SOME OF PART 1 LECTURE BY DAVIES ABOUT ISLAM. MY FIRST IMPRESION THAT THE MAN HAS DONE QUITE A GOOD JOB IN PREOARING HIS LECTURES. HOWEVER, I WAS SO ANNOIED AND SO DISAPPOINTED THAT I COULD NOT COMMENT ON HIS VIDEOS AND CORRECT SOME MISTAKES MENTIONED IN HIS LECTURES. TO FORBID PEOPLE FRON COMMENTING IS AN ACT OF UNCONFIDENT UNTRUSTED PERSON IN MY OPENION
ReplyDeleteI have watched all three videos and as a Christian Prof Matt Davies Is not somebody I would take council from In regards to Islam.
ReplyDeleteIt’s been Misconceptions About Islam and misunderstood by many that Islam was founded by Prophet Muhammed around 1400 years ago in the middle of Arabia. But the truth is advent of Islam dated since origin of Adam, who was the first human being to worship the one and only God. Prophets who came later were also Muslims and propagated Allah is the true creator with no companions or children. A true Muslim submits self to the true God and accept Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) as his final messenger.
ReplyDeleteThe religion of peace named Islam is one among the mightiest religion in this world. And also the one that is misunderstood a lot for several reasons. Be it a propaganda of political or of economical unfolded at all times. Our mission is to spread truth about islam by clearing entire misconceptions and to disseminate virtuous good deeds that the Muslims actually practice.
ReplyDelete