History Theology

 The Book of Genesis - An Overview of its Narratives Arfad A. Razak 9 February 2025 Below is extracted from an upcoming thesis regarding the Bible. The book of Genesis (Hebrew ‘Be-resheet,’ which means ‘in the beginning’) is separated into two portions. Chapters 1 to 12 tells the story of the Primeval History. These are accounts that “transpired at the beginning of time” as Ehrman puts it (The Bible, 34). To this I would add that it also tells the story of the first humans at the garden of Eden (modern-day understanding of this is Heaven ), Adam and Eve, as well as the first groups of humans on earth (the story of the flood at Noah’s time). The second portion of Genesis, chapters 12 to 50, narrates the history of the Israelite’s ancestors. Here, we get the famous Biblical characters such as Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Joseph. The book of Genesis begins with two stories of the creation of the world: Genesis 1: 1–2:4a; and 2:4b-3:24). In the first creation story, God created Light on...

  Being Dutiful to Our Parents Arfad A. Razak 2 February 2025   For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully (Qur’an 17:23) Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful (Qur’an 4:36) Narrated Abu Umamah: A man said, “Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) what rights can parents demand from their children?” He replied, “They are your Paradise and your Hell.” (Al-Tirmidhi – Hadith 1277) Abu Huraira reported that a person said: Allah’s Messenger, who amongst the people is most deserving of my good treatment? He said: Your mother, again your mother, again your mother, the...