This thread has go far off from its initial starting point LOL RSW has pointed some interesting proposition on what is the meanings of "Black Mud" / "Salsalin". Fact wise; Carbon is the second most abundant element after Oxygen within Homo Sapiens body. There you go "Black Mud" = CARBON "Nafs" = Oxygen.. I don't care whatever the "Bassara" (and no "Adam" are being mentioned in that verse) which being 'created' with basic material of Black Mud and Nafs and altered / modeled further are actually black-skinned, white-skinned, yellowish-skinned or purple-skinned..LOL And it's irrelevant, as 'skin colour' requires only slight modification to the 'model' of the species (less than 0.0001% of DNA strain) which controls the melanin production. In 'modern' understanding, the verse could be understood as God designed homo sapiens to be a being/creation with basic materials of carbon and oxygen, and it's being modeled through a series of acids called DNA. The species are designed with capabilities to evolves over time through modifications of its DNA. Revelation from GOD doesn't ends with Quran, revelation is a continuing progress up until now and beyond.. Salam / Peace

He believes staring directly into the sun is essential for our salvation. his eyes will burn

Salaam, I lived in a 100% sunni culture for more than a year back in 2004. What it did for my bias? It actually showed me again and again the genre of Islam I did not want to be a part of. Peace

how about a sticky where people can post the link to their favourite threads. the top post can be ammended by a mod to list the threads that are contained in the following posts because discussions will likely ensue.

The Quran is flawless and perfect. It is us humans and our nafs (souls) that are not. In what sense? Reminding you of the basic fact The Quran is not a 'living thing' and/or a 'living creature'. It is basically a book in arabic language, which is a 'language' a.k.a human symbolism of meaning through sounds. Written in arabic script, which is human symbolism of sounds through series of marking and/or icons. As technology progress, nowadays it's being printed by printing machine on a piece of paper (or in digital format available for download & reading in the internet) Those who can't read arabic script or understand the arabic language couldn't get anything out of it. The best they can do is to get the 'translation' / 'transliteration' of it, which is done by humans.. Human is not perfect, in a sense they are capable of doing error, forgetfulness and bound by certain limitation. That I certainly agree.. Thus the implication is Human's language is not perfect. (and it also evolves over time) Human's script is not perfect. (and it also evolves over time) Human's thought is not perfect. (and it also evolves over time) Salam / Peace

Peace, I can do nothing for you. Godbless, Anwar Salaam brother Do not worry. I do the same as all do. I preache "only Quran" but also use "dictioanaries" to get the meaning. All of us are in the same category. But the only difference is I accept that I use extraQuranic sources and some do not. Regards

Peace AnthonyWallace Informative post. I like the simple way you laid it out. It is sometimes better to see things like that just to the point without any extra padding. Your post came across like a science report. Makes sense. Be good. d peace

Peace, Saturday in 2-65, 4-47, 4-154. Peace Salaams Belal, So saturday is it, the sabath? sabath explained.............. http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=14034.msg122088#msg122088 -as some one understood it. God Bless All.