“Can I combine the Lenses?”

As we wrap up our brief introduction to this first Lens, it’s worth pointing out that the Lenses can be used in combination: and it’s very likely that the Lens of Wording will be relevant alongside other modes of analysis we will describe in the coming lessons.

“Where did the concept of Lenses come from?”

I should also explain that these Lenses weren’t created from thin air, but in fact based upon actual reflections whether by scholars or other members of the community. I have tried to figure out what lies behind the best reflections I come across, and summarize this into just a few overarching approaches. As you will appreciate once we go through some more, not all of them are based upon the kind of learning you would do in an Islamic university or seminary!

“What are some examples where the Lens of Wording is being used?”

Today I’ll share a few of my older posts which used the Lens of Wording – I am only choosing my own because I know for sure what my thought process was!

Let’s start with an easy one: I notice something about قدمت لحياتي in Surat al-Fajr: quranreflect.com/posts/15583

Here is one about Ramadan being “numbered days” – what could this imply besides its primary meaning found in tafsir?

quranreflect.com/posts/13855

This reflection doesn’t have any novel ideas but I certainly felt an impact on myself when I realized what the words ألم يأن are related to, so perhaps the reminder will benefit you too:

quranreflect.com/posts/9909

The following is a little more complex, drawing upon scholarly discussions of figurative speech in the Quran. I try to show how we should appreciate the wording on multiple levels, including this “wall that wanted to fall”!

quranreflect.com/posts/9745

Last one for now, which helps demonstrate that reflection (even if it’s about wording) is subjective and open to discussion. That’s why we need to keep improving our skills:

quranreflect.com/posts/14505