Gabriel Sawma

Prohibition of interest in Islamic Banking

Islamic economics is referred to as the application of Islamic Shari'a law in economic activity. This form of economics has attracted banks and financial institutions in more than 56 countries including Europe and the United States; they cater to customer... Read >

Islamic Marriage Contract in the Hanafi Jurisprudence

The Hanafi School of Jurisprudence is one of the four Schools in Sunni Islam. It was founded by Nu’man abu Hanifa (d. 767) in Kufa in modern Iraq. Abu Hanifa (father of Hanifa) is considered one of the “tabieen” (followers) of the compan... Read >

The Nafaqah in Islamic Marriages

In Islamic Shari'a, nafaqa is defined as an obligation of material support for the wife and children. This is a gendered entity in Islamic marriage, as long as the marriage has been consummated. When the marriage is consummated, the husband becomes respon... Read >

The Mahr in Islamic Marriage Contracts

Mahr is the amount of money, or its equivalent, paid by the husband to his future wife. Contrary to the popular notion that mahr is dowry, it is not. A dowry is what the wife contributes to her marriage while mahr is an obligation on the husband to pay hi... Read >

Indian Divorce in U.S. Courts

Many Indian nationals had their marriage in India and domicile in the United States. They travel back to India for the purpose of obtaining divorce certificates. The issue of jurisdiction becomes important factor for the recognition of their foreign divor... Read >

Religious Tolerance Forum Hosted By the King of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia initiated inter-religious meeting at the United Nations this week. King Abdullah called his initiative a "Culture of Peace Summit," to promote tolerance among the world's major religions. Participants who gathered in New York on Wednesday and... Read >

The Plight of the Christians in the Middle East

The Plight of the Christians in the Middle East Today, there are 30 million Christians who live in countries whose majority are Muslims. Some 15 million Christians live in Indonesia; somewhere between 6 and 12 million live in Egypt; 3 million in Paki... Read >

The Territorial Conflict on Shebaa Farms in the Middle East

The Shebaa Farms and International Law By Gabriel Sawma Esq. Background Following World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the territories of Lebanon and Syria, which were considered one single political unit prior to the War, were mand... Read >

The Aramaic Language of Jesus

By Gabriel Sawma BACKGROUND The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the First Temple in 587 BC, by the forces of king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, mark the beginning of what is known as the Babylonian Exile of the Jews. Up to that ti... Read >

Were Adam and Eve Forgiven in Heaven? Muslim commentators say YES, the Quran says NO.

Were Adam and Eve Forgiven in Heaven? Muslim commentators say YES, the Quran says NO. By Gabriel Sawma The Quran states the following: 'QULNA IHBATU MINHA JAMEE'AN, FATALAQQA ADAM MIN RABBIHI KALIMATEN FATAABA 'ALAYHI INNAHU ALTAWWABU ALRAHIMU'... Read >

Does the Quran force Jews and Christians to Submit to Islam?

Does the Quran Force Jews and Christians to Submit to Islam? By Gabriel Sawma The Quran states the following: INNA ALLADHIINA KAFARU SWAA ON ALAYHIM ANDHARTAHUM AM LAM TUNDHIRHUM LA YUMINOON, (Quran 2: 7). Muslim commentators render the follow... Read >

Jews and Christians are redeemed in the Quran

Jews and Christians are redeemed in the Quran By Gabriel Sawma The Quran states the following: "wa alladhina yu'minuuna bima unzila ilayka, wama unzila min qablika, wa bi aakhirah hum yuqinun" Quran 2: 5. Muslim commentators render the following in... Read >

The Deat and Crucifixion of Jesus in the Quran

The Death and Crucifixion of Jesus in the Quran By Gabriel Sawma The Quran states the Following: "Waqawlihim inna qatlna al Massih Issa ibn Maryam rasul Allah, wama qataluhu wama salabuhu walaken shubbiha lahum", Quran 4: 158. Translated: 'and ... Read >

The Death and Crucifixion of Jesus in the Quran

The Death and Crucifixion of Jesus in the Quran By Gabriel Sawma The Quran states the Following: "Waqawlihim inna qatlna al Massih Issa ibn Maryam rasul Allah, wama qataluhu wama salabuhu walaken shubbiha lahum", Quran 4: 158. Translated: 'and ... Read >

The Qur'an: Misinterpreted, Mistranslated, and Misread. The Aramaic Language of the Qur'an.

The Qur'an: Misinterpreted, Mistranslated, and Misread. The Aramaic Language of the Qur'an. By Gabriel Sawma For the first time in history, a book is released to show that the language of the Qur'an is Aramaic, not Arabic. Aramaic renders inte... Read >