Dating of an ancient Quranic manuscript raises dating questions

This article first appeared on HuffPost UK. 

In what could prove something of a pot hole for current readings of Islamic history, a carbon test carried out on a Quranic manuscript recently discovered in England reveals the book is likely older than Muhammad, the founder of the Islamic faith.

The test used a piece of the ancient parchment, which was discovered in Birmingham University Library in July, with scientists dating the tome from between 568 and 645AD.

Islamic scholars believe Muhammad lived between 570 and 632AD, meaning the text was compiled either before the Prophet’s birth or during his childhood.

Please go here to read more

Women of Islam - 1

 

Nusayba bint Ka'b Al-Ansariyah (Arabia, unknown-634 C.E.)

Nusayba was of one of the first advocates for the rights of Muslim women.

 

Notably, she asked the Prophet Muhammad,

"Why does God only address men (in the Quran)?"

Soon after this exchange, the Prophet received a revelation in  Chapter 33, Verse 35

that mentions women can attain every quality to which men have access.

The verse also conclusively settled that women stand on the same spiritual level as men.

She was viewed as a visionary who transcended her own generation.

From Huffington Post