Fights and Flights: Two Underrated ‘Alternatives’ to Dominant Readings in tafsīr

Does Q. 2:178 legislate retaliation for murder? Was Abraham commanded to chop up some birds according to Q. 2:260? This paper examines two cases in which a dominant view in Muslim exegesis has existed alongside an alternative that is minimised or criticised, while arguably being a closer fit to the text and context of the verse. The first, a ‘historicist’ reading of the qiṣāṣ verse (Q. 2:178), was picked up and advocated by the influential Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328), yet it has even less of a footprint in exegetical works subsequent to him. The second, a ‘naturalist’ reading of the birds verse (Q. 2:260) advanced by Abū Muslim al-Iṣfahānī (d. 322/934), has been adopted by some modern exegetes and translators, but largely dismissed as strained and contrary to consensus. As well as charting the reception of these competing views, I analyse them comparatively, phrase by phrase, and argue that these alternatives are more plausible, and indeed fruitful, than the commonly accepted interpretations. The juxtaposition of these cases invites closer examination of key hermeneutical concepts in the tafsīr tradition

Intraquranic Hermeneutics: Theories and Methods in Tafsīr of the Qurʾān through the Qurʾān

Islamic hermeneutical works commonly state that “the Qurʾān explains itself”, and scholars inside and outside the tradition have tended to note and/or adopt this intratextual approach to interpretation. Most famously articulated by Ibn Taymiyya, the principle remains in need of interrogation and elaboration. More broadly, the study of Quranic hermeneutics (uṣūl al-tafsīr) is receiving fresh attention both in Western academia and in Muslim confessional scholarship. This study is designed to contribute to these developments and the wider concerns of Tafsīr Studies. The research examines the extent to which the process of “tafsīr of the Qurʾān through the Qurʾān” (TQQ) has been elaborated in theory and how it has manifested in exegetical practice. The latter is achieved through an extensive case study which compares the approaches and conclusions of a range of exegetes, particularly those whose projects were based solely or primarily upon TQQ. Following these descriptive chapters, the remainder of the thesis works towards a constructive account of TQQ of benefit to any interpreter of the Qurʾān, drawn mainly from ʿulūm al-Qurʾān literature. The theoretical underpinnings of the endeavour are explored in the light of four “principles”, along with classical theories (such as contextual revelation, abrogation) which could present a challenge to the very possibility of intraquranic exegesis. The final chapter draws upon broader genres of literature on the Qurʾān which shed light on TQQ processes and practices. Throughout these explorations of theory, method and practical application, a number of core issues and tensions come to light – such as objectivity vs. subjectivity, reductionism vs. pluralism, and the relative authority and value of this form of exegesis in the broader field of tafsīr

The Shāhīn Affair and the Evolution of uṣūl al-tafsīr

In 1997, the distinguished linguistics professor ʿAbd al-Ṣabūr Shāhīn of Cairo University published his re-reading of the Qur’anic story of creation, entitled Abī Ādam (‘My Father Adam’). Although the book was met with a storm of refutations, televised debates and a blasphemy charge against the author, the Islamic Research Council of Al-Azhar University concluded that the book was flawed but not blasphemous. This paper sheds light on Shāhīn’s key strategies in arguing for an evolutionary reading of the Qur’an, in which Adam was the first full human (insān) endowed with divine spirit, but born on earth to hominid parents (bashar). Responses by two other linguistics scholars, ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm Ibrāhīm al-Maṭʿanī of Al-Azhar and Ḥamza b. Qublān al-Muzaynī of King Saud University, illustrate the contemporary underdevelopment of Qur’anic hermeneutics (uṣūl al-tafsīr) as a discipline. The paper draws attention to current scholarly developments in the Muslim world and the move from refutations of individual projects, to constructive accounts based on tradition

Wheat germ oil enrichment in broiler feed with α-lipoic acid to enhance the antioxidant potential and lipid stability of meat

BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxidation is the cause of declining the meat quality. Natural antioxidants plays a vital role in enhancing the stability and quality of meat. The supplementation of natural antioxidants in feed decreases lipid peroxidation and improves the stability of meat. METHODS: The present research was conducted to determine the effect of α-lipoic acid, α-tocopherol and wheat germ oil on the status of antioxidants, quality and lipid stability of broiler meat. One day old male broilers were fed with different feeds containing antioxidants i.e. natural (wheat germ oil) and synthetic α-tocopherol and α-lipoic acid during the two experimental years. RESULTS: The feed treatments have significant variation on the body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) while having no influence on the feed intake. The broilers fed on wheat germ oil (natural α-tocopherol) gained maximum body weight (2451.97 g & 2466.07 g) in the experimental years 2010–11 & 2011–12, respectively. The higher total phenolic contents were found in the broilers fed on wheat germ oil plus α-lipoic acid in breast (162.73±4.8 mg Gallic acid equivalent/100 g & 162.18±4.5 mg Gallic acid equivalent/100 g) and leg (149.67±3.3 mg Gallic acid equivalent/100 g & 146.07±3.2 mg Gallic acid equivalent/100 g) meat during both experimental years. Similar trend was observed for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). The production of malondialdehydes in the breast and leg meat increased with progressive increase in the time period. The deposition of α-tocopherol (AT) and α-lipoic acid (ALA) contents were found to be higher in the broilers fed on wheat germ oil plus α-lipoic acid in breast and leg meat during the both experimental years. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the combination of wheat germ oil and α-lipoic acid has more beneficial for stability and the quality of the broiler meat and more work should be needed in future for the bio-evaluation of this kind of functional meat in humans

Multiband Stepped Impedance Resonator (SIR) Based Antenna for Future Wireless Applications

A novel multi-band stepped impedance resonator (SIR) based microstrip antenna is presented in this paper. The presented antenna is explicitly designed to overcome the multi-standard requirements of future wireless communication systems. The antenna contains six radiating patches, occupies a volume of 85x50x1.574mm. The antenna contains three short-circuited dual band SIR radiating patches. The SIR radiating patches are optimized to operate at the specified frequency bands of 0.9GHz, 1.2GHz, 1.5GHz, 2.5GHz, 2.75GHz, and 3.65 GHz. The SIR radiating patches are fed using a single coaxial feeding technique which shows a good matching of 50 Ohm. In stepped impedance technique; of three resonators one of the radiating patches is short circuited with a ground. The simulated results of the reflection coefficient, impedance matching, and peak gains show stable responses and are acceptable. The Antenna is designed using FR-4 as a substrate whereas; CST studio and MATLAB are utilized as simulation tool. The proposed antenna verifies to be a suitable candidate for small mobile devices and other multi-standard wireless communication devices

Wheat Antioxidants, Their Role in Bakery Industry, and Health Perspective

Wheat grains and its fractions contain significant level of antioxidant activity and many phytochemicals, such as phenolic acids (ferulic and vanillic acids), carotenoids, and tocopherol are beneficial in curing many disorders. The beneficial phytochemicals are mostly present in aleurone fraction of wheat bran. The phytochemicals and antioxidants present in wheat have several health benefits, such as their ability to act as antioxidants, immunoenhancers, and inhibitors of certain lesions, which have been demonstrated for phenolic. Many wheat antioxidants are similar to the antioxidants present in wheat, but their characteristics are also unique in nature. The regular consumption of these antioxidant compounds in whole grains is associated with a reduced risk of many heart diseases and several forms of cancers and improves the regulation of blood glucose. Wheat antioxidants play a vital role in bakery industry mostly in bread industry. People are getting aware to use the bakery products that are prepared from the white flour due to proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle, improved nutritional composition, and functional properties. In nutshell, wheat antioxidants including phytochemicals synergistically improve the health status of consumers by consuming the products having complete nutrition

Lymphocyte-to-C-Reactive Protein Ratio: A Novel Predictor of Adverse Outcomes in COVID-19.

Background: Systemic inflammation elicited by a cytokine storm is considered a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to assess the validity and clinical utility of the lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (CRP) ratio (LCR), typically used for gastric carcinoma prognostication, versus the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for predicting in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the association of LCR and NLR with the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), dialysis, upgrade to an intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality. Independent Results: The mean age for NLR patients was 63.6 versus 61.6, and for LCR groups, it was 62.6 versus 63.7 years, respectively. The baseline comorbidities across all groups were comparable except that the higher LCR group had female predominance. The mean NLR was significantly higher for patients who died during hospitalization (19 vs. 7, P ≤ 0.001) and those requiring IMV (12 vs. 7, P = 0.01). Compared to alive patients, a significantly lower mean LCR was observed in patients who did not survive hospitalization (1,011 vs. 632, P = 0.04). For patients with a higher NLR (\u3e 10), the unadjusted odds of mortality (odds ratios (ORs) 11.0, 3.6 - 33.0, P \u3c 0.0001) and need for IMV (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4 - 7.7, P = 0.008) were significantly higher compared to patients with lower NLR. By contrast, for patients with lower LCR (\u3c 100), the odds of in-hospital all-cause mortality were significantly higher compared to patients with a higher LCR (OR 0.2, 0.06 - 0.47, P = 0.001). The aORs controlled for baseline comorbidities and medications mirrored the overall results, indicating a genuinely significant correlation between these biomarkers and outcomes. Conclusions: A high NLR and decreased LCR value predict higher odds of in-hospital mortality. A high LCR at presentation might indicate impending clinical deterioration and the need for IMV

Identification of an effective nondestructive technique for bond defect determination in laminate composites—A technical review

Laminate composites are commonly used for the production of critical mechanical structures and components such as wind turbine blades, helicopter rotors, unmanned aerial vehicle wings and honeycomb structures for aircraft wings. During the manufacturing process of these composite structures, zones or areas with weak bond strength are always issues, which may affect the strength and performance of components. The identification and quantification of these zones are always challenging and necessary for the mass production. Non-destructive testing methods available, including ultrasonic A, B, and C-Scan, laser shearography, X-ray tomography, and thermography can be useful for the mentioned purposes. A comparison of these techniques concerning their capacity of identification and quantification of bond defects; however, still needs a comprehensive review. In this paper, a detailed comparison of several non-destructive testing techniques is provided. Emphasis is placed to institute a guideline to select the most suitable technique for the identification of zones with bond defects in laminated composites. Experimental tests on different composite based machined components are also discussed in detail. The discussion provides practical evidence about the effectiveness of different non-destructive testing techniques.N/

Coaxial feed ultra-wideband microstrip antenna for medical applications

In this article, an ultra-wideband antenna has been presented for medical applications which have a resonant frequency of 10.35GHz and offers a bandwidth of 1400MHz with a return loss of -19db. The presented antenna is low-cost lightweight and can easily be integrated inside the circuit. As this antenna is designed for medical applications its size is compact and is fed utilizing a coaxial feeding technique which is especially plentiful for operative radiotherapy applications. The designed antenna is rectangular and covers an overall size of 24x12mm with a thickness of 1mm. The proposed antenna is designed using CST studio as a simulation tool, the extracted results of important parameters like return loss, surface current, reference impedance, and far-field have achieved remarkable results which are illustrated in the article. which makes it suitable for radiotherapy. A high epsilon valued εr = 4.8, tan δ = 0.02 substrate GT-008 has been employed as a dielectric material whereas copper is being used for the ground and radiating patches. The performance of the antenna in the X-band is satisfactory which makes it suitable for radiotherapy