FAQ

Our approach is based on considering the Quran as the primary source for understanding Islam. In our analysis, we take into account the context of verses, the characteristics of the Arabic language, the internal connections within the text, and the broader principles of the Quran, evaluating conclusions based on their consistency and coherence.

Other sources, including hadiths, may be used as historical and contextual material. However, their conclusions are not considered binding without further analysis and comparison with the Quran.

We do not aim to provide ready-made answers to every question. The goal of the project is to present a method of research that allows individuals to analyze the text independently, evaluate arguments, and reach their own conclusions.

No.

We do not reject Allah, we do not reject Prophet Muhammad, and we do not reject his Sunnah.

Our approach is different: when addressing religious questions, we consider the Quran as the primary criterion through which other sources are examined. For a Muslim, this is a natural principle, since the Quran is the word of Allah.

Today, the label “Quranist” is often applied to any Muslim who suggests examining commonly accepted religious claims through the Quran or who asks questions about the textual basis of certain rulings. The label itself does not explain anything and does not replace a discussion of arguments.

The website contains separate articles that discuss our approach to the Sunnah, hadiths, and other religious sources in detail. It is impossible to honestly address these complex topics in just a few sentences. The Quran itself presents many subjects gradually through different verses and surahs, so understanding the complete picture requires considering the text as a whole rather than isolated statements.

If, after reading the materials, you still have objections, we are open to discussing them based on arguments and evidence.

Within our approach, hadiths are not considered a source with the same status as the Quran. We have not found a basis in the Quran to consider hadith collections as having the same level of divine guarantee or the same status as revelation itself.

Hadiths are part of the early Islamic tradition and may be used as historical and contextual material. However, they were compiled a significant time after the death of the Prophet, transmitted through people, and evaluated by people; therefore, they require analysis and examination.

When addressing religious questions, we take the Quran as the primary criterion. The Quran is the text that Allah has promised to preserve (15:9), and therefore it holds the highest authority for us. Other sources are examined through the lens of its content, not the other way around.

First, this website is about the Quran and what is stated in the Quran itself.

Second, within our approach, hadiths are primarily used as historical and contextual material, rather than as the main source for religious conclusions.

This means that historical information preserved through Islamic tradition may be used in our materials without necessarily quoting a specific hadith. If understanding a topic requires knowledge of certain circumstances, features of the historical period, or events from the time of the Prophet, we take that context into account. Therefore, the absence of a hadith citation does not mean that the historical material itself is ignored.

At the same time, we aim to base religious conclusions on the Quran. The Quran is the only religious source whose status as revelation is directly confirmed by the Quran itself. Therefore, if a question can already be clearly explained through the Quran, we do not see a need to additionally support it with quotations from hadith collections.

Our approach is simple:

• The Quran is the primary source of religious principles and the criterion for evaluation.
• Historical context may be used regardless of the source through which that information has reached us.
• Hadiths can help us understand the historical period, but by themselves they are not the basis for establishing binding religious conclusions.

We do not seek to gather followers or create a new madhhab or sect. We do not issue fatwas or claim: “Only we are right.” Our approach is simple: “This is our understanding — examine it for yourself.”

Our goal is to encourage critical thinking and provide tools for independent analysis. We show that many questions can be explored through the Quran itself, and that some widely accepted traditional views require further examination regarding their basis and consistency with it.

We deliberately choose not to monetize this project.

When people begin earning money from religion, it becomes easy to move—often unconsciously—from seeking truth to protecting a source of income. Money, audience size, and reputation can influence which topics are discussed, which are avoided, and how willing a person is to admit mistakes.

We do not want to fall into that trap.

For this reason, the website is funded entirely by the author's personal resources. There will never be advertisements, paid content, donations, or sponsorships here.

Yes. We believe that any conclusions should be subject to examination, including the conclusions of the project itself.

If you have found an error or have an argumented objection based on an analysis of the Quranic text and logical reasoning, you can send it to us. If the argument proves convincing, we are ready to reconsider our position and make corrections.

Our goal is not to criticize people, schools, or movements. We examine arguments, methods of interpretation, and religious practices that have developed around Islam.

We believe that any claim, regardless of how widespread it is or how long it has existed, should be evaluated through the Quranic text, its context, and the strength of its arguments.

Within our approach, it is important to distinguish between:

— religion and its fundamental principles based on the Quran;

— historical and cultural context;

— human traditions and later religious interpretations.

We do not oppose traditions as such. Traditions may have historical and cultural value; however, they should not automatically be considered a binding part of religion without sufficient basis.

Islam is a faith based on conscious conviction, not merely cultural belonging or adherence to a particular system of views. A person should understand the foundations of their faith and independently examine the sources of their beliefs.

Therefore, the subject of analysis is not people or their affiliation with a particular school, but ideas, arguments, and the methods used to justify them.

Research is published gradually. It is impossible to address every question at the same time, and trying to fit complex topics into a single article often leads to oversimplification and a superficial analysis. We do not aim to cover every topic at any cost — the quality of analysis is more important.

We primarily focus on topics where religious practices and traditional views require further examination through the Quran and its principles.

Religion is a vast ocean of knowledge that a person can explore throughout their life, yet never possess absolute knowledge of everything. We do not claim to have answers to every question, nor do we ask people to accept our conclusions without examination.

We offer a method of research, reflection, and analysis rather than a ready-made set of rules.

No. We do not reject the classical Islamic heritage. We do not oppose the scholars of the past — we examine their conclusions in the same way as any other claims: through analysis of their foundations, the text, and the arguments.

We primarily focus on issues where there are different approaches, disputed interpretations, or a need for further analysis. If a traditional position has strong textual and logical support, it can also be a subject of study.

Our goal is not to fight against the past, but to understand the foundations of religious conclusions and seek the most well-supported understanding through the Quran and the analysis of arguments.

No. We do not issue fatwas or declare on our own authority: “this is haram,” “this is halal,” or “this is obligatory.”

Our goal is not to replace personal study and individual responsibility, but to provide Quranic analysis, arguments, and tools for independently understanding religious questions.

The Quran addresses human reason and encourages reflection. Therefore, we believe that every person bears personal responsibility for their beliefs and decisions. No one can take this responsibility on behalf of another person.

We are ready to help by examining complex topics, presenting possible arguments, explaining context, and offering methods of analysis. However, the final understanding and choice remain with each individual.

The project has no hierarchy that makes decisions on behalf of people, and it does not offer guarantees of absolute correctness. We do not provide a ready-made set of rules; we offer a path of research, examination, and reflection.

This website is not designed as a platform for endless comment discussions, but as a space for calmly studying materials, reflection, and independent analysis.

We believe that complex religious questions require careful examination rather than quick arguments and reactions. In open comment sections, discussions often shift from analyzing arguments to defending familiar views, emotional responses, and repeating established positions.

We do not want such a format to interfere with a calm environment for studying the materials.

If you disagree with the conclusions of the project, that is completely acceptable. You can study the arguments independently, form your own position, or contact us with well-reasoned objections.

Our goal is not to create a space for mass approval, but to provide materials for research, analysis, and the search for truth.

This is a deliberate decision.

We do not see HoopoeLab as a community or movement that should build a following. Our goal is not to gather supporters, but to provide research that people can study independently.

For this reason, we do not focus on producing a constant stream of short-form content, encouraging endless discussions, or competing for attention. The website itself is the core of the project.

We do have a Telegram channel, but it is used only to notify readers about new publications and to share links to articles. We intentionally do not turn it into a platform for daily discussions.

Our primary audience is people who are independently searching for answers to their questions. HoopoeLab is not designed to keep people's attention or build an online community. It is a library of research that anyone can return to whenever they find it useful.

If you have a question, comment, suggestion, or feedback regarding the materials, you can contact us.

Different email addresses are provided in the “Methodology” section. Each address is intended for a specific type of inquiry.

Before sending a message, please:

— review our approach (this will help you better understand the principles of the project);

— choose the appropriate email address depending on the topic of your message.

We try to respond to messages that contain questions, arguments, or meaningful feedback. However, due to the number of inquiries, a response may take some time.

Thank you for your interest in the project.

No. The purpose of the project is not to persuade people to accept Islam, but to explore religious questions through the analysis of the Quran.

The Quran states:

“There is no compulsion in religion.” (2:256)

We believe that faith should be a conscious choice of an individual, not the result of pressure or coercion.

We present what the Quran says, share the results of our analysis, and encourage readers to examine the arguments independently. The conclusions and personal choice remain with each individual.

No. Our goal is not to present Islam only from its most convenient perspective, but to study and convey the content of the Quran as honestly as possible.

The Quran contains verses about mercy, justice, and spirituality, as well as verses that address responsibility, limitations, and difficult questions. We do not hide challenging topics or avoid analyzing them.

We aim to examine the text within its context, consider linguistic features and the connections between verses, rather than isolate individual passages.

Our task is to show what the Quran says and what conclusions can be drawn through analysis of the text. The final understanding and conclusions remain with the reader.

We strive to study the Quran as a complex text that requires careful analysis and consideration as a whole.

The main principle is that verses should not be taken out of context. Ignoring context often leads to oversimplification and incorrect conclusions.

When studying the Quran, we consider:

— the context of the entire Quran — the overall picture, major themes, and principles of the text;

— the context of a specific surah — its structure, main theme, and the meaning of the particular passage;

— related and surrounding verses — what is stated before and after, and how other verses help clarify the meaning;

— features of classical Arabic — the meanings of words within their historical linguistic context and possible nuances of meaning.

Without such an approach, the Quran can easily be turned into a collection of isolated quotations used to support a previously chosen position. We strive to avoid this and approach the text as a complete whole.

We work on this project because we believe it is important to study religious questions through analysis of primary sources and examination of arguments.

There are many different opinions, interpretations, and traditional views surrounding Islam. Our goal is to examine which of them have a basis in the Quran and which are the result of historical development, culture, or later interpretations.

We are not creating a new religion and we do not seek to replace one system of beliefs with another. We offer an approach that allows individuals to study the text independently, analyze arguments, and understand the foundations of their beliefs.

We share the results of our research, but we do not ask people to accept our conclusions without examination. Each person is responsible for their own beliefs and their own path of seeking.

We do not place logic above the Quran. For us, logic is a tool for analysis and examination, not a source of revelation.

In our approach, the Quran is the primary source of religious principles, while tradition is viewed as a human heritage that requires study and evaluation.

Traditions can preserve knowledge, historical experience, and cultural context. However, the mere fact that a certain view has existed for a long time does not automatically make it binding or true.

Logical analysis helps to:

— examine whether conclusions are consistent with the Quranic text;

— consider context and the connections between verses;

— avoid accepting claims solely based on their popularity or authority.

The Quran repeatedly draws attention to the problem of blindly following ancestors and customs when this prevents people from independently seeking the truth.

Therefore, our position is simple: tradition can be a valuable source of historical and cultural understanding, but it does not replace the Quran and does not become superior to it merely because of its age or widespread acceptance.