The Qur’an is the greatest wonder among the wonders of the world . . . This book is second to none in the world according to the unanimous decision of the learned men in points of diction, style, rhetoric, thoughts and soundness of laws and regulations to shape the destinies of mankind. Hadith (Mishkat III, pg. 664)
Will they say, ‘Muhammad hath forged it?’ Answer: ‘Bring therefore a chapter like unto it, and call whom ye to your assistance, besides Allah, if ye speak truth.’ (Suras 10:37-38; 2:23; 17:88)
Will they say, ‘Muhammad hath forged it?’ Answer: ‘Bring therefore a chapter like unto it, and call whom ye to your assistance, besides Allah, if ye speak truth.’ (Suras 10:37-38; 2:23; 17:88)
“Mother of Books” (Sura 43:3)
a) Sura 16:93; 76:29-30 (Allah controls all)
a) Sura 16:93; 76:29-30 (Allah controls all)
b) Sura 111
(The wrath of Allah)
…
c) Suras 4:74,84; 5:33; 9:29 48:16-17
(Fight your enemies)
d) Sura 109
(Allah leaves us alone)
e) Sura 24:2 (Flog the sinner)
f) Suras 2:222-223, 282; 4:11, 34,176 (Women are 2nd class)
It has many Literary defects:
It has many Literary defects:
Not chronological
Endless repetitions
Jumps from one topic to the next
Inconsistencies in grammar, law, and theology
Verbs left out
German secular scholar Salmon Reinach states that:
German secular scholar Salmon Reinach states that:
“From the literary point of view, the Koran has little merit. Declamation, repetition, puerility, a lack of logic and coherence strike the unprepared reader at every turn. It is humiliating to the human intellect to think that this mediocre literature has been the subject of innumerable commentaries, and that millions of men are still wasting time in absorbing it.”
(Reinach 1932:176)
“Chaotic Confusion...prosaic...stiff in style...tedious sermonizing...rhetorical...never metrical...and the rhyme on the whole a burdensome yoke...superfluous verbiage...syntax betrays great awkwardness...tiresome effect of its endless iterations...[so that dogma] turns a defective literary production into an unrivalled masterpiece, in the eyes of the believers”
“Chaotic Confusion...prosaic...stiff in style...tedious sermonizing...rhetorical...never metrical...and the rhyme on the whole a burdensome yoke...superfluous verbiage...syntax betrays great awkwardness...tiresome effect of its endless iterations...[so that dogma] turns a defective literary production into an unrivalled masterpiece, in the eyes of the believers”
(Nöldeke 1998:36,44-47)
2:177, the word Sabireen should be Sabiroon;
2:177, the word Sabireen should be Sabiroon;
3:59, the words Kun feekunu should be written, Kun fakaana;
5:69, the title al Sabioon, should be written al Sabieen (see also sura 2:62 & sura 22:17)
7:160, Uthnati (feminine) Ashrat (feminine) Asbaataan. should be Uthnaiy (masculine) Ashara Sibtaan.
Yet uses Egyptian, Hebrew, Syriac, Christian Aramaic, & Ethiopic words.
Yet uses Egyptian, Hebrew, Syriac, Christian Aramaic, & Ethiopic words.
-Accadian (No.Iraq) words: Adam and Eden repeated 24 times. A more correct term for “Adam” in Arabic would be basharan or insan, meaning “mankind.” “Eden” would be the word janna in Arabic, which means “garden.”
-Assyrian words: Abraham (sometimes recorded asIbrahim). The correct Arabic equivalent would be Abu Raheem.
-Persian words:Sirat meaning “the path” has the Arabic equivalent, Altareeq. Hoor meaning “disciple” has the Arabic equivalent, Tilmeeth. Firdaus meaning “the highest or seventh heaven" has the Arabic equivalent, Jannah.
-Greek words:Injil, which means “gospel” was borrowed, yet it has the Arabic equivalent, Bisharah
Polygamy:S 4:3 1 husband/ 4 wives and what right hand possesses (slaves/concubines)
Polygamy:S 4:3 1 husband/ 4 wives and what right hand possesses (slaves/concubines)
Inheritance: S 4:11 ”inheritance to the male, equal to that of two females.”
Wife Beating: S 4:34, men may beat wives
Testimony: S 2:282, Bukhar1:301 Muhammad replied, “Is not the testimony of a woman equivalent to half the testimony of a man?
Tilth: S 2:223 “Your women are a tilth for you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as ye will”
Slaves/Concubines: S 33:50 “We have made lawful unto thee whom you have paid dowries (contract), those whom thy right had possesses (Slaves) of those whom Allah hath given thee as spoils of war...
A Beautiful Garden:
A Beautiful Garden:
Surah 55 :26two gardens
Surah 56:12 Garden of delights
Surah 56: 31 water flowing constantly, fruit in plenty
With Female and Male Servants:
Surah 55: 56 chaste females whom no man has been with
Sura 2:256 = “For there is no compulsion in religion”
“Law of Abrogation”
(Suras 2:106, 16:101)
“That which we give, we give something better” (Mansukh vs. Nasikh)
Thus, Sura 2:256 is a weak verse, abrogated by 101 verses which follow!
Sura 2:190-193 = “Those who fight you, Do not transgress limits, /
Sura 2:190-193 = “Those who fight you, Do not transgress limits, /
…and slay them wherever ye catch them, and fight them, until there prevail faith in Allah”
A Moderate Interpretation:
A Moderate Interpretation:
Sura 5:31-32 (raven, and blood of Abel) “we ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person…it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people...”
Sura 5:31-32 “we ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a MUSLIM…it would be as if he slew ALL MUSLIMS; and if anyone saved A MUSLIM, it would be as if he saved the life of ALL MUSLIMS...”
Sura 5:31-32 “we ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a MUSLIM…it would be as if he slew ALL MUSLIMS; and if anyone saved A MUSLIM, it would be as if he saved the life of ALL MUSLIMS...”
*Abraham Sura 21:51-71: (smashed idols,fiery pit)
*Abraham Sura 21:51-71: (smashed idols,fiery pit)
= Midrash Rabah - Jewish Folktales & UR = "fire" =Jonathan Ben Uziel (2nd c.)
Mt. Sinai Sura 7:171 of God lifting up Mount Sinai and holding it over the heads of the Jews
= Hails from a second century apocryphal Jewish book, The Abodah Sarah (2nd c.)
Sura 5:31
Sura 5:31
Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. `Woe is me!' said he; `Was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother?' Then he became full of regrets.
Qur'an- sura 5:32
Qur'an- sura 5:32
On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person -unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people...
Qur'an- sura 27:17-44
Qur'an- sura 27:17-44
(aya 17) And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts-of Jinns and men, and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
(aya 20) And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: `Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?
(aya 21) I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence).
(aya 22) But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: `I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.
(aya 23) I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne...
(aya 27) (Solomon) said: `Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
(aya 28) Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return."
(aya 29) (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! Here is-delivered to me-a letter worthy of respect.
(aya 30) It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): `In the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful: Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"
(aya 32) She said: "Ye chiefs! Advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."
(aya 33) They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command."
(aya 35) She said..."But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."
(aya 42) So when she arrived, (aya 44) she was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass."
Qur'an- sura 19:22-26
Qur'an- sura 19:22-26
So she conceived him [Jesus], and she retired with him to a remote place.
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree: She cried (in her anguish): `Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight'!
Then [the babe ‘Isa (Jesus)] cried unto her from below her, saying: `Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee:
And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm tree; it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye.
*Jesus's Childhood:
*Jesus's Childhood:
-Baby Jesus talking- S.19:29-33
= The first Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ (2nd c.)
-Creating birds from clay- S.3:49
= Thomas' Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ (2nd c.)
---------------------------------------
Poetry in the Qur’an (Meccan Suras)
=Gunther Lűling: traced the poetry to pre-Islamic Christian Syriac hymns, written in the 6th c., with Arab themes added
If the words of Allah cannot be changed (Sura 6:34,115; 10:6), then how does Allah ‘substitute one revelation for another’ (Sura 2:106, 16:101)?
If the words of Allah cannot be changed (Sura 6:34,115; 10:6), then how does Allah ‘substitute one revelation for another’ (Sura 2:106, 16:101)?
Does Allah's day equal to 1,000 human years (22:47, 32:5) or 50,000 human years (70:4)?
Was the earth created in 6 days (7:54; 25:59) or 8 days (41:9-12)?
Does the angel Gabriel bring the revelation from Allah to Muhammad (2:97), or is it the Holy Spirit (16:102)?
If the Bible is considered authoritative (4:136; 5:47-52,68; 10:95; 21:7; 29:46), then why is so much of it contradicted by the Qur’an (5:73-75,116; 19:7; 28:9, etc...)?
Is the punishment for adulteresseslife imprisonment (4:15) or 100 floggings (24:2)?
Is the punishment for adulteresseslife imprisonment (4:15) or 100 floggings (24:2)?
Why is it that Homosexuals are let off if they repent (4:16), though the same allowance is not given for heterosexuals (24:2; 4:15).
Did Abraham confront his people and smash their idols (21:51 59), or did he not, and leave the area after confronting them (19:41 49, 6:74 83)?
Were there 9 plagues, or signs (17:101), or only 5 (7:133)?
Did Jesus not die (4:157) or did he die, and rise again (19:33)? [note: refer to sura 19:15, which repeats the same words for Yahya]
6) (S.18:96) Where is Alexander the Great’siron and brass wall between two mountains, in 330 BC? No Record!
6) (S.18:96) Where is Alexander the Great’siron and brass wall between two mountains, in 330 BC? No Record!
7)Mountains (S.16:15; 21:31; 31:10; 78:6-7; 88:19) are not tent-pegs to keep earth from shaking, due to volcanoes & tectonic plates
8)BadMath (S.4:11-12) Inheritance for widow =1/8 + 3 daughter =2/3 +2 parents =1/3, totalling 1&1/8 or 112.5%!?
Or (S.4:11-12 & 176) My mother = 1/3, my wife = 1/3, my two sisters = 2/3 totalling: 4/3rds, or 133%!!
9) (S.86:5-7) Does Semen really originate in the back or the kidney or is this simply borrowing from 5th century B.C. Hippocrates?
10)Dirham (S.12:20) ‘a few dirham counted out’ for Joseph, yet coins created in 7th cent. BC by Lydians. Drachmas from 590-650 AD, but Dirhams not minted till 642 AD, by Caliph Umar; vs. Gen.37:28 = Shekels = 0.2 kgs. of silver!
The Revisionist’s Prime Concern:
The Revisionist’s Prime Concern:
To Reassess the Classical Model
Their principle Conclusions:
Islam, as we know it, did not exist in the 7th century, but evolved over a period of 200-300 years.
(Humphreys 1991:71,83-89)
The Qur’an probably was not revealed to one man in 22 years, but likely evolved over a period of 100-200 years
(Qur’anic Studies: Sources and Methods of Scriptural Interpretation 1977)
(The Sectarian Milieu: Content and Composition of Islamic Salvation History 1978)
Took Schacht’s thesis even further, believing that both the Qur’an and the later Hadith came about as a result of Jewish & Christian Sectarian controversies, borrowed from outside the Hijaz, then redacted back “onto an Arabian point of origin”, so that the Qur’an was a composite, which evolved into its canonical form at the end of the 2nd Muslim century (Wansbrough-Qur’anic Studies 1977:20,44,49,51,79)
Looked at the Sira/Maghazi literature and noticed that Islam developed after the Arab conquests of the Holy Land in the mid-7th century and so on, and emerged by means of intense debates over religion between Christians and Jews
Michael Cook (1975, 1983):
Michael Cook (1975, 1983):
(Muhammad, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1983)
(Hagarism, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1977)
Took an even more radical approach, rejecting the traditional view on early Islamic history almost entirely (i.e. that of the Sira, Hadith, Tafsir, Ta’rikh), due to their late compilation:
Creswell & Fehervari on ancient mosques in the Middle East
Creswell & Fehervari on ancient mosques in the Middle East
Umayyad mosques in Iraq (670-680)
Wassit mosque
‘Kufa’ mosque
Fustat (outside Cairo)
Qibla (Documentary Evidence)
Christian writer: Jacob of Edessa (705 AD) He refers to the ‘Mahgraye,’ saying, “So from all this it is clear that it is not to the south that the Jews and the Mahgraye here in the regions of Syria pray, but towards Jerusalem or the Ka’ba, the patriarchal places of their races.”
Dome of the Rock
Dome of the Rock
Built by ‘Abd al-Malik in 691 AD, and rebuilt by al Zaher Li-L’zaz in 1022 after an earthquake
Third most holy site after Mecca & Medina
Built to commemorate the night when Muhammad went up to heaven to speak with Moses and Allah concerning the number of prayers required of the believers (known as the Mi’raj)
The Jews
The Jews
According to Qur’an (Sura 2:144, 149-150)
Muhammad severed relationship with Jews around 624 AD
Doctrina Iacobi (634-640 AD) Warning for Greek Christians about Jews who mix with the Arabs (Saracens)
Armenian Chronicler of 660 AD Muhammad established a community which comprised both Ishmaelites and Jews
Break occurred between Jews and Arabs in 640 AD after Jerusalem conquest, 15 years later than Qur’an recorded
Other references to continued relationship: Genesis Rabbah (61:7), Babylonian Talmud, & Book of Jubilees, Abu Dawud Sulayman & Ahmad b. Muhammad ibn Hanbal
Patricia Cröne (1975, 1987):
Patricia Cröne (1975, 1987):
(Slaves on Horses, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1980)
(Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam, Princeton University Press, 1987)
(“The First-Century Concept of Higra”, Arabica, XLI, E.J.Brill, Leiden, 1994)
Hijra: 56 References, but none from Mecca to Medina, almost all from the Hijaz to the north.
Often to the Promised Land
Abu Dawud, “there will be ‘hijra’ after ‘hijra,’ but the best of men are to follow the ‘hijra’ of Abraham.”
Mecca
Mecca
“Mecca is the center of Islam, and the center of history.”
“The first sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Mecca)” Sura 3:96
Mecca is the “mother of all settlements.” Sura 6:92 & 42:5
Earliest reference to Mecca’s existence:
Earliest reference to Mecca’s existence:
Apocalypse of pseudo-Methodius
Continuatio Byzantia Arabica Early reign of caliph Hisham (724-743 AD)
Cröne in her work points out that the Greek trading documents refer to the towns of Ta’if (which is close to present-day Mecca), and to Yathrib (later Medina), as well as Kaybar in the north, but no mention of Mecca.
The First Dynasty of Islam, The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661-750, London, Groom Helm, 1986
Andrew Rippin
Muslims, Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, vol. 1, London, Routledge, 2003
Curiously Uthman did not have the entire corrected text at hand, as Bukhari admits “a large part of the Qur’an may be lost”; for he then orders threeto help Zaid bin Thabit revise the codex of Hafsa (daughter of Umar), and correct it where necessary, even recalling a verse (33:23) which had been missing from the original text!
Curiously Uthman did not have the entire corrected text at hand, as Bukhari admits “a large part of the Qur’an may be lost”; for he then orders threeto help Zaid bin Thabit revise the codex of Hafsa (daughter of Umar), and correct it where necessary, even recalling a verse (33:23) which had been missing from the original text!
Uthman takes Hafsa’s MSS, and has the four compilers REWRITE the text…and in case they DISAGREED, they were to write it in the DIALECT OF THE QURAISH…”and ordered that all the other Qur’anic materials, whether written in fragmentary manuscripts of whole copies BE BURNT!”
Uthman takes Hafsa’s MSS, and has the four compilers REWRITE the text…and in case they DISAGREED, they were to write it in the DIALECT OF THE QURAISH…”and ordered that all the other Qur’anic materials, whether written in fragmentary manuscripts of whole copies BE BURNT!”
.Some Qur’anic verses were lost.
.Some Qur’anic verses were lost.
Many (of the passages) of the Qur’an that were sent down were known by those who died on the day of Yamama...but they were not known (by those who) survived them, nor were they written down, nor had Abu Bakr, Umar, or Uthman (by that time) collected the Qur’an, nor were they found with even one (person) after them. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.23).
.Much of the Qur’an has disappeared.
It is reported from Ismail ibn Ibrahim from Ayyub from Naafi from Ibn Umar who said: “Let none of you say ‘I have acquired the whole of the Qur’an’. How does he know what all of it is when much of the Qur’an has disappeared? Rather let him say ‘I have acquired what has survived.’ (as-Suyuti, [d. 1500sAD] Al-Itqan fii Ulum al-Qur’an, p.524).
.Parts of the Qur’an have been forgotten.
.Parts of the Qur’an have been forgotten.
We used to recite a surah which resembled in length and severity to (Surah) Bara’at. I have, however, forgotten it with the exception of this which I remember out of it: “If there were two valleys full of riches, for the son of Adam, he would long for a third valley, and nothing would fill the stomach of the son of Adam but dust”. (Sahih Muslim, [d. 875 AD] Vol. 2:2286, p.501).
.Parts have been canceled.
We used to read a verse of the Qur’an revealed in their connection, but later the verse was canceled. It was: “convey to our people on our behalf the information that we have met our Lord, and He is pleased with us, and has made us pleased”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, [d. 870AD] Vol. 5:416, pg.288).
While others are now missing.
Allah sent Muhammad (saw) with the Truth and revealed the Holy Book to him, and among what Allah revealed, was the Verse of the Rajam (the stoning of married persons, male and female, who commit adultery) andwe did recite this Verse and understood and memorized it. Allah’s Apostle (saw) did carry out the punishment of stoning and so did we after him. I am afraid that after a long time has passed, somebody will say, ‘By Allah, we do not find the Verse of the Rajam in Allah’s Book’, and thus they will go astray by leaving an obligation which Allah has revealed. (Sahih al-Bukhari, [d. 870AD] Vol. 8:817, pg.539).
.There are some verses which have been overlooked.
Khuzaimah ibn Thabit said: “I see you have overlooked (two) verses and have not written them”. They said “And which are they?” He replied “I had it directly (tilqiyya - ‘automatically, spontaneously’) from the messenger of Allah (saw) (Surah 9, ayah 128): ‘There has come to you a messenger from yourselves. It grieves him that you should perish, he is very concerned about you: to the believers he is kind and merciful’, to the end of the surah”. Uthman said “I bear witness that these verses are from Allah”. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.11).
Some verses which have been changed.
Some verses which have been changed.
Abu Yunus, freedman of Aishah, Mother of Believers, reported: Aishah ordered me to transcribe the Holy Qur’an and asked me to let her know when I should arrive at the verse Haftdhuu alaas-salaati waas-salaatiil-wustaa wa quumuu lillaahi qaanitiin (2.238). When I arrived at the verse I informed her and she ordered: Write it in this way,Hafidhuu alaas-salaati waas-salaatiil-wustaa wa salaatil ‘asri wa quumuu lillaahi qaanitiin. She added that she had heard it so from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him). (Muwatta Imam Malik, [d.795 AD]p.64).
.And others which have been modified.
Altogether al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf made eleven modifications in the reading of the Uthmanic text. ... In al-Baqarah (Surah 2.259) it originally read Lam yatasanna waandhur, but it was altered to Lam yatasannah ... In al-Ma’ida (Surah 5.48) it read Shari ya’atan wa minhaajaan but it was altered to shir ‘atawwa minhaajaan. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.117).
Lost
Lost
Disappeared
Forgotten
Cancelled
Missing
Overlooked
Changed
Modified
Does this sound like a book which was COLLATED Perfectly and Completely?
1. ‘Ma'il’ 7th-9th century (Medina and Mecca), or ‘Hijazi’.
1. ‘Ma'il’ 7th-9th century (Medina and Mecca), or ‘Hijazi’.
(2165 Brit.Lib. & Sana Manuscript)
2. ‘Mashq’ 7th century onwards.
3. ‘Kufic’/Abbasid (Eastern) 8th-11th century, begins with Abbasid dynasty in 749 AD, see coins for chronological script evolution (needs landscape format).
4. Naskh 11th century till today
Palimpsests
Palimpsests
Difficulty finding complete early MSS
Difficulty finding complete early MSS
(i.e. 1203 sol at Christie’s)
Dr. Keith Small:
Sura 14:35-41: Abraham in Mecca, only 20 mss with these vss
Acts 7:1-8 (Stephen on Abraham, Isaac & UR)
150 available MSS in the 1st 300 yrs.
Suras 82-114, only 3 in late 8th c.
Suras 108-114, none exist
Conclusions: Possible standardization of vss by late 7th c., but no extant MS. to support it, just a guess.
Hijazi Scripted Qur’ans only up to Sura 76 (Noja Noseda)
Canonized text only in Abbasid period - post 749 AD?
1. The Hijra was more-than-likely not towards Medina, but towards Palestine or places in the north & ongoing, till 800->.
1. The Hijra was more-than-likely not towards Medina, but towards Palestine or places in the north & ongoing, till 800->.
2. The Qibla was not fixed towards Mecca until the eighth century, but to an area much further north, and possibly Jerusalem.
3. The Jews still retained a relationship with the Arabs until at least 640 AD.
4. Mecca was not only unknown as a viable city until the end of the seventh century, but was not even on the international trade route
4. Mecca was not only unknown as a viable city until the end of the seventh century, but was not even on the international trade route
5. The Dome of the Rock was likely used as a sanctuary.
6. Muhammad was not known as God’s universal prophet until the late seventh century.
6. Muhammad was not known as God’s universal prophet until the late seventh century.
7. The terms ‘Muslim’/‘Islam’ were not used until the end of the 7th C.; terms used instead Saracen, Mahgraye, Muhajirun, Hagarene
8. The five daily prayers as well as the Hajj were not standardized until after 717 A.D.; and not named until 9th century.
9. The earliest we even hear of any Qur’an is not until the late seventh century, though fragments exist in the late 7th c.
9. The earliest we even hear of any Qur’an is not until the late seventh century, though fragments exist in the late 7th c.
10. The earliest Qur’anic writings do not coincide exactly with the current Qur’anic text.
It is not Inimitable, because:
It is not Inimitable, because:
It is Inferior to most other revelations
It is Stylistically imperfect
It is Grammatically impure
It is Linguistically defective (many non Arabic words)
It is Universally inadequate
It is Compiled piece-meal
It is full of Contradictions
It is replete with Errors
It has a History (evolving over 100-200 years)
Thus, it is nothing more than a human document, borrowed from numerous traditions…
