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Word Count Miracles in the Qur'an: Difference between revisions

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Word Count Miracles in the Qur'an (view source)

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====Mistranslations====
====Mistranslations====
When apologists find two words which occur the same number of time but they are not very related, then they translate them a little differently.
When du'aah often find two words which occur the same number of time but they are not very related, and they translate them differently to prove their "miracle:


*In the "tongue"-"sermon" word count they actually counted the word "admonition", not "sermon". But "sermon" sounded better with the word "tongue"
*In the "tongue"-"sermon" word count they actually counted the word "admonition", not "sermon". But "sermon" sounded better with the word "tongue"
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===Selective Choice of the Form of the Miracle===
===Selective Choice of the Form of the Miracle===
There are many forms of "miracles" in word counts. When the word count itself for some word is not interesting, then apologists try comparing this word count with others. When there is not some equal word count found, they try finding a double word count. They are changing the form of the miracle, until they find some form in which the word count fits.
There are many forms of "miracles" in word counts. When the word count itself for some word is not interesting, the du'aah often try comparing this word count with others. When there is not some equal word count found, they try finding a double word count. They continue such changes to the form of the "miracle", until they find some form in which the word count fits.


Some of the forms of miracles are these:
Some of the forms of "miracles" such as these are:


*The meaning of the word occurs in the real world the same number of times as the word count
*The meaning of the word occurs in the real world the same number of times as the word count
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**"Righteous mentioned 6 times and wicked 3 times"
**"Righteous mentioned 6 times and wicked 3 times"


Also for every form of a miracle there might be a lot of ways for the word count to be "interesting". For example, when counting the word "day":
Also for every form of a miracle there might be many ways for the word count to be "interesting". For example, when counting the word "day":


*6 occurrences would be interesting, because god created the world in 6 days
*6 occurrences would be interesting, because god created the world in 6 days
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*354 occurrences would be interesting, because that is the number of days in the lunar year
*354 occurrences would be interesting, because that is the number of days in the lunar year
*365 occurrences would be interesting, because that is the number of days in a year
*365 occurrences would be interesting, because that is the number of days in a year
===Reliance on the Gullibility of the Audience===
These counts are manipulated, generally in unstated ways, to produce the desired totals, but most individuals will not take the time needed to count and verify the claim themselves, so they may assume on good faith that it is true.


===Not presenting the actual list===
===Not presenting the actual list===
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===Manipulated Data===
===Manipulated Data===


When you check with word count software, the total "yawm" concordance finds 475 mentions, not 365. However, this includes the dual and plural forms. Of all the different forms of "yawm," 3 are in the dual and 27 are in the plural.<ref>Abdulrahman Lomax - [http://www.answering-islam.org/Religions/Numerics/365hoax.html ON THE CLAIM THAT THE WORD "DAY" OCCURS IN THE QUR'AN 365 TIMES] - Answering Islam, February 22,1996</ref> If you have a database program with easy formats you can easily counter this lie too and find out that all forms with suffixes are discarded on Islamic websites.
The total "yawm" concordance finds 475 mentions, not 365. However, this includes the dual and plural forms. Of all the different forms of "yawm," 3 are in the dual and 27 are in the plural.<ref>Abdulrahman Lomax - [http://www.answering-islam.org/Religions/Numerics/365hoax.html ON THE CLAIM THAT THE WORD "DAY" OCCURS IN THE QUR'AN 365 TIMES] - Answering Islam, February 22,1996</ref> If you have a database program with easy formats you can easily counter this lie too and find out that all forms with suffixes are discarded on Islamic websites.


Furthermore, the word ''yawm'' in most of its occurrences in the Qur'an does not mean a 24 hour day. For example, the Day of Judgment is mentioned a very large number of times in different ways.
Furthermore, the word ''yawm'' in most of its occurrences in the Qur'an does not mean a 24 hour day. For example, the Day of Judgment is mentioned a very large number of times in different ways.
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But let's say for a moment the 365 occurrences of the word "yawm" is a mathematically sound citation. If this was discovered at a time when people did not know how many days there were in a year then it may be considered a miracle, but calendars have existed since 3000 BC, and the Julian calendar (which consisted of 365 or 366 days) began in 45 BC.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julian_calendar&oldid=406578579 Julian calendar] - Wikipedia, accessed January 16, 2011</ref>
But let's say for a moment the 365 occurrences of the word "yawm" is a mathematically sound citation. If this was discovered at a time when people did not know how many days there were in a year then it may be considered a miracle, but calendars have existed since 3000 BC, and the Julian calendar (which consisted of 365 or 366 days) began in 45 BC.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Julian_calendar&oldid=406578579 Julian calendar] - Wikipedia, accessed January 16, 2011</ref>
===Conclusion===
There is no miracle to be found here. Apologists have manipulated data and used an un-Islamic method of counting days within a year to make the numbers "fit".


===The 92 nights non-miracle===
===The 92 nights non-miracle===
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**If we count the word with ''-ihim'' (هِمْ) suffix, meaning "their", then this is the 3rd valid occurrence. However these forms were often excluded in other apologetic word counts.
**If we count the word with ''-ihim'' (هِمْ) suffix, meaning "their", then this is the 3rd valid occurrence. However these forms were often excluded in other apologetic word counts.


In conclusion:
To Sum up:


*If we count all forms of the Arabic word ''salawat'', we get 5 occurrences, but only 3 of them refer to the plural "prayers". The other 2 mean "blessings" and "synagogues".
*If we count all forms of the Arabic word ''salawat'', we get 5 occurrences, but only 3 of them refer to the plural "prayers". The other 2 mean "blessings" and "synagogues".
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Only one time.  
Only one time.  
===Conclusion===
===To Sum Up:===


*There are many cases where the Qur'an speaks about seven things. When one of those cases the number of verses happens to be seven, it is not very amazing.  
*There are many cases where the Qur'an speaks about seven things. When one of those cases the number of verses happens to be seven, it is not very amazing.  
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*4) 48:29 "'''Muhammad''' is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.."
*4) 48:29 "'''Muhammad''' is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.."


In the next section, a specifically Arabic letter ع (ayn), that has no equivalent in the English alphabet will be transliterated as "AA".
The word "shari'a" (شَرِيعَة) appears in one verse:
 
The word "sharia" (شَرِيعَة) appears in one verse:


*45:18 "Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on an '''ordained way''' (شَرِيعَةٍ, ''shareeAAa'') concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.<br /> There are other 3 verses containing words derived from the same trilateral root شرع (sh-r-AA), but they are not "sharia":
*45:18 "Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on an '''ordained way''' (شَرِيعَةٍ, ''sharee'a'') concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.<br /> There are other 3 verses containing words derived from the same trilateral root شرع (sh-r-'), but they are not "sharia":


*1) 5:48 ".. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed '''a law''' (شِرْعَةً, ''shirAAa'') and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good.."
*1) 5:48 ".. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed '''a law''' (شِرْعَةً, ''shir'a'') and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good.."
**This word is ''shirAAa'' not ''shareeAAa''. Although the meaning is similar, they are not the same words.
**This word is ''shir'a'' not ''sharee'a''. Although the meaning is similar, they are not the same words.
*2) 42:13 "'''He has ordained''' (شَرَعَ, ''SharaAAa'') for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you..."
*2) 42:13 "'''He has ordained''' (شَرَعَ, ''Shara'a'') for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you..."
**In this case it is a verb! It is from the same root, but it is not the word (noun) ''sharia''.
**In this case it is a verb! It is from the same root, but it is not the word (noun) ''sharia''.
*3) 42:21 "Or have they associates who '''have prescribed''' (شَرَعُوا۟, ''sharaAAoo'') for them any religion that Allah does not sanction? .."
*3) 42:21 "Or have they associates who '''have prescribed''' (شَرَعُوا۟, ''shara'uu'') for them any religion that Allah does not sanction? .."
**Again this is a verb and it is not the word ''sharia''.
**Again this is a verb and it is not the word ''sharia''.


There is also one occurrence of a word derived from the same root شرع, which however has a totally different meaning:
There is also one occurrence of a word derived from the same root شرع, which however has a totally different meaning:


*7:163 "And ask them about the town that was by the sea - when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath - when their fish came to them '''openly''' (شُرَّعًا, ''shurraAAan'') on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient."
*7:163 "And ask them about the town that was by the sea - when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath - when their fish came to them '''openly''' (شُرَّعًا, ''shurra'an'') on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient."


So the word "Muhammad" is mentioned 4 times, but the word "sharia" is mentioned only once.
So the word "Muhammad" is mentioned 4 times, but the word "shari'a" is mentioned only once.
==="Muhammad" and "swine" both mentioned 4 times miracle===
==="Muhammad" and "swine" both mentioned 4 times miracle===
This can be termed as an anti-miracle. By using the same tactics of the apologists, we arrive at a word count that looks embarrassing with respect to Islam. When we count only the singular form of the word "swine" (ٱلْخِنزِير, ''al-khinzeer''), we get 4 occurrences:
Using similar logic as the "word count miracles, an "anti-miracle" can be arrived at. By using the same word-counting strategies of the du'aah, the count of the word "swine/pig" equivalent to that of "Muhammad" can be arrived at. Counting only the singular form of the word "swine" (ٱلْخِنزِير, ''al-khinzeer''), we get 4 occurrences:


#2:173 "He has only forbidden you what dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of '''swine''' (ٱلْخِنزِيرِ)"
#2:173 "He has only forbidden you what dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of '''swine''' (ٱلْخِنزِيرِ)"
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#16:115 "He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of '''swine''' (ٱلْخِنزِيرِ)"
#16:115 "He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of '''swine''' (ٱلْخِنزِيرِ)"


There is also one occurrence of وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ (''wal-khanaazeer'', "and the pigs") in 5:60, but words with prefixes and plural forms were often dismissed in other miracles, so why would we count it now?
There is also one occurrence of وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ (''wal-khanaazeer'', "and the pigs") in 5:60, but words with prefixes and plural forms were often dismissed in other miracles, so this fits in with the general strategy seen in other "word count miracles."


If Allah cared so much about equal word counts, why did he make equal word counts for "Muhammad" and "swine"? One of the interpretations might be that he wanted to criticize [[Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad#Obesity|Muhammad's obesity]].
If Allah cared so much about equal word counts, it seems perplexing that he would "Muhammad" and "swine" to share the same word count.  


=="The righteous" mentioned 6 times and "the wicked" 3 times==
=="The righteous" mentioned 6 times and "the wicked" 3 times==
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=="The Sabbath" mentioned 7 times==
=="The Sabbath" mentioned 7 times==
===Mental gymnastics===
===The Sabbath===
The Sabbath (ٱلسَّبْت, ''as-sabt'') is a day of the week, when Jews are supposed to not work. It is thus the 7th day of the week, and its appearance 7 times in the Qur'an is a supposed "miracle."   
The Sabbath (ٱلسَّبْت, ''as-sabt'') is a day of the week, when Jews are supposed to not work. It is thus the 7th day of the week, and its appearance 7 times in the Qur'an is a supposed "miracle."   


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http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(7:163:20)</ref> This verb has no simple equivalent in English. It refers to "having Sabbath", so the verse literally says that they "Sabbathed". It is translated as "they had Sabbath", but the noun "Sabbath" is not present in the original Arabic, so this cannot be counted as an occurrence of "Sabbath".
http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(7:163:20)</ref> This verb has no simple equivalent in English. It refers to "having Sabbath", so the verse literally says that they "Sabbathed". It is translated as "they had Sabbath", but the noun "Sabbath" is not present in the original Arabic, so this cannot be counted as an occurrence of "Sabbath".


===Conclusion===
===Summary:===


*The word Sabbath (ٱلسَّبْت) appears '''5 times''' in the Qur'an if we count only the basic form ٱلسَّبْت (without any prefixes and suffixes).
*The word Sabbath (ٱلسَّبْت) appears '''5 times''' in the Qur'an if we count only the basic form ٱلسَّبْت (without any prefixes and suffixes).
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|}
|}


So this word does occur 8 times, if we count all forms.
So this word does occur 8 times, if all forms are counted.


The word for "luxury" is تَرَف (''taraf''), derived from the root ترف (t-r-f).
The word for "luxury" is تَرَف (''taraf''), derived from the root ترف (t-r-f).
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So, the word "wealth" itself appears exactly '''0 times'''.
So, the word "wealth" itself appears exactly '''0 times'''.


In conclusion:
To sum up:


*The word "gold" appears 8 times, the word "wealth" appears 0 times.
*The word "gold" appears 8 times, the word "wealth" appears 0 times.
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==="Silver" mentioned 6 times non-miracle===
==="Silver" mentioned 6 times non-miracle===
If the Qur'an is full of word count miracles, then we would expect the word "silver" (فضة, ''fidda'') to be also mentioned 8 times:
If the Qur'an is full of word count miracles, and if gold occuring 8 times were such a miracle, then it would be expected that the word "silver" (فضة, ''fidda'') appear 8 times:


{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
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|}
|}


But it is not, although gold and silver are mentioned together in verses 3:14 and 9:34 as a property of wealthy people. So the Qur'an is not very consistent with its word count "miracles".
But it is not, although gold and silver are mentioned together in verses 3:14 and 9:34 as a property of wealthy people. So if this is a "miracle", it is a strangely inconsistent one.  


=="Fear" and "wish" both mentioned 8 times==
=="Fear" and "wish" both mentioned 8 times==
This is one of those "miracles" that are so embarrassing enough by themselves, that there is no need for a refutation. What is miraculous about two words, that are not related to each other, being mentioned the same number of times?
Very little miraculous substance can be show from this claim--it is simply that both words appear 8 times, and for some reason this is called a "miracle."


But this word count is interesting since it contains the word "fear" or "terror", so this word count might also tell us where the Qur'an speaks about terrorism.
But this word count is interesting since it contains the word "fear" or "terror", so this word count might also give an idea of where the Qur'an speaks about terrorism, which in Arabic is the same as the word for "terror" (although this concept did not exist at the time, the modern Arabic reader will recall the meaning when reading that word).  


The Arabic word for "fear" is ٱلْخَوْفِ (''al-khawf'') and it is mentioned more than a 100 times in the Qur'an.<ref>http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=xwf</ref>
The Arabic word for "fear" is ٱلْخَوْفِ (''al-khawf'') and it is mentioned more than a 100 times in the Qur'an.<ref>http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=xwf</ref>
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*[{{Reference archive|1=http://ahmadiyya.org/islam/number.pdf|2=2011-03-20}} An alleged ‘miracle’ in the Holy Quran]
*[{{Reference archive|1=http://ahmadiyya.org/islam/number.pdf|2=2011-03-20}} An alleged ‘miracle’ in the Holy Quran]
*[http://www.answering-islam.org/Religions/Numerics/ Mathematical Miracles in the Qur'an or the Bible?]
*[http://www.answering-islam.org/Religions/Numerics/ Mathematical Miracles in the Qur'an or the Bible?]
*[https://islamqa.info/en/answers/69741/discussion-of-numerical-miracles-in-the-quraan-and-use-of-the-solar-calendar Discussion of numerical miracles in the Qur’aan and use of the solar calendar] - IslamQA (the largest Islamic online Fatwa website) answer on this topic


==References==
==References==
CPO675
809

edits

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