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Magic, Miracles, and the Supernatural in the Quran

Add the holy spirit?

Magic

Creatures

The existence and attributes of Jinn

Main Article: Jinn

The Quran, Hadith and Sira all support the existence of supernatural, generally invisible creatures known as Jinn (جن‎ ǧinn, singular جني ǧinnī ; variant spelling djinn) living among us. In the Qur'an, satan/devil(s) are also jinn (Quran 18:50), which like humans are sent prophets and have (at least some: see Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Predestination) free-will and will be judged accordingly alongside mankind (Quran 6:130). They can interact with us (Quran 6:128) and even possess humans (Quran 2:275) (which the main article elaborates on), and cause people to forget things (Quran 18:63). As well as create buildings/structures (Quran 34:12-13). There is no evidence that these exist.

Say, [O Muhammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur'an.

Quran 72:1

El-Zein (2009) notes the Qur’an mentions only three terms related to the species of jinn: the generic “jinn,” marid, and ‘ifrit. However, Arabic and Islamic literature provides extended descriptions of them as sub-types of jinn (and others not specifically mentioned in the Qur'an.^[1]

THE ‘IFRIT The term ‘ifrit is mentioned only once in the Qur’an, when the prophet king Solomon asked for the throne of the Queen of Sheba to be brought to him. One ‘ifrit from among the jinn consented to fulfill his request: “An ‘ifrit of the jinn said, ‘I will bring it to thee, before thou risest from thy place; I have strength for it and I am trusty” (Qur’an 27:39). The term ‘ifrit often presents a problem for the scholars trying to classify the jinn. Many commentators on the verse cited above maintain the word ‘ifrit is an adjective referring to a specific powerful jinni rather than a separate and distinct type among the jinn. Later the word came to describe any powerful and cunning man; in which case, it could refer to dark powers within the human psyche.¹⁷
THE MARID In the Qur’an, the marid is an unruly force always striving to predict the future by means of astrological hearsay. The term marid is mentioned only once in the Qur’an in the following verse “We have adorned the lower heaven with the adornment of the stars and to preserve against every [rebel satan (shaytan marid)]; they listen not to the High Council, for they are pelted from every side” (Qur’an 37:7–8). This kind of jinn is mostly found in popular medieval literature, in particular in the stories of The Nights dealing with Solomon. Finally, as with the term ‘ifrit, the term marid could also be applied to humans. Used as an adjective, it denotes a rebellious man.¹⁸

El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (p. 142). Syracuse University Press. Kindle Edition.

Iblis/the Satan

Iblis (إبليس), also known as al-Shaytan (الشيطان) or "The Devil" (as opposed to other, lesser devils, or shayatin, who are not The Devil), is the Islamic equivalent of Satan who is responsible for Adam and Eve's fall from Heaven as well as for the perennial temptation of humankind to sin. Iblis is understood to be the specific name of the being who eventually becomes The Devil after disobeying Allah's order to prostrate to Adam, the first human. The classical Islamic tradition was divided as to whether Iblis is a fallen angel or merely a jinn who, after having been so devout as to rank among the angels, became jealous of Adam, arrogant, and then irredeemably evil. Today, however, Iblis is almost universally held to be a uniquely corrupt jinn. The Qur'an reads, "And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command." Q18:50

A specific devil who takes on a more defined role in the Qur'an.

Durie on this? - Sinai Entry more comprehensive

The existence and attributes of angels (malak/malayika)

Similarly to Judeo-Christian literature, the Quran, Hadith and Sira affirms the existence of angels, traditionally said to be made from light as mentioned in Islamic tradition (such as Sahih Muslim 42:7134),^[2] while other have asserted they are made from fire like jinn based on (see: Quran 38:73-76 and Quran 7:11-12),^[3] before humans (Quran 2:30).

They are also God's messengers like humans (Quran 22:75), with generally a humanoid shape,^[4] and have two, three or four (pairs of) wings.

All praise belongs to Allah, originator of the heavens and the earth, maker of the angels [His] messengers, possessing wings, two, three or four [of them]... He adds to the creation whatever He wishes. Indeed Allah has power over all things.

Quran 35:1

They are said to hold God’s throne (in the heavens) (Q69:17) and some stand around it (Quran 40:7). Eight angels will carry the throne of God on Judgement Day(Q 69:17). Two write down everyone's deeds for judgment day (Q 50:17 – 21), they also ask forgiveness for the faithful on Earth (Q 42:5), help fight with believers against non-believers (Q 8:12) chastise unbelievers (Q 8:50). As well as blow the trumpets on judgement day^[5] in e.g. Q 6:73, Q18:99.

They praise and worship God constantly^[6] Q13:13 Q 7:206, 21:19, 40:7, 41:38, 42:5, 69:17 and carry out his divine will - and unlike biblical angels, do not seem to be able to disobey god.^[7]

They also have an active role in the cosmos, striking spying jinn devils from attempting to listen in to divine information from the 'exalted assembly', to be stuck by stars/meteors/fireballs (see: shooting stars in the Quran). (Q 15:16 – 18), (Q 37:6 – 10) Q67:5, 72:8-9; with Q 72:8 – 9 says that the firmament is filled with guards [ḥaras], who are undoubtedly angels.^[8]

https://www.saet.ac.uk/Islam/Angels.pdf

The Qur’anic word malak, “angel” (plural: malāʾikah),18 corresponds to Hebrew malʾāk, “messenger,” which the Septuagint renders by Greek angelos. In the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, malʾāk and angelos designate not only superhuman agents on behalf of the deity (e.g., Gen 16:7 or Hos 12:5) but also human messengers commissioned by other humans (e.g., Gen 32:4, Job 1:14, or Luke 9:52; see DTEK 83). A Qur’anic malak, by contrast, is invariably a supernatural intermediary between God and humans rather than a “messenger” in a neutral functional sense, for which the Qur’an uses the words rasūl or mursal, applicable both to angelic messengers (as in Q 22:75 and 35:1) and to human ones (see under → rasūl and also Burge 2008, 52).

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 629). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

Are generally humanoid shape:

There is no evidence that these exist.

Invisible armies assumed to be angels - fight in wars:

O you who have faith! Remember Allah’s blessing upon you when the hosts came at you, and We sent against them a gale and hosts whom you did not see, and Allah sees best what you do. Q33:9

The possible Existence of cherubs

The Qur'an mentions 'al-muqarrabūn' [Those close to god]. The traditional view of 'al-muqarrabūn' [Those close to god] is often a rank of angels.^[9] However some academics have suggested these are cherubs.

As for the cherubs, they are designated by the name al-muqarrabūn in a few passages:
By no means! Surely the book of the pious is indeed in ‘Illiyīn. And what will make you know what ‘Illiyīn is? A written book. The ones brought near bear witness to it [yashhadu-hu l-muqarrabūna]. (Q 83:18 – 21)
Despite the rather cryptic character of these verses, we see here the motif already studied of angels “witnessing” celestial phenomena. In another passage, Jesus and the angels are also called al-muqarrabūn (“the ones brought near”; Q 4:172). This designation is very odd, especially ascribed to Jesus. The word muqarrabūn sounds like a deformation of the Hebrew or Syriac word for “cherubs”, kerūbīm/krūbē. The name kerūbīm in the Bible is an Assyrian loanword and designates “those who pray” but the root KRB is not used otherwise in the Bible. The cherubs are specifically said to support God’s throne in the Bible (1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam 6:2; 1 Ch 13:6; 2 K 19:15; Is 37:16; Ps 80:2, 90:1).713 In light of this function, the Qur’ān seems to distort the original Semitic root KRB into QRB so as to give a new meaning to these angels’ name. The cherubs are now muqarrabūn, “the ones close to God”.

Decharneux, Julien. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (pp. 306-307). De Gruyter. Kindle Edition.

Houri's (Heavenly Virgins)

Main Article: Houri (Heavenly Virgin)

Heavenly maidens to service righteous men in heaven.

Sahih International: And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,

Quran 56:22

and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age,

Quran 78:33

Giants?

They said, "O Musa! Indeed, in it (are) people (of) tyrannical strength and indeed, we never will enter it until they leave from it, and if they leave [from] it then certainly we (will) enter (it)." Then out spake two of those who feared (their Lord, men) unto whom Allah had been gracious: Enter in upon them by the gate, for if ye enter by it, lo! ye will be victorious. So put your trust (in Allah) if ye are indeed believers. They said: O, Moses! We will never enter (the land) while they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord and fight! We will sit here.” (5: 22-24)

Quran 5:22-24

According to some prominent tafsirs these powerful people were giants.^[10]

Gog and Magog

Main article: Historical Errors in the Quran#Massive wall of iron

Yājūj and Mājūj - Get hadith/tafsir with them being described as monsters - TMA video. Most say humans, some say mythical creatures. However regardless they are still mythical as clearly not trapped behind a giant wall until judgement day given we have explored the Earth and not found it.

They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?"

Quran 18:94

Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend

Quran 21:96

Buraq, the winged horse

Main Article: Buraq

While it took one week to travel from Mecca to Jerusalem (the location of the alleged 'farthest Mosque') by camel, the Qur'an states that a magical winged horse, called the Buraq, transported Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem in a matter of minutes. Creatures like the Buraq were common characters in near Easter myths.

Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).

Quran 17:1

The existence of magic and sorcerers

Main article: Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Witchcraft and the Occult

No evidence has ever proven that magic is real. However, Quran 113:4 ("evil of those who blow on knots") is reported in commentaries as referring to those who practice magic.^[11] Knots were commonly associated with magic in antiquity.^[12] The next verse, Quran 113:5 ("evil of the envious when he envies), is said to refer to a superstitious belief known as 'The Evil Eye', a physical and mental supernatural condition that affects those who envy. For further explanation see the main article.

1. Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn

2. From the evil of what He has created
3. And from the evil of the utterly dark night when it comes
4. And from the evil of those who blow on knots

5. And from the evil of the envious when he envies

Quran 113:1-5

At least once, humans are taught magic by satans (believed to be jinn) and angels (Harut and Marut are named in this verse):

and they follow what the Satans recited over Solomon's kingdom. Solomon disbelieved not, but the Satans disbelieved, teaching the people sorcery, and that which was sent down upon Babylon's two angels, Harut and Marut; they taught not any man, without they said, 'We are but a temptation; do not disbelieve.' From them they learned how they might divide a man and his wife, yet they did not hurt any man thereby, save by the leave of God, and they learned what hurt them, and did not profit them, knowing well that whoso buys it shall have no share in the world to come; evil then was that they sold themselves for, if they had but known.

Quran 2:102

Miracles and myths

While miracles by definition are supposed to defy the laws of nature and scientific explanation, the examples of myths and legends briefly listed in this section illustrate the pre-scientific worldview with which the Quran was composed.

Prophet Miracles

Nūḥ

Lived to be 950 years old

sfdsd

Adam (ʾĀdam)

Abraham (Ibrahim)

Magically cooling fire

We said, ‘O fire! Be cool and safe for Abraham!’ [21: 69]

Cut up birds and bring them back to life

And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord! Show me how You revive the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe?’ He said, ‘Yes indeed, but in order that my heart may be at rest.’ He said, ‘Catch four of the birds. Then cut them into pieces, and place a part of them on every mountain, then call them; they will come to you hastening. And know that Allah is all-mighty and all-wise.’ [2: 260]

Shown the universe

And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith]. Q6:75

Gives Abraham and his old wife a child

“There came Our messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said, ‘Peace!’ He answered, ‘Peace!’ and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf. But when he saw their hands went not towards the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: ‘Fear not: we have been sent against the people of Lut.’ And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed, but We gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob. She said, ‘Alas for me! shall I bear a child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would indeed be a wonderful thing!’ They said, ‘Dost thou wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, O, ye people of the house! For He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!’” (11: 69-73)

Ishmael (ʾIsmāʿīl)

Abel (Hābīl) and Cane (Qābīl)

A raven sent from God shows Abel where to bury his brother Cain.

Then Allah sent a crow, exploring in the ground, to show him how to bury the corpse of his brother. He said, ‘Woe to me! Am I unable to be [even] like this crow and bury my brother’s corpse?’ Thus he became regretful.

Quran 5:31

Jonah (Yunus)

Living inside a big fish

The Quran presents a version of the Biblical tale in which Jonah is swallowed by a whale ('the big Fish') and then lives in the whale for some time while praying. Scientific research, however, suggests that a person could not persist long inside a whale's digestive tract and, if not crushed by the whale or by water pressure, would almost immediately suffocate.

Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame. Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth, on the naked shore in a state of sickness

Quran 37:142

Joseph (Yūsuf)

Dream interpreting

Birds are seen in a dream which Joseph (q.v.) interprets (Q 12:36, 41).

Job (Ayūb)

No miracles?

Moses (Mūsā)

Sea split in half

The Quran present a version of the Biblical story where Moses splits the sea and crosses it with the Israelites. There is no historical or other evidence that such an event occurred.

And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight.

Quran 2:50

Stick turned serpent

The Quran states that Moses' staff transformed into a serpent.

Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!

Quran 7:107

Plagues of Egypt

God sent plagues of locusts, lice and frogs to punish the sinful Egyptians who thought themselves mighty (Q7:133)

Mountain lifted up and dropped in front of him (from Allah)

And when We took a pledge from you, and raised the Mount above you, [declaring], ‘Hold on with power to what We have given you and remember that which is in it so that you may be Godwary.’ Q2.63

Also:

Q 7:143, which reports how Moses, having been “spoken to” by God, demands to be permitted to see God (“My Lord, let me gaze upon you,” rabbi arinī anẓur ilayka). God rebuts this request, however: “You will not see me (lan tarānī). But look upon this mountain; if it remains firm in its place, you will see me.” God then “manifests himself” (tajallā) to the mountain, flattening it and striking Moses to the ground.

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 70). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

Moses's magic white hand

‘Insert your hand into your shirt. It will emerge white and bright, without any fault—among nine signs meant for Pharaoh and his people. Indeed they are a transgressing lot.’ Q27.12

12 Springs from a rock

And when Moses prayed for water for his people, We said, ‘Strike the rock with your staff.’ Thereat twelve fountains gushed forth from it; every tribe came to know its drinking-place. ‘Eat and drink of Allah’s provision, and do not act wickedly on the earth, causing corruption.’

Quran 12:60

Dead fish (for food) comes back to life at the junction of the two seas

Main Article: A Barrier Between Two Seas and the Cosmic Ocean

Moses's dead fish comes back to life at the junction of the two seas, showing a huge parallel with late antique Christian? literature

So when they reached the confluence between them, they forgot their fish, which found its way into the sea, sneaking away. Then when they had passed beyond he said to his boy, "Bring us our morning meal. Certainly we have suffered in our journey this, fatigue." He said, 'What thinkest thou? When we took refuge in the rock, then I forgot the fish-and it was Satan himself that made me forget it so that I should not remember it -- and so it took its way into the sea in a manner marvellous.'

Quran 18:61-63

Mooing statue

The Qur'an describes a statue of a calf that was capable of mooing.

So he brought forth for them a calf, a (mere) body, which had a mooing sound, so they said: This is your god and the god of Musa, but he forgot.

Quran 20:88

Testimony of a dead man by slapping a cow

The Quran states that Allah instructed a group of people to strike a murdered man with a piece of a heifer (young female cow that has not yet borne a calf) in order to temporarily resurrect him and discover the identity of the murderer.

And We said: Smite him with some of it. Thus Allah bringeth the dead to life and showeth you His portents so that ye may understand.

Quran 2:73

Qarun swallowed

“Qarun was of the people of Moses, but he acted insolently towards them, even though We had given him such great treasures that even its keys would be too heavy for a company of strong men. His people said to him: ‘Exult not, for Allah does not love those who exult (in riches)… and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land…’ He said: ‘I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have’… So We caused the earth to swallow him up and his house. Then he had no one to help him against Allah, nor could he help himself.” (26: 76-78)

David (Dāwūd)

Understanding birds

Solomon inherited from David, and he said, ‘O people! We have been taught the speech of the birds, and we have been given out of everything. Indeed this is a manifest advantage.’ Q27.16

Mountains and birds sing psalms

The Qur'an states that hills and birds would sing the psalms with David.

And assuredly We gave David grace from Us, (saying): O ye hills and birds, echo his psalms of praise! And We made the iron supple unto him

Quran 34:10

(Allah) making iron soft for David

Certainly We gave David our grace: ‘O mountains and birds, chime in with him!’ And We made iron soft for him. Q34:10

Solomon (Sulaymān)

Solomon's Army of jinn and birds (controlling them)

A story in the Qur'an, drawing on Jewish folklore, states that Solomon commanded a massive army comprised of 'Jinns and men and birds'. Solomon is described as speaking with a Hoopoe bird and thereafter desiring to execute the bird when it is tardy to his assembly. The Hoopoe bird, it is then revealed, was only delayed because it had been spying on a beautiful female ruler, Queen Sheba, who Solomon subsequently insists is misguided and must be conquered. At this point, Solomon assigns a Jinn from his assembly the task of stealing Queen Sheba's magnificent throne. There is, however, no scientific evidence that Jinn exist, that birds can be commanded as soldiers, or that birds can engage in elaborate conversations with humans.

And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts― of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.

Quran 27:16-17

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? I will certainly punish him with a severe Penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence). 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. I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.

Quran 27:20-23

Fountain of bronze

And We caused a fount of (molten) brass to flow for him, and there were jinns that worked in front of him, by the Leave of his Lord, and whosoever of them turned aside from Our Command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire. Q34:12

Solomon speaks to an ant

Solomon (q.v.) understands the speech of an ant advising caution to his fellows (Q 27:18.)

When they came to the Valley of Ants, an ant said, ‘O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Solomon and his hosts should trample on you while they are unaware.’

Quran 27:18

Solomons dead body doesn't decompose properly

When We decreed death for him, nothing apprised them of his death except a worm which gnawed away at his staff. And when he fell down, [the humans] realized that had the jinn known the Unseen, they would not have remained in a humiliating torment.

Quran 34:14

Manipulating the wind

The Quran says that Solomon had the power to control the wind and traditional sources elaborate that Solomon could use this wind to fly upon a gigantic wooden carpet to wherever he pleased.

Then We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order, Whithersoever he willed

Quran 38:36

A flying carpet made from wood, on top of which he could carry everything in his kingdom including chairs, to wherever Solomon wants to go, whilst flocks of birds would fly over to give shade

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir on 21:81

Zechariah (Zakariyā)

Cures his wife barreness

This produces John the Baptist (Yaḥyā) in the Qur'an.

“And (remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: ‘O, my Lord! leave me not childless, and Thou art the best of inheritors.’ So We responded to him, and We granted him Yahya, We cured his wife’s (barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.” (21: 89-90)

Jesus (ʿĪsā)

Main article: Isa al-Masih (Jesus Christ)

Born from Mary (Mariam) who was a virgin

Like the bible (previous pagan sources?), Jesus is also born from a virgin. Provided by the holy spirit (al-Ruh al-Qudus) usually taken as a reference the angel Gabriel here. Given he is not the son of God, it is unclear what the purpose of this is.

Thus did she seclude herself from them, whereupon We sent to her Our Spirit and he became incarnate for her as a well-proportioned human. She said, ‘I seek the protection of the All-beneficent from you, should you be Godwary!’ He said, ‘I am only a messenger of your Lord that I may give you a pure son.’ She said, ‘How shall I have a child seeing that no human being has ever touched me, nor have I been unchaste?’ He said, ‘So shall it be. Your Lord says, ‘‘It is simple for Me.’’ And so that We may make him a sign for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a matter [already] decided.’

Quran 19:17-21

And the example of Maryam the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity – We therefore breathed into her a Spirit from Ourselves – and she testified for the Words of her Lord and His Books, and was among the obedient.

Quran 66:12

Jesus talking from his Cradle

(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous.

Quran 3:45-46

Supernatural food

The Qur'an states that Jesus received a feast sent down from heaven.

Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast for us, for the first of us and for the last of us, and a sign from Thee. Give us sustenance, for Thou art the Best of Sustainers. Allah said: Lo! I send it down for you. And whoso disbelieveth of you afterward, him surely will I punish with a punishment wherewith I have not punished any of (My) creatures.

Quran 5:114-115

Magically curing the Blind and Lepersy affected

and [he will be] an apostle to the Children of Israel, [and he will declare,] “I have certainly brought you a sign from your Lord: I will create for you the form of a bird out of clay, then I will breathe into it, and it will become a bird by Allah’s leave. I heal the blind and the leper and I revive the dead by Allah’s leave. I will tell you what you have eaten and what you have stored in your houses. There is indeed a sign in that for you, should you be faithful.

Quran 3:49

Raising the dead

See above Quran 3:49

Clay birds

See above Quran 3:49

Luqman (Luq'mān)

Given special wisdom

Given special widsom (l-ḥik'mata) ḥā kāf mīm (ح ك م) https://lexicon.quranic-research.net/pdf/Page_0617.pdf

Luqman - a pre-Islamic sage - did he exist? Was he most likely pagan? Historical error?

And We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], "Be grateful to Allah." And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever denies [His favor] - then indeed, Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy. And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice." (Q31:12-13)

Saleh (Ṣāliḥ)

The She-Camel of Saleh (Ṣāliḥ)

A camel appears to the people of Thamud from a rock after the unbelieving people ask for a sign Salih is a prophet.^[13]

And to [the people of] Thamud [We sent] Salih, their brother. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah! You have no other god besides Him. There has certainly come to you a manifest proof from your Lord. This she-camel of Allah is a sign for you. Let her alone to graze [freely] in Allah’s land, and do not cause her any harm, for then you shall be seized by a painful punishment.

Quran 7:73

Allah Miracles - Misc.

Speaking body parts

The Quran states that human organs will, on the Day of Judgement, testify against their own persons.

On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.

Quran 24:24

Army of magic birds attacking Abraha's army

Main article: Historical Errors in the Quran - Surah of the elephant

Talk of interpretation of words issue or not? Link to explanation of event such as tafsir.

Have you not regarded how your Lord dealt with the army of the elephants?
Did He not make their stratagems go awry,
and send against them flocks of birds
hurling against them stones of baked clay
Then He made them like straw eaten up.

Quran 105:1-5

Jews transformed into pigs and apes as a punishment

Q5:60 transforming jews into apes and pigs and some Jews were transformed into detestable apes as punishment for breaking the Sabbath (Q 2:65; 7:166).

The Qur'an records a miraculous event where Sabbath breakers are transformed into apes.

And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."

Quran 2:65

When they defied [the command pertaining to] what they were forbidden from, We said to them, ‘Be you spurned apes.’ Q7:166

Vivifying Rainfall and Resurrection

Rainfall is literally seen as bringing dead back to life [ref Some Cosmological Notions from Late Antiquity in Q 18:60–65: The Quran in Light of Its Cultural Context. Tommaso Tesei. Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. 135, No. 1 (January-March 2015), pp. 19-32.. PP23 & 28 Published By: American Oriental Society]

The author of the Qur'an claims several times that rainfall brings trees of a dead land to life, so in the same way, people will be brought back to life. This is a non-sequitur fallacy. One is a natural process; the other is not possible, hence it cannot be deduced from the first.

It is Allah Who sends forth the Winds, so that they raise up the Clouds, and We drive them to a land that is dead, and revive the earth therewith after its death: even so (will be) the Resurrection!

Quran 35:9

That sends down (from time to time) rain from the sky in due measure;- and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead; even so will ye be raised (from the dead);-

Quran 43:11

And among His Signs in this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things.

Quran 41:39

Punishment narrative miracles/destructions

Historical errors page: In the Qur'an, the people of Thamud are killed instantly by an earthquake Quran 7:78 or thunderous blast Quran 11:67, Quran 41:13-17, Quran 51:44, Quran 69:5. The people of A'ad are killed by a fierce wind that blew for 7 days Quran 41:13-16,Quran 46:24-35,Quran 51:41, Quran 69:6-7. The people of Midian (Midyan) are killed overnight by an earthquake Quran 7:91, Quran 29:36. The towns of Lot (Lut) are destroyed by a storm of stones from the sky Quran 54:32, Quran 29:34. The actual locations of these towns or tribes is unknown. Midian in particular was a wide geographical desert region rather than a particular location or city, which makes archaeological investigation difficult.

Thunderbolt
'The cry'
Hurricane for 7 days - 'Ad
Flood - Noah
Sea split - Moses
Earthquake - Midyan
Fire and stones from the sky - Lot
Turning up and flattening? - Lot

Explain narrative - get quote from Marshall or Durie.

Or just keep solely to myths and link to the Chronology page where it can be discussed in more detail / broken down into early/late middle Meccan periods?

Quotes from other scholars

If Muhammad again and again holds before the eyes of his Meccan fellow people the fate of earlier nations as a warning example … the intention can only have been to threaten them with a similar fate, referring to a punishment on Earth and not only in the Hereafter. (Horovitz 1926, p.30) There is no doubt that Muhammad proclaimed the imminence of a special and particular judgement upon the Meccans. (Bell 1926, p.121)

Marshall, David. God, Muhammad and the Unbelievers (p. 53). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

(early Meccan period quote

The first point to make is simply the observation that by the end of the earliest Meccan period the Qurʾan has repeatedly narrated accounts of past acts of divine punishment in this world, which it makes clear are meant to serve as a warning to the unbelievers in Mecca. On the slender evidence available in this period it is difficult to prove that these passages implied a threat to the Meccans in this life rather than on the Last Day, but prima facie that would seem to be their message. At 79:25 we have already seen how the Qurʾan distinguishes between God’s eschatological and this-worldly punishment of unbelievers, a distinction which recurs later (e.g. 32:21; 39:26). This indicates that, although they are related, the two types of punishment are not identical. It would thus seem natural to assume that when the Qurʾan warns the Meccan unbelievers with accounts of divine punishment in this world, the primary reference is to the possibility of the recurrence of the same kind of this-worldly punishment, an event within a human history which continues thereafter, rather than the eschatological culmination of that history.

Marshall, David. God, Muhammad and the Unbelievers (pp. 49-50). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Main academic works on this inc Marshall, David. God, Muhammad and the Unbelievers, Durie, Mark. Biblical Reflexes in the Qur'an: Investigations into the Genesis of a Religion Chapters 2 & 3.

89:6–14 Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with ʿĀd, Iram of the pillars, the like of which was never created in the land, and Thamūd who hollowed the rocks in the valley, and Pharaoh, he of the tent-pegs, who all were insolent in the land and worked much corruption therein? Your Lord unloosed on them a scourge of punishment; surely your Lord is ever on the watch.

Quran 89:6-14

53:50–4 [God] destroyed ʿĀd, the ancient, and Thamūd, and he did not spare them, and the people of Noah before - they did exceeding evil and were insolent - and the subverted city he also overthrew, so that there covered it that which covered.

Quran 53:50-54

It would appear from the audience’s reaction that these were well-known stories, and indeed all are either famous Biblical narratives (Noah and the Flood, Abraham the religious reformer, Moses and Pharaoh, Lot and licentiousness) or Arabian traditions that had already achieved, judging from the allusions to them in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry, legendary status. In the Quran all are constrained into one genre, the punishment story, and adduced as examples of how God vents his wrath upon those who fail to heed his warnings.

Hoyland, Robert G.. Arabia and the Arabs: From the Bronze Age to the Coming of Islam (Peoples of the Ancient World) (p. 223). Taylor & Francis. Kindle Edition.

Threatened to Mecca as well

But if they [the unbelievers] turn away, then say, ‘I warn you of a thunderbolt like to the thunderbolt of ʿĀd and Thamūd.’

Quran 41:13

Natural law in the Quran

Get Al-Ghazali quote on every single thing being determined by God.

God active in the Cosmos & continuous creation

The text repeatedly ascribes to God the cosmic role of sustaining the world. God continuously provides humans with food and necessary supplies (e. g. Q 6:96, 7:9, 26:75, 28:57, 29:60, 30:40, 34:24, 36:71 – 73). He is also responsible for the regularity of astral motions in the sky (e. g. Q 7:54, 13:2, 14:33, 16:12, 29:61, 31:29, 35:13, 39:5), for the succession of day and night (e. g. Q 14:33, 16:12), as well as any other things that allow humans to live on a daily basis. All these passages show that the Qur’ān grants to the theme of the creatio continua (“continuous creation”; i. e. maintenance of the universe) a prominent place within the overall Qur’ānic cosmological discourse. This is hardly surprising given the natural theological system described in the first chapter. God’s creatorship is observable in the cycles and the regularity of the world.

Decharneux, Julien. De Gruyter. 2023. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (Kindle Edition. pp. 203-204).

war:

“They have taken gods other than He, in order that they be given victory, but they are not able to give them victory.” (36: 74-75) - also loses battles to

Similarly: “Why did those whom they had chosen for gods as a way of approach (unto God) not help them? Nay, but they did fail them utterly. And that was their lie, and what they used to invent.” (46: 28)

Quran 9:26 (angels you can't see help)

“You did not kill them, but God killed them, and you didn’t shoot the arrows when you shot, but God shot them.” (8: 17)

“Allah had helped you at Badr, when ye were a contemptible little force; then fear Allah, that you may show your gratitude. Remember, you said to the Faithful, ‘Is it not enough for you that Allah should help you with three thousand angels, sent down?’ Nay, but if you remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you suddenly, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels, making a terrific onslaught. Allah made it but a message of hope for you, and an assurance to your hearts. There is no help except from Allah. The Exalted, the Wise.” (3: 123-126)

wind

(It is) God who sends the winds, and it stirs up a cloud, and We drive it to some barren land, and by means of it give the earth life after its death. So (too) is the raising up. (Q 35:9)

ships that drown
Birds held up by God & parallel
Inanimate objects worship god: All created things naturally adore God (Q 13:13: “the thunder adores by praising him”). See Q22:18 "Have you not regarded that whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth prostrates to Allah, as well as the sun, the moon, and the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the animals and many humans?."
Moreover, all the creatures in heaven or on earth, as a sign of their devotion to the creator, perform this act directly or by means of their shadows (Q 7:206; 13:15; 16:4.8-9; 22:18; 55:6).
Wind by allah - pre-Islamic allah poetry parallel in Sinai paper?
Mountains and earth couldn't deal with task of being human? Worshipping or something they were asked?
he animals (every dabba, Q 16:49; 22:18) worship God by prostrating themselves, including the birds, which do so while flying (Q 24:41).
Cause of Lightning: The Quran claims that Lightning is a sign of Allah, it frightens people and gives them hope. But lightning is a complex electrical phenomenon and only somebody without this knowledge would simply attribute it to Allah. And among His Signs, He shows you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: Quran 30:24

Not random cause and effect;

Main articles - predestination in the Qur'an

Bestows favours: “And whatever favour is (bestowed) on you it is from God.” (16: 53)

Regulates all affaris: “He regulates affairs from the heaven to the earth.” (32: 5)

“Say: the angel of death, who is given charge of you, shall cause you to die.” (32: 11)

“And His are the ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains.” (55: 24) “And, surely, We have honoured the children of Adam, and We carry them in the land and the sea.” (17: 70) “Your Lord is He Who speeds the ships for you in the sea that you may seek of His grace; surely He is ever Merciful to you.” (17: 66)

Makes female & male: scientific error? :makes barren “He creates whatever He wants and bestows female to whomever He wants and bestows male to whomever He wants. Or He mingles them, males and females, and He makes barren whom He pleases. Lo! He is Knower, Powerful.” (42: 49-50)

Punishes towns that aren't grateful to him in general

“And Allah sets forth a parable: (Consider) a town safe and secure to which its means of subsistence come in abundance from every quarter; but it became ungrateful to Allah’s favors, therefore Allah made it to taste the utmost degree of hunger and fear because of what they wrought.” (16: 112)

Anthropomorphisms of Allah

Non transcendent - Hands, eyes, ears, throne, carried light - photons,

Look up Nicolai Sinai Entry 2024 and Intro 2017 book

The obvious reading of the material just surveyed is that the Qur’an considers God to be at least in principle visible and to be spatially located. The Qur’anic God cannot, therefore, be immaterial in any strict sense.

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 69). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

Nonetheless, with regard to Q 39:69 it seems more likely that the verse speaks of literal light, given that the same context also mentions the blowing of the eschatological trumpet (v. 68) and the display of the celestial register of deeds in preparation for the judgement (v. 69). But if reference is to concrete light rather than to the metaphorical light of divine guidance, then it stands to reason that this is light emitted by God, who arrives in order to judge humans and other moral agents.

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 71). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

in Q 38:75 God upbraids Iblīs for failing to “prostrate to what I have created with my hands,” bi-yadayya. As recognised by al-Ashʿarī (Gimaret 1990, 326), the point of God’s statement here is presumably to highlight a trait of Adam that endows him with peculiar dignity and elevates him over Iblīs—namely, the fact that God has formed Adam in a more intimate fashion than other creatures. Hence, although the Qur’anic God is perfectly capable of creating by verbal fiat, as maintained in places like Q 2:117 and 3:47 (when God “decides on [creating] something, he merely says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is,” idhā qaḍā amran fa-innamā yaqūlu lahu kun fa-yakūn), he can also create in what is literally a hands-on manner, by making use of his own limbs.106 In passing, one may note that the claim that humans were fashioned manually has pre-Qur’anic parallels that lend further support to taking it quite literally. According to Aphrahat, Adam alone was created by God’s own hands while everything else was created by God’s word (Demonstrations 13:11 = Parisot 1894, 563–566, identified in BEQ 46). The same idea is developed at length by Jacob of Sarug (Mathews 2020, 46–51, ll. 2157–2194): whereas all other creatures were brought into existence by a divine “signal” (remzā; cf. Decharneux 2019, 244–245), Adam was uniquely created by God’s hands (l. 2169)—an instance of divine self-abasement that prefigures the incarnation of Christ (ll. 2189–2194). The Cave of Treasures also reports that Adam was shaped by God’s “holy hands” (Ri 1987, ch. 2:12; see Zellentin 2017, 109).107

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (pp. 73-74). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

Qur’an quite literally understands God to possess a countenance, sensory percipience, and limbs capable of touching, grasping, or imparting movement that the Islamic scripture employs various idioms and formulae involving these features. After all, there is no Qur’anic equivalent to Ephrem’s caveat that God only “put on the names of body parts”—i.e., speaks of himself in anthropomorphic and anthropopathic language—due to the weakness of human understanding (Beck 1955, no. 31:1–4). The Qur’anic God, therefore, is not merely a body but also, at least in some sense, an anthropomorphic body: he is endowed with a face, he is empirically receptive to worldly occurrences (rather than just knowing about them), and he can directly, with his own body, manipulate objects in the world. That the divine body has a fundamentally humanoid shape is further accentuated by the use of the verb istawā, “to stand up straight” or “to sit upright,” which is applied both to God, indicating the modality of his being located on the throne (Q 7:54, 10:3, 13:2, 20:5, 25:59, 32:4, 57:4),108 and to humans, who are described as “sitting upright” in a boat or on the back of a mount (Q 23:28, 43:13; see CDKA 142).

Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 74). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

External Links

Yasir Qadhi on Ya'juj & Ma'Juj (Gog and Magog) - YouTube video by Hassan Radwan
The lost tribes of Gog & Magog in Islam - YouTube video by The Masked Arab
Stories in the Qur'an - YouTube video by Abdullah Sameer (now Friendly ExMuslim)

References

↑ El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (p. 139). Syracuse University Press. Kindle Edition.
↑ Angels in Islam. Of what are the Angels created? Islam Q&A. 2000
↑ El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (Kindle Edition. pp. 44-46 ). Syracuse University Press.
↑ malak | angel; angels. Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 632). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. Despite their wings and their potential invisibility, the default appearance of angels on earth is humanoid: “had we made him”—namely, the Qur’anic Messenger—“an angel, we would have made him a man (rajul),” i.e., endowed him with the appearance of an ordinary human, Q 6:9 affirms. Perhaps one is to understand that angels can exist in two different states of aggregation, as it were: a celestial one involving wings and invisibility to the human eye, and a state of manifestation to humans, in which they appear by and large like humans themselves (see also Burge 2012, 57). It is worth highlighting that Q 6:9, by virtue of employing the word rajul, additionally implies that angels are male. This corresponds to Biblical assumptions (e.g., Matt 16:5) and helps make sense of the Qur’anic polemic against belief in female angels (Q 17:40, 37:149–153, 43:16–19, 53:27–28; see also DTEK 102). A particular aspect of the angels’ humanoid appearance—namely, their possession of hands—is corroborated by Q 6:93, according to which the angels “stretch out their hands” for the wrongdoers when these latter are in the throes of death (DTEK 121). Moreover, it must be on account of the angels’ anthropomorphic appearance that Abraham initially mistook the divinely sent “messengers” (rusul) dispatched to him for ordinary humans, only realising their supernatural—i.e., angelic—status when his guests declined the food offered to them (Q 11:69–70 and 51:26–28; see below and Sinai 2020a, 282–283).26 The generally humanoid shape of Qur’anic angels also emerges from the fact that the female friends of Joseph’s Egyptian mistress so admire him that they exclaim, “This is no human but a noble angel!” (Q 12:31).
↑ What is meant by the blowing of the Trumpet? Islam Q&A. 2003.
↑ Decharneux, Julien. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (p. 311). De Gruyter. Kindle Edition.
↑ Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 633). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. ...“do as they are commanded” (Q 16:50, 66:6: yafʿalūna mā yuʾmarūn; see also 21:27: wa-hum bi-amrihi yaʿmalūn),30 “do not disobey God” (Q 66:6: lā yaʿṣūna llāha), and “do not deem themselves above serving him” (Q 7:206, 21:19: lā yastakbirūna ʿan ʿibādatihi; see also 16:49: wa-hum lā yastakbirūn)...
↑ Decharneux, Julien. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (Kindle Edition. pp. 313). De Gruyter.
↑ The Ocean of the Qur'an: Q 83:21
↑ E.g. Tafsir Al-Jalalayn on Verse 5:22
↑ Tafsirs for Quran 113:4
↑ Day, C. L. (1950). Knots and Knot Lore. Western Folklore, 9(3), 229–256
↑ See commentaries on verse 7:73

[1] El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (p. 139). Syracuse University Press. Kindle Edition.

[2] Angels in Islam. Of what are the Angels created? Islam Q&A. 2000

[3] El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (Kindle Edition. pp. 44-46 ). Syracuse University Press.

[4] malak | angel; angels. Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 632). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. Despite their wings and their potential invisibility, the default appearance of angels on earth is humanoid: “had we made him”—namely, the Qur’anic Messenger—“an angel, we would have made him a man (rajul),” i.e., endowed him with the appearance of an ordinary human, Q 6:9 affirms. Perhaps one is to understand that angels can exist in two different states of aggregation, as it were: a celestial one involving wings and invisibility to the human eye, and a state of manifestation to humans, in which they appear by and large like humans themselves (see also Burge 2012, 57). It is worth highlighting that Q 6:9, by virtue of employing the word rajul, additionally implies that angels are male. This corresponds to Biblical assumptions (e.g., Matt 16:5) and helps make sense of the Qur’anic polemic against belief in female angels (Q 17:40, 37:149–153, 43:16–19, 53:27–28; see also DTEK 102). A particular aspect of the angels’ humanoid appearance—namely, their possession of hands—is corroborated by Q 6:93, according to which the angels “stretch out their hands” for the wrongdoers when these latter are in the throes of death (DTEK 121). Moreover, it must be on account of the angels’ anthropomorphic appearance that Abraham initially mistook the divinely sent “messengers” (rusul) dispatched to him for ordinary humans, only realising their supernatural—i.e., angelic—status when his guests declined the food offered to them (Q 11:69–70 and 51:26–28; see below and Sinai 2020a, 282–283).26 The generally humanoid shape of Qur’anic angels also emerges from the fact that the female friends of Joseph’s Egyptian mistress so admire him that they exclaim, “This is no human but a noble angel!” (Q 12:31).

[5] What is meant by the blowing of the Trumpet? Islam Q&A. 2003.

[6] Decharneux, Julien. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (p. 311). De Gruyter. Kindle Edition.

[7] Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 633). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. ...“do as they are commanded” (Q 16:50, 66:6: yafʿalūna mā yuʾmarūn; see also 21:27: wa-hum bi-amrihi yaʿmalūn),30 “do not disobey God” (Q 66:6: lā yaʿṣūna llāha), and “do not deem themselves above serving him” (Q 7:206, 21:19: lā yastakbirūna ʿan ʿibādatihi; see also 16:49: wa-hum lā yastakbirūn)...

[8] Decharneux, Julien. Creation and Contemplation: The Cosmology of the Qur'ān and Its Late Antique Background (Studies in the History and Culture of the Middle East Book 47) (Kindle Edition. pp. 313). De Gruyter.

[9] The Ocean of the Qur'an: Q 83:21

[10] E.g. Tafsir Al-Jalalayn on Verse 5:22

[:0222-11] Tafsirs for Quran 113:4

[:1222-12] Day, C. L. (1950). Knots and Knot Lore. Western Folklore, 9(3), 229–256

[13] See commentaries on verse 7:73

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