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Allah, the Best Deceiver (Qur'an 3:54): Difference between revisions
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Allah, the Best Deceiver (Qur'an 3:54) (view source)
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[[File:Quran 3-54.png|290px|right|thumb]] | [[File:Quran 3-54.png|290px|right|thumb]] | ||
The [[Qur'an]] openly states many times that [[Allah]] is the 'best deceiver'. The root word used in these verses is ''Makr'' which means ''deception''. | The [[Qur'an]] openly states many times that [[Allah]] is the 'best deceiver'. The root word used in these verses is ''Makr'' which means ''deception''. | ||
==Introduction== | |||
The Qur'an openly states many times that Allah is the 'best deceiver'. The root word used in these verses is ''Makr'' which means ''deception''. The literal translations presented here, referenced from a Muslim [[websites|website]], make this very clear. However, the majority of Qur'anic translations [[Mistranslated Verses|erroneously translate]] this term; as can be seen in the following quotes and analysis. | |||
==Definitions== | Although there are many places in the Qur'an that use the same word (makir) in reference to Allah,<ref>[http://www.irreduciblefifth.force9.co.uk/burhan/b.x.311.htm Quran root browser - م ك ر - m-k-r]</ref> this article will focus only on the verses in which Allah describes himself as the 'best deceiver'. | ||
===Definitions=== | |||
{{quote |1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.yourdictionary.com/deceive|2=2011-04-10}} Deceive definition]<BR>Webster's New World College Dictionary|2='''<big>de·ceive</big>''' (dē sēv′, di-) | {{quote |1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.yourdictionary.com/deceive|2=2011-04-10}} Deceive definition]<BR>Webster's New World College Dictionary|2='''<big>de·ceive</big>''' (dē sēv′, di-) | ||
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===Lane's Lexicon=== | ===Lane's Lexicon=== | ||
From Lane's Lexicon (the full entry can be viewed [[:File:Makr Lane-Lexicon-page Vol 7-pg. 256.jpg|here]]): | Edward William Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon is the most revered and scholarly English dictionary of the Arabic language. From Lane's Lexicon (the full entry can be viewed [[:File:Makr Lane-Lexicon-page Vol 7-pg. 256.jpg|here]]): | ||
{{Quote|1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.co.uk/14_MIIM.htm|2=2013-07-21}} Lane's Lexicon: "Miim"]|2='''Miim-Kaf-Ra''' = To practice deceit or guile or circumvention, practice evasion or elusion, to plot, to excercise art or craft or cunning, act with policy, practice strategem. | {{Quote|1=[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.co.uk/14_MIIM.htm|2=2013-07-21}} Lane's Lexicon: "Miim"]|2='''Miim-Kaf-Ra''' = To practice deceit or guile or circumvention, practice evasion or elusion, to plot, to excercise art or craft or cunning, act with policy, practice strategem. | ||
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===Hans Wehr=== | ===Hans Wehr=== | ||
Hans Wehr dictionary also confirms the meaning of the term: | The Hans Wehr dictionary is regarded as the standard scholarly dictionary of Arabic for English-speaking students and scholars of the language. It also confirms the meaning of the term: | ||
{{Quote|[[:File:Hans Wehr dictionary - page 917.jpg|Hans Wehr dictionary, page 917]]|[[File:Hans Wehr dictionary - page 917.jpg|300px]]}} | {{Quote|[[:File:Hans Wehr dictionary - page 917.jpg|Hans Wehr dictionary, page 917]]|[[File:Hans Wehr dictionary - page 917.jpg|300px]]}} | ||
===Arabic Lexicon=== | ===Arabic Lexicon=== | ||
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We see that most of the translators have taken makir (with one of its possible translations 'scheme') to mean 'a systematic plan of action', and have translated makir to mean 'planner' or 'plotter'. However this completely disregards the accepted connotations of the word and the context of the given verses. Makir does not mean planner. Just because makir can be translated as scheme, and scheme can mean plan/plot, this does not mean that you can translate makir as planner/plotter. This is dishonesty on the part of those translators. | We see that most of the translators have taken makir (with one of its possible translations 'scheme') to mean 'a systematic plan of action', and have translated makir to mean 'planner' or 'plotter'. However this completely disregards the accepted connotations of the word and the context of the given verses. Makir does not mean planner. Just because makir can be translated as scheme, and scheme can mean plan/plot, this does not mean that you can translate makir as planner/plotter. This is dishonesty on the part of those translators. | ||
Since the same word is used for both the unbelievers and Allah, in most cases the translators have opted for the more benign (and incorrect) translation in order to avoid revealing what Allah has truly said about himself | Since the same word is used for both the unbelievers and Allah, in most cases the translators have opted for the more benign (and incorrect) translation in order to avoid revealing what, according to the Qur'an, Allah has truly said about himself. | ||
=== Qur'an 3:54 === | === Qur'an 3:54 === | ||
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When reading this verse, it is immediately apparent that this verse is talking about physical characteristics; the Qur'an is saying that although we have been created in pairs (male and female), Allah is not like this as he has no partner. Reviewing the relevant portion of Kathir's Tafsir confirms this: | When reading this verse, it is immediately apparent that this verse is talking about physical characteristics; the Qur'an is saying that although we have been created in pairs (male and female), Allah is not like this as he has no partner. Reviewing the relevant portion of Kathir's Tafsir confirms this: | ||
{{quote |1=[http:// | {{quote |1=[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2109&Itemid=98 Allah is the Protector, Ruler and Creator (42:11)]<BR>Tafsir 'ibn Kathir|2= [فَاطِرَ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ] | ||
(The Creator of the heavens and the earth.) means, the Maker of them both and everything in between. | (The Creator of the heavens and the earth.) means, the Maker of them both and everything in between. | ||
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It is therefore in error for Dr. Badawi to submit this verse as evidence that words have different meanings when referring to Allah, because it is clearly talking about physical creation and not the meanings of words as they should be defined when Allah uses them to describe himself. | It is therefore in error for Dr. Badawi to submit this verse as evidence that words have different meanings when referring to Allah, because it is clearly talking about physical creation and not the meanings of words as they should be defined when Allah uses them to describe himself. | ||
Even though we see that Dr. Badawi has no legitimate basis for his claim, | Even though we see that Dr. Badawi has no legitimate basis for his claim, his claim can be proven wrong based on the following lines of enquiry: | ||
1. How many words have different meanings when referring to Allah? We've already seen that | 1. How many words have different meanings when referring to Allah? We've already seen that Dr. Bardawi has taken a word with a negative meaning and turned it into a positive, claiming 'reverence'. Does this mean that all negatively slanted words that Allah uses about himself must be turned into a positive, even if that means completely redefining the word in question? Isn't this a case of ''Special pleading''?<ref name="special">Special pleading is a form of spurious argumentation where a position in a dispute introduces favorable details or excludes unfavorable details by alleging a need to apply additional considerations without proper criticism of these considerations themselves. Essentially, this involves someone attempting to cite something as an exemption to a generally accepted rule, principle, etc. without justifying the exemption. For more information about this logical fallacy, see the associated articles on [http://www.fallacyfiles.org/specplea.html The Fallacy Files], [http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/special-pleading.html The Nizkor Project] and the [https://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Special_pleading.html Princeton University] websites.</ref> | ||
2. Who decides what words have a different meaning when referring to Allah? | 2. Who decides what words have a different meaning when referring to Allah? This is just a way to hide and excuse the negative attributes of Allah by way of misdirecting those who are not as knowledgeable about Islam, the Qur'an and the Arabic language. | ||
3. The Qur'an tells us: {{Quote|{{Quran|16|103}}| And certainly We know that they say: Only a mortal teaches him. The tongue of him whom they reproach is barbarous, '''and this is clear Arabic tongue.''' }} | 3. The Qur'an tells us: {{Quote|{{Quran|16|103}}| And certainly We know that they say: Only a mortal teaches him. The tongue of him whom they reproach is barbarous, '''and this is clear Arabic tongue.''' }} | ||
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Since the Qur'an says it is in clear Arabic, then this implies that the meaning of its words are as we understand them, and should not be applied in a different way to Allah. If ''makir'' has a different meaning when Allah uses it to refer to himself, then Qur'an 16:103 is obviously wrong. Is the Qur'an wrong here? | Since the Qur'an says it is in clear Arabic, then this implies that the meaning of its words are as we understand them, and should not be applied in a different way to Allah. If ''makir'' has a different meaning when Allah uses it to refer to himself, then Qur'an 16:103 is obviously wrong. Is the Qur'an wrong here? | ||
4. | 4. Dr. Badawi claimed that makir has a different meaning when referring to Allah and that the common Arabic meaning is not correct. However the Qur'an states: {{Quote|{{Quran|3|7}}| He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding. }} | ||
The Qur'an says that some people seek to mislead by giving their own interpretation to portions. | The Qur'an says that some people seek to mislead by giving their own interpretation to portions. Is not Dr. Badawi doing the same? If the "true" [when referring to Allah] meaning is unknown to most, what evidence does Dr. Bardawi provide in support of his unorthodox "truth"? | ||
===Islam Q&A=== | ===Islam Q&A=== | ||
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And Allaah knows best.}} | And Allaah knows best.}} | ||
As with Jamal Badawi's apologetics, this is again a case of ''Special pleading'' <ref name="special"/>. This is adding meaning to the text which is not there, but comes only from a certain set of beliefs that | As with Jamal Badawi's apologetics, this is again a case of ''Special pleading'' <ref name="special"/>. This is adding meaning to the text which is not there, but comes only from a certain set of beliefs that Islam Q&A hold: namely: | ||
# that Allah is God | # that Allah is God | ||
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# They are imperfect | # They are imperfect | ||
Allah has told us in | Allah has told us in the Qur'an that he is the best deceiver - we have his own admission that he is imperfect and a liar. | ||
=== Harun Yahya === | === Harun Yahya === | ||
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* Muslims | * Muslims | ||
* Innocent people - who lived in the 600 years that it took Allah to send the Qur'an | * Innocent people - who lived in the 600 years that it took Allah to send the Qur'an | ||
==Responses to Apologetics== | |||
#'''''"According to the Quranic Arabic Corpus website, 'Makr' means 'Planner'"'''''<br>The Quranic Arabic Corpus website also claimed at one time that ''Idriboohunna'' in Qur'an 4:34 meant "[[Beat_your_Wives_or_Separate_from_Them_-_Quran_4-34|separate from them]]" (i.e. the husbands from their wives) rather than to "beat them" for the fear of disobedience. However, ''Idriboohunna'' (أضربوهن) means "beat them" (for female plural). ''Adriboo Anhunna'' (اضربوا عنهن) is the phrase that means abandon or leave them. They are completely different phrases with completely different meanings, and the attempts to mix up the two is only a modern development used by a few western Muslim apologists. To their credit, the website has acknowledged this error by now having corrected this blatant mistranslation, but they have also shown themselves to be an unreliable source concerning the Arabic language.<BR><BR>In any case, Edward William Lane's ''Arabic-English Lexicon'' (the most revered and scholarly dictionary of the Arabic language), ''Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic'', and the ''Arabic Lexicon'' all disagree with the Quranic Arabic Corpus website's rendering of the word. And every single one of these sources are more reliable than that website. In addition to these reliable sources, there are Dr. Jamal Badawi and Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid who are both native Arabic speakers and respected individuals (in relation to issues concerning Islam). Although they may make excuses for the use of that particular word, they do both actually admit that makr means deceiver. | |||
{{Core POTB}} | {{Core POTB}} | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
{{Hub4|Lying|Lying}} | {{Hub4|Lying|Lying}} | ||
{{Hub4|Allah|Allah}} | {{Hub4|Allah|Allah}} | ||
{{Hub4|Mistranslated Verses|Mistranslated Verses}} | {{Hub4|Mistranslated Verses|Mistranslated Verses}} | ||
{{Translation-links-english|[[Allah le meilleur trompeur|French]]}} | |||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/allah_best_deceiver.htm|2=2011-11-24}} Allah the greatest deceiver of them all] | |||
* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.answering-islam.org/authors/cornelius/makr.html|2=2011-11-24}} Allah: Truthful or Deceiver?] | |||
* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Wood/deceptive_god.htm|2=2011-11-24}} Deceptive God, Incompetent Messiah] | |||
'''Resources''' | |||
* [http://www.ghazali.org/books/wehr-cowan-76.pdf Hans-Wehr Dictionary - mkr (page 917)] ''(40MB PDF file)'' | * [http://www.ghazali.org/books/wehr-cowan-76.pdf Hans-Wehr Dictionary - mkr (page 917)] ''(40MB PDF file)'' | ||
* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000256.pdf|2=2011-11-24}} Lane's Lexicon - mkr - Volume 7, Page 256] | * [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000256.pdf|2=2011-11-24}} Lane's Lexicon - mkr - Volume 7, Page 256] | ||
* [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.co.uk/14_MIIM.htm|2=2011-11-24}} Lane's Lexicon online summary - Mim-Kaf-Ra] | * [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.studyquran.co.uk/14_MIIM.htm|2=2011-11-24}} Lane's Lexicon online summary - Mim-Kaf-Ra] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{ | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||
[[Category:Qur'an]] | [[Category:Qur'an]] | ||
[[Category:Sani]] | [[Category:Sani]] | ||