Contradictions in the Quran: Difference between revisions

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20:94 [Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "'''<BR />
20:94 [Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "'''<BR />
20:95 [Moses] said, "And what is your case, O Samiri?"
20:95 [Moses] said, "And what is your case, O Samiri?"
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===Command to the children of Israel upon reaching a town===
In very similar passages in which Muhammad is asked to mention an episode occurring some time after the exodus from Egypt, parallel verses invert the order in which Allah quotes himself telling the children of Israel to enter a city gate bowing humbly and request relief of their burdens. Ironically, the next verse in each case complains about Allah's words being changed.
{| class="wikitable"  width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center"
! scope=col style="width: 50%;" |{{Quran-range|2|58|59}}
! scope=col style="width: 50%;" |{{Quran-range|7|161|162}}
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|2:58 And [recall] when We said, "Enter this city and eat from it wherever you will in [ease and] abundance, and <span style="color:#0000FF">enter the gate bowing humbly</span> and say, <span style="color:#008000">'Relieve us of our burdens.'</span> We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]."<BR />
2:59 But those who wronged changed [those words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them, so We sent down upon those who wronged a punishment from the sky because they were defiantly disobeying.
|7:161 And [mention, O Muhammad], when it was said to them, "Dwell in this city and eat from it wherever you will and say, <span style="color:#008000">'Relieve us of our burdens,'</span> and <span style="color:#0000FF">enter the gate bowing humbly</span>; We will [then] forgive you your sins. We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]."<BR />
7:162 But those who wronged among them changed [the words] to a statement other than that which had been said to them. So We sent upon them a punishment from the sky for the wrong that they were doing.
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Thamud's sudden destruction by a thunderbolt is narrated also in {{Quran|51|44}}, where the thunderbolt seized Thamud as they looked on. The word thunderbolt in these verses is sa'iqatan, which can refer to the sound of a thunderbolt or the lightning bolt itself.<ref>sa'iqatan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume4/00000414.pdf Lane's Lexicon p. 1690]</ref> Similarly, the instantaneous death of the people of Thamud by a thunderous blast (ṣayḥatan) appears in surah 11 and surah 54 quoted above in the previous section, and by a single blast (ṭāghiyati) in Q. 69:5. They were killed by an earthquake in Q. 7:78, though the word  l-rajfatu, needn't mean a literal earthquake, and can mean a convulsion or jolting according to Lane's Lexicon. Thus with some harmonising effort we have a story of sudden thunderous death for the people of Thamud.
Thamud's sudden destruction by a thunderbolt is narrated also in {{Quran|51|44}}, where the thunderbolt seized Thamud as they looked on. The word thunderbolt in these verses is sa'iqatan, which can refer to the sound of a thunderbolt or the lightning bolt itself.<ref>sa'iqatan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume4/00000414.pdf Lane's Lexicon p. 1690]</ref> Similarly, the instantaneous death of the people of Thamud by a thunderous blast (ṣayḥatan) appears in surah 11 and surah 54 quoted above in the previous section, and by a single blast (ṭāghiyati) in Q. 69:5. They were killed by an earthquake in Q. 7:78, though the word  l-rajfatu, needn't mean a literal earthquake, and can mean a convulsion or jolting according to Lane's Lexicon. Thus with some harmonising effort we have a story of sudden thunderous death for the people of Thamud.


However, all other descriptions of Aad's destruction except for 41:13 say that it was by means of a violent wind over a day or number of days, which uprooted its people like trees and left only ruined homes.
However, all other descriptions of Aad's destruction except for 41:13 say that it was by means of a violent wind over a day or number of days, which uprooted its people like trees and destoyed everything, leaving only ruined homes.


In an attempt to rescue the contradiction, Al-Tabari in his tafsir for 41:13 claims that sa'iqatan (thunderbolt) is a catch all term for anything that destroys something, while al-Qurtubi claims that the wind was the sa'iqatan.
In an attempt to rescue the contradiction, Al-Tabari in his tafsir for 41:13 claims that sa'iqatan (thunderbolt) is a catch all term for anything that destroys something, while al-Qurtubi claims that the wind was the sa'iqatan.
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Some claim that one of these could refer to the battle of Uhud, but that was a defeat for the Muslims.
Some claim that one of these could refer to the battle of Uhud, but that was a defeat for the Muslims.
Allah only sends angels with a message
{{Quote|{{Quran|15|8}}|
We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated. }}


===Who could Allah send as messengers (rasulan)?===
===Who could Allah send as messengers (rasulan)?===
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===How strong is a believer?===
===How strong is a believer?===


One Muslim is more powerful than 10 non-Muslims
20 Muslims can overcome 200 disbelievers


{{Quote|{{Quran|8|65}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|8|65}}|
If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred (steadfast) they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve }}
If there be of you twenty steadfast they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a hundred (steadfast) they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve }}


One Muslim can overcome two non-Muslims
100 Muslims can overcome 200 disbelievers


{{Quote|{{Quran|8|66}}|So if there be of you a steadfast hundred they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a thousand (steadfast) they shall overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. }}
{{Quote|{{Quran|8|66}}|So if there be of you a steadfast hundred they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a thousand (steadfast) they shall overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. }}
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===Can you eat non-halal meat?===
===Can you eat non-halal meat?===


Yes
Yes, Christian and Jewish food may be eaten


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|5}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|5}}|
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These verses are traditionally explained as gradual abrogation, while critics see a contradiction as a result of the author changing his mind over time.
These verses are traditionally explained as gradual abrogation, while critics see a contradiction as a result of the author changing his mind over time.


It is a wholesome drink
It is a wholesome drink (though not necessarily fermented in this verse)


{{Quote|{{Quran|16|67}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|16|67}}|
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Unto you your religion and unto me my religion  }}
Unto you your religion and unto me my religion  }}


Yes
Yes, the treaty-breakers must die unless they convert or individually seek refuge


{{Quote|{{Quran|9|5}}|And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|9|5}}|And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.}}


Yes, unless the disbelievers pay you.
Yes, certain Christians and Jews who will not believe must be fought until they pay the jizyah


{{Quote|{{Quran|9|29}}|Fight those who (do) not believe in Allah and not in the Day the Last, and not they make unlawful what Allah has made unlawful and His Messenger, and not they acknowledge (the) religion (of) the truth, from those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the jizyah willingly, while they (are) subdued.}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|9|29}}|Fight those who (do) not believe in Allah and not in the Day the Last, and not they make unlawful what Allah has made unlawful and His Messenger, and not they acknowledge (the) religion (of) the truth, from those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the jizyah willingly, while they (are) subdued.}}
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It was not Allah who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls }}
It was not Allah who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls }}


===How should unbelievers be treated?===
===How should disbelievers be treated?===


Kindly
Kindly
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{{Quote|{{Quran|9|29}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|9|29}}|
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. }}
Fight those who (do) not believe in Allah and not in the Day the Last, and not they make unlawful what Allah has made unlawful and His Messenger, and not they acknowledge (the) religion (of) the truth, from those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the jizyah willingly, while they (are) subdued.}}
 
===How to deal with an infidel in the family?===
 
Be kind
 
{{Quote|{{Quran|31|15}}|
And if they contend with you that you should associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them, and keep company with them in this world kindly, and follow the way of him who turns to Me, then to Me is your return, then will I inform you of what you did }}
 
Abandon them
 
{{Quote|{{Quran|9|23}}|
O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers. }}


==People of the Book==
==People of the Book==
===How are Christians towards the believers?===
They are allies of the Jews, do not take them as allies


===Should Muslims have Christians for friends?===
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|51}}|
O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.}}


Yes
Christians are nearest in love to the believers


{{Quote|{{Quran|5|82}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|82}}|
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. }}
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. }}


Yes
Christians have hearts of compassion and mercy


{{Quote|{{Quran|57|27}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|57|27}}|
We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and we ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy. }}
We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and we ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy. }}
No
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|51}}|
O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. }}


==Sex==
==Sex==
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He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding. }}
He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding. }}


No, letters such as those at the start have an incomprehensible meaning
No, letters such as these at the start of some surahs have an incomprehensible meaning


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|1}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|1}}|
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