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Contradictions in the Quran: Difference between revisions
→Moses berates Aaron about the golden calf: Added in a contradiction on Moses's prayer about removing speech impediment being granted.
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===Abraham and the idols=== | ===Abraham and the idols=== | ||
{{Quran-range|37|87|97}} contains a simpler version of the story in which Abraham smashes the idols in {{Quran-range|21|57|68}}. The two versions conflict in terms of where the events take place. In surah 37, everything takes place at the location of the idols. After some dialogue, we see in verse 90 “Then they turned away from him, departing” ( | {{Quran-range|37|87|97}} contains a simpler version of the story in which Abraham smashes the idols in {{Quran-range|21|57|68}}. The two versions conflict in terms of where the events take place. In surah 37, everything takes place at the location of the idols. After some dialogue, we see in verse 90 “Then they turned away from him, departing” (fa-tawallaw ʿanhu mud'birīna); Abraham then smashes the idols; and “Then they came toward him, hastening” (fa-aqbalū ilayhi yaziffūna). Lane's Lexicon entry for the conjunction fa used at the start of 37:94 explains that in such usage as we see here, fa conveys proximate and uninterrupted succession.<ref name="LanesLexiconFa /> | ||
In contrast, the longer surah 21 version has the people return to find the smashed idols but Abraham is no longer present there. They send a party to bring him, and then back amidst the idols he shows them the folly of their ways. So in | In contrast, the longer surah 21 version has the people return to find the smashed idols but Abraham is no longer present there. They send a party to bring him, and then back amidst the idols he shows them the folly of their ways (in both versions this is when they decide to burn him). So in the surah 21 version it is Abraham who comes to them. | ||
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=== | === Did Moses's speech impediment get fixed? === | ||
God showed Moses a magical fire that did not burn out, and informs him of his prophethood. Then commanded him to go to Pharaoh with his signs in the hope that he may be warned and fear God. Moses agreed but complained that he couldn’t speak clearly, and he asked God to cure him of it, and to open his breast and make the task easy/easier: | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|24-28}}|...“Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds.” “( Moses) said: ‘O, my Lord! Expand me my breast,” ease my task for me, <b>and remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say.”</b> “( Allah) said: ‘Granted is thy prayer, O Moses!’”...}} | |||
{ | Here God seems to respond to his prayer instantly (the verses in between 20:29-20:35 are part of the same narrative so the order is linear): | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|36}}|<b>...Allah responded, “All that you requested has been granted, O Moses!... </b>}} | |||
However when he actually gets to Pharoah, he (Pharoah) states that he still cannot express himself clearly: | |||
| | {{Quote|{{Quran|43|52}}|“And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying, ‘O, my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What! See ye not, then? Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch, <b>and can scarcely express himself clearly?’”</b>}} | ||
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===The destruction of Thamud=== | ===The destruction of Thamud=== | ||
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{| class="wikitable" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" | {| class="wikitable" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" | ||
! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range|54|23|31}} | ! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range|54|23|31}} | ||
! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range| | ! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range|11|64|68}} | ||
! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range| | ! scope=col style="width: 33%;" |{{Quran-range|91|11|15}} | ||
|- style="vertical-align: top;" | |- style="vertical-align: top;" | ||
|54:23 Thamud denied the warning<BR /> | |54:23 Thamud denied the warning<BR /> | ||
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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 | 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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Lane's Lexicon has some discussion of the word mus'tamirrin ("continuous") as it is used in this verse and in Q. 54:2 where it is used in the phrase (“passing magic”) in the same grammatical form.<ref>mus'tamirrin - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000230.pdf Lane's Lexicon p. 2702]</ref> | Lane's Lexicon has some discussion of the word mus'tamirrin ("continuous") as it is used in this verse and in Q. 54:2 where it is used in the phrase (“passing magic”) in the same grammatical form.<ref>mus'tamirrin - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000230.pdf Lane's Lexicon p. 2702]</ref> | ||
==Allah== | ==Allah== | ||
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===Could Allah have a child?=== | ===Could Allah have a child?=== | ||
The Quran responds to the mushrikun who associated partners with Allah including sons and daughters. In one response it says this is impossible as Allah has no consort, but in another it responds by | The Quran responds to the mushrikun who associated partners with Allah including sons and daughters. In one response it says this is impossible as Allah has no consort, but in another it responds by conceding it would be possible for him take a son from among his creation but he simply choses not to do so. | ||
No, for he has no consort | No, for he has no consort | ||
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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. | ||
===Who could Allah send as messengers (rasulan)?=== | ===Who could Allah send as messengers (rasulan)?=== | ||
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===How many days did it take Allah to create heaven and earth?=== | ===How many days did it take Allah to create heaven and earth?=== | ||
Commentators interpreted the first two days as part of the first four in the 2nd quote. Quite a few other verses mention the creation of the Earth in six days, so this may well simply be a badly worded description rather than a contradiction in terms of the intended meaning. | |||
6 days | 6 days | ||
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===How strong is a believer?=== | ===How strong is a believer?=== | ||
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 }} | ||
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, | 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 | ===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 | 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.}} | ||
==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 | |||
{{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.}} | |||
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. }} | ||
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. }} | ||
==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 | 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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Gabriel Said Reynolds notes that the idea of two years of suckling comes from the Babylonian Talmud Ketubbot 60a.<ref>Gabriel Said Reynolds (2018) ''The Qurʾān and Bible: Text and Commentary'' p. 92</ref> | Gabriel Said Reynolds notes that the idea of two years of suckling comes from the Babylonian Talmud Ketubbot 60a.<ref>Gabriel Said Reynolds (2018) ''The Qurʾān and Bible: Text and Commentary'' p. 92</ref> | ||
===The moon was split=== | |||
''Main article: [[Muhammads Miracles#Moon Splitting Miracle|Moon splitting miracle]]'' | |||
The Qur'an (according to a common interpretation) and a hadith tradition claim that the moon was miraculously split into two pieces and then, presumably, put back together again. | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|54|1|2}}|1. The hour drew nigh and the moon did rend asunder. | |||
2. Yet if they see a sign they turn away, and they say 'A continuous sorcery!'}} | |||
Yet we are told Muhammad cannot produce a sign (in the form of a miracle), but only warn people with the message, in verses such as: | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|13|7}}|The unbelievers say, "Why has God not sent him, (Muhammad), some miracles." (Muhammad), you are only a warner. For every nation there is a guide.}} | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|6:109}}|They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that if a (special) sign came to them, by it they would believe. Say: "Certainly (all) signs are in the power of Allah: but what will make you (Muslims) realise that (even) if (special) signs came, they will not believe."?}} | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|11|12}}|Perhaps you, (Muhammad), may by chance leave (untold) a part of that which is revealed to you and feel grieved because they say, "Why has some treasure not been sent to him or an angel sent down with him?" Say, "I have come only to warn you." God is the Guardian of all things.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|10|20}}|They (unbelievers) say, “Why has his Lord not given him some miracles to (support his claim of being His Messenger)?” Say “(The knowledge) of the unseen certainly belongs to God. Wait and I too shall be waiting with you}}{{Quote|{{Quran|21|9}}|But they said, ‘[They are] muddled dreams!’ ‘Indeed, he has fabricated it!’ ‘Indeed, he is a poet!’ ‘Let him bring us a sign, like those sent to the former generations.’}} | |||
===What are the shares in an inheritance?=== | ===What are the shares in an inheritance?=== | ||