Contradictions in the Quran: Difference between revisions

Contradictions in the Quran (view source)

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-{{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=2|Content=3|Language=1|References=2}}A recurring [[:Category:Criticism of Islam|criticism]] of the [[Qur'an|Quran]] is that it, as is argued of many other religious scriptures, contains '''contradictory pronouncements'''. The occurrence of these contradictions, critics argue, is particularly problematic in the case of the Quran because the Islamic tradition holds it to be the the direct, unmediated word of [[Allah]], or God. As such, theologians hold it to be timeless, infallible, and preeminently true - so true, in fact, that in reading it one is said to witness a miracle first hand. The contradictions proposed by critics militate against this doctrine. The critics hold that at least some of these contradictions are irresolvable through any reasonable interpretation and that, to resolve them, exegetes must resort to incredible interpretations. While some of the proposed contradictions, critics admit, may be resolved through the doctrine of [[Naskh (Abrogation)|abrogation]], whereby Allah is said to override his previous instructions (through, for instance, permitting [[alcohol]] at one point and prohibiting at another), many other contradictions are not resolvable in this manner. Indeed, the Islamic tradition holds that the doctrine of abrogation is only applicable in cases of law and not theology - what Allah says at any point with regards to the divine, the hereafter, or such non-legal matters, must (and, the tradition holds, does) always hold true. Critics, however, have stated that many, including some of the most problematic, of the proposed contradictions are precisely of the theological, and not legal, variety.
+{{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=2|References=3}}A recurring [[:Category:Criticism of Islam|criticism]] of the [[Qur'an|Quran]] is that it, as is argued of many other religious scriptures, contains '''contradictory pronouncements'''. The occurrence of these contradictions, critics argue, is particularly problematic in the case of the Quran because the Islamic tradition holds it to be the the direct, unmediated word of [[Allah]], or God. As such, theologians hold it to be timeless, infallible, and preeminently true - so true, in fact, that in reading it one is said to witness a miracle first hand. The contradictions proposed by critics militate against this doctrine. The critics hold that at least some of these contradictions are irresolvable through any reasonable interpretation and that, to resolve them, exegetes must resort to incredible interpretations. While some of the proposed contradictions, critics admit, may be resolved through the doctrine of [[Naskh (Abrogation)|abrogation]], whereby Allah is said to override his previous instructions (through, for instance, permitting [[alcohol]] at one point and prohibiting at another), many other contradictions are not resolvable in this manner. Indeed, the Islamic tradition holds that the doctrine of abrogation is only applicable in cases of law and not theology - what Allah says at any point with regards to the divine, the hereafter, or such non-legal matters, must (and, the tradition holds, does) always hold true. Critics, however, have stated that many, including some of the most problematic, of the proposed contradictions are precisely of the theological, and not legal, variety.
 A similar discussion exists between critics and Islamic scholars surrounding supposed [[Contradictions in the Hadith|contradictions contained in the hadiths]].
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 {{Quote|{{Quran|24|56}}|So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and obey the Messenger; that ye may receive mercy.}}
-{{Quote|{{Quran|26|108}}; repeated at {{quran|26|110}}, {{quran|26|126}}, {{quran|26|131}}, {{quran|26|144}}, {{quran|26|150}}, {{quran|26|163}}, & {{quran|26|179}}|"So fear Allah, and obey me.}}No, Muhammad also shares Allah’s ability to forgive sinners{{Quote|{{Quran|4|64-65}}|
+{{Quote|{{Quran|26|108}}; repeated at {{quran|26|110}}, {{quran|26|126}}, {{quran|26|131}}, {{quran|26|144}}, {{quran|26|150}}, {{quran|26|163}}, & {{quran|26|179}}|"So fear Allah, and obey me.}}No, Muhammad can also cause sinners to be forgiven{{Quote|{{Quran|4|64-65}}|
 We sent not a messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful. But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction}}
@@ Line 121: / Line 121: @@
 {{Quote|{{Quran|6|103}}|No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comprehension, yet is acquainted with all things.}}
-Yes
+Maybe
 {{Quote|{{Quran|42|51}}|It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with Allah's permission, what Allah wills: for He is Most High, Most Wise}}
@@ Line 195: / Line 195: @@
 No
-{{Quote|{{Quran|112|4}}|
+{{Quote|{{Quran|42|11}}|(The) Creator (of) the heavens and the earth. He made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle mates; He multiplies you thereby. (There) is not like Him anything, and He (is) the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.}}
-"…and there is none like unto him."}}
-Yes, face
+Yes, he has a face
 {{Quote|{{Quran|55|27}}|
 But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour}}
-Yes, eyes
+Yes, he has eyes
 {{Quote|{{Quran|20|39}}|
 Saying: Put him into a chest, then cast it down into the river, then the river shall throw him on the shore; there shall take him up one who is an enemy to Me and enemy to him, and I cast down upon you love from Me, and that you might be brought up before My eyes}}
-Yes, hands
+Yes, he has hands
 {{Quote|{{Quran|5|64}}|
 The Jews say: "Allah's hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.}}
-Yes, hands
+Yes, he has hands
 {{Quote|{{Quran|38|74-75}}|
 (Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with my hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?}}
-Yes, hands
+Yes, he has hands
 {{Quote|{{Quran|39|67}}|
 And they esteem not Allah as He hath the right to be esteemed, when the whole earth is His handful on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens are rolled in His right hand. Glorified is He and High Exalted from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him).}}
-Yes, legs
+Yes, he has legs
 {{Quote|{{Quran|68|42}}|
 The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able.}}
-Yes, sits down
+Yes, he sits down
 {{Quote|{{Quran|69|17}}|