Koran Exam
Examining Islamic Teachings
ISLAM
is the name of the religion founded by Muhammad in the beginning of the seventh
century after Christ, making it the youngest of the world’s so-called “great”
religions. The term Islam means “resignation” or “entire submission.” The
sacred book of Islam is the Quran. It consists of 114
suras or chapters that have verse divisions similar
to the Bible, except that these verse divisions are not at all uniform, while
some versions do not have any verse division.
In
examining the Quran, which is about the size of the
Christian Greek Scriptures, one is struck with the absence of miracles or proof
that Muhammad was indeed a prophet sent of God. When Moses, the first Bible
writer and first prophet to be sent to the descendants of Jacob, went to
Muhammad,
however, came with no supernatural proofs of his divine commission. Time and
again his critics complained of this and repeatedly he told them that his work
was not that of producing signs but merely to preach, and that his lack of
signs was for the purpose of testing their faith. But what is faith without
proof? Anyone could claim to be sent of God. Moses and Christ proved it by the
performance of many miracles, but where were Muhammad’s miracles? He confessed
in the Quran to having none.—See
Suras 2:118;
Yet
many Moslems claim he did perform miracles. Repeatedly the claim is made by
them that he split the moon, for which they cite as proof Sura
54:1. However, first of all note that this text does not state that Muhammad
split the moon. And Muslim commentators on this verse, which speaks of the
moon’s having been cleft asunder, state that it may have appeared as such to
Muhammad and his believers in the valley of Mecca; that it is to be taken allegorically
or that it may still be fulfilled in the future. (See Ali.)
The Bible’s account of creation as well as of the Flood is amply attested in
the record found in rocks, by the science of geology, but where is there any
proof that the moon was ever split?
Others
insist that Muhammad did perform many miracles and that these were recorded in
the Alhadith or Hadis,
the record of Muhammadan tradition, which was
systematized in the third century of the Muhammadan
era. Among the miracles that Muhammad was said to have performed, as handed
down by tradition, are: “The trees and rocks and mountains used to greet him
near
However,
here we find the same difficulty in tradition contradicting the written record
as we find in Judaism and in professed Christianity. The Quran
simply does not allow for any miracles. Plainly it quotes God as saying, “We
refrain from sending Signs, only because men of former years treated them as
false.” (Sura 17:59, Ali) That explicitly does
not allow for any signs. If Muhammad had performed signs, why rebuke his
hearers for asking for them; why should they complain because of their being
none? Yet that is what the Quran does. The written
word is ever more reliable than the tradition handed down orally, and we are
further compelled to that conclusion by the very fantastic nature of these
purported miracles.
ABROGATION
The Quran has been termed the Bible’s closest rival, it being
the holy book for some 300 million Muslims who believe that it is uncreated and
was sent down from the highest heavens and revealed to Muhammad by the angel
Gabriel in sections or suras. In view of the fact
that the charge is often made that the Bible contradicts itself, Bible lovers
will not be hasty in concluding that the Quran is
self-contradictory.
But
in the Quran itself we find admission of such
contradictions in that it claims for itself the right of “cancellation” or
“abrogation.” Muhammad’s critics had complained that he sometimes contradicted
himself, and so he taught that whenever a subsequent revelation contradicted a
previous one, the second canceled or abrogated the first. Thus we read, “None
of our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be
forgotten but We substitute something better or the like. Knowest
thou not that God hath power for all things?”—Sura
2:106; 16:101, Ali.
Since
both the former or the canceled verse and the one that came later and does the
canceling or abrogating remain in the Quran it can
easily be seen how there would be contradictions in the Quran.
Especially is this possible in view of the fact that it is not at all certain
when each sura was “revealed,” and therefore it
cannot always be determined which is the abrogating and which the abrogated
text.
Some
modern Muslims object to all this and claim that what Muhammad referred to as
being canceled or abrogated was not anything that appeared in the Quran but only such things as may have been written in the Tourat or the Hebrew Scriptures or in the Injil or the Gospel. However, to make such a claim
is to deny the testimony of history, which shows why Muhammad was accused of
being a forger, as well as to ignore the context in the Quran.
Such a claim is made only by some modern Muslims, for the testimony of the most
noted Muslim scribes and imams of times past is to the effect that both
the texts canceled and those doing the canceling are in the Quran.
Says the noted Razi, on Sura
16:99, 100: “The Commentators without exception hold that cancelation
has its place in the present law.” And regarding Sura
4:14, which deals with the penalty to be inflicted
upon unfaithful wives, Razi says: “The
The
Bible presents no such difficulties. When properly understood, it is found to
be harmonious from cover to cover. This is what we should expect in view of its
claim to be the Word of Jehovah God. Generally those who claim that the Bible
contradicts itself do so only because they fail to distinguish between literal
and symbolical language, or because they fail to take into consideration the
context, or because they are lacking in objectivity.
ISLAM’S “JIHADS”
One of the more striking contradictions found in the Quran concerns itself with freedom of worship. On the one hand there are a number
of expressions favoring religious liberty, such as, “Let there be no compulsion
in religion.” And on the other hand, time and again expressions appear that
indicate the direct opposite: “When the sacred months are passed, kill those
that join other gods to God wherever ye find them; and seize them, besiege
them, lie in wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall
convert, and observe prayer, and pay the obligatory alms, then let them go
their way for God is gracious.” And again: “Fight for the cause of God against
those who fight against you: Kill them wherever you find them. . . .
Fight therefore until there be no more civil discord, and until the only
worship be that of God,” or “until the temptation
stops.”—Sura 2:186-190, 212, 213;
http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/qr/009.htm
-- http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/htq/index.htm
( See
List Below) plus others
Modern
Muslims claim that the Quran teaches freedom of
religion and advocates only defensive warfare, but can such expressions as
“kill those that join other gods to God wherever you find them,” “but if they
convert . . . let them go their way,” and “kill them . . .
until the temptation stops” be construed as either defensive warfare or permitting
freedom of religion? The very Arabic word jihad disproves such a
contention, for it means, “A religious war against infidels or Mohammedan
heretics.” (Webster) Many, many Muslims were slain by other Muslims
because of religious differences. Certainly that does not spell out freedom of
religion.
In
the light of the record made by history, nothing could be more fantastic than
to claim that Islam believes only in defensive warfare. The facts show that
after Muhammad gained power in
Muhammad
organized an expedition against
Endeavoring to justify Islam’s jihads Muslim writers
point to the wars waged by the Israelites at Jehovah’s command. However, in no sense of the word
can
Further,
Jehovah God made it plain to the Israelites that they were serving as his
executioners, and that they were to wipe out these nations because of their
wickedness, that this was not being done because they were so righteous, and
that if they would themselves become wicked then Jehovah’s vengeance would be
directed against them. While they were Jehovah’s executioners, Jehovah applied
his same laws to them, even as modern lands expect a policeman to obey the law.
Jehovah wiped out a wicked world in the day of Noah with a flood; he wiped out
wicked cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah by fire coming down from heaven; he
destroyed Egypt’s first-born by means of a plague, and he could use the nation
of Israel to destroy his enemies by means of human warfare if he so chose. God
tolerates the wicked until his due time to destroy them.—Deut. 9:4-6; Rom.
Further,
Jehovah’s actions against the enemies of his people back there were prophetic
of his coming judgments. That is why his ‘battle of the great day’ is termed
Armageddon. (Judg. 5:19; Ps. 83:1-18; Rev. 16:14, 16)
When Christ Jesus came he definitely made an end of all use of carnal weapons
by God’s servants, saying plainly: “All those who take the sword will perish by
the sword.” (Matt. 26:52, NW) His followers engage in a spiritual war,
using the sword of the spirit, God’s Word, and not carnal weapons. (2 Cor. 10:3, 4; Eph. 6:12-17, NW) They patiently wait
upon Jehovah, for him to execute vengeance.—Zeph.
3:8; Rom.
While
what has been said in the foregoing may offend some, let it be noted that we
cannot expect to arrive at the truth when we let our feelings rather than our
reason govern our beliefs. God’s Word says, “Come now, and let us reason
together.” (Isa. 1:18) That means to make
comparisons, calmly and objectively weighing the facts and the arguments
presented, and then being willing to pay the cost, for the truth will cost
something. That is why we are counseled: “Buy the truth, and sell it not.”—Prov. 23:23.
WT53 11/1 653-656
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The Qur'an (also known as the
Koran) is the primary sacred text of Islam. ... The Rodwell text is the other version which is in the
public domain; ... |
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The Quran The JM Rodwell Translation With text notes. I. Truthnet · Truthnet:Islam ·
Introduction · Index Surah's ... |
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Almushaf.com - The Qur'an
online, in Arabic, transliteration, and translated into several languages
... The Koran - English text translated by J.M. Rodwell.
... |
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http://www.truthnet.org/islam/Quran/Rodwell/. • Maulvi Sher Ali (Ahmadiyya) ... http://www.quran-online.info/browse.php?start=0&lang=mp&surah=1
... |
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The Quran online in
Arabic, German and English (translation by Yusuf
Ali); customizable page skins. ... English text translated by J.M. Rodwell. ... |
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The Quran online in
Arabic, German and English (translation by Yusuf
Ali); ... English text translated by J.M. Rodwell.
The Qur'an and Qur'anic
... |
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Qur'an Search, (Help, Surah names), Set Preferences ... Arberry Palmer Rodwell
Sale, Others: Arabic Transliteration. Select All Invert Selection ... |
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[16] Ibid.; John Rodwell, The
Koran—Translated from the Arabic (London: J.M. Dent & Co., 1909); Edward
Palmer, The Qur'an (Clarendon: Oxford Press,
1880); ... |
|
The Koran: English text translated by J.M. Rodwell.
Qur'an Calligraphic Research Project ...
Quran Viewer: The Quran
online in Arabic, German and English ... |
|
The Noble Qur'an (with three
translations in unison) by the University of Southern ... online Quran - Contains several translations of the Quran in many ... |
Sura 2 186-190, 212, 213; 8:12; 9:5, 124,
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html
--- AL-BAQARA (THE COW)
9-5 AT-TAWBA
(REPENTANCE, DISPENSATION)
009.005
YUSUFALI: But when the forbidden months are past, then fight
and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and
lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and
establish regular prayers and practise regular
charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the
idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and
prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay
the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay
the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them
and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up
prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is
Forgiving, Merciful.
002.186
YUSUFALI: When My
servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the
prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and
believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
PICKTHAL: And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am
nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth
unto Me. So let them hear My
call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright.
SHAKIR: And when My
servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer
of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe
in Me that they may walk in the right way.
002.187
YUSUFALI: Permitted to
you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your
garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth
what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave
you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Hath ordained for you, and
eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its
black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not
associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are
Limits (set by) Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear
His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.
PICKTHAL: It is made
lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are
raiment for you and ye are raiment for them. Allah is Aware that ye were
deceiving yourselves in this respect and He hath turned in mercy toward you and
relieved you. So hold intercourse with them and seek that
which Allah hath ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn.
Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and touch them not, but be at
your devotions in the mosques. These are the limits imposed by Allah, so
approach them not. Thus Allah expoundeth His
revelation to mankind that they may ward off (evil).
SHAKIR: It is made
lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast; they are an
apparel for you and you are an apparel for them; Allah knew that you acted
unfaithfully to yourselves, so He has turned to you (mercifully) and removed
from you (this burden); so now be in contact with them and seek what Allah has
ordained for you, and eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes
distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till
night, and have not contact with them while you keep to the mosques; these are
the limits of Allah, so do not go near them. Thus does Allah make clear His
communications for men that they may guard (against evil).
002.188
YUSUFALI: And do not
eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the
judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of
(other) people's property.
PICKTHAL: And eat not
up your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing
of the judges that ye may knowingly devour a portion of the property of others
wrongfully.
SHAKIR: And do not
swallow up your property among yourselves by false means, neither seek to gain
access thereby to the judges, so that you may swallow up a part of the property
of men wrongfully while you know.
002.189
YUSUFALI: They ask thee
concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time
in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your
houses from the back: It is virtue if ye fear Allah. Enter houses through the
proper doors: And fear Allah: That ye may prosper.
PICKTHAL: They ask
thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and
for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs
thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he
who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates
thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.
SHAKIR: They ask you
concerning the new moon. Say: They are times appointed for (the benefit of)
men, and (for) the pilgrimage; and it is not righteousness that you should
enter the houses at their backs, but righteousness is this that one should
guard (against evil); and go into the houses by their doors and be careful (of
your duty) to Allah, that you may be successful.
002.190
YUSUFALI: Fight in the
cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
PICKTHAL: Fight in the
way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities.
Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.
SHAKIR: And fight in
the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits,
surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits.
002.212
YUSUFALI: The life of
this world is alluring to those who reject faith, and they scoff at those who
believe. But the righteous will be above them on the Day of Resurrection; for
Allah bestows His abundance without measure on whom He will.
PICKTHAL: Beautified is
the life of the world for those who disbelieve; they make a jest of the
believers. But those who keep their duty to Allah will be above them on the Day
of Resurrection. Allah giveth without stint to whom He will.
SHAKIR: The life of
this world is made to seem fair to those who disbelieve, and they mock those
who believe, and those who guard (against evil) shall be above them on the day
of resurrection; and Allah gives means of subsistence to whom
he pleases without measure.
002.213
YUSUFALI: Mankind was
one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings;
and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters
wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came
to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy.
Allah by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth,
concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guided whom
He will to a path that is straight.
PICKTHAL: Mankind were
one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings
and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture
with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they
differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed
concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of
another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that
concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He
will unto a straight path.
SHAKIR: (All) people
are a single nation; so Allah raised prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He revealed with them the Book with truth,
that it might judge between people in that in which they differed; and none but
the very people who were given it differed about it after clear arguments had
come to them, revolting among themselves; so Allah has guided by His will those
who believe to the truth about which they differed and Allah guides whom He
pleases to the right path
8-AL-ANFAL (SPOILS OF WAR,
BOOTY)
008.012
YUSUFALI: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the
message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off
them."
PICKTHAL: When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am
with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the
hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each
finger.
SHAKIR: When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast
terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their
heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
009.124
YUSUFALI: Whenever there cometh down
a sura, some of them say: "Which of you has had
His faith increased by it?" Yea, those who believe,-
their faith is increased and they do rejoice.
PICKTHAL: And whenever a surah is
revealed there are some of them who say: Which one of you hath thus increased
in faith? As for those who believe, it hath increased them in faith and they
rejoice (therefor).
SHAKIR: And whenever a chapter is revealed, there are some of
them who say: Which of you has it strengthened in faith? Then as for those who
believe, it strengthens them in faith and they rejoice.