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Contradictions in the Quran: Difference between revisions
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{{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. | {{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, history, the day of judgement, or other 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]]. | A similar discussion exists between critics and Islamic scholars surrounding supposed [[Contradictions in the Hadith|contradictions contained in the hadiths]]. | ||
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The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: }} | The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: }} | ||
==Angels and | ==Angels and demons== | ||
===Can angels walk the earth?=== | ===Can angels walk the earth?=== | ||
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===Does Satan mislead devout Muslims?=== | ===Does Satan mislead devout Muslims?=== | ||
Yes | Yes - and Adam and Eve were misled | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|16}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|7|16|17}}|(Shaitaan) said, "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit for them (on) Your path, the straight. Then surely, I will come to them from before them and from behind them and from their right and from their left, and not You (will) find most of them grateful." (Allah) said, "Get out of it disgraced and expelled. Certainly, whoever follows you among them, surely, I will fill Hell with you all.}} | ||
No | No | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|38|83}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|38|82|83}}|He said, "Then by Your might I will surely mislead them all. Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).}} | ||
Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).}} | |||
===Was Iblis an | ===Was Iblis a jinn or an angel?=== | ||
Jinn | Jinn | ||
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===Where are the Jinn?=== | ===Where are the Jinn?=== | ||
On earth and cannot get | On earth and they cannot get to the heavens | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|55|33}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|55|33}}| | ||
O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass! }} | O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass! }} | ||
In | In the heavens and they cannot get to earth | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|37|6|7}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|37|6|7}}| | ||
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==Creation== | ==Creation== | ||
===Which was created first; Universe or Earth?=== | ===Which was created first; the Universe or Earth?=== | ||
Universe | The Universe | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|79|27}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|79|27}}| | ||
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He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is knower of all things.}} | He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is knower of all things.}} | ||
=== | ===Did heaven and Earth come apart or together?=== | ||
Together (universe contracting) | Together (presented as evidence that the universe is contracting) | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|41|11}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|41|11}}| | ||
Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience.}} | Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience.}} | ||
Apart (universe expanding) | Apart (presented as evidence that the universe is expanding) | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|21|30}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|21|30}}| | ||
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Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower}} | Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower}} | ||
===What was | ===What was man created from?=== | ||
Dust | Dust | ||
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===How long does it take Allah to create?=== | ===How long does it take Allah to create?=== | ||
A long time | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|54}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|7|54}}| | ||
Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! }} | Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! }} | ||
An instant | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|117}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|2|117}}| | ||
The Originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. }} | The Originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. }} | ||
==Day of Judgement== | ==Day of Judgement (''Qiyamah'')== | ||
===How many trumpets will be blown on Qiyamah?=== | ===How many trumpets will be blown on Qiyamah?=== | ||
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And when the trumpet is blown with a single blast,}} | And when the trumpet is blown with a single blast,}} | ||
===What happens to mountains on Qiyamah?=== | ===What happens to mountains on ''Qiyamah''?=== | ||
Become like wool | Become like wool | ||
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And the mountains shall vanish, as if they were a mirage. }} | And the mountains shall vanish, as if they were a mirage. }} | ||
===Will disbelievers speak on Qiyamah?=== | ===Will disbelievers speak on ''Qiyamah''?=== | ||
No | No | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|36|65}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|36|65}}| | ||
That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did. }} | That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did. }}Several other verses describe dialogue taking place between believer and disbelievers in the hereafter. | ||
===Where do disbelievers receive their record book on Judgment day?=== | ===Where do disbelievers receive their record book on Judgment day?=== | ||
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Whatever good, (O man!) happens to thee, is from Allah. But whatever evil happens to thee, is from thyself. But what has come to these people. That they fail to understand a single fact}} | Whatever good, (O man!) happens to thee, is from Allah. But whatever evil happens to thee, is from thyself. But what has come to these people. That they fail to understand a single fact}} | ||
===Does Allah command evil | ===Does Allah command evil?=== | ||
Allah will not command indecency or evil | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|28}}|When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers doing so"; and "Allah commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|7|28}}|When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers doing so"; and "Allah commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?"}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|6|131}}|This is because your Lord would not destroy towns unjustly while their people were negligent.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|6|131}}|This is because your Lord would not destroy towns unjustly while their people were negligent.}} | ||
Allah commands abomination | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|16}}|And when We would destroy a township We send commandment to its folk who live at ease, and afterward they commit abomination therein, and so the Word (of doom) hath effect for it, and we annihilate it with complete annihilation.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|17|16}}|And when We would destroy a township We send commandment to its folk who live at ease, and afterward they commit abomination therein, and so the Word (of doom) hath effect for it, and we annihilate it with complete annihilation.}} | ||
===Magic=== | ===Does Allah will Magic take place?=== | ||
No, he does not want it to happen, but he lets it happen when he wants | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|65}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|20|65}}|And they followed what recite(d) the devils over (the) kingdom (of) Sulaiman. And not disbelieved Sulaiman [and] but the devils disbelieved, they teach the people [the] magic and what was sent down to the two angels in Babylon, Harut and Marut. And not they both teach any one unless they [both] say, "Only we (are) a trial, so (do) not disbelieve." But they learn from those two what [they] causes separation with it between the man and his spouse. And not they (could) at all [be those who] harm with it any one except by permission (of) Allah. And they learn what harms them and not profits them. And indeed they knew that whoever buys it, not for him in the Hereafter any share. And surely evil (is) what they sold with it themselves, if they were (to) know.}} | ||
No, for it is evil | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|113|4}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|113|4}}| | ||
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Yes | Yes | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|179}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|7|179}}|already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle - nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful. }} | ||
Yes | Yes | ||