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Contradictions in the Quran: Difference between revisions
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{{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=4|Content=4|Language=3|References=4}}A recurring [[:Category:Criticism of Islam|criticism]] of the [[Qur'an|Quran]] is that it, as is argued of many other religious scriptures | {{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=4|Content=4|Language=3|References=4}}A recurring [[:Category:Criticism of Islam|criticism]] of the [[Qur'an|Quran]] is that it contains contradictory pronouncements, as is argued of many other religious scriptures. 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. Indeed, {{Quran|4|82}} makes the confident assertion: "Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction." | ||
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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===Where is Allah?=== | ===Where is Allah?=== | ||
Upon a throne | Verses such as 2:255 (the famous throne verse) and other anthropomorphic verses have long been a topic of controversy and debate as to what extent they should be taken metaphorically. For the Asharis they were beyond human understanding.<ref>Stephen J. Vicchio, "Biblical figures in the Islamic faith", USA: Wipf and Stock, 2008, pp. 13-15<ref> To critics, this lack of clear resolution is unsurprising given the apparent contradiction between verses that describe Allah in a location and those that imply he is everywhere. | ||
Upon a throne (arsh and kursi) | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|255}}|Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. '''His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth''', and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.}} | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|57|4}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|57|4}}| | ||
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==Angels and demons== | ==Angels and demons== | ||
===How many angels helped Muhammad at Badr?=== | ===How many angels helped Muhammad at Badr?=== | ||
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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 | Allah only sends angels with a message | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|15|8}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|15|8}}| | ||
We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated. }} | 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)?=== | |||
Not angels | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|95}}| | |||
Say, "If there were settled, on earth, angels walking about in peace and quiet, We should certainly have sent them down from the heavens an angel for a messenger."}} | |||
Only men from amongst a community | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|12|109}}| | |||
Nor did We send before thee (as messengers) any but men, whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? But the home of the hereafter is best, for those who do right. Will ye not then understand? }} | |||
Both angels and men | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|22|75}}| | |||
Allah chooses messengers from angels and from men for Allah is He Who hears and sees (all things). }} | |||
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{{Quote|{{Quran-range|23|112|114}}|[Allah] will say, "How long did you remain on earth in number of years?" They will say, "We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate." He will say, "You stayed not but a little - if only you had known.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|23|112|114}}|[Allah] will say, "How long did you remain on earth in number of years?" They will say, "We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate." He will say, "You stayed not but a little - if only you had known.}} | ||
===Will disbelievers speak on ''Qiyamah''?=== | ===Will disbelievers speak on ''Qiyamah''?=== | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|69|25}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|69|25}}| | ||
And he that will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "Ah! Would that my Record had not been given to me! }} | And he that will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "Ah! Would that my Record had not been given to me! }} | ||
===What happens to mountains on ''Qiyamah''?=== | |||
Become like wool | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|70|9}}| | |||
And the mountains will be like wool}} | |||
They will disappear | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|78|20}}| | |||
And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.}} | |||
They will be lifted and levelled | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|69|14}}|And the earth and the mountains are lifted and leveled with one blow}} | |||
==Evil== | ==Evil== | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|22|78}}|And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|22|78}}|And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.}} | ||
The disciples of Jesus | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|111}}|And when I inspired the disciples, (saying): Believe in Me and in My messenger, they said: We believe. Bear witness that we have surrendered (unto Thee) "we are muslims"}} | |||
===How strong is a believer?=== | ===How strong is a believer?=== | ||
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So eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His signs. }} | So eat of (meats) on which Allah's name hath been pronounced, if ye have faith in His signs. }} | ||
=== | ===How bad is drinking wine?=== | ||
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 | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|16|67}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|16|67}}| | ||
And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome drink and food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise}} | And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome drink and food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise}} | ||
No prohibition on getting drunk as long as you're not praying | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|43}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|4|43}}| | ||
O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving. }} | O ye who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when ye are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when ye are polluted, save when journeying upon the road, till ye have bathed. And if ye be ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have touched women, and ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and rub your faces and your hands (therewith). Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving. }} | ||
It is Satan's handiwork, leave it aside | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|90}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|5|90}}| | ||
O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. }} | O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. }} | ||
It is a severe sin | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|219}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|2|219}}| | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|31|14}}| | {{Quote|{{Quran|31|14}}| | ||
And We have enjoined upon man concerning his partners - His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years - Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying}} | And We have enjoined upon man concerning his partners - His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years - Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying}} | ||
===Are all Islamic prophets equal?=== | |||
Yes | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|285}}| | |||
The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. We make no distinction between any of His messengers. And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys." }} | |||
No | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|253}}| | |||
Those messengers We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs), and strengthened him with the holy spirit. If Allah had so willed, succeeding generations would not have fought among each other, after clear (Signs) had come to them, but they (chose) to wrangle, some believing and others rejecting. If Allah had so willed, they would not have fought each other; but Allah Fulfilleth His plan. }} | |||
===What are the shares in an inheritance?=== | ===What are the shares in an inheritance?=== | ||