The non-Muslims around the world, averse to the religion of Islam, are never at ease to prove Islam and Qur'an wrong. Yet the reversion to Islam is far more than the objections being raised about Islam to play down the popularity Islam is gaining every passing day.
We have posted a number of posts to rebut the claims, lies, misconceptions and observations of Islam, but the observations and lies are never ending. We would continue to rebut such claims to silence the intended propaganda about down playing Islam.
Today, we take on one of the 'major' observations about Islam: Did Muhammad (ﷺ) write the Qur'an? We have already written the fact sheet to respond to this question in one of our earlier posts: History of the compilation of the Qur'an. But let us take this issue from a different angle:
It is generally alleged that Islamic prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a smart man and he would sit with people of other faiths, memorize some parts of Torah and Gospel and then included these in what is known as Qur'an today. Although, it is totally absurd to think that way as Muhammad (ﷺ) was totally illiterate and someone could not comprehend the intricacies of Divine Scriptures and reproduce the same to make Qur'an. But before we talk of something that is contained in Qur'an which was not known to the scholars of the time and discovered much later, let us answer some of the misconceptions and objections about writing of the Qur'an by Muhammad (ﷺ):
It is generally alleged that Muhammad (ﷺ) learnt the Qur'an from the Jews and Christians whom he met OUTSIDE ARABIA: But how could he do it as all historical records available show that Muhammad (ﷺ) had made only three trips outside Makkah before his Prophethood. (i) At the age of 6 he accompanied his mother to Madinah, (ii) Between the age of 9 & 12, he accompanied his uncle Abu-Talib on a business trip to Syria, and (iii) At the age of 25, he led Khadija's (RA) caravan to Syria. It is highly imaginary to assume that the Qur'an resulted from the occasional chats and meetings with the Christians or Jews from any of the above three trips.
The alleged 'learning' of Gospel by Muhammad (ﷺ) also makes a mention of a Christian noble man called Waraqa Ibn-Naufal who was blind and could not see. He was a relative of the Prophet's first wife Khadijah (RA.). He, although of Arab descent was a convert to Christianity and was very well versed with the New Testament. But the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) only met him twice in his lifetime. The first time was when the blind man was worshipping at Ka'abah and he kissed his forehead. The second was when wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) took him to the blind man after Muhammad (ﷺ) received the first revelation. And Waraqa told Khadija (RA) that whatever Muhammad (ﷺ) had told him sounds like a visitation by angel Gabriel who had been a messenger of Allah to all previous messengers. But Muhammad (ﷺ) died 3 years later while the revelation of Qur'an is spanned over a period of 23 years. If Muhammad (ﷺ) had learnt Qur'an from the blind man, why he would wait for next 23 years to make it public??
Some pagans even accused the Prophet (pbuh) of learning the Qur'an from a Roman Blacksmith, who was a Christian and lived in the outskirts of Mecca. The Prophet very often use to go and watch him do his work. A revelation of the Qur'an was sufficient to dismiss this change. The Qur'an says: "We know indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him." The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear." (Al Qur'an 16:103)
How could a person whose mother tongue was foreign and could hardly speak little but of poor broken Arabic be the source of the Qur'an which is pure, eloquent, fine Arabic? To believe that the blacksmith taught the Prophet (pbuh), the Qur'an, is somewhat similar to a Chinese immigrant to England, who did not know proper English, taught Shakespeare.
At the time of advent of Islam, the Arabic version of the Bible was not present. The earliest Arabic version of the old Testament is that of R. Saadias Gaon 900 C.E. - more than 250 years after the death of Muhammad (ﷺ). The oldest Arabic Version of the new testament was published by Erpenius in 1616 C.E. about a thousand years after the demise of our Prophet. So how could Muhammad (ﷺ) learn in detail the entire Bible from blacksmiths or interaction with traders in Syria and put across a well written document, known as Qur'an?
The theory that Muhammad (ﷺ) authored the Qur'an or copied from other sources can be disproved by the single historical fact that he was illiterate. and this fact is testified none but Allah in the Qur'an: "And you were not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor were you (able) to transcribe it with your right hand: in that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubled." (Al Qur'an 29:48)
And the mention of coming of a prophet is made in Torah and Gospel. And Allah says: "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures) in the Law and the Gospel" (Al Qur'an 7:157)
If all above is taken to be correct, then how it would be justified that the mention of victory of the Roman Christians is made in the opening verses of Surah 30. Ar Rum in Verses 2-10: Romans (Christians / The Byzantines) defeat at the hands of Persian (Pagans) was taken as a sign of the Muslims defeat at the hands of Arab's unbelievers, so Allah gave good tidings for Roman's victory as well as Muslims victory in a few year( Verse 2 ) The Byzantines have been defeated( Verse 3 ) In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome.
How could Muhammad (ﷺ) predict that? Was he fortune teller or a man who could see in the future? Read The historical background of revelation of Surah Ar Rum - The Romans for details.
Let us accept for the sake of discussion that all above is true. But those who have read Qur'an, even non-Muslims, find information in Qur'an which was not known to the scholars of the time and in fact the mysteries hidden in Qur'an have only recently started to unfold due to scientific discoveries and expansion of knowledge about space and outer space. For example, how could Muhammad (ﷺ) know that the basis of life forms is water? A discovery that came much later than after the Qur'an.
Many scientists believe that RNA, or something similar to RNA, was the first molecule on Earth to self-replicate and begin the process of evolution that led to more advanced forms of life, including human beings.
The Iron has been used since primitive or stone ages, but no one really know was Iron specific to earth, like we find mountains of stone, granite and other materials or has it come from the outer space. Qur'an mentions that iron was sent from outer space so that man could use it.
But look when it was found that iron is an alien materiel: The cache dates from about 3,300 bc, making the beads the oldest known iron artifacts from Egypt. A study in 1928 found that the iron in the beads had a high nickel content — a signature of iron meteorites — and led to the suggestion that it was of celestial origin.
And it was just about hundred years from now and some 1200 years ago that it was mentioned in Qur'an when no one else knew the origin of iron. How could Muhammad (ﷺ) know that?
Likewise there are many other facts that are contained in Qur'an like sky being the protective layer from harmful effects, mountains holding the earth from trembling and losing balance. And what about the stages of formation of embryo in the female body of all species, including humans, that Qur'an talks about and medical science came to know of out much too later?
We could go on to bring out facts mentioned in Qur'an which people of the time of advent of Islam and compilation of Qur'an were not even aware of. Let us watch a eye opening video in which nine scientific facts have been compiled from Qur'an that clearly show that Qur'an can never be a brain child of a human being, rather it is a Divine Scripture in which every single word comes from Allah, and no ordinary human being even if he may be a chosen messenger or prophet like Muhammad (ﷺ)
With these nine facts mentioned in Qur'an which were not known to man in the 7th century, makes us to believe that it Divine knowledge and wisdom which man started to comprehend in a very later timeframe of history. So let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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