I am starting this thread in response to a challenge by Limo who claims there are no contradictions in the Quran.
Regards Doug
Hello.
Concerning the Creation:
The Qur’an says that the heavens and the earth were created in six days. This is mentioned in Al A’raf 7, verse 54; Yunus 10, verse 3; Hud 11, verse 7; Al Furqan 25, verse 59; Al Sajdah 32, verse 4; Qaf 50, verse 38; and Al Hadid 57, verse 4.
The verses you refer to are found in the Surah Fussilat:
‘Say: “How can you disregard the One who created the earth in two Days? How can you set up other gods as His equals? He is the Lord of all the worlds!” He placed solid mountains on it, blessed it, measured out its varied provisions for all who seek them - all in four Days. Moreover (‘thummah’), He Comprehended in His design the sky, which was smoke - He said to it, and the earth, “Come into being, willingly or not,” and they said: “We come willingly’, and in two Days He formed seven heavens, and assigned an order to each. We have made the nearest one beautifully illuminated and secure. Such is the design of the Almighty, the All Knowing.’ (Verses 9 to 12).
These verses speak of two different creations: that of the the earth and that of the heavens. The earth, excluding its mountains, was created in two days. The mountains were created in a futher four days, making six days in all. Verses 11 and twelve tell us that the heavens were created in just two days.
The word ‘thummah’ is a coordinating conjunction and can be translated ‘moreover’ or ‘then’
As we have seen, on seven occasions (apart from Fussilat) the Qur’an tells us that the whole of creation took just six days. This provides a clue as to the appropriate intrepretation of ‘thumma’ as it occurs in Fussilat. This must surely be ‘moreover’. We conclude, therefore, that the earth (and its mountains) were created in days one to six; and that the heavens were created in days five and six. Six days in all.
Concerning the nature of Satan:
‘Your Lord said to the angels: “I will create a man from clay. When I have shaped him and breathed from My Spirit into him, bow down before him.’ The angels all bowed down together, but not Iblis, who was too proud. He became a rebel.’ (Sad: 71-74); and again: ‘We said to the angels: “Bow down before Adam,” and they all bowed down, but not Iblis: he was one of the jinn and he disobeyed his Lord’s command. Are you (people) going to take him and his offspring as your masters instead of Me, even though they are your enemies? What a bad bargain for the evildoers! I did not make them witnesses to the creation of the heavens and earth, nor to their own creation; I do not take as My supporters those who lead others astray.”’ (Al-Kahf: 50-51)
Comment:
The English translation of Sad: 71-74 gives the impression that Iblis is an angel. You will know, of course, that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. In the grammar of that language is a rule known as ‘Tagleeb’ according to which, when a majority is addressed (in our case the angels) then that address includes the minority (in our case Iblis). It is not required that Iblis be mentioned separately. Therefore, reading only Sad: 71-74 and no other verses, we may assume either that Iblis is an angel, or that he is not. However, we know from (Al-Kahf: 50-51) that Iblis is a Jinn. Nowhere does the Qur’an say that Iblis is an angel. Therefore, there is no contradiction in the Qur’an.
One other point: According to Islamic theology the Jinn have free will, whereas the angels do not. Therefore, the question of an angel disobeying Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) does not arise. This is further confirmation that Iblis is a Jinn and not an angel.
Concerning the manner in which the Qur’an was revealed:
You write: ‘How was the Quran revealed? Surahs 6:19 and 145 claims it is by inspiration while Surah 2:97 says it was handed down by Archangel Gabriel.’
Response:
‘Say (Prophet): “If anyone is an enemy of Gabriel - who by Allāh’s leave brought down the Qur’an to your heart confirming previous scriptures as a guide and good news for the faithful.”’ (Al-Baqara: 97).
It is quite clear from this verse that the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) by Gabriel.
In Surah Al-An‘am we find this: ‘Say: “What counts most as a witness?” Say: “Allāh is witness between you and me. This Qur’an was revealed for me to warn you (people] and everyone it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods beside Allāh?” Say: “I myself do not bear witness (to any such thing]).” Say: “He is only one God, and I disown whatever you join with Him.”……..(Prophet), say: “In all that has been revealed to me, I find nothing forbidden for people to eat, except for carrion, flowing blood, pig’s meat - it is loathsome - or a sinful offering over which any name other than Allāh’s has been invoked.” But if someone is forced by hunger, rather than desire or excess, then Allāh is most forgiving and most merciful. (19 and 145).
Where is the contradiction here? It is clear from these verses that the Qur’an is a revelation. It speaks of one who reveals (Gabriel) and of one who receives: the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
Concerning changes to Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) words:
You write: ‘Can Allah words be changed? 10:64 and 6:34,115 say they cannot but we read in Surah 2:106 that Allah cancel words and then replaces them with better ones.’
Response:
‘For those who believe and are conscious of Allāh, for them there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter there is no changing the promises of Allāh - that is truly the supreme triumph.’ (Yunus: 63-64).
‘We know well that what they say grieves you (Prophet). It is not you they disbelieve: the evildoers reject Allāh’s revelation. Other messengers were disbelieved before you, and they bore their rejection and persecution steadfastly until Our aid arrived - no one can alter Allāh’s promises. You have already received accounts of these messengers….The word of your Lord is complete in its truth and justice. No one can change His words: He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.’ (Al-An‘am: 33 and 115).
‘Any revelation We cause to be superseded or forgotten, We replace with something better or similar. Do you (Prophet) not know that Allāh has power over everything?
(Al-Baqara: 106).
The promises of Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) remain forever. He does not renage on His promises, and no one has the power to cancel them.
No one has the power to change the eternal words of Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla); only He can do that. People might lie; might distort the Qur’an; but the eternal words remain uncorrupted. This does not mean that Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) cannot abrogate that which was relevant at one time, but not in some other. The revelations that led to the gradual prohibition of alcohol are a prime example.
Concerning the ‘final destination’ of Christians:
You ask: ‘Are Christians Saved or Lost? According to Surah 2:62 we can be assured of our place in Paradise while Surah 3:85 says we are lost.
Response:
‘The (Muslim) believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians - all those who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and do good - will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve.’ (Al-Baqara: 62).
This is a matter of debate among Muslims. Some say that the ‘Christians’ referred to in Al-Baqara: 62 are those who do not consider Yeshua (Radi Allahu ‘anhu) to be divine; and who do not worship him as such. Others say that the verses apply to any Christian who leads a righteous life, and who dies in a state of ignorance concerning Islam.
‘Say (Muhammad): “We (Muslims) believe in Allāh and in what has been sent down to us and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes. We believe in what has been given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We do not make a distinction between any of the (prophets). It is to Him that we devote ourselves.” If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam (l-is'lāmi), it will not be accepted from him: he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter.”’ (Al‘Imran: 84-85).
The words: ‘If anyone seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him: he will be one of the losers in the Hereafter’ applies to those who, having heard and understood the truths of Islam, reject them and turn to some other faith. It does not apply to those who die in ignorance of Islam; nor to those who die having heard only misrepresentations of that Faith; misrepresentations that they could not, in all good conscience, accept.
I hope this helps.
