Brandon Yusuf Toropov
10-10-2004, 08:15 PM
\Author’s note: When one has been working on a short article like this for as many months as I have, he has earned, perhaps, the right to ask readers to observe a simple principle in responding. May I ask that you read the article in its entirety, including the final paragraph, before emailing me at btoropov@yahoo.com? At that point I would certainly love to hear from you!
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Authorship clues in the Qur’an:
“What a coincidence…”
Brandon Toropov
Question: “Who wrote the Qur’an?”
Answer: “The Qur’an was authored by a human being; it is not a literal revelation from God. It is a book created by human intelligence, like any other book. It was, as a matter of historical fact, written by Muhammad, in the seventh century A.D.”
This is, perhaps, the most common line of reasoning in the United States and Europe today. If this is your view, rest assured that you have plenty of company!
You should also know, though, that this point of view is not without its difficulties. To believe it, you must also believe that Muhammad, peace be upon him …
• Knew that the Earth and heavenly bodies were once a single point, and were separated violently (21:30)
“Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them?...”[ Al-Anbiyâ':21:30]
What’s more …
• If you don’t believe that he had access to special knowledge that made possible this prefiguring of the modern Big Bang theory -- a theory entirely unknown to the Arabs of the seventh century -- you must conclude that 21:30 of the Qur’an is merely an intriguing coincidence, a matter of getting something right by chance.
Perhaps this passage is simply an intriguing coincidence.
If it is, however, it is not the only one.
This man, the supposed “author” of the Qur’an, would also have to have…
• Known about the relativity of time (22:47), a subject similarly unknown to Arab tribes of this period.
“…And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of what you reckon.[ Al-Hajj22:47]”
• Similar references appear at 23:112-114; 32:45; and 70:4. Was he taking part in an ongoing dialogue on the topic of the relativity of time among the Arabic thinkers of his day? If so, where are these other voices? Either he possessed some source of knowledge on this subject thirteen and a half centuries before Einstein … or we are looking at another intriguing coincidence.
• Which is it?
• Most non-Muslims will instinctively answer along these lines: “Even if it means granting the text of the Qur’an a second striking coincidental feature, the likeliest explanation is that these passages, too, are merely examples of happenstance.”
And yet …
… consider that the same author would also have to have…
• Known that the universe is continuously expanding (51:47) … either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof.”[ Az-Zâriyât 51:47]
• Known that matter is created in pairs (36:36)– either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.” [ YâSîn:36:36]
• Known what modern biological science knows about the foundation of life on Earth, namely that it is water-based (24:45) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“God has created every moving (living) creature from water.” [ An-Nűr:24:45]
• Known that iron is not native to the Earth, coming instead from an extraterrestrial source (57:25) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“…and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind…” [ Al-Hadîd:57:25]
• Known that planetary bodies travel in orbits (27:88; 21:33) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“… They all float, each in an orbit.” [ YâSîn:36:40]
• Known that the Earth’s atmosphere acts like a protective shield for living creatures (21:32) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded.” [ Al-Anbiyâ':21;32]
• Known that the stages of human development in the womb unfold in a specific, describable sequence (23:14) that has been confirmed by modern experts in human embryology – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“… We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (drop of water) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into alaqah (clinging, leech-like substance), then We made the alaqah into mudghah (chewed-like lump), then We made out of that mudghah bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be God, the Best of creators [Surât Al-Mu'minűn:23:12-14]
• Known that the roots of mountains extend deep into the earth and serve the function of preventing shocks (21:31) – either that or these passages, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, and the mountains as pegs?” [ An-Naba':6-7]
“And the mountains He has fixed firmly.”[ An-Nazi'ât:79:32]
• Known details of how the Earth’s rain cycle functions that were mysteries to scientists until the twentieth century (15:22, 30:48) – either that or these passages, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky....[ Al-Hijr:15:22]
“God is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst!...” [ ArRűm:30:48]
• Known what modern oceanographers have now learned, namely that bordering seas meet but do not mingle with one another (55:19-20) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“He has let loosed the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress. [Ar-Rahmân:55:19-20]”
• Known that oceans have subsurface wave patterns (24:40) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom God has not appointed light, for him there is no light.” [ An-Nűr:24:40]
• Known that, in communities of honeybees, only the females are workers (16:68-69 – the Arabic verb forms can connect only to female beings) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And your Lord inspired the female bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect, Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” [ An-Nahl:16:68-69]
• Known to use the singular of the word “YAWM” (day) precisely 365 times in the text of the Qur’an, despite the fact that he lived in a culture that followed a lunar, not a solar calendar -- either that or this numerical total must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
• Known, seven years ahead of time, that the humiliated Byzantine Army of his day would rejuvenate itself and secure a major victory, which in fact it eventually did against the Persians (30:1-4) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“The Romans have been defeated. In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with God.” [ ArRűm: 30:2-4]
• Known, two years before he did so, that he would enter Mecca in triumph (48:27) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Indeed God shall fulfill the true vision which He showed to His Messenger [reference is made to a dream of the Prophet’s, peace be upon him, in which he entered Makkah along with his companions, having their head hair shaved and cut short] in very truth. Certainly, you shall enter Al Masjid al Harâm; if God wills, secure, (some) having your heads shaved, and (some) having your head hair cut short, having no fear.” [ Al-Fath:48:27]
• Known that the body of the Pharaoh who had opposed Moses would be preserved for future generations (10:91-92) -- it is today on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber of the Egyptian Museum – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Now (at the moment of your death, you believe, Pharaoh)! While you refused to believe before, and you were one of the Mufsidűn (evil-doers, corrupt persons, etc.)! So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs , revelations, etc.).[ Yűnus:10:91-92]
• Known to refer (12:54) to the Egyptian head of state of Joseph’s, peace be upon him, era as “king” (malik) and not as Pharaoh, the word that appears erroneously in the book of Genesis – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“And the king said: ‘Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person.’ Then, when he spoke to him, he said: ‘Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted.’ " [ Yűsuf:12:54]
• Known that the fabled Arabian “lost city” of Iram (89:6-8) whose historical existence was confirmed by archaeologists only in 1990, was a historical reality -- either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Did you not see how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people)? Of (the city of) Iram, with lofty pillars, the like of which were not created in the land?[ Al-Fajr:89:6-8]
• Known that the ancient flood that had beset the southern Arabian people of Saba from their dam system (34:15-17), similarly confirmed by modern archeology, was a historical reality -- either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place, - two gardens on the right hand and on the left. (And it was said to them,) "Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. But they turned away (from the obedience of God), so We sent against them Sail Al'Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote trees.” [ Saba':34:15-16]
• Known the name of Haman (28:38), a historical figure close to the Pharaoh of the era of Moses, peace be upon him … despite the problems that a) the name “Haman” does not appear in the Torah’s version of the story, and b) the ability to translate the hieroglyphic language system of the Egyptians had been utterly lost for centuries at the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, and indeed would remain lost until the year 1799. After the discovery in that year of the Rosetta Stone, scholars were able to unlock the mystery of the hieroglyphs – and, eventually, to confirm that there was indeed a Haman, unmentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, who was close to this Pharoah in this period, and who was involved in construction, just as the Qur’an says. If we believe that human authorship is the only possible explanation for the origin of the Qur’an, we must assume either that Muhammad, peace be upon him, somehow had access to this information … or we must believe that this passage is yet another in a remarkably long series of intriguing coincidences.
“Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilâh (a god) other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O Hâmân, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilâh (God) of Moses; and verily, I think that he (Moses) is one of the liars." [ Al-Qasas:28:38]
How many “coincidences” do we need to get the message?
The message is simple: no human intelligence could have produced this book in the seventh century.
Please know that there are many, many more such “coincidences” in the Qur’an – I have listed here only those that do not require advanced knowledge in such topics as Arabic, mathematics, Islamic history, or classical poetic forms. Even with the brief list I have provided there comes, I think, a point at which one is obliged to evaluate the Qur’an’s message carefully, closely, and respectfully. These supposed “coincidences” are, I believe, clear signs to humankind that the Qur’an’s message is of a special quality, and must not be ignored.
Only the repeated exposure of the individual human heart to the Qur’an’s message can settle such a momentous question as “Who wrote the Qur’an?”
If you are a person who believes that there is no such thing as a divinely inspired revelation, the question is: how many coincidences does it take for you to consider that such a revelation to humanity may be possible?
If you are a person who believes that there is such a thing as a divinely inspired revelation, the question is, how many coincidences are you willing to ignore in order to before considering the possibility that a particular text presents such revelation?
Please know that I am NOT interested in any debate about the possibility that any ONE of these verses I have cited is “just a coincidence,” or is for some other reason unpersuasive to you. The truly remarkable thing is that ALL of these features should present themselves in a text supposedly composed by human intelligence -- and the profound unlikelihood of that is the intriguing coincidence I wish to discuss. Knowing what you now know about these supposed “coincidences,” do you honestly believe that the Qur’an is simply the product of human intelligence, a book like any other book? Or does it seem more likely to you that its message is of a special quality?
Brandon Toropov
www.JesustheMuslim.com
yusuf10106@aol.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorship clues in the Qur’an:
“What a coincidence…”
Brandon Toropov
Question: “Who wrote the Qur’an?”
Answer: “The Qur’an was authored by a human being; it is not a literal revelation from God. It is a book created by human intelligence, like any other book. It was, as a matter of historical fact, written by Muhammad, in the seventh century A.D.”
This is, perhaps, the most common line of reasoning in the United States and Europe today. If this is your view, rest assured that you have plenty of company!
You should also know, though, that this point of view is not without its difficulties. To believe it, you must also believe that Muhammad, peace be upon him …
• Knew that the Earth and heavenly bodies were once a single point, and were separated violently (21:30)
“Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them?...”[ Al-Anbiyâ':21:30]
What’s more …
• If you don’t believe that he had access to special knowledge that made possible this prefiguring of the modern Big Bang theory -- a theory entirely unknown to the Arabs of the seventh century -- you must conclude that 21:30 of the Qur’an is merely an intriguing coincidence, a matter of getting something right by chance.
Perhaps this passage is simply an intriguing coincidence.
If it is, however, it is not the only one.
This man, the supposed “author” of the Qur’an, would also have to have…
• Known about the relativity of time (22:47), a subject similarly unknown to Arab tribes of this period.
“…And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of what you reckon.[ Al-Hajj22:47]”
• Similar references appear at 23:112-114; 32:45; and 70:4. Was he taking part in an ongoing dialogue on the topic of the relativity of time among the Arabic thinkers of his day? If so, where are these other voices? Either he possessed some source of knowledge on this subject thirteen and a half centuries before Einstein … or we are looking at another intriguing coincidence.
• Which is it?
• Most non-Muslims will instinctively answer along these lines: “Even if it means granting the text of the Qur’an a second striking coincidental feature, the likeliest explanation is that these passages, too, are merely examples of happenstance.”
And yet …
… consider that the same author would also have to have…
• Known that the universe is continuously expanding (51:47) … either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof.”[ Az-Zâriyât 51:47]
• Known that matter is created in pairs (36:36)– either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.” [ YâSîn:36:36]
• Known what modern biological science knows about the foundation of life on Earth, namely that it is water-based (24:45) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“God has created every moving (living) creature from water.” [ An-Nűr:24:45]
• Known that iron is not native to the Earth, coming instead from an extraterrestrial source (57:25) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“…and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind…” [ Al-Hadîd:57:25]
• Known that planetary bodies travel in orbits (27:88; 21:33) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“… They all float, each in an orbit.” [ YâSîn:36:40]
• Known that the Earth’s atmosphere acts like a protective shield for living creatures (21:32) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded.” [ Al-Anbiyâ':21;32]
• Known that the stages of human development in the womb unfold in a specific, describable sequence (23:14) that has been confirmed by modern experts in human embryology – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“… We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (drop of water) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into alaqah (clinging, leech-like substance), then We made the alaqah into mudghah (chewed-like lump), then We made out of that mudghah bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be God, the Best of creators [Surât Al-Mu'minűn:23:12-14]
• Known that the roots of mountains extend deep into the earth and serve the function of preventing shocks (21:31) – either that or these passages, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, and the mountains as pegs?” [ An-Naba':6-7]
“And the mountains He has fixed firmly.”[ An-Nazi'ât:79:32]
• Known details of how the Earth’s rain cycle functions that were mysteries to scientists until the twentieth century (15:22, 30:48) – either that or these passages, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky....[ Al-Hijr:15:22]
“God is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst!...” [ ArRűm:30:48]
• Known what modern oceanographers have now learned, namely that bordering seas meet but do not mingle with one another (55:19-20) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“He has let loosed the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress. [Ar-Rahmân:55:19-20]”
• Known that oceans have subsurface wave patterns (24:40) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom God has not appointed light, for him there is no light.” [ An-Nűr:24:40]
• Known that, in communities of honeybees, only the females are workers (16:68-69 – the Arabic verb forms can connect only to female beings) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence:
“And your Lord inspired the female bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect, Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.” [ An-Nahl:16:68-69]
• Known to use the singular of the word “YAWM” (day) precisely 365 times in the text of the Qur’an, despite the fact that he lived in a culture that followed a lunar, not a solar calendar -- either that or this numerical total must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
• Known, seven years ahead of time, that the humiliated Byzantine Army of his day would rejuvenate itself and secure a major victory, which in fact it eventually did against the Persians (30:1-4) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“The Romans have been defeated. In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with God.” [ ArRűm: 30:2-4]
• Known, two years before he did so, that he would enter Mecca in triumph (48:27) – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Indeed God shall fulfill the true vision which He showed to His Messenger [reference is made to a dream of the Prophet’s, peace be upon him, in which he entered Makkah along with his companions, having their head hair shaved and cut short] in very truth. Certainly, you shall enter Al Masjid al Harâm; if God wills, secure, (some) having your heads shaved, and (some) having your head hair cut short, having no fear.” [ Al-Fath:48:27]
• Known that the body of the Pharaoh who had opposed Moses would be preserved for future generations (10:91-92) -- it is today on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber of the Egyptian Museum – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Now (at the moment of your death, you believe, Pharaoh)! While you refused to believe before, and you were one of the Mufsidűn (evil-doers, corrupt persons, etc.)! So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs , revelations, etc.).[ Yűnus:10:91-92]
• Known to refer (12:54) to the Egyptian head of state of Joseph’s, peace be upon him, era as “king” (malik) and not as Pharaoh, the word that appears erroneously in the book of Genesis – either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“And the king said: ‘Bring him to me that I may attach him to my person.’ Then, when he spoke to him, he said: ‘Verily, this day, you are with us high in rank and fully trusted.’ " [ Yűsuf:12:54]
• Known that the fabled Arabian “lost city” of Iram (89:6-8) whose historical existence was confirmed by archaeologists only in 1990, was a historical reality -- either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Did you not see how your Lord dealt with 'Ad (people)? Of (the city of) Iram, with lofty pillars, the like of which were not created in the land?[ Al-Fajr:89:6-8]
• Known that the ancient flood that had beset the southern Arabian people of Saba from their dam system (34:15-17), similarly confirmed by modern archeology, was a historical reality -- either that or this passage, too, must be regarded as an intriguing coincidence.
“Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place, - two gardens on the right hand and on the left. (And it was said to them,) "Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. But they turned away (from the obedience of God), so We sent against them Sail Al'Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote trees.” [ Saba':34:15-16]
• Known the name of Haman (28:38), a historical figure close to the Pharaoh of the era of Moses, peace be upon him … despite the problems that a) the name “Haman” does not appear in the Torah’s version of the story, and b) the ability to translate the hieroglyphic language system of the Egyptians had been utterly lost for centuries at the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, and indeed would remain lost until the year 1799. After the discovery in that year of the Rosetta Stone, scholars were able to unlock the mystery of the hieroglyphs – and, eventually, to confirm that there was indeed a Haman, unmentioned in the Hebrew scriptures, who was close to this Pharoah in this period, and who was involved in construction, just as the Qur’an says. If we believe that human authorship is the only possible explanation for the origin of the Qur’an, we must assume either that Muhammad, peace be upon him, somehow had access to this information … or we must believe that this passage is yet another in a remarkably long series of intriguing coincidences.
“Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "O chiefs! I know not that you have an ilâh (a god) other than me, so kindle for me (a fire), O Hâmân, to bake (bricks out of) clay, and set up for me a Sarhan (a lofty tower, or palace, etc.) in order that I may look at (or look for) the Ilâh (God) of Moses; and verily, I think that he (Moses) is one of the liars." [ Al-Qasas:28:38]
How many “coincidences” do we need to get the message?
The message is simple: no human intelligence could have produced this book in the seventh century.
Please know that there are many, many more such “coincidences” in the Qur’an – I have listed here only those that do not require advanced knowledge in such topics as Arabic, mathematics, Islamic history, or classical poetic forms. Even with the brief list I have provided there comes, I think, a point at which one is obliged to evaluate the Qur’an’s message carefully, closely, and respectfully. These supposed “coincidences” are, I believe, clear signs to humankind that the Qur’an’s message is of a special quality, and must not be ignored.
Only the repeated exposure of the individual human heart to the Qur’an’s message can settle such a momentous question as “Who wrote the Qur’an?”
If you are a person who believes that there is no such thing as a divinely inspired revelation, the question is: how many coincidences does it take for you to consider that such a revelation to humanity may be possible?
If you are a person who believes that there is such a thing as a divinely inspired revelation, the question is, how many coincidences are you willing to ignore in order to before considering the possibility that a particular text presents such revelation?
Please know that I am NOT interested in any debate about the possibility that any ONE of these verses I have cited is “just a coincidence,” or is for some other reason unpersuasive to you. The truly remarkable thing is that ALL of these features should present themselves in a text supposedly composed by human intelligence -- and the profound unlikelihood of that is the intriguing coincidence I wish to discuss. Knowing what you now know about these supposed “coincidences,” do you honestly believe that the Qur’an is simply the product of human intelligence, a book like any other book? Or does it seem more likely to you that its message is of a special quality?
Brandon Toropov
www.JesustheMuslim.com
yusuf10106@aol.com