does the quran contain contradictions ?

[maro]

i am starting this thread for non_ muslims who are confused about anything in the quran ,and think it's contadictory

please come here, and dare to ask

 

[Scott1]

Since there seems to be some confusion in our last thread... I'll jump in here to make one thing clear:

I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE ARE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE KORAN.

Ok... done.

 

[Lindsey-Loo]

I'm in the process of reading the Quran, and will go back and look for contradictions after my first reading. I'm not challenging you, and don't even know if there in fact any contradictions. Here was one small list I found online though. Is Allah kind and merciful, or is he the exact opposite? The Quran seems to contradict itself somewhat on that:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/Quran/contra/merciful.html

I'm just curious to see what a Muslim would make of those supposed contradictions.

 

[Lindsey-Loo]

Also, did Allah create Heaven or Earth first? (79:27-30/2:29 and 41:9-12)

 

[McBell]

does the quran contain contradictions ?
yes it does:

Who was the first Muslim:

Muhammad [6:14, 163],
Moses [7:143],
some Egyptians [26:51],
Abraham [2:127-133, 3:67],
Adam [2:37]
​

Man was created from:

A blood clot [96:1-2],
water [21:30, 24:45, 25:54],
"sounding" clay [15:26],
dust [3:59, 30:20, 35:11],
nothing [19:67],
earth [11:61],
a drop of thickened fluid [16:4, 75:37]
​

Did Noah's son survive:

Yes

Sura 21:76,
Sura 37:77
​

No

11:42-43

​

Are Christians going to Heaven:

Yes

Sura 2:62,
Sura 5:69
​

No

Sura 5:72,
Sura 3:85
​

However, I am sure that Muslims have all manner of explanations that show that the contradictions in the Koran are not actually contradictions at all.
Just like the Christians have all manner of explanations for the contradictions in the Bible.

 

[maro]

Yes

1:1, 3, 163 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
2:37, 54 He is the relenting, the Merciful.
2:128 Thou, only Thou, art the Relenting, the Merciful.
2:143 For Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful toward mankind.
2:160 I am the Relenting, the Merciful.
2:173, 182, 192, 199, 218

NO : 2:7 Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering.
2:17 Allah taketh away their light and leaveth them in darkness, where they cannot see.
4:56 Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment.
4:168-9 Lo! those who disbelieve and deal wrong, Allah will never forgive them, neither will He guide them unto a road, Except the road of hell, wherein they will abide for ever. And that is ever easy for Allah.
5:33 The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom.
7:50 And the dwellers of the Fire cry out unto the dwellers of the Garden: Pour on us some water or some wherewith Allah hath provided you. They say: Lo! Allah hath forbidden both to disbelievers (in His guidance).

let's investigate the (no) verses :

[6] As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

[7] Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur). (sura 2)

_Allah provide( guidance) for all people equally , by showing all people the clear true path ,
those who accept the "guidance " are the ones who prospered ,
and those who reject to see , and prefer "blindness " to " guidance" , are the ones who chose by their own free will to be dismissed from Allah's mercy ,becoz they rejected this mercy when it came to them

the penalty is from the same type of the sin , becoz Allah is just , just like he is merciful ,
and from his mercy, he doesn't let the faith of the believers go in vain , and they will never be equal to the unbelivers

actually , the quran explains each other , and the (Hadith) adds more explanation,
The context , the tafseer , and the reasons of the revealation are very important too

Allah says :

"As to the Thamud, We gave them guidance, but they preferred blindness (of heart) to Guidance: so the stunning Punishment of humiliation seized them, because of what they had earned" [41:17]

this is how the story works ...

1) Allah provide guidance for the people : to point out to them the path of guidance , becoz he is Merciful

2) the one who rejects the guidance , is the one who rejects the mercy of allah upon him , and there is no one to blame but himself

3) the punishment comes to the disbelievers , becoz Allah is all just and wise

To be continued............

 

[maro]

[13] When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe," they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but they do not know.


[14] When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe;" but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say: "We are really with you we (were) only jesting."

[15] Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro).

[16]These are they who have bartered guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction.


[17] Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. [ sura 2 ]



And in the previous verses , we can the same eternal story again :
1)Allah provide guidance

[57:9] He is the One Who sends to His Servant manifest Signs, that He may lead you from the depths of Darkness into the Light. And verily, Allah is to you most Kind and Merciful

2) some reject the guidance, deny the clear signs , Make fun of the prophets ,and may even kill them ...for nothing but for calling them to submitt to the one who created them ,with no partners

3) The punishment comes to those who denied and disbelieved;





This verse sums up the story again....

[2:211] Ask the Children of Israel how many Clear (Signs) We have sent them. But if anyone, after Allah's favour has come to him, substitutes (something else), Allah is strict in punishment.

to be continued.......

 

[jamaesi]

I'm in the process of reading the Quran, and will go back and look for contradictions after my first reading. I'm not challenging you, and don't even know if there in fact any contradictions. Here was one small list I found online though. Is Allah kind and merciful, or is he the exact opposite? The Quran seems to contradict itself somewhat on that:

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/Quran/contra/merciful.html

I'm just curious to see what a Muslim would make of those supposed contradictions.

I'd say look at the source.

 

[maro]

i will come to the other verses , but after posting this ;

1. Allah is most Merciful
The Qur’an says several times that Allah is the most Merciful. In fact all the 114 Surahs i.e. chapters of the Glorious Qur’an except for Surah Taubah chapter 9, begin with the beautiful formula, Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Rahim, which means, "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful".​

2. Allah is Forgiving​

The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses including Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 25 and Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 74:

"And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."​

3. Allah gives severe punishment to the deserving
Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving is also strict in giving punishment to the deserving. The Qur’an mentions in several verses that Allah will give severe punishment to the unbelievers and rejecters of faith. He will give punishment to all those who disobey Him. Several verses of the Qur’an describe the various types of severe punishment that Allah will give in hell to all those who disobey.
"Those who reject our Signs, we shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins
Are roasted through, we shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise".
[Al-Qur’an 4:56]​

4. Allah is Just
The question is, whether Allah is forgiving or revengeful? An important point to be noted is that Allah besides being Merciful and Forgiving, He also has to give severe punishment to the deserving wicked or evil people, because He is also Just. The Qur’an mentions in Surah Nisa: "Allah is never unjust in the least degree".
[Al-Qur’an 4:40]
It is further mentioned in Surah Al-Ambiya:
"We shall set up scales of justice for the day of Judgement, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, we will bring it (to account): and enough are we to take account".
[Al-Qur’an 21:47]​

. Example:
If during an examination, a student copies and the teacher who supervises in the examination catches the student red-handed, the teacher says that he is very merciful and kind and forgives him and allows him to continue copying. Those students who have worked hard for the examination will not call the teacher merciful and kind but will call him unjust. This merciful act of the teacher will encourage the other students to also copy. If all the teachers are merciful and kind and allow the students to copy then no student will ever study for examinations and all will pass with flying colours by copying. The theoretical results of the examinations will be excellent in which all the students will pass with first class and distinction but practically these students will be a failure in life. The whole purpose of the examination would be defeated.​

5. This Life is a Test for the Hereafter
The life in this world is a test for the Hereafter. The Qur’an says in Surah Al Mulk: "He who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed; and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving".
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]​

6. If Allah forgives all and punishes none, who will obey him?
If Allah (swt) forgives each and every human being and punishes no one, then why should the human beings obey the command of Allah (swt)? I do agree that no one will go to hell, but this world would become hell to live in. If all human beings are going to go to heaven then what is the purpose and use of the human beings to come to this world, this life cannot be called a test for the hereafter.​

7. Allah only forgives if a person repents
Allah (swt) only forgives if a person repents. The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Zumar, chapter 39 verse 53-55:
"Say: ‘O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
"Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the penalty comes on you - after that ye shall not be helped."
"And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you - of a sudden, while ye perceive not!"
[Al-Qur’an 39:53-55]
There are four criteria for repentance: First, agree that the act is wrong. Secondly, stop it immediately. Thirdly, never do it again in future. And lastly, compensate for the loss if caused to anyone.​

http://www.geocities.com/mamuskh/ZNallah.html​

 

[maro]

**all the following verses are understood by muslims , in the same frame i mentioned before :


[4:56]Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise


1) the clear signs come
2) some reject , and dismiss themselves from allah's mercy


Those who reject Faith, and die rejecting it, on them is Allah's curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind [2:161]

3) the punishment comes




**[167] Those who reject Faith and keep off (men) from the Way of Allah, have verily strayed far, far away from the Path.

[168] Those who reject Faith and do wrong, Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any way. (sura 4)

becoz Allah forgives only those who believe in him and ask for his mercy and forgiveness (Repent ) :

Allah says to his "servants " :

[39:53]Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.



** [5:33]The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;

 

[McBell]

And thus I was proven right...

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

4:78

Wherever you are, death will overtake you, though you are in towers, raised high. And if good befalls them, they say: This is from Allah; and if a misfortune befalls them, they say: This is from thee. Say: All is from Allah. But what is the matter with these people that they make no effort to understand anything?​

4:79

Whatever good befalls thee (O man), it is from Allah, and whatever misfortune befalls the, it is from thyself. We have sent the (O Prophet) to mankind as a Messenger. And Allah is sufficient as a witness.​

The Holy Quran

As suggested ...

 

[maro]

Also, did Allah create Heaven or Earth first? (79:27-30/2:29 and 41:9-12)

Allah created the Earth first


[2:29]It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments. And of all things He hath perfect knowledge.


sura 41:


[9] Say: "Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two Days? and do ye join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds."

[10] He set on the (earth). Mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four Days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).

[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."
[12]So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge.



the question is : does the following verses contradict (the creation of Earth before the creation of heaven):


sura 79 :
[27]What! Are ye the more difficult to create or the heaven (above)? (Allah) hath constructed it:

[28] On high hath He raised its canopy, and He hath given it order and perfection.

[29] Its night doth He endow with darkness, and its splendour doth He bring out (with light).

[30] And the earth, moreover, hath He extended (to a wide expanse);

[31] He draweth out therefrom its moisture and its pasture;


[32] And the mountains hath He firmly fixed



the answer is; NO ,

becoz in sura (79:30) , Allah doesn't use the word (create) regarding EArth , but the word (Extend )


here is the order of events according to the quran :

1) Allah created the Earth

2) then he created the Heaven

3)then he expanded the earth ,and created its moisture(water) , its pasture and its mountains

 

[maro]

However, I am sure that Muslims have all manner of explanations that show that the contradictions in the Koran are not actually contradictions at all.

Just like the Christians have all manner of explanations for the contradictions in the Bible.

just for the record , i have started a thread for the contradictions of the bible http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55003&page=3

check the answers of the christians by yourself.

and although you don't seem interested to listen to what muslims have to say .but i am going to explain the verses ,anyway

 

[FatMan]

Any work from ancient times has contradictions or falsehoods.

Anyone who doesn't think so exhibits a rare brand of aggressive cluelessness.

 

[maro]

Who was the first Muslim:

Muhammad [6:14, 163],​

Moses [7:143],​

some Egyptians [26:51],​

Abraham [2:127-133, 3:67],​

Adam [2:37]​

[2:37]doesn't say Adam is the first muslim, but in fact all prophets are muslims (submitting) to allah

"Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful"


[2:127-133]and[3:67] says that abraham was a muslim (but not the first), becoz as i said before all the prophets(PBUH) were muslims


"Ibrahim was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah"

Why does prophet Mosa (Pbuh) said " and i am the first to believe" although the prophets who came before him where muslims ?​

[7:143] When Musa came to the place appointed by Us, and his Lord addressed him, he said: "O my Lord! show (Thyself) to me, that I may look upon Thee." Allah said: "By no means canst thou see Me (direct); but look upon the mount; if it abide in its place, then shalt thou see Me." When his Lord manifested His glory on the Mount, He made it as dust, and Musa fell down in a swoon. When he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to Thee! to Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe


_in this context and particular situatuation , prophet Mosa (pbuh)meant that he was the first to believe that no one can see god ,

becoz when prophet mosa came to the place of appointment , he wasn't only a believer ,but a prophet as well,

but ,he still asked god to let him see him,

and when he felt down in swoon , he said ( i am the first to believe ) , as a sign of repentance and submission to his powerful great lord

Why did the magicians Announced that they were the first to believe ?​

[26:51] "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the Believers

the Magicians were actually the first Egyptians ,from the people of the Pharouh , to believe in Mosa​

the Pharouh brought them to challenge Mosa infront of the other Egyptians , but when they witnessed the miracles of Mosa (PBUH) , they quickly announced that they were the first to believe and follow him , instead of challenging him

Why did prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that he was the first muslim ?​

[6:14]Say: "Shall I take for my protector any other than Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? And He it is that feedeth but is not fed." Say: "Nay! but I am commanded to be the first of those who bow to Allah (in Islam), and be not thou of the company of those who join gods with Allah

because at his age , prophet muhammad (PBUH) was the first muslim in fact , when all humanity was misguided and lead astray from the path of the previous prophets (PBHU),​

Prophet Muhammed(PBUH)was the first one to become a muslim (at that time ) and he caused the Islam to revive again , by the grace of Allah

So , we can see that prophet Mosa(PBUH) , the magicians and prophet muhammad (PBUH) said the word at three different situations and contexts, and they were all right in fact (may all be pleased with all of them, Ameen)




​

 

[McBell]

Isn't that interesting.
You have come up with the same weasel word arguments that Christians use to explain away contradictions in the Bible.
However, that is exactly what I predicted would happen.

Only the names and dates have changed to fit the Koran instead of the Bible.

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

However, that is exactly what I predicted would happen.

So I am to understand that since you predicted we would answer the questions (as though that was such an enormous feat) it negates the answers? Since we actually answered in a manner you thought we might, it's the wrong answer I guess? If you are uninterested in gathering another viewpoint, and you feel secure in the thought that we are wrong in what we believe or it is a falsehood, why do you bother with questions? Are you proving to yourself you are correct?

 

[McBell]

So I am to understand that since you predicted we would answer the questions (as though that was such an enormous feat) it negates the answers? Since we actually answered in a manner you thought we might, it's the wrong answer I guess? If you are uninterested in gathering another viewpoint, and you feel secure in the thought that we are wrong in what we believe or it is a falsehood, why do you bother with questions? Are you proving to yourself you are correct?

perhaps it would be helpful if you were to read what it was that I predicted:

However, I am sure that Muslims have all manner of explanations that show that the contradictions in the Koran are not actually contradictions at all.
Just like the Christians have all manner of explanations for the contradictions in the Bible.

​

Here once again you jump to conclusions based upon your assumptions.
I merely presented contradictions in the Koran.
Then I pointed out that Muslims will do with Koranic contradictions the exact same thing that Christians do with Biblical contradictions.

I made absolutely NO claims as to validity of the Koran or the Bible, nor did I express any viewpoint other than Muslims are just like Christians when it comes to declaring their 'Holy Text' contradiction free.

Interestingly enough, I have yet to ask a question in this thread...
I answered the question presented as the thread title.

 

[MaddLlama]

MOD POST

Please be advised that this is the DIR. Unless you are a Muslim,
or have a respectful question to ask, kindly do not post in this thread.
No debating in the DIR.
​