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Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 2 of 4): Logical Steps Lead to Logical Conclusions |
 Description: A look at the linguistic nature of the Quran and examining other scriptures predicting the coming of Prophet Muhammad By Aisha Stacey (© 2011 IslamReligion.com)Published on 24 Oct 2011 - Last modified on 10 Jun 2012 Viewed: 3227 (daily average: 14) - Rating: - Rated by: 3 Printed: 102 - Emailed: 0 - Commented on: 0 Category: Articles > Evidence Islam is Truth > Logical Proofs |
 In part 1 we discussed the miraculous nature of Quran and asked a
question. How is it possible for a book written in the 6th century CE to
contain knowledge only available in the 20th century CE? We came to the logical
conclusion that the Quran is the word of God. However, is this enough, are
scientific miracles proof that the Quran is the word of God? Yes, this may be
enough for some, but others may want to look at further proofs. There are other
aspects that can be taken into consideration particularly pertaining to what is
often referred to as the linguistic nature of Quran.
In the 7th century CE
the Arabs, although predominantly illiterate, were masters of the spoken word.
Their poetry and prose were considered a model of literary excellence. When
Prophet Muhammad recited the Quran, the Arabs were moved by its sublime tone,
eloquence, and extraordinary beauty. Amongst the Arabs, even those who rejected
the call to Islam, there was no doubt that the words of Quran came from no
earthly source.
The Quran challenges all to try
and come forth with
even a single chapter like it, whose shortest chapter, al-Kawthar, consists of only three verses.
“And if you are in doubt concerning
that which We have sent down to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and
call your witnesses besides God if you be truthful. If you do not do so – and
you will never do so – then fear a fire whose fuel is men and stones prepared
for the disbelievers.” (Quran 2:23-24)
The challenge stands till today
and no one has been able to bring something even close to the Quran since the
time of its revelation.
Thus, this fact demands us to ask
yet another question. How do we know that these words of God were not changed
over the centuries? The words we read and ponder over today, are the same words
read over 1400 years ago. More than 1.5 billion Muslims believe this and they
do so because God Himself promised to preserve and protect the Quran. God
bestowed on humankind the gifts of hearing, seeing and thinking. Thus we use
our minds, ears and eyes to examine the authenticity of Quran.
“And God brought you out of your
mother’s wombs devoid of all knowledge, but He has endowed you with hearing,
vision, and intellect, so that you may be grateful.”
(Quran 16:78)
The words of the Quran have remained unchanged due to careful
memorisation and meticulous recording. As the Quran
was being revealed, it was memorized by the companions of
Prophet Muhammad and then carefully transmitted generation after
generation. According to one estimate there are over 10 million people today
who have memorized the book cover to cover.
If the book were to disappear it would be easily possible to reclaim each
word, in the correct order with the correct pronunciation. Besides, trustworthy scribes also wrote down the revelation on flat stones, bark,
bones, and even animal skins. During his lifetime Prophet Muhammad supervised
this himself. Over the centuries Muslims and non Muslims alike have examined
copies of Quran, some more than 1000 years old and found that they are all
identical, apart from the introduction of vowel marks in the 7th century CE.
These marks were introduced to further guard the authenticity of Quran by
demanding strict adherence to pronunciation rules.
“It is We Who have sent down the
remembrance (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it from corruption.”
(Quran 15:9)
Having established that, the Quran contains knowledge that could only be known by God and
confirming the authenticity of the words we have in front of us today, we have
again reached the same logical conclusion – that the Quran and thus the religion
of Islam is the religion of truth. When learning about Islam it is possible at
every turning point to research and recheck. However one might ask why the
coming of Prophet Muhammad was not mentioned in previous revelations from God?
The answer to this question is - he most certainly was mentioned.
The Quran both confirms and
abrogates the books that were sent from God before it, including the Jewish
Torah and the Gospels of Jesus. In our quest to confirm the truths of Islam we
can look at these books and find clear predictions[1] of the coming of Prophet Muhammad. The first
chapter of the Old Testament refers to the coming of a prophet and all but
describes Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad could neither read nor write and
the words of Quran that he spoke were words revealed to him by God.
“I will raise them up a Prophet from
among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he
shall speak unto them all that I shall command him” (Geneses 18:18)
“Neither does he speak out of his own
desire: that [which he conveys to you] is but [a divine] inspiration with which
he is being inspired.” (Quran 53:3-4)
In John 14:16 Jesus speaks to his
disciples saying “And I
will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you forever.” [2] He even said “…if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you.”[3] Who exactly is the
comforter? Jesus was clearly referring to the Messenger of
God -
Muhammad, who would come after
him and
glorify him[4]. In his traditions,
Prophet Muhammad glorifies Jesus in terms impossible to misinterpret.
Whoever
testifies that none deserves worship except God, who has no partner, and that
Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, and that Jesus is the servant of God, His
Messenger, and His Word which He bestowed in Mary, and a spirit created from
Him, and that Paradise is true, and that Hell is true, God will admit him into
Paradise, according to his deeds.[5]
Although there is no evidence to
suggest that Hindu scriptures were revealed by God there is evidence that
learned righteous Hindu scholars were searching for universal truths. The
truths, that connect humankind with a higher power. The Hindu scriptures also
mention Prophet Muhammad. In the Samveda Book II Hymn 6 verse 8 it says
“Ahmed[6]
acquired from his Lord the knowledge of eternal law. I received light
from him just as from the sun.” According to
Bhavishya Purana in the Prati Sarag Parv III Khand 3 Adhay 3 Shloka 5 to 8. “A
malecha (belonging to a foreign country and speaking a foreign language)
spiritual teacher will appear with his companions. His name will be
Mohammad.”[7]
So far, we have established that
the Quran contains knowledge unable to be proven until many centuries after it
was revealed. We used this fact and others to acknowledge that God Himself is
the one who spoke the Quran.[8] The Quran is one of
two principle sources of Islam; the other is the authentic teachings and
traditions of Prophet Muhammad. In this article we have also established that
Prophet Muhammad was predicted in sacred scripture, both from other monotheistic
faiths (Judaism and Christianity) and Hinduism. Our next logical step and the
subject of part 3 is to authenticate Prophet Muhammad’s prophet hood, and thus
provide evidence that the second principle source of Islam is the truth.
Footnotes:
[1] A full
discussion of the Biblical prophecies referring to Prophet Muhammad can be found
at the following web site –
(http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/200/viewall/)
[2] Bible - American Standard
Version
[3] John 16:7
Ibid.
[4] John:16:14
Ibid
[5] Saheeh
Bukhari
[6] Ahmad is the same name as
Muhammad, both meaning the praised one.
[7]
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Hindu Scriptures by Dr. Zakir
Naik.
[8] For a more detailed
discussion on the miraculous nature of the Quran, please refer to the article
“The Miraculous Quran” – (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/528/viewall/)
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| Previous: Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 1 of 4): Looking for Proof? Start with Logic | Next: Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 3 of 4): God’s message is not hidden |
|---|
| Parts of This Article |
|---|
| Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 1 of 4): Looking for Proof? Start with Logic |
| Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 2 of 4): Logical Steps Lead to Logical Conclusions |
| Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 3 of 4): God’s message is not hidden |
| Researching Islam – Suggested Methodology (part 4 of 4): God’s Wisdom is Sometimes beyond Our Understanding |
| View all parts together |
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