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THE BIBLE VS THE QUR’AN A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

THE BIBLE VS THE QUR’AN A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT. 2012 Jay Smith. Find out what they claim about the Qur’an. It is Inimitable (Therefore above criticism) : It is Superior to all other revelations It is Stylistically perfect It is Grammatically perfect

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THE BIBLE VS THE QUR’AN A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

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  1. THE BIBLE VS THE QUR’ANA CRITICAL ASSESSMENT 2012 Jay Smith

  2. Find out what they claim about the Qur’an • It is Inimitable(Therefore above criticism): • It is Superior to all other revelations • It is Stylistically perfect • It is Grammatically perfect • It is Linguistically perfect (pure Arabic) • It is Universally unique • It is Compiled perfectly • It has no Contradictions • It has no Errors • It has no History (uniquely preserved)

  3. INIMITABLE CLAIMS: Muslim’s claim the Qur’an is UNIQUE: • The Qur’an is the greatest wonder among the wonders of the world . . . This book is second to none in the world according to the unanimous decision of the learned men in points of diction, style, rhetoric, thoughts and soundness of laws and regulations to shape the destinies of mankind.Hadith (Mishkat III, pg. 664)

  4. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an is SUPERIOR to all other pieces of literature: • Will they say, ‘Muhammad hath forged it?’ Answer: ‘Bring therefore a chapter like unto it, and call whom ye to your assistance, besides Allah, if ye speak truth.’(Suras 10:37-38; 2:23; 17:88) • “Mother of Books” (Sura 43:3-4)

  5. a) sura 76:29-30 (or sura 16:93) b) sura 111 c) suras 4:74,84; 5:33; 48:16- 17 d) sura 109 e) sura 24:2 f) suras 2:222-223; 4:11,24,34,176 g) sura 9:29 a) I Timothy 2:4, Luke 15:3-4, John 10:14,18. b) Francis of Assisi's prayer (see Nehls, Christians Ask Muslims, 1987, pg.75, no.11) c) Matthew 5:3-12 d) Psalm 23 e) John 8:3-12 f) Ephesians 5:22-25 g) I Corinthians 13:4-7 Muslim’s claim the Qur’an has perfect literary style…yet, Compare:

  6. It has many Literary defects: • Not chronological • Endless repetitions • Jumps from one topic to the next • Inconsistencies in grammar, law, and theology • Verbs left out

  7. According to Al-Kindi, a Christian polemicist employed in the Caliphal court (830 A.D.): “The result of all of this [process by which the Qur’an came into being] is patent to you who have read the scriptures and see how, in your book, histories are all jumbled together and intermingled; an evidence that many different hands have been at work therein, and caused discrepancies, adding, cutting out whatever they like or disliked. Are such, now, the conditions of a revelation sent down from heaven?” (Muir 1882:18-19, 28)

  8. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS TODAY SAY? German secular scholar Salmon Reinachstates that: • “From the literary point of view, the Koran has little merit. Declamation, repetition, puerility, a lack of logic and coherence strike the unprepared reader at every turn. It is humiliating to the human intellect to think that this mediocre literature has been the subject of innumerable commentaries, and that million of men are still wasting time in absorbing it.” (Reinach 1932:176)

  9. Theodore Nöldeke: • “Chaotic Confusion...prosaic...stiff in style...tedious sermonizing...rhetorical...never metrical...and the rhyme on the whole a burdensome yoke...superfluous verbiage...syntax betrays great awkwardness...tiresome effect of its endless iterations...[so that dogma] turns a defective literary production into an unrivalled masterpiece in the eyes of the believers” (Nöldeke 1998:36,44-47)

  10. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an is Grammatically perfect, yet: • 2:177, the word Sabireen should be Sabiroon; • 3:59, the words Kun feekunu should be written, Kun fakaana; • 5:69, the title al Sabioon, should be written al Sabieen (see also sura 2:62 & sura 22:17) • 7:160, Uthnati (feminine) Ashrat (feminine) Asbaataan. should be Uthnaiy (masculine) Ashara Sibtaan.

  11. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an contains only Perfect Arabic (Suras 12:2; 13:37; 41:41,44): • Yet uses Egyptian, Hebrew, Syriac, Christian Aramaic, & Ethiopic words. • -Accadian (No.Iraq) words: Adam andEden repeated 24 times. A more correct term for “Adam” in Arabic would be basharan or insan, meaning “mankind.” “Eden” would be the word janna in Arabic, which means “garden.” • -Assyrianwords: Abraham (sometimes recorded asIbrahim). The correct Arabic equivalent would be Abu Raheem. • -Persianwords:Siratmeaning “the path” has the Arabic equivalent, Altareeq.Hoormeaning “disciple” has the Arabic equivalent, Tilmeeth. Firdaus meaning “the highest or seventh heaven" has the Arabic equivalent, Jannah. • -Greekwords:Injil, which means “gospel” was borrowed, yet it has the Arabic equivalent, Bisharah

  12. Polygamy:S 4:3 1 husband/ 4 wives and what right hand possesses (slaves/concubines) Wife Beating: S 4:34, men may beat wives Inheritance: S 4:11 ”inheritance to the male, equal to that of two females.” Testimony: S 2:282, Bukhar1:301 Muhammad replied, “Is not the testimony of a woman equivalent to half the testimony of a man? Tilth: S 2:223 “Your women are a tilthfor you (to cultivate) so go to your tilth as ye will” Slaves/Concubines: S 33:50 “We have made lawful unto thee whom you have paid dowries (contract), those whom thy right had possesses (Slaves) of those whom Allah hath given thee as spoils of war... Polygamy...Genesis 2:24, Mt. 19:5, 1 Tim 3:2, perfect marriage relationship between 1 man and 1 woman. Love one’s wife: 1 Pet. 3:7, Col. 3:19 “husbands must love your wives & NEVER treat them harshly.” Testimony: Matthew 28:9 “The first people to see Jesus and be His witnesses were women” Equality:Galations 3:28 “all believers are equal in Christ” -Hebrews 4:14-16 “both can approach God directly. -1 Peter 3:7 “you are equal together in the grace of life.” -1 Corinthians 7:1-40, husbands and wives fulfil each other emotionally and sexually. Their bodies belong to each other. Not one is above the other. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an isUNIVERSAL:Case 1:Women’s Position:(Suras 2:224-230; 4:11,24-25,34,176; 55:56; 56:36; 78:33)

  13. Paradise In the Qur’an: A Beautiful Garden: • Surah 55 :26two gardens • Surah 56:12 Garden of delights • Surah 56: 31 water flowing constantly, fruit in plenty With Female and Male Servants: • Surah 55: 56 chaste females whom no man has been with • Surah 55: 70fair and beautiful women • Surah 55: 72 - 74 Hûr - beautiful, fair females, guarded in pavilions - virgins • Surah 56:22 Hûr, with wide, lovely eyes • Surah 55: 76reclining on green cushions and beautiful mattresses • Surah 56 : 34-38 on couches or thrones raised high, a special creation, and made them virgins, loving... • Surah 56:17 immortal boys will go around, serving with cups...flowing wine

  14. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an isUNIVERSAL:Case 2: Violence vs. Peace • Violence: • Suras 4:74,84; 5:33; 8:39; 9:5,29; 33:49; 47:4; 48:16-17 • vs. Bible:Matthew 5:38-44; 26:52….

  15. The Qur’an’s 149 Sword Verses: 1.       2:178 2.       2:179 3.       2:190 4.       2:191 5.       2:193 6.       2:194 7.       2:216 8.       2:217 9.       2:218 10.   2:244 11.   3:121 12.   3:122 13.   3:123 14.   3:124 15.   3:125 16.   3:126 17.   3:140 18.   3:141 19.   3:146 20.   3:152 21.   3:153 22.   3:154 23.   3:155 24.   3:156 25.   3:157 26.   3:165 27.   3:166 28.   3:167 29.   3:169 30.   3:172 31.   3:173 32.   3:195 33.   4:071 34.   4:072 35.   4:074 36.   4:075 37.   4:076 38.   4:077 39.   4:084 40.   4:089 41.   4:090 42.   4:091 43.   4:094 44.   4:095 45.   4:100 46.   4:102 47.   4:104 48.   5:033 49.   5:035 50.   5:082 51.   8:001 52.   8:005 53.   8:007 54.   8:009 55.   8:012 56.   8:015 57.   8:016 58.   8:017 59.   8:039 60.   8:040 61.   8:041 62.   8:042 63.   8:043 64.   8:044 65.   8:045 66.   8:046 67.   8:047 68.   8:048 69.   8:057 70.   8:058 71.   8:059 72.   8:060 73.   8:065 74.   8:066 75.   8:067 76.   8:068 77.   8:069 78.   8:070 79.   8:071 80.   8:072 81.   8:073 82.   8:074 83.   8:075 84.   9:005 85.   9:012 86.   9:013 87.   9:014 88.   9:016 89.   9:019 90.   9:020 91.   9:024 92.   9:025 93.   9:026 94.   9:029 95.   9:036 96.   9:038 97.   9:039 98.   9:041 99.   9:044 100.      9:052 101.      9:073 102.      9:081 103.      9:083 104.      9:086 105.      9:088 106.      9:092 107.      9:111 108.      9:120 109.      9:122 110.      9:123 111.      16:110 112.      22:039 113.      22:058 114.      22:078 115.      24:053 116.      24:055 117.      25:052 118.      29:006 119.      29:069 120.      33:015 121.      33:018 122.      33:020 123.      33:025 124.      33:026 125.      33:027 126.      33:050 127.      47:004 128.      47:020 129.      48:015 130.      48:016 131.      48:017 132.      48:022 133.      48:024 134.      49:015 135.      59:002 136.      59:005 137.      59:006 138.      59:007 139.      59:008 140.      59:014 141.      60:009 142.      61:004 143.      61:011 144.      61:013 145.      63:004 146.      64:014 147.      66:009 148.      73:020 149.      76:008

  16. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an was COLLATED Perfectly and Completely Yet, according to Arthur Jefferies, 16 Codices are noted by 9th c. compilers: ZaidibnThabit (Medina) Abdullah ibnMas'ud (Kufa- no Fatiha, nor S.113-114, differences in S.3:19, 39 & S.9- Bismillah, Shi’ite readings) Abu Musa (Basra,116 Suras) UbayyibnKa'b (Damascus,116 Suras) Missing Vss = 24:32 (stoning), 33:23

  17. SUMMARY: • .Some Qur’anic verses were lost. Many (of the passages) of the Qur’an that were sent down were known by those who died on the day of Yamama...but they were not known (by those who) survived them, nor were they written down, nor had Abu Bakr, Umar, or Uthman (by that time) collected the Qur’an, nor were they found with even one (person) after them. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.23). • .Much of the Qur’an has disappeared. It is reported from Ismail ibn Ibrahim from Ayyub from Naafi from Ibn Umar who said: “Let none of you say ‘I have acquired the whole of the Qur’an’. How does he know what all of it is when much of the Qur’an has disappeared? Rather let him say ‘I have acquired what has survived.’ (as-Suyuti, [d. 1500sAD] Al-Itqan fii Ulum al-Qur’an, p.524).

  18. .Parts of the Qur’an have been forgotten. We used to recite a surah which resembled in length and severity to (Surah) Bara’at. I have, however, forgotten it with the exception of this which I remember out of it: “If there were two valleys full of riches, for the son of Adam, he would long for a third valley, and nothing would fill the stomach of the son of Adam but dust”. (Sahih Muslim, [d. 875 AD] Vol. 2:2286, p.501). • .Parts have been canceled. We used to read a verse of the Qur’an revealed in their connection, but later the verse was canceled. It was: “convey to our people on our behalf the information that we have met our Lord, and He is pleased with us, and has made us pleased”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, [d. 870AD] Vol. 5:416, pg.288).

  19. While others are now missing. Allah sent Muhammad (saw) with the Truth and revealed the Holy Book to him, and among what Allah revealed, was the Verse of the Rajam (the stoning of married persons, male and female, who commit adultery) andwe did recite this Verse and understood and memorized it. Allah’s Apostle (saw) did carry out the punishment of stoning and so did we after him. I am afraid that after a long time has passed, somebody will say, ‘By Allah, we do not find the Verse of the Rajam in Allah’s Book’, and thus they will go astray by leaving an obligation which Allah has revealed. (Sahih al-Bukhari, [d. 870AD] Vol. 8:817, pg.539). • .There are some verses which have been overlooked. Khuzaimah ibn Thabit said: “I see you have overlooked (two) verses and have not written them”. They said “And which are they?” He replied “I had it directly (tilqiyya - ‘automatically, spontaneously’) from the messenger of Allah (saw) (Surah 9, ayah 128): ‘There has come to you a messenger from yourselves. It grieves him that you should perish, he is very concerned about you: to the believers he is kind and merciful’, to the end of the surah”. Uthman said “I bear witness that these verses are from Allah”. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.11).

  20. Some verses which have been changed. Abu Yunus, freedman of Aishah, Mother of Believers, reported: Aishah ordered me to transcribe the Holy Qur’an and asked me to let her know when I should arrive at the verse Haftdhuu alaas-salaati waas-salaatiil-wustaa wa quumuu lillaahi qaanitiin (2.238). When I arrived at the verse I informed her and she ordered: Write it in this way,Hafidhuu alaas-salaati waas-salaatiil-wustaa wa salaatil ‘asri wa quumuu lillaahi qaanitiin. She added that she had heard it so from the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him). (Muwatta Imam Malik, [d.795 AD]p.64). • .And others which have been modified. Altogether al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf made eleven modifications in the reading of the Uthmanic text. ... In al-Baqarah (Surah 2.259) it originally read Lam yatasanna waandhur, but it was altered to Lam yatasannah ... In al-Ma’ida (Surah 5.48) it read Shari ya’atan wa minhaajaan but it was altered to shir ‘atawwa minhaajaan. (Ibn Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Masahif p.117).

  21. Lost • Disappeared • Forgotten • Cancelled • Missing • Overlooked • Changed • Modified • Does this sound like a book which was COLLATED Perfectly and Completely?

  22. TALMUDIC SOURCES: *Abraham Sura 21:51-71: (smashed idols,fiery pit) = Midrash Rabah - Jewish Folktales & UR = "fire" =Jonathan Ben Uziel(2nd c.) • Mt. Sinai Sura 7:171 of God lifting up Mount Sinai and holding it over the heads of the Jews = Hails from a second century apocryphal Jewish book, The Abodah Sarah(2nd c.)

  23. Sura 5:31 Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. `Woe is me!' said he; `Was I not even able to be as this raven, and to hide the shame of my brother?' Then he became full of regrets. Targum of Jonathan-ben-Uzziah (150-200 A.D.) Adam and Eve, sitting by the corpse, wept not knowing what to do, for they had as yet no knowledge of burial. A raven came up, took the dead body of its fellow, and having scratched at the earth, buried it thus before their eyes. Adam said, `Let us follow the example of the raven,' so taking up Abel's body, buried it at once. *Cain and Abel(Sura 5:31):

  24. Qur'an- sura 5:32 On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person -unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people... Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5(5th c.) We find it said in the case of Cain who murdered his brother, `the voice of thy brother's blood crieth out' [this latter is a quote from the Bible, Genesis 4:10], and he says, `it does not sayeth he hath blood in the singular, but bloods in the plural.' Thou was created single in order to show that to him who kills a single individual, it should be reckoned that he has slain the whole race. But to him who has preserved the life of a single individual, it is counted that he has preserved the whole race. Cain & Abel(Sura 5:32)

  25. Qur'an- sura 27:17-44 (aya 17) And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts-of Jinns and men, and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. (aya 20) And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: `Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? (aya 21) I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence). (aya 22) But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: `I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true. (aya 23) I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne... (aya 27) (Solomon) said: `Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied! (aya 28) Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return." (aya 29) (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! Here is-delivered to me-a letter worthy of respect. (aya 30) It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): `In the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful: Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'" (aya 32) She said: "Ye chiefs! Advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence." (aya 33) They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command." (aya 35) She said..."But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors." (aya 42) So when she arrived, (aya 44) she was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." II Targum of Esther(2nd c.) "Solomon...gave orders...I will send King and armies against thee...(of) Genii [jinn] beasts of the land the birds of the air. Just then the Red-cock (a bird), enjoying itself, could not be found; King Solomon said that they should seize it and bring it by force, and indeed he sought to kill it. But just then, the cock appeared in the presence of the King and said, "I had seen the whole world (and) know the city and kingdom (of Sheba) which is not subject to thee, My Lord King. They are ruled by a woman called the Queen of Sheba. Then I found the fortified city in the Eastlands (Sheba) and around it are stones of gold and silver in the streets." By chance the Queen of Sheba was out in the morning worshipping the sea, the scribes prepared a letter, which was placed under the bird's wing and away it flew and (it) reached the Fort of Sheba. Seeing the letter under its wing (Sheba) opened it and read it. "King Solomon sends to you his Salaams. Now if it please thee to come and ask after my welfare, I will set thee high above all. But if it please thee not, I will send kings and armies against thee." The Queen of Sheba heard it, she tore her garments, and sending for her Nobles asked their advice. They knew not Solomon, but advised her to send vessels by the sea, full of beautiful ornaments and gems...also to send a letter to him. When at last she came, Solomon sent a messenger...to meet her...Solomon, hearing she had come, arose and sat down in the palace of glass. When the Queen of Sheba saw it, she thought the glass floor was water, and so in crossing over lifted up her garments. When Solomon seeing the hair about her legs, (He) cried out to her..." Solomon & Sheba - sura 27:17-44

  26. Qur'an- sura 19:22-26 So she conceived him [Jesus], and she retired with him to a remote place. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree: She cried (in her anguish): `Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight'! Then [the babe ‘Isa (Jesus)] cried unto her from below her, saying: `Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee: And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm tree; it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee. So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. The Lost Books of the Bible(2nd c.) Now on the third day after Mary was wearied in the desert by the heat, she asked Joseph to rest for a little under the shade of a Palm Tree. Then Mary looking up and seeing its branches laden with fruit (dates) said, `I desire if it were possible to have some fruit.' Just then the child Jesus looked up (from below) with a cheerful smile, and said to the Palm Tree, `Send down some fruit.' Immediately the tree bent itself (toward her) and so they ate. Then Jesus said, `O Palm Tree, arise; be one of my Father's trees in Paradise, but with thy roots open the fountain (rivulet) beneath thee and bring water flowing from that fount.' The Palm Tree:(Sura 19:22-26)

  27. *Jesus's Childhood: -Baby Jesus talking- S.19:29-33 = The first Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ (2nd c.) -Creating birds from clay- S.3:49 = Thomas' Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ (2nd c.) --------------------------------------- • Poetryin the Qur’an (Meccan Suras) =Gunther Lűling: traced the poetry to pre-Islamic Christian Syriac hymns, written in the 6th c., with Arab themes added

  28. CONTRADICTIONS: • Ifthe words of Allahcannot be changed (Sura 6:34,115; 10:6), then how does Allah ‘substitute one revelation for another’ (Sura 2:106, 16:101)? • Does Allah's dayequal to 1,000 human years (22:47, 32:5) or 50,000 human years (70:4)? • Was the earth createdin 6 days (7:54; 25:59) or 8 days (41:9-12)? • Does the angel Gabrielbring the revelation from Allah to Muhammad (2:97), or is it the Holy Spirit (16:102)? • If the Bible is considered authoritative (4:136; 5:47-52,68; 10:95; 21:7; 29:46), then why is so much of it contradicted by the Qur’an (5:73-75,116; 19:7; 28:9, etc...)?

  29. (Contradictions cont.) • Is the punishment for adulteresseslife imprison­ment (4:15) or 100 floggings (24:2)? • Why is it that Homosexuals are let off if they repent (4:16), though the same allowance is not given for heterosexuals (24:2; 4:15). • Did Abraham confront his people and smash their idols(21:51‑59), or did he not, and leave the area after confronting them (19:41‑49, 6:74‑83)? • Were there 9 plagues, or signs (17:101), or only 5 (7:133)? • Did Jesus not die (4:157) or did he die, and rise again (19:33)? [note: refer to sura 19:15, which repeats the same words for Yahya]

  30. ERRORS: (Historical Anachronisms and Scientific problems) Cross:S.7:124 = Moses’s Pharaoh-1447BC, 12:41 = Joseph’s Baker- 1800BC: 1st crucifixions = Darius=519BC (900 & 1,300yrs later). 2) (Sura 19:7) Yahya is a name unique to John the Baptist; what about (2Kings 25:23)? 3) (S.19:28; 66:12; 20:25-30) How was Mary, Jesus’ mother, Aaron’s sister and Imran’s daughter, as she lived1,570 years later? 4)(S.20:85-87, 95-97) Samaritan built ‘golden calf’ in 1447 BC, Samaritans began in 722 BC, or 725 years later. 5) (S.28:38; 29:38; 40:25,38) Can Haman be an Egyptian who builds a tower to God, as this name is Babylonian, & the tower was built 750 years earlier.

  31. 6) (S.18:96) Where is Alexander the Great’siron and brasswall between two mountains, in330 BC? No Record! • 7)Mountains (S.16:15; 21:31; 31:10; 78:6-7; 88:19) are not tent-pegs to keep earth from shaking, due to volcanoes & tectonic plates • 8)BadMath(S.4:11-12) Inheritance for widow =1/8 + 3 daughter =2/3 +2 parents =1/3, totalling1&1/8 or112.5%!? Or (S.4:11-12 & 176) My mother = 1/3, my wife = 1/3, my two sisters = 2/3 totalling: 4/3rds, or 133%!! • 9) (S.86:5-7) Does Semen really originate in the back or the kidney or is this simply borrowing from 5th century B.C. Hippocrates? • 10)Dirham (S.12:20) ‘a few dirham counted out’ for Joseph, yet coins created in 7th cent. BC by Lydians. Drachmas from 590-650 AD, but Dirhams not minted till 642 AD, by Caliph Umar; vs. Gen.37:28 = Shekels = 0.2 kgs. of silver!

  32. From what we have seen here, what Conclusions can we use in our polemics today? The many claims Muslims make for the ‘inimitability’ of the Qur’an do not stand up under critical scrutiny.

  33. It is not Inimitable, because: • It is Inferior to most other revelations • It is Stylistically imperfect • It is Grammatically impure • It is Linguistically defective (many non Arabic words) • It is Universally inadequate • It is Compiled piece-meal • It is full of Contradictions • It is replete with Errors • It has a History (evolving over 100-200 years) Thus, it is nothing more than a human document, borrowed from numerous traditions… …made by man!

  34. Critique of the Manuscripts Manuscript Evidence for the Qur’an • 1. ‘Ma'il’ 7th-9th century (Medina and Mecca), or ‘Hijazi’. (2165 Brit.Lib. & Sanaa Manuscript) • 2. ‘Mashq’ 7th century onwards. • 3. ‘Kufic’/Abbasid (Eastern) 8th-11th century, begins with Abbasid dynasty in 749 AD, see coins for chronological script evolution (needs landscape format). • 4. Naskh11th century till today

  35. Topkapi Manuscript (Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey)

  36. Ma’il Qur’an (2165) British Library (Ridblatt Gallery) Hijazi Script, dated 8th c.

  37. Jam’ al-Qur’an & Islamic Coins Quran Manuscripts in the Early Almail Script al-Ma’il script Qur’an (790 AD) Umayyad coins Abdul Mallek (Mashq script? 697-700 AD) (British Museum) 7.1 7.2 (Kuwait National Museum)

  38. Topkapi MS

  39. Samarqand Kufic Codex (9th century) Early Abbasid coins (Kufic script 750 AD) 11.2 11.1 11.3 Abbasid gold Dinars (Kufic script 837 AD) (Preserved in Tashkent, former Soviet Union)

  40. Sana’a Manuscript (705 ): • Karl-Heinz Ohlig (1981-Present): • Qur’an began to be compiled • in the last two decades of the • 7th century, with other versions • continuing until the 9th century • Dr. Gerd Puin (1981-Present): • “Oldest parchments & papers • of any Qur’anic Ms.” • Yet, more than half of the text is ambiguous letters • which need diacritical marks for understanding. • Adding vowels helped correct mistakes. Changes in orthography found in geographical tradition schools.

  41. Many deviations not mentioned in later literature. • Different numeration, and sura arrangements found • i.e. suras 19-22 -----> • 26-37-36-38...67- 71-72-51 • Difference in scripts, showing evolution in text. • (Puin 1996:111)

  42. “Difference is even meaningful in a theological sense” i.e. ‘Qalu’ to ‘Qul’ -> • Sometimes Abraham (S.2), sometimes Ibrahim • ‘Qalu’ 50% with alif b/w Qaf-Lam,

  43. Palimpsests Using Ultra-Violet light, we find a ‘Qur’anic’ script written and washed below that of the existing script. This is the first evidence we have of an evolution in the Qur’anic text in one manuscript

  44. Manuscript Variants (extant mss. available to Western researchers) • Difficulty finding complete early MSS. • Keith Small: • (Sura 14:35-41 – Abraham in Mecca) • Acts 7:1-8 (Stephen on Abraham, Isaac & UR) • 150 available MSS in the 1st 300 yrs. • Only 13 with these vss. • Suras 82-114, only 3 in late 8th c. • Suras 108-114, none exist • Conclusions: Possible standardization of vss by late 7th c., but no extant MS. to support it, just a guess. • Canonized text only in Abbasid period -post 749 AD?

  45. Textual Criticism of the NT and the Qur’an A Direct Comparison

  46. NEW TESTAMENT AND THE QUR’AN CRITICAL TEXTS NT CT -EXISTING MANUSCRIPTS COLLATED INTO TEXT FAMILIES: ALEXANDRIAN, WESTERN, BYZANTINE, CAESAREAN QUR’AN CT -EXISTING MANU- SCRIPTS COLLATED INTO FAMILIES BY READING (Qira’at): 10 Qira’at- slightly different versions; 2 in print- Hafs and Warsh

  47. KINDS OF VARIANTS • NT: WRITTEN VARIANTS • QUR’AN: WRITTEN AND ORAL VARIANTS

  48. NT VARIANTS: CODEX BEZAE

  49. Paris BN Ms 328 Hijazi Script

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