Muslims consider the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as the word of God and a miracle. According to Islamic tradition, the Quran was revealed miraculously to Muhammad by Allah (God) through angel, Jibrīl (Gabriel), as a perfect, verbatim copy of what was written in heaven and that had existed there for all of eternity.
The Quran describes Muhammad as "ummi", which is traditionally interpreted as "illiterate," but the meaning is rather more complex. The medieval commentators such as Al-Tabari maintained that the term induced two meanings: first, the inability to read or write in general; second, the inexperience or ignorance of the previous books or scriptures (but they gave priority to the first meaning). Besides, Muhammad's illiteracy was taken as a sign of the genuineness of his prophethood. For example, according to Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, if Muhammad had mastered writing and reading he possibly would have been suspected of having studied the books of the ancestors. Some scholars such as Watt prefer the second meaning. The suggestion is that since Muhammad had no previous knowledge of the content in the Quran, it was in fact composed of miracles. Some Muslims believe that the Quran is "a miracle of eloquence", rather than a source of scientific revelation, and consider scientific miracles as illusions from devils. However, the majority of modern Muslim thinkers accept the miracles found in the Quran and their compatibility with science. But, there still exists disagreement regarding the alleged miracles of the saints.
The definition of a miracle is "a marvellous event not ascribable to human power or the operation of any natural force and therefore attributed to supernatural, esp. divine, agency; esp. an act (e.g. of healing) showing control over nature and used as evidence that the agent is either divine or divinely favoured."
The commonly claimed miracles of the Quran can be classified into three categories: inimitability, scientific miracles, and prophecies.
Miracles that may relate to Muhammad
Several verses that appear in the Qur'an would suggest that certain miracles occurred just in relation to Muhammad: the splitting of the moon (Qur'an 54:2-1), assistance given to Muslims at the Battle of Badr (Qur'an 3:120F), and the night journey (Qur'an 17:1).
Prophecies
Throughout the Qur'an, claims or predictions are made concerning future events. Many of the prophecies are viewed as having metaphoric meanings, while others are taken more literally. Because Muslims believe that the Qur'an contains the exact words of God which were revealed to Muhammad in Arabic and later transcribed, the meaning of the Qur'an has a great effect on Muslim beliefs and understandings. The sheer number of prophecies which Muslims believe to have been fulfilled bolster faith and conviction, generally serving as proof that the Qur'an is indeed of a divine origin. Some prophecies are debated more than others as to whether or not they were actually fulfilled or how the Qur'anic text should be interpreted.
One of the more general prophecies is that the Qur'an predicts its own preservation and endurance. The Qur'an states that the book itself will survive as a valid source and that the religion of Islam will last, even dominate, because of this. Muslim scholars argue that today's Qur'an is the same Qur'an originally compiled by Muhammad. The following passages from the Qur'an state these prophecies:
“We have, without doubt, Sent down the Message; And We will assuredly Guard it (from corruption)†(15:9).
“It is He Who has sent His Apostle with Guidance And the Religion of Truth, That he may proclaim it Over all religion, Even though the Pagans May detest (it)†(61:9).
Another interpretation of the Qur'an is that it predicted the defeat of the Persians by the Romans. Before the prophecy, at the Battle of Antioch, in 613 C.E., the Persians defeated the Romans. Muslims were upset by this defeat because they felt more connected to Rome, a Christian empire, than to Persia, a Zoroastrian one. A few years afterwards, the following verse was revealed in the Qur'an: "The Roman Empire Has been defeated â€" In a land close by; But they, (even) after (This) defeat of theirs, Will soon be victorious â€" Within a few years. With God is the Decision, In the Past And in the Future: On that Day shall The Believers rejoice†(30:2-4). By 627 C.E., the Romans had successfully defeated the Persians, resulting in much celebration by Muslims and fulfilling the prophecy of the Qur'an.
Another prophecy of the Qur'an that Muslims might argue has been fulfilled is the ease with which the book can be memorized. Because this is not a factual prophecy but based, rather, on opinion, it cannot truly be proven. However, Muslims do consider reciting or reading the Qur'an to be holy and a way to receive blessings, so it is extremely common for Muslims to memorize a large number of Qur'anic verses. The fact that this is possible and has been done by scholars and children alike, does suggest a certain quality of the Qur'an that makes it easily memorable. The Qur'an’s “rhythmic style and eloquent expression†have been cited as aids in verbatim memorization. The following verse from the Qur'an is one example of the prophecy that the Qur'an will be easily memorized by future readers: “And We have indeed Made the Qur-an easy to understand and remember: Then is there any that Will receive admonition?†(54:17)
Another prophecy, according to the Qur'an, may have predicted the preservation of the Pharaoh of the Exodus's body. In the Qur'an, God says to the Pharaoh: "This day shall We save thee In thy body, that thou Mayest be a Sign to those Who come after thee! But verily, many among mankind Are heedless of Our Signs!" The body of the Pharaoh, who was argued to be either Ramesses II or his son Merneptah, was thought to be lost at sea until the mummies of both were discovered in the 19th century. They are on display today in Cairo's Egyptian Museum; thus, it is argued that the prophecy was fulfilled.
Countless other prophecies are claimed to have been fulfilled. Some of the predictions may seem vague and easily fulfilled by a wide variety of events, causing debate and analysis, but, regardless, many Muslims believe that the Qur'an prophesies at least some future events, though perhaps not all those listed in this article. Nevertheless, the following include some of the other potentially fulfilled claims made by the Qur'an.
The development of using fingerprints for identification of criminals: "At length, when they reach The (Fire), their hearing, Their sight, and their skins Will bear witness against them, As to (all) their deeds." (41:20)
The problem of environmental pollution as caused by human inventions: "Mischief has appeared On land and sea because Of (the meed) that the hands Of men have earned, That (God) may give them A taste of some of their Deeds: in order that they May turn back (from Evil)" (30:41); "Then watch thou For the Day That the sky will Bring forth a kind Of smoke (or mist) plainly visible, Enveloping the people: This will be a Penalty Grievous" (44:10-11).
New modes of transportation created by humans: "And (He has created) horses, Mules, and donkeys, for you To ride and use for show; And He has created (other) things Of which ye have no knowledge" (16:8).
The gradually-acquired equality for women and women's rights: "When the female (infant), Buried alive, is questioned - For what crime she was killed" (81:8-9).
See also
- Islam and science
- Scientific foreknowledge in sacred texts
- Prophetic medicine
- Islamic view of miracles
- Inimitability
References
External links
- The International Commission on Scientific Signs in the Qur'an and the Sunnah
- Quran and Science website
- The Scientific Miracles of the Holy Quran
- The Miracles of The Qu'ran - Muhammad Mitwalli ash-Sha’rawi
- Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar website
- The Inimitable Qur'an
- Istanbul Quran Research Association (IQRA)
- Quran Miracles Encyclopedia
- The Miracles of Al Qur’an and Modern Science
Further reading
- Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 vols.), Edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 2014. ISBN 1610691776
