1. THE QUR’AN A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
2006
(Jay Smith)
12/1/2018

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)
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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)
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4. “Mother of Books” (Sura 43:3)
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)
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5. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an has perfect literary style…yet, Compare:
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: ; 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
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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
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7. However, Al-Kindi, a Christian polemicist employed in the Caliphal court (830 A.D.) said:
“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)
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8. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS TODAY SAY?
German secular scholar Salmon Reinach states 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 the million of men are still wasting time in absorbing it.”
(Reinach 1932:176)
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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)
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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.
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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 and Eden 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.”
-Assyrian words: Abraham (sometimes recorded as Ibrahim). The correct Arabic equivalent would be Abu Raheem.
-Persian words: Sirat meaning “the path” has the Arabic equivalent, Altareeq. Hoor meaning “disciple” has the Arabic equivalent, Tilmeeth. Firdaus meaning “the highest or seventh heaven" has the Arabic equivalent, Jannah.
-Greek words: Injil, which means “gospel” was borrowed, yet it has the Arabic equivalent, Bisharah

12. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an is UNIVERSAL: Case 1:Women’s Position: (Suras 2: ; 4:11,24-25,34,176; 55:56; 56:36; 78:33)
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.
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 tilth for 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...
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13. Paradise In the Qur’an:
A Beautiful Garden:
Surah 55 :26 two 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: 70 fair and beautiful women
Surah 55: Hûr - beautiful, fair females, guarded in pavilions - virgins
Surah 56:22 Hûr, with wide, lovely eyes
Surah 55: 76 reclining on green cushions and beautiful mattresses
Surah 56 : 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
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14. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an is UNIVERSAL: Case 2: Violence vs. Peace
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….
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15. Starting with the ‘Peace’ Verses:*
Starting with the ‘Peace’ Verses:
07/16/96
Sura 2: = “Those who fight you, Do not transgress limits, /
….and slay them wherever ye catch them, and fight them, until there prevail faith in Allah” (is this peaceful?)
12/1/2018 *

16. The most common verse on Peace:
Sura 2:256 =
“For there is no compulsion in religion”
“Law of Abrogation”
(Suras 2:106, 16:101)
(Revealed between AD, so revealed early, thus abrogated by over 100 Medinan Sword verses)
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17. A further Peace Verse? A Moderate Interpretation:*
A further Peace Verse?
07/16/96
A Moderate Interpretation:
Sura 5:32 (raven, and blood of Abel) “we ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person…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...”
12/1/2018 *

18. A Radical Interpretation:
Sura 5:32 “we ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a MUSLIM…it would be as if he slew ALL MUSLIMS; and if anyone saved A MUSLIM, it would be as if he saved the life of ALL MUSLIMS...”
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19. *
07/16/96
The Sword Verses:
Sura 9:5: = “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay those who join other gods with Allah wherever you find them; besiege them, seize them, lay in wait for them with every kind of ambush..”
12/1/2018 *

20. Sword Verse against Christians, Jews: *
07/16/96
Sword Verse against Christians, Jews:
Sura 9:29 = “...Make war upon such of those to whom the scriptures have been given as believe not in Allah, or in the last day, and who forbid not what Allah and his apostle have forbidden...until they pay tribute...”
12/1/2018 *

21. Methodology of Sword Verses: *
07/16/96
Methodology of Sword Verses:
Sura 47:4 = ”When you encounter the unbelievers, strike off their heads, until ye have made a great slaughter among them...”
Sura 8:39 = “And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail Justice and faith in Allah”
12/1/2018 *

22. Recompense for those who die in Jihad:
Sura 4:74 = “Let those who fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah, whether he is slain or gets victory, Soon shall we give him a reward of great value”
Sura 47:4-6 = “…But those who are killed in the way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost…and admit them to Paradise” *
07/16/96
12/1/2018 *

23. The Qur’an’s 149 Sword Verses:
1.       2:        2:        2:190 4.       2:        2:        2:194 7.       2:        2:        2:    2:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    3:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    4:    5:    5:    5:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    8:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:    9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       9:       16:       22:       22:       22:       24:       24:       25:       29:       29:       33:       33:       33:       33:       33:       33:       33:       47:       47:       48:       48:       48:       48:       48:       49:       59:       59:       59:       59:       59:       59:       60:       61:       61:       61:       63:       64:       66:       73:       76:008
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24. Muslim’s claim the Qur’an was COLLATED Perfectly and Completely
Yet, according to Arthur Jefferies, 16 Codices are noted by 9th c. compilers:
Zaid ibn Thabit (Medina)
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (Kufa - no Fatiha, nor S , differences in S.3:19, 39 & S.9- Bismillah, Shi’ite readings)
Abu Musa (Basra,116 Suras)
Ubayy ibn Ka'b (Damascus,116 Suras)
Missing Vss = 24:32 (stoning), 33:23
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25. 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).
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26. .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).
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27. 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) and we 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).
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28. 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).
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29. Lost Disappeared Forgotten Cancelled Missing Overlooked Changed
Modified
Does this sound like a book which was COLLATED Perfectly and Completely?
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30. *Abraham Sura 21:51-71: (smashed idols,fiery pit)
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.)
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31. *Cain and Abel (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 ( 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.
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32. Cain & Abel (Sura 5:32) 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.
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33. Solomon & Sheba - sura 27:17-44
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..."
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34. -Baby Jesus talking- S.19:29-33
*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.)
Poetry in 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
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35. CONTRADICTIONS:
If the words of Allah cannot 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 day equal to 1,000 human years (22:47, 32:5) or 50,000 human years (70:4)?
Was the earth created in 6 days (7:54; 25:59) or 8 days (41:9-12)?
Does the angel Gabriel bring 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...)?

36. (Contradictions cont.)
Is the punishment for adulteresses life 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]

37. ERRORS: (Historical Anachronisms and Scientific problems)
Cross: S.7:124 = Moses’s Pharaoh -1447BC,
12:41 = Joseph’s Baker BC:
1st crucifixions = Darius = 519BC (900 & 1,300 yrs 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 lived 1,570 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.

38. 6) (S. 18:96) Where is Alexander the Great’s iron and brass
6) (S.18:96) Where is Alexander the Great’s iron and brass wall between two mountains, in 330 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) Bad Math (S.4:11-12) Inheritance for widow =1/ daughter =2/3 +2 parents =1/3, totalling 1&1/8 or %!?
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 AD, but Dirhams not minted till 642 AD, by Caliph Umar; vs. Gen.37:28 = Shekels = 0.2 kgs. of silver!
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39. 20th-21st Century Polemics: Revisionists
The Revisionist’s Prime Concern:
To Reassess the Classical Model
Their principle Conclusions:
Islam, as we know it, did not exist in the 7th century, but evolved over a period of years.
(Humphreys 1991:71,83-89)
The Qur’an probably was not revealed to one man in 22 years, but likely evolved over a period of years
(Rippin 1985:155;1990:3,25,60; Lester 99:44-45; Wansbrough 1977: )
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40. THE PRINCIPLE MODERN REVISIONISTS:
John Wansbrough ( ):
(Qur’anic Studies: Sources and Methods of Scriptural Interpretation 1977)
(The Sectarian Milieu: Content and Composition of Islamic Salvation History 1978)
Took Schacht’s thesis even further, believing that both the Qur’an and the later Hadith came about as a result of Jewish & Christian Sectarian controversies, borrowed from outside the Hijaz, then redacted back “onto an Arabian point of origin”, so that the Qur’an was a composite, which evolved into its canonical form at the end of the 2nd Muslim century (Wansbrough-Qur’anic Studies 1977:20,44,49,51,79)
Looked at the Sira/Maghazi literature and noticed that Islam developed after the Arab conquests of the Holy Land in the mid-7th century and so on, and emerged by means of intense debates over religion between Christians and Jews
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41. Michael Cook (1975, 1983):
(Muhammad, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1983)
(Hagarism, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1977)
Took an even more radical approach, rejecting the traditional view on early Islamic history almost entirely (i.e. that of the Sira, Hadith, Tafsir, Ta’rikh), due to their late compilation:
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42. Thus, “if knowledge of the life of Muhammad was transmitted orally for a century before it was reduced to writing, then the chances are that the material will have undergone considerable alteration in the process” (Cook 1983:65)
So, he went to Greek, Syriac, and Armenian sources from the 7th-8th c. & found a contrasting picture to the Islamic Traditions.
Along with Patricia Cröne, they sought to step outside the Islamic Traditions and start again, piecing together an original account from non-Islamic sources of Muhammad’s time. The two together wrote “Hagarism”…a sort of “What if” in 26 pages, supported by 226 notes in a further 27 pages (Robinson 1996:47)
Conclusion: suggested that the history of Islam, at least to the time of the caliph Abd al-Malik ( AD), is a later fabrication.
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43. Qibla (Archaeological Evidence)
Creswell & Fehervari on ancient mosques in the Middle East
Umayyad mosques in Iraq ( )
vWassit mosque
v‘Kufa’ mosque
vFustat (outside Cairo)
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44. Middle East Asia Minor Egypt Arabia Baghdad Jerusalem Kufa Cairo
Medina
Arabia
Mecca
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45. Qibla (Documentary Evidence)
Christian writer: Jacob of Edessa (705 AD) He refers to the ‘Mahgraye,’ saying, “So from all this it is clear that it is not to the south that the Jews and the Mahgraye here in the regions of Syria pray, but towards Jerusalem or the Ka’ba, the patriarchal places of their races.”
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46. Dome of the Rock
Built by ‘Abd al-Malik in 691 AD, and rebuilt by al Zaher Li-L’zaz in 1022 after an earthquake
Third most holy site after Mecca & Medina
Built to commemorate the night when Muhammad went up to heaven to speak with Moses and Allah concerning the number of prayers required of the believers (known as the Mi’raj)
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47. But, no Qibla (Suras 17:1 & 2:145-149)
Inner Ambulatories have Qur’anic inscriptions which do not parallel the Qur’an
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48. Often to the Promised Land
Patricia Cröne (1975, 1987):
(Slaves on Horses, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1980)
(Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam, Princeton University Press, 1987)
(“The First-Century Concept of Higra”, Arabica, XLI, E.J.Brill, Leiden, 1994)
Hijra: 56 References, but none from Mecca to Medina, almost all from the Hijaz to the north.
Often to the Promised Land
Abu Dawud, “there will be ‘hijra’ after ‘hijra,’ but the best of men are to follow the ‘hijra’ of Abraham.”
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49. “Mecca is the center of Islam, and the center of history.”
“The first sanctuary appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Mecca)” Sura 3:96
Mecca is the “mother of all settlements.” Sura 6:92 & 42:5
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50. 12/1/2018

51. Earliest reference to Mecca’s existence:
Apocalypse of pseudo-Methodius
Continuatio Byzantia Arabica Early reign of caliph Hisham ( AD)
Cröne in her work points out that the Greek trading documents refer to the towns of Ta’if (which is close to present-day Mecca), and to Yathrib (later Medina), as well as Kaybar in the north, but no mention of Mecca.
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52. -Athanasius in 684 AD termed Mahgrayes
“Muslim” & “Islam”
v Magaritai (Greek papyri 642), Mahgre or Mahgraye (Syriac letters 640)
-Athanasius in 684 AD termed Mahgrayes
v Jacob of Edessa in 705 AD mentions them as Hagarenes (descendants of Abraham & Hagar)
v ‘Muhajirun’ (those who took part in the hijra or exodus)
v ‘Islam’ doesn’t appear until late 7th century - sense of ‘submission to God’, now ‘peace’
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53. -no ”Muhammad Formula”
Yehuda D. Nevo (1994)
“Towards a Prehistory of Islam,” Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam, vol.17, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1994
Arabic Inscriptions
Caliphal Protocals (Sufyani and Marwanid Periods, upto ‘Abd al-Malik – 691)
-no ”Muhammad Formula”
G.R. Hawting (SOAS)
The First Dynasty of Islam, The Umayyad Caliphate AD , London, Groom Helm, 1986
Andrew Rippin
Muslims, Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, vol. 1, London, Routledge, 2003
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54. 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. Naskh 11th century till today
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55. Topkapi Manuscript
(Topkapi Palace,
Istanbul, Turkey)
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56. Ma’il Qur’an (2165) British Library (Ridblatt Gallery) Hijazi Script,
dated 8th c.
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57. Abdul Mallek (Mashq script? 697-700 AD)
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? AD)
(British Museum)
7.1
7.2
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(Kuwait National Museum)

58. Topkapi MS
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59. 12/1/2018

60. 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)
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(Preserved in Tashkent, former Soviet Union)

61. 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.
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62. Many deviations not mentioned in later literature.
Different numeration, and sura arrangements found
i.e. suras >
Difference in scripts, showing evolution in text.
(Puin 1996:111)
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63. Sometimes Abraham (S.2), sometimes Ibrahim
“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,
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64. 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
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65. 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 , only 3 in late 8th c.
Suras , 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?
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66. CONCLUSIONS:
1. The Hijra was more-than-likely not towards Medina, but towards Palestine or places in the north & ongoing, till 800->.
2. The Qibla was not fixed towards Mecca until the eighth century, but to an area much further north, and possibly Jerusalem.
3. The Jews still retained a relationship with the Arabs until at least 640 AD.
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67. 5. The Dome of the Rock was likely used as a sanctuary.
4. Mecca was not only unknown as a viable city until the end of the seventh century, but was not even on the international trade route
5. The Dome of the Rock was likely used as a sanctuary.
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68. 6. Muhammad was not known as God’s universal prophet until the late seventh century.
7. The terms ‘Muslim’/‘Islam’ were not used until the end of the 7th C.; terms used instead Saracen, Mahgraye, Muhajirun, Hagarene
8. The five daily prayers as well as the Hajj were not standardized until after 717 A.D.; and not named until 9th century.
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69. 9. The earliest we even hear of any Qur’an is not until the late seventh century, though fragments exist in the late 7th c.
10. The earliest Qur’anic writings do not coincide exactly with the current Qur’anic text.
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70. 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.
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71. 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 years)
Thus, it is nothing more than a human document, borrowed from numerous traditions…
…made by man!
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