The Quran Answers False Assessments of the Quran: Seeing the Anecdotes in the Qur'an as Fables
Contents
- Introduction
- Prejudice, Ulterior Motives and Lack of Sincerity
- Confusing Intricate (Mutashabih) Verses With Perspicuous (Muhkam) Ones
- Lack of Expertise in Qur'anic Interpretation Techniques
- Insufficient Knowledge of Arabic
- The Absence of God-Given Wisdom and Understanding
- Lack of Thinking
- Arrogance and Superiority
- Trying to Interpret the Qur'an with Old Traditions
- Inability to Understand the Scientific Qur'anic Verses
- Trying to Interpret the Qur'an According to the Flawed Values of the Established Order
- Wine-drinking in Heaven
- Another Incorrect Interpretation on the Subject of Wine
- The Claim that "Pork Produced Under the Strict Hygienic Surroundings of Today May Be Consumed"
- Seeing the Anecdotes in the Qur'an as Fables
- The Assumption That the Qur'an is a Copy or Imitation of Other Holy Books
- Incompatibilities and Differences
- The Misinterpretation of the Term "We," Which God Uses in Reference to Himself
- Failing to Understand the Examples Given in the Qur'an
- Failing to Understand the Repetitions in the Qur'an
- Failing to Understand the Style of the Qur'an
- The Subject of Creation in Six Days
- The Speculation About Noah's Flood
- Conclusion
One important element in the Qur'anic style is that it explains various subjects through examples or comparisons. These are often from the lives of previous prophets/messengers or events that occurred before the Qur'an's revelation. Therefore, these types of Qur'anic anecdotes display many warnings, examples, signs and messages to people.
The Qur'an conveys the ignorant words of those who are unable to realize this holy wisdom:
When Our Signs are recited to them, they say, 'We have already heard all this. If we wanted, we could say the same thing. This is nothing but the myths of previous peoples.'
When they are asked, 'What has your Lord sent down?' they say, 'Myths and legends of previous peoples.'
The unwise regard these anecdotes as myths and legends, even though they contain considerable enlightening information and examples for true believers. God explains every possible event and the laws of all times by giving examples or illustrations from the lives of past prophets and nations.
Obviously, to provide historical information is not the only aim of these Qur'anic anecdotes or examples. They contain numerous holy aims too. We can list a few of them thus:
- To display the laws of God that have existed since the creation of the universe and govern believers as well as non-believers. - To explain and prepare the believers of all times for any events, tests, or hardships they might experience, such as how they should behave and react, the type of spirit and conscience they should display, the behavior and manner they should demonstrate towards God; namely to show the believers the right path in every subject.
- To increase the enthusiasm of true believers.
- To invite the defiant to the right path and to remind those who do not accept this invitation of the consequences of their actions.
- To deliver the delightful news to the followers of the Qur'an about the beautiful end that awaits them in this world and the next. Evidently, those who lack the intelligence and the sense to perceive such things will assume the Qur'an to be a storybook and will not see the hidden wisdom in the Qur'anic anecdotes. The state of these judgmental and insensible people who are deaf to any explanation or advice, is mentioned in a Qur'anic verse: Some of them listen to you but We have placed covers on their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and heaviness in their ears. Though they see every Sign, they still have no faith, so that when they come to you, disputing with you, those who are disbelievers say, 'This is nothing but the myths of previous peoples!' (Surat al-An'am: 25)
People like that do not pose any threat to Islam or the Qur'an with their actions. No matter how much they try to cause harm to the Qur'an and to turn or hold others back from their religion, they do no more than damage themselves without even realizing it. This fact is stated in the continuation of the previous verse: They keep others from it and avoid it themselves.
They are only destroying themselves but they are not aware of it...
When they finally do realize the errors of their ways it is of no use, as they are too late and there is no way to repair the damage:
If only you could see when they are standing before the Fire and saying, 'Oh! If only we could be sent back again, we would not deny the Signs of our Lord and we would be among the believers'!.