Katz’s List of Quranic Errors (1)
Part Two
By Jalal Abualrub
Katz’s List of Quranic Errors (1)
Part Two
By Jalal Abualrub
Only Two Possible Explanations
There are two rejected explanations and two acceptable explanations for this clear discrepancy, as follows. First, there is an explanation that is rejected outright, that is, the mysterious disappearance of a zero, because the zero was not known at the time of writing any of the numerous books contained in the Bible. Another absurd explanation would be to suggest that ten men operated the two-man chariots.
“The men of seven hundred chariots”, was most surely written in words just like, “The men of seven thousand chariots”, and, “seven thousand men which fought in chariots.” There are only two acceptable possibilities for this error: either the original copies of the numerous books contained in the Bible contain errors in them, as is apparent and clear. Or, in the absence of any original manuscript of the Torah in its original language, the numerous translators and commentators on the numerous books contained in the Bible changed and corrupted their original texts. Either possibility carries with it the verdict that the Bible is not ‘The Literal Word of God’, but instead, ‘The Corrupted Version of What Was Once the Word of God.”
The Quran is Different
There is nothing in the Quran that is remotely similar to the example from the Bible given here. The Evangelicals know this. This is why they bring Quranic Texts that are not in conflict with each other and intentionally provide their own interpretation on them, making them appear to be in conflict with each other and thus attribute contradiction to the Quran. The contradiction is not in the Quranic Texts, but in the faulty interpretation of them given by non-Muslims who mainly rely on hatred of Islam as their scientific evidence that the Quran did not come from God. Muslims hereby declare that every interpretation that the Evangelicals may give for the Quran and Prophetic Tradition (Sunnah) is rejected and not binding on Muslims or Islam and should not be taken seriously. Muslims take religious instructions only from the Quran and Sunnah as properly explained by Muslim Scholars. This utter Evangelical nonsense has to stop. Why would anyone ask deranged enemies of Islam to explain Islam’s Holy Book, Creed and Law, yet, ignore asking Muslims about Islam?
Conflicting Texts, Not Conflicting Interpretations, Constitute Error; Number of Times the Quran Repeats: “A Day With Your Lord…”
Only one Verse in the entire Quran, Verse 22:47, mentions the length of a day with Allah. The other two Verses quoted here did not indicate that they are discussing the same day or that every day with Allah is both 1,000 and 50,000 years long. Using whims and desires as their ‘scientific tool’ for research, Katz and his authors first invented the conclusion that all three of these Verses are discussing one and the same topic, i.e. one day that –with Allah- is both 1,000 years long and 50,000 years long, then decided that there is a contradiction. Muslims can either agree with their findings or else! Yet, Katz protests my describing the Evangelicals as liars.
Even if the Quran stated this, “A day with your Lord is 1,000 years long,” then said, “A day with your Lord is 50,000 years long,” then, this could easily have been explained as describing the length of ‘a day’ then the length of ‘another day’. Or, it could easily have been explained according to the established Islamic method of interpreting Islamic Quran and Islamic Sunnah, meaning, the `Aamm (that which is general in indication) and the Makhsus (that which is excluded from a general Text). There are many examples that explain this Islamic method of understanding Islamic Resources. In this example, the `Aamm (general rule) would be: “A day with your Lord is 1,000 human years long,” while the Makhsus (exclusion) would be, “Except for the Day that is 50,000 human years long.” It is not necessary to use this method here, though. The Quran only mentioned one number, 1,000 years, in a sentence that says, “A day with your Lord…” The fact is that these three Verses do not discuss the same topic, but three different topics and three different days, as follows.
Verse 22:47 narrates a challenge to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, posted by those who disbelieved in him, demanding that he hastens on the torment promised to those who disbelieve –both in this life and in the Hereafter,
{And they say: “When will be this promise (the torment or the Day of Resurrection), if you speak the truth?”}; [10:48].
Allah rejected the challenge and gave this Commandment to His Prophet [22:49],
{Say (O Muhammad): “O mankind! I am (sent) to you only as a plain Warner”}.
This Ayah means: “I am only human; deciding when the torment will come is Allah’s exclusive Domain.” Allah also made this statement in Verses 47-8, {And Allâh fails not His Promise…And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrongdoing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment)}.
Thus, Allah reminded the disbelievers, who challenged Prophet Muhammad to hasten on the torment, that even though the term may seem prolonged to them, it also seemed prolonged to earlier disbelievers who also asked for the torment, then the punishment came to them in the end, {And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of what you reckon}.
This Ayah discusses a challenge made in this life to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to hasten on the torment to which Allah responded that even if it seemed to the disbelievers that the torment is slow to come, it is in fact prompt in the Sight of Allah: a day with Him is as long as a thousand of man’s years. Thus, the topic here pertains to this life and the length of a day of it with Allah. Again, this is the only Quranic Verse wherein is mentioned the statement, “A day with your Lord.”
Verse 32:5 is discussing an entirely different topic, i.e. it has a different ‘context’, and ‘context’ is the word that the Neos make a profession out of ignoring, yet pretend to be making research. This is the Text of Quranic Sentences 32:3-6, {Allâh it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. Then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). You (mankind) have none, besides Him, as a Walî (protector or helper) or an intercessor. Will you not then remember (or receive admonition)? He manages and regulates (every) affair from the heavens to the earth; then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning}.
These Verses discuss the specific topic of creating the universe in six days, not eight as Katz falsely claims on his website (we will revisit this incredible falsehood later on, Allah willing), and managing the affairs of the life of this world wherein the affairs go up to Him, while He is settled above His Throne, {The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over (Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne}; [20:5].
In his explanation of the meaning contained in the Quran, Imam Ibn Kathir said that the angel crosses this distance in the blink of an eye; [The English translation of, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, published by Darussalam, Riyadh, Volume 7, Pg., 608]. Therefore, here is the news about Verse 32:5: it pertains to distance, i.e. the space whereof between the heavens and the earth, including the thickness of the heaven, that the affairs of this life cross while being ascended to Allah with the angels, not a mere time-frame as Quranic Sentence 22:47. To explain, even the English transliteration of the Quran said this, {the space whereof}.
It is a complete mystery as to how Katz understood this Verse to discuss a day with Allah when it discusses the distance the affairs of this life, including the deeds of mankind, travel to ascend to Him, a journey of a thousand years. In Arabic, ‘Yaum’, does not only pertain to time, or a day, or a twenty-four hour period. Then again, I would not expect Katz and his authors to understand what they are talking about, since they do not have a clue as how Arabs use their own Arabic to express the linguistic meanings they wish to convey. This is why they, the Evangelicals, mention as another claimed Quranic contradiction the topic of Allah punishing the tribe of `Ad during either a day of torment or seven nights and eight days of torment; Katz is confused as to which one it is. Inshaallah, I will un-confuse his confusion soon. To these ignorant people, ‘Yaum’ means ‘day’ and only means that. To Arabs, ‘Yaum’ has different meanings as designated and defined by different contexts. To Arabs, 'Katz and company' are ignorant. They see the word ‘day’ in English and act upon this discovery by explaining it as they wish, while Arabs, who will challenge their sick understanding, number in the hundreds of millions. What's next for the Evangelicals? Allah knows, but they may wish to count how many times Allah mentioned the word `day` in the Quran, then claim that each one of these days is a day with Allah.
Yet, I should add, even if Verse 32:5 is describing a day with Allah, and it is clear that it is not, then the number mentioned in it is exactly the same as the number mentioned in Verse 22:47, and that is, 1,000 human years.
What Day that is 50,000 Years Long?
Verse 70:4 discusses an entirely different topic. I will mention here the Verses immediately before, after and including Verse 4 (1-18), so that the readers can discover for themselves why I call Katz and his authors ‘liars’. I will then draw a comparison between Verses 22:47 and 70:4 in what used to be called ‘scientific research’.
Allah said, what translated means, {A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall. Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert; from Allâh, the Lord of the ways of ascent. The angels and the Rûh [Jibrîl (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years. So be patient (O Muhammad), with a good patience. Verily, they see it (the torment) afar off. But We see it (quite) near; the Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil. And the mountains will be like flakes of wool. And no friend will ask a friend (about his condition); though they shall be made to see one another. The Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children; and his wife and his brother; and his kindred who sheltered him; and all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. By no means! Verily, it will be the fire of Hell. Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! Calling (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind on the Day of Resurrection]. And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allâh)}.
This Ayah Discusses the Day of Resurrection
Clearly, Verse 70:4 discusses the Day of Resurrection, a special Day, a specific Day the length of which will be 50,000 years, a Day that has not come yet, a Day after which there will be no night [22:55], a Day that will not come but after this universe is destroyed and another universe is created, {On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens}; [14:48].
How can this Verse, which does not mention the words, “A day with your Lord is 50,000 years long”, contradict Verse 22:47, which states that, “A day with the Lord is 1,000 years long”?
Glad Tidings for the Believers in Muhammad, peace be upon him
I should add here that the entire length of the Day of Resurrection will only be felt by the disbelievers in Allah [74:9-10]: {Truly, that Day will be a Hard Day; Far from easy for the disbelievers}.
In contrast, Allah will make the stance on that Day seem as brief as the time it takes the sun to set in the late afternoon; [Sahih at-Targheeb, Hadeeth no. 3589]. This is good news for the believers and a befitting end to their hard struggle in this life to preserve their faith and practice it. They endure all types of trouble, aggression and oppression in this life by the hands of tyrants, including those who claim to honor Jesus, yet, dishonor his legacy by their deviant dogma and by acting opposite to how Jesus would have acted had he lived during their time.
Another point of interest regarding this topic: Chapter 22, Verses 47-56, mentioned two types of days, a day with the Lord and the Day of Resurrection, {And they ask you to hasten on the torment! And Allâh fails not His Promise. And verily, a day with your Lord is as a thousand years of what you reckon…And those who disbelieved, will not cease to be in doubt about it (this Qur’ân) until the Hour comes suddenly upon them, or there comes to them the torment of the Day after which there will be no night (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). The sovereignty on that Day will be that of Allâh (the One Who has no partners). He will judge between them}.
Evidence Establishing the Day of Resurrection as the Day That is 50,000 Years Long
Scientific research requires time and effort. The articles I have seen that criticize Islam demonstrate that neither of these respectable traits of valid scientific research was used by the Neos in their articles. Three topics, one about distance, one about the length of a day to Allah and one about the length of the Day of Resurrection were made into one and the same topic. Thus, we are reminded of a formula that has confused Christians, and the rest of the world with them, for 2,000 years: 1+1+1=1. No, thanks! We, Muslims, are pleased and clearly satisfied with explaining these three Texts as discussing three distinct topics: 1+1+1=3.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, who brought the Quran from the Lord of all that exists, clearly stated that the Day that is fifty thousand years long is the Day of Resurrection. Imam Muslim Ibn al-`Hajjaj reported that Abu Hurairah, the Prophet’s companion, said that Allah's Messenger, peace be upon him, said, “If any owner of gold or silver does not pay what is due on him (obligatory charity), when the Day of Resurrection would come, plates of fire would be beaten out for him; these would then be heated in the fire of Hell and his sides, forehead and back would be cauterized with them. Whenever these cool down, (the process is) repeated during a Day the extent of which would be fifty thousand years.”
Further, the Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him, invoked Allah to grant his paternal cousin, Abdullah Ibn Abbas, knowledge in the interpretation of the Quran, [Shar`h at-Ta`hawiyyah, Hadeeth No. 180]. When Abdullah Ibn Abbas was asked about the Day that is 50,000 years long, he said that it is the Day of Resurrection; [Nihayatu al-Bidayati wan-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir (323\1)]. Thus, the Quranic Verses before, after and including 70:4, the Prophet of Islam and his devout student Abdullah Ibn `Abbas all stated that this day is the Day of Resurrection.
Who Advocates a Day With The Lord That is Both 1,000 Years Long and 50,000 Years Long?
Muslims do not advocate the idea that every day or one certain day with Allah is both 1,000 and 50,000 years long. Evangelicals do. Thus, if they wish to keep and preach this idea as a Christian dogma, they are welcome to do so, especially since they have changed their religion innumerable times. But when they claim that this is what Islam advocates, Muslims say to them in the clearest terms, “THIS IS A LIE.”
A Promise and a Challenge
I promise Katz and his authors that I will dismantle the terrible pack of lies posted on their website and then claimed by them to belong to Islam. I also challenge them to –instead of spending time on discussing minor issues about Islam and Christianity- have the courage to discuss the core of their religion as compared to the Islamic Creed. In the meantime, Islam still wins more converts to it on a daily basis than all other religions combined, thus, testifying to Islam being the religion of Truth, {He it is (Allah) Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâm), that He may make it (Islâm) superior to all religions. And All‑Sufficient is Allâh as a Witness}; [48:28].
Peace be upon those who follow the true guidance that Allah, the Creator of all that exists, sent down to His Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to all of His Prophets and Messengers.
Jalal Abualrub
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in News & views by Arwa, 31-07-10 13:24
