Qur'an's Challenge & Contradictions?

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Question:

There have been many people who have provided a valid case that the Quran may not be the word of God. For example,  a challenge exists for any human or gin to produce a sura that is equivalent to one that is in it. Many Arab and Christian linguists were "successful" in the challenge as Suralikeit.com proved. Also the Quran states that "if this is not the word of god then there will be many contradictions therein". The Website answering-islam.org has provided many provoking contradictions which may or may not be true. I could go on and on with this but my question to you is as follows and I have pondered about this for a long time. Why do you think that a revelation not made about the future which could have been categorical and absolute for example,
1. The Moon orbits at 27.3 days
2. The fourth planet shall be closest in 2003 than any time in the last 1500 years
3. The speed of Light is 300,000 km per second
Also as we live present day life we try to use the laws of the Quran which was written 1400 years but does it give guidance to present day life or to future life or are their going to more revelations. For example, their is no guidance about cloning or the direction to pray when we live on Mars or in Orbit.

Thank you for your anticipated reply
Shane Merali
Canada

Answer:

With all due respect I would have to inquire of you what you mean that the challenge of the Qur'an has been met "successfully?"  Is this your opinion?  Or, is this an accepted fact?  The problem with assuming that such a challenge has been met is that the verses relating to the so-called "challenge" is quite misunderstood.  As a matter of fact such verses that are deemed a "challenge," are merely a way for God to debunk the criticisms of the disbelievers that the Qur'an was a product of Prophet Muhammad's mind.  It chided the critics by saying that if they were so correct in their assumptions then they too should have been able to produce a surah like it.  The Qur'an never lays out the rules because the contemporaries of the Prophet knew what the elements of great literature entailed.  Hence, the "challenge" was to the particular Arabs who prided themselves for their eloquence and literary tastes and who not only fully appreciated the various aspects of outstanding Arabic literature, but were themselves the certificate of the high standards of a particular piece. These people knew full well what the Qur'an meant; whether it had to do with eloquence, depth, rhythm, style, composition, conveyance, etc... or all of these things combined and possibly more.  Those attempting to meet this challenge in the generations subsequent to the Prophet's time would only be challenging themselves based on rules they have developed.  The most well equipped and relevant subjects were the poets of Arabia.  They failed, knowing the rules to the challenge, how then can we attribute meeting the challenge to people who do not even know what the challenge is?

There are many websites that claim that they have shown contradictions.  Some claim this because of misunderstanding and some for other reasons.  However, unless we are provided with such "contradictions" we cannot comment on these generalizations.  If there are any questions regarding the Qur'an or criticisms that you may have or have seen, then I welcome you to write to us regarding these and insha'Allah we will attempt to clarify them.

You write:
Why do you think that a revelation not made about the future which could have been categorical and absolute for example,
1. The Moon orbits at 27.3 days
2. The fourth planet shall be closest in 2003 than any time in the last 1500 years
3. The speed of Light is 300,000 km per second

Messages from God generally relate to guidance.  God wants us to commit to certain duties while we enjoy our short stay in this world.  He sends His guidance to humanity so that we may tread the righteous path.  It helps us get to know our Lord and Creator, on the one hand, and strengthen our relationship with other human beings, on the other.  The primary reason for revelation is guidance to humankind.  However, I believe that what you're trying to get at is prophecy.  You must understand that prophecy has its purpose.  Prophecy is not supposed to be hard evidence for us to bear witness that God exists or that a certain religion is the truth.  Had God committed in His books the type of prophecies you are looking for then the very foundation of faith would be compromised.  Prophecies are a way to strengthen the community of believers.  They also tend to be related to things not foreseeable by anyone.  The "moon orbiting, fourth planet closest in 2003, speed of light," all could have been figured out in any time in history.  What good would they do humanity?  What good would they do to the direct addressees of the revelation?  Besides, one needs to remember that the Qur'an is not a book of science; it is a book of guidance and reminder of our innate knowledge of right and wrong.

You write:
Also as we live present day life we try to use the laws of the Quran which was written 1400 years but does it give guidance to present day life or to future life or are their going to more revelations. For example, their is no guidance about cloning or the direction to pray when we live on Mars or in Orbit.

The Qur'an teaches truth, love, righteousness, kindness, and morality etc... these rules are universal and eternal.  I cannot comprehend what having been written 1400 years ago has to do with these unchanging factors.  Aside from that, the Qur'an is the foundation upon which we need to build our societies.  There's plenty of room for us to derive "laws" that would be necessary today that had not been necessary a few years ago.  Islam does not lock us into an icebox, frozen in time and space.  Instead it allows for evolution by providing the foundation for us to develop upon.  If indeed your theories regarding living on Mars or in orbit come to fruition then I would tend to think that the Muslim generations would figure out a way to face the earth. 

At some point in our lives we need take into consideration what we are dealing with in our present lives and attempt to live it as well and as closely in accordance with God's way as possible.  Venturing into questions that benefit us little may chip away at our reasoning and render us unappreciative of the gift God has bestowed upon us through His guidance.

I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.
Ronnie Hassan
August 12, 2003

Taken with thanks from www.understanding-islam.org

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