HOW MANY VERSIONS OF THE QURAN ARE THERE?
Unlike the Bible which has several versions, the Quran exists in only one version, in Arabic, the language it was revealed in. However there are several translations in English. Unlike other scriptures, the Quran has been protected from man’s tampering over the last 1400 years. The original Arabic version has never been changed or altered, and early manuscripts, complete and intact are on display in museums around the world. Further, going back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Muslims were in the habit of memorizing the entire scripture. Today, there are millions of Muslims around the world who have memorized the entire Quran, all 6236 verses, from cover to cover. God has also taken it upon Himself to protect the Quran from corruption. The Quran teaches:
“Surely, we have without doubt, sent down the Quran, and We will assuredly safeguard it (from corruption).” (Quran 15:9)
The Quran is divided into 114 Chapters. The First is titled The Opening and the last Chapter is titled Mankind. The Quran:
•Highlights what is right and what is wrong and explains the purpose of life
•Has 114 chapters, one of them is titled Mary, the mother of Jesus (peace be upon them).
•Encourages Muslims to make all aspects of their life a form of worship.
•Explains that after Jesus (peace be upon him) there was another prophet. His name was Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims believe he was God's last prophet to mankind.
•Is a direct message dictated by God to Mankind about life and what is to come.
•Mentions the names of 25 prophets and that they all invited mankind to worship the same one God.
•Outlines how the world will be destroyed.
•Specifies there is no compulsion in religion and confirms that the taking of innocent lives is prohibited in Islam.
CAN YOU GIVE EXAMPLES OF VERSES FROM THE QURAN?
Here are five sets of verses for you to read, reflect and ponder upon:
“And fear a Day (of Judgment) when no soul will avail for another soul, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be helped.” (Quran 2:48)
“And they say: “None shall enter Paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian” Those are their (vain) desires. Say: Produce your proof if you are truthful.” Nay, whoever submits his whole self to God and is a doer of good, he will get his reward with his Lord; on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran 2: 111-112)
Say: “We believe in God, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them, and we submit to God.” (Quran 2: 136)
“Then do remember Me I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not faith. O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: for God is with those who patiently persevere.” (Quran 2: 152-153)
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” (Quran 2:155)
Should you be interested in reading the entire Quran, click on the link for translations of the Quran.
IS THERE ANYTHING SCIENTIFIC IN THE QURAN?
It may seem surprising in this day and age of scientific enlightenment that Islam continues to be the fastest growing religion. But that’s because most Muslims see science as confirming Islamic scripture, not contradicting it.
The French scientist Maurice Bucaille did a remarkable comparison of scriptural texts in his book The Bible, The Quran and Science.
Since it has been claimed by some that Muhammad (peace be upon him) copied certain verses from the Bible and Torah to be included in the Quran, Bucaille compared the scientific statements in the Bible to the statements in the Quran. In all cases he found that the Biblical statements often disagreed with basic scientific fact but scientific statements in the Quran were consistent with scientific facts.
Many years ago the Saudi government invited scientists from all over the world to Riyadh to study statements in the Quran for their veracity.
The scientists were not Muslim, but rather experts in their field of study. The Saudis brought in geologists, embryologists, astrophysicists, astronomers, etc and gave them precise translations of Arabic verses in the Quran that dealt with their fields of expertise.
Then they asked the scientists to evaluate, objectively, if the statements in the Quran were correct according to modern scientific knowledge.
For example, the Quran gives a vivid description of the development of the fetus in the womb. The Quran explains the stages of embryonic development. God tell us:
“O mankind! If you have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (Our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes…” (Quran 22:5)
It is useful to note that the above verse is an accurate description of the development of the embryo and was revealed over 1400 years ago. To the people at that time it could not be scientifically confirmed. However the details outlined in the verse above is now scientifically confirmed.
Dr. Keith Moore of the University of Toronto (Canada) anatomy department, a top expert in embryology, on examining the above and other verses in the Quran said, “I am amazed at the scientific accuracy of these statements which were made in the seventh century.”
This is just one example of the many statements in the Quran that contain information that could not have been known at the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). And the scientists could not find one verse of the Quran that was inaccurate. Many of the scientific phenomena being described have only been discovered in recent times.
These verses show a complexity of understanding that has convinced many Muslims that the Quran could not be the work of any person, especially not an unlettered man like Muhammad (peace be upon him), who lived in the seventh century. This knowledge simply wasn’t available for him to copy.
The more the Quran has been studied the more remarkable a text it seems to be. So much so that Muslims are convinced the Quran does not have a human source. Only God, the Creator, the Divine Being who created the universe could be so firmly aware of the precise inner workings of His Creation.
Muslims believe that The Quran is basically God’s lasting miracle. It contains the truth that was revealed before it in previous scripture but in an unaltered way.
For more information please read The Bible, The Quran and Science by Maurice Bucaille.
CAN YOU GIVE EXAMPLES OF SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD?
As a person with a busy lifestyle, and a parent of four children, I have had to look for innovative ways to protect our family’s sense of decency, as well as build character in myself and my children.
As a family these sayings guide us through the day to day challenges of life, and we often use them for settling differences. Daily, they help to calm our souls.