بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم الحمد لله وحده و الصلاة و السلام على من لا نبي بعده و على آله و أصحابه أجمعين
In this article we will be addressing the claim of anti-Islamic missionaries that the abrogated verses were never revealed by Allah and only the replaced verses were a part of revelation from Allah. Does the Qur’an indicate that the replaced verses were from Satan and therefore Allah replaced them?
We know from the Qur’an that it (the Qur’an) was
initially revealed in Ramadan[1] and
completed in Dhul Hajj[2] over
a period of around 23 years.During this period of time, some verses were
revealed by Allah which were later abrogated i.e. replaced with other similar
or better verses:
مَا نَنْسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنْسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
We do not
abrogate a verse (Ayah) or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring
forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over
all things competent?[3]
The verse, however, does not limit the abrogation
to within the Qur’an but also of previous revelations as Muhammad Asad explains the
verse as follows:
"The
doctrine of progressive revelation from age to age and time to time does not
mean that Allah's fundamental law changes. It was sheer ignorance of the unbelievers
to charge the messenger of Allah with forgery because the message as revealed
to him was in different form from that which was revealed before, when the core
of the truth is the same, for it came from Allah. This verse refers to the
changes the Quran introduced in the teachings of the previous
scriptures because of which the infidels thought that it was a
forgery, and asserts that the same Holy Spirit has brought the revelation to
the Holy Prophet."
Based on this and similar verses, anti-Islamic
missionaries argue that the replaced verse is from Allah but the Qur’an
mentions nowhere that the abrogated verse was also from Allah. The reason for
not being able to find such a mentioning is due to improper reading. We find
elsewhere in the Qur’an the following:
وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَا آيَةً مَكَانَ آيَةٍ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُفْتَرٍ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And when We
substitute a verse (Ayah) in place of a verse (Ayah) – and Allah is most
knowing of what He sends down – they say, "You, [O Muhammad], are but an
inventor [of lies]." But most of them do not know.[4]
Pondering over the underlined part indicates to
the reader that what Allah has sent down (Ayah) is replaced by what Allah has
sent down Himself (Ayah). Ayah means not just a verse from the Quran but also
means proof, evidence, lesson, sign, revelation, miracle, etc. The thing being
replaced (sign/miracle of Allah) is being done so by another sign or miracle of
Allah. Therefore to say that the initial thing being replaced is from someone
other than Allah is simply ignoring parts of the Qur’an.
Even though the Qur’an explains itself, we shall
provide explanation for the quoted verse from early Islamic scholars. Tafsir
Ibn Kathir states:
And when We change a verse (of the Qur'an) in place of
another, Mujahid said: this means, "We remove one and
put another in its place.''Qatadah said:this is like the Ayah:Whatever verse We change (abrogate) or
omit (the abrogated)...'' (2:106). Allah said, in response to them: Say:
"Ruh-ul-Qudus has
brought it...'' (meaning, Jibril), from your Lord
with truth, meaning, with truthfulness and justicefor the conviction of those
who believe,so that they will believe what
was revealed earlier and what was
revealed later, and humble themselves towards Allah.
The great early Muslim scholars from the third
generation and before did not differ from the understanding presented here.
They have provided their input clearly stating that the abrogated and the
abrogating verses were both revealed by Allah and hence the understanding ofQur’an 16:101presented here is nothing
less than authentic.
If we look at the last line of Qur’an 16:101 quoted above "but most of them do not know", we get the
idea that the hypocrites and disbelievers at the time of Prophet Muhammad –on
him be the peace and blessings of Allah- were similar to the anti-Islamic
missionaries of today. They had somewhat similar arguments, attacks and
allegations against the Prophet–on him be the peace and blessings of Allah. If
such people have simple reading issues, then no wonder they will find human
nature, incoherence and unintelligibility in the Qur’an.
Are the abrogated verses from Satan?
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَلَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا إِذَا تَمَنَّى أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ فَيَنْسَخُ اللَّهُ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ اللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
And We did not
send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or
recited], Satan threw into it [some
misunderstanding]. But Allah abolishes that which Satan throws in; then Allah makes precise His verses.
And Allah is Knowing and Wise.[5]
Based on the above quoted verse of the Qur’an, it
has been argued that since Satan interrupted the Message of the
Messengers, Allah abolished Satan’s interruption and then made clear
His verses, this means that Satan had revealed some verses which were
abrogated by Allah. Even though this contradicts with the explanation provided
above that verses (Ayaat plural of Ayah) are only from Allah, the argument
appears reasonable and valid to a rather naive person.
Even though a layman can see that this verse speaks
of the abrogation of something cast in the hearts of the prophets by Satan, and
not about the abrogation of the Qur’anic verses, we shall provide explanations
from the great Islamic scholars of the past but first we shall present a verse
from the Qur’an that nullifies this claim:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
Indeed, it is We
who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.[6]
Promise of Allah to protect the revelation does
not merely signify that after the revelation but also before and during its
revelation. To claim that Satan managed to interfere into the process of
revelation (Qur’an 22:52) is to
falsify the divine guarantee for the safety of revelation from any corruption
whatsoever made in Qur’an 15:9. Now
let us understand Qur’an 22:52 from
classical Muslim scholars. Here is the explanation from Ibn Kathir:
In his recitation
(of the revelation). "When he spoke, the Shaytan threw (some falsehood)
into his speech, but Allah abolished that which the Shaytan threw in.''
Then Allah makes
precise His verses or establishes His revelations: `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, when he
did recite (the revelation), Shaytan threw (some falsehood) in it "When he
spoke, the Shaytan threw (some falsehood) into his speech.''
Mujahid said: When
he did recite. "When he spoke.'' It was said that it refers to his
recitation. It means they speak but they do not write.
Al-Baghawi and
the majority of the scholars of Tafsir said: "Reciting the Book of
Allah.'' Shaytan threw (some falsehood) in it i.e. "in his recitation.''
Ad-Dahhak said:
"When he recited.'' Ibn Jarir said, "This comment is more akin to
interpretation.'' (But Yansakh Allah that which Shaytan throws in). The meaning
of the word Naskh in Arabic is to remove
or lift away. `Ali bin Abi Talhah
reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "This means, Allah cancels out that which
the Shaytan throws in i.e. the doubt or the falsehood in recitation.''
The scholars and companions of the Prophet –on
him be the peace and blessings of Allah- understood the input of Satan to be
nothing more than hesitation and stop of flow in recitation and the
interpretation. This is somewhat similar to the temptation of Prophet Eisa
(Jesus) –peace be upon him- as mentioned in the Bible[7].
Such temptation or thoughts from Satan are natural and not to be taken as sins
as mentioned by the Prophet –on him be the peace and blessings of Allah in
Sahih Bukhari:
"Allah has
forgiven my followers the evil thoughts that occur to their minds, as long as such
thoughts are not put into action or uttered."
Christians as well as Muslims believe that Satan
exists and his mission and actions are a reality. Therefore, there appears to
be no reason of concern if someone is enticed by Satan but does not fall into
the trap.
The understanding stated above that what Satan
puts in are his evil whispers and ‘not words into the Qur’an’ is further established
by the following verses of the Qur’an:
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge
in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].[8]
وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ
And say "O
my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions
of the Evil Ones.[9]
The above command by Allah is not just for the Prophet
-on him be the peace and blessings of Allah-but also for the believers in
general.The reason for seeking refuge with Allah before reading is that the
reader should not get confused or mixed up, and that Satan would not confuse him or stop him from thinking about and
pondering over the meaning of what he reads. Hence the majority of scholars
said that refuge should be sought with Allah before starting to read.Moreover
the verse (Qur’an 16:98) is the
immediate context for Qur’an 16:101
quoted above. It has been proven from the companions and the early scholars
that the actual input of Satan was only limited to evil whispers, Qur’an 16:98 and 23:97 further confirm
this fact. There appears no question of any input into the Qur’an from Satan. People
who read the Qur’an and lose their reasoning power or try to seek faults do so
due to the temptations and suggestions of Satan. Their anger towards the Qur’an
does not result in any addition or alteration to the Qur’an.
Wisdom behind abrogation
As mentioned at the start of this article, the
Qur’an was revealed over a period of around 23 years and during this time some
verses were revealed by Allah which were later abrogated. Types of abrogation and wisdom
behind them has been summarized for the readers below.
Abrogation of the recited verse along with the
legal ruling:
A'isha (Allah be pleased with, her) reported that it had been revealed in the Holy Qur'an that ten clear sucklings make the marriage unlawful, then it was abrogated (and substituted) by five sucklings [10]Some scholar actually hold that eventually even five sucklings instruction was abrogated
Abrogation of the legal ruling without the
recited verse:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنْتُمْ سُكَارَى حَتَّى تَعْلَمُوا مَا تَقُولُونَ
O you who have
believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what
you are saying…[11]
In the verse above, one might get the impression
that drinking is allowed but praying while in the state of drunkenness is
forbidden. This verse has been abrogated by the following:
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا
They ask you
about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some]
benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit."[12]
When Qur’an
4:43 was initially revealed, drinking was not completely forbidden. Islam
did not bring immediate stop to drinking but brought the change through a way
that implementation becomes strong and easy for the believers. Pre Islamic
people were heavy drinkers and it would have been impossible for many to quit
drinking immediately. Qur’an implements this prohibition in stages. Initially
it was partially prohibited, then prohibition increased further and then
finally completely prohibited. We find immense wisdom behind it and any alcoholic
seeking to cure the disease would wholeheartedly agree with this wisdom.
The verse, however, has not been abrogated
because Qur’an 4:43 and Qur’an 2:219 can be followed at the same
time; they do not contradict each other. Drinking does not make someone a
disbeliever and it is very much possible that a believer in the Qur’an falls in
this trap of Satan. For that person, the order would still be valid to not come
near to prayer while in the state of drunkenness.
All abrogated verses that still remain in the
Qur’an do carry meanings that are still very much valid and applicable. However,
when or if it may appear that two verses contradict each other in their rulings
(example Qur’an 4:43and 2:219addressed above), we must
understand that they need to be interpreted in light of the new ruling brought
forward while keeping the rules of context
in mind.[13]
Please
note that the law for Qisas (an eye for an eye) on one hand (Qur’an 2:178) and forgiving being better
than taking revenge (Qur’an 5:45) or slaying
of innocent being equal to slaying of humanity (Qur’an 5:32) on the other hand are neither abrogating nor
contradictory verses. Studying them in isolation might give this impression but
reading them as per explanations provided in the article and by reading in
context, we find the argument to be of no worth.
Abrogation of the recited verse without the legal
ruling:
This is the case in which a verse has been
abrogated but the ruling remains. The most commonly known example of this is
that of the ‘verse of stoning.’ This case requires a detailed treatment. We
shall in-sha’Allah (if Allah so wills) present a detailed study of it in
future.
Missionary arguments
We
have addressed the major arguments of Christian missionaries above. However,
they are not satisfied due to a number of questions they have as follows:
1.
Qur’an
16:100
state that Satan has no affect on those who put their trust in Allah whereas
the Prophet of Islam –on him be the
peace and blessings of Allah- was disturbed by Satan for a while that he used
to forget things.
2.
The Gospels teach the crucifixion of
Jesus whereas Qur’an goes against it and if Qur’an is to be believed, then the
abrogation of this false teaching of the Bible by the Qur’an took around 600
years thereby resulting in the misguidance of billions of people.
3.
The abrogated verses are at times
better than the abrogating verses.
1.
Being disturbed by Satan so that the person forgets things does not classify
under Qur’an 16:100. What the verse
refers to is to fall in the trap of Satan. Regarding Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their trust only
in their Lord, Imam Sufyan al-Thawri states that it means "He has
no power to make them commit a sin they will not repent from.'' Forgetting
things is not a sin and the mission of Satan is to get the children of Adam –peace be upon him- on the stray path and
eventually to hell.[14]
2.
Before we come to the point of crucifixion from the Qur’an, it must be made
clear that the concept of no crucifixion is present even in the Bible[15]. Even the earliest
believers of the message of Prophet Eisa (Jesus) –peace be upon him- rejected
the crucifixion; Paul speaks to them harshly for keeping this belief (Galatians 3:1) and instead promoted his
own beliefs.The concept of Prophet Eisa (Jesus) –peace be upon him- being saved
from crucifixion can be found in Dead Sea Scrolls as well[16]. This belief that Prophet
Eisa (Jesus) –peace be upon him- did not die on the cross was very much present
until the council of Nicaea around 300 years after Prophet Eisa (Jesus) –peace
be upon him- after which it was violently opposed and followers of it
persecuted. They were persecuted even before but after the council, the attacks
of the enemies of Prophet Eisa (Jesus) –peace be upon him- became ruthless and
much more violent.
It,
therefore, appears very much unreasonable to blame it on Allah while He has
allowed sufficient evidences to remain even in their own books even after much
alteration and editing. If the believers of the Bible were to be judged by the
Almighty God upon their own books, it appears they would fail. If the followers
of ancient scriptures do actually open up their own books to read them without
bias and with an open mind, they would surely be directed towards Islam and
accept it if Allah Almighty wills.
3.
To say that the abrogated verses of the Qur’an were much better than the
abrogating ones,indicates nothing less than pure bias. As quoted above, the previous
Qiblah of the Muslims before the Ka’aba used to be the sacred Masjid in
Jerusalem. The change in Qiblah had displeased the Jews even though the order
was from Allah:
سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا وَلَّاهُمْ عَنْ قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا عَلَيْهَا
The foolish among the people will say,
"What has turned them away from their Qiblah, which they used to
face?"[17]
Here
we learn of one reasons why some people preferred the abrogated ruling over the
abrogating one i.e. bias.Other reasons are pure ignorance and blind hate. During
the first decade of prophethood, the Muslims were not allowed to pick up
weapons even against those who had done so against them. Then when the
migration took place, the Muslims were commanded to fight those who fight
the Muslims[18].
To a person holding bias against Islam and seeking pleasure at the torture of
Muslims at the hands of their enemies, the new ruling of fighting would
certainly appear to be displeasing than the previous one of restraining
themselves.
Conclusion
We
can safely conclude here with authority that the verses abrogating and those
abrogated have both been revealed by Allah and Satan had no power or influence
in the revelation of the Qur’an. Any claim to the contrary is an indication of
bias and hatred towards Islam.
Indeed, Allah knows
the best.
by Adeel Tariq Khan
Brilliant article once again !
ReplyDeleteAs brother Waqar told me previously that if i want some article from him i should ask it .So now i want an article on the hadith where Prophet said to 'bite the penis if ones father if we boast about our lineage ' and about the verse where God says that in heaven virgins with swollen breast will be given as reward, these are frequently brought by Sam Shamoun .
So an article on them will put his claim to rest ,please do wright what is asked.
Jazak'Allahu khair
Deleteabout the issues you mentioned ... in-sha'Allah sometime after completing the things already in the pipeline
Assalam o alaikum warahmatullah wa barakatuho my brother!
ReplyDeleteMay Almighty ALLAH bless you.
I came here unexpectedly just wanted to check answers allegations against Islaam or compilation of QURAn. It is very useful.. so Plz guide me How can I get the complete volumes of Journal of Islamic Science as you uploaded some in ACCRA.org