Assalamo Alikom,
Back in the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, disbelievers attempted to discredit the Quran by attacking its language and slandering the Prophet. Fast forward to today, and while the tactics have evolved, the aim remains the same: to increase doubt among Muslims.
With the majority of Muslims not speaking Arabic as their first language, many find themselves susceptible to these doubts due to a lack of understanding of the Quran's intricacies and the nuances of Arabic. But fear not! We've been tackling something special this Ramadan.
Doubt Proof is a limited lesson series aimed at empowering Muslims who can't speak Arabic to understand the finer details of the Quran.
Our goal? To equip you with the knowledge needed to shield yourself against attempts to undermine the perfection of Allah's book.
This is the first letter, it will tackle two of the videos we have already published. New letters will follow when the series continues to unveil throughout Ramadan.
The aim is for these articles to work as an archive for you to return to quickly whenever you need a reminder.
Unique Style: The Quran uses a special writing style, switching between singular and plural forms to tell stories vividly.
Family References: When the Quran talks about family, like calling Maryam the "sister of Haroon," it's to show her noble background and correct misunderstandings.
Accurate Stories: Despite doubts, the Quran's stories hold up, backed by Hadith and scholars, fitting with Arabic language rules and history.
Deep Meaning: The Quran's stories carry rich lessons and truths, showing wisdom and engaging both believers and scholars.
Have you ever noticed something interesting in the Quran? Like when an ayah talks about one person, but then switches to talk about them as a group? It might seem confusing, but let's unravel this mystery together.
مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ (17) سورة البقرة
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.
Surat Al-Baqarah starts by talking about someone who lights a fire. But then, it suddenly refers to them as "their" and "them." So, is this a mistake? Not at all! First, let's understand the meaning of the ayah. It's about a person who starts a fire (الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا), but then Allah takes away their light, leaving them in darkness. This action of starting the fire is done by one person, hence it's described in singular form.
But here's the cool part: when a fire gives off light and warmth, it affects everyone around it, not just the person who lit it. So when Allah takes away the light, it impacts everyone near the fire. That's why in the Ayah Allah says (ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ) [Allah took away their light and left them in darkness] referring to "their light" and "them" in plural form.
Now, you might wonder, why does the Quran use this switching of singular and plural? Well, it's all about accuracy and style. In Arabic, words like "the one who" can sometimes refer to a group, not just one person. The Quran often compares situations rather than individuals.
مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا ۚ …(٥) سورة الجمعة
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books].
For example, in the above Ayah, Allah compares the situation of hypocrites to that of a donkey carrying books, both not understanding what they carry. So, it's not about comparing each person to a separate donkey, but about comparing the entire situation.
So, when we look at this verse, it not only paints a vivid picture of the situation but also uses grammar to do it perfectly. Pretty neat, right?
Now, do you know other examples in the Quran that follow this pattern? Share them with us in the comments below!
Now, do you know other examples in the Quran that follow this pattern? [Hint: there are a few in Surat Al-Baqarah] Share them with us in the comments below!
The Quran, revered as a foundational text in Islam, has faced numerous challenges and suspicions throughout history, with one of the oldest being the allegation of inconsistency. Even the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself addressed this issue when questioned about it. Despite his clear explanation, many people still desperately spread this doubt to this day.
يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا (٢٨) سورة مريم
O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste."
In Surat Maryam, the Quran mentions how the people of Maryam (Mary) addressed her when she presented her miraculous child, Isa (Jesus), without a father. They referred to her as the sister of Haroon (Aaron). Haroon was known as the brother of Musa (Moses), who lived centuries before Isa. So, how is this possible? Is it a historical inaccuracy as they claim?
Unsurprisingly, it’s not an inconsistency, of course.
The Sahaby Al Mugherah Ibn Auqbah (المغيرة ابن عقبة), came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with the same question.
The Prophet ﷺ explained that the Children of Israel often named their descendants after prophets and righteous individuals. Indicating that Mariam did indeed have a brother named Haroon, but not the same Haroon who was the brother of Musa.
This is a definite fact about Maryam as the Prophet Muhammad told in his Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim. Yet, why does the Quran specifically mention Haroon in this context? The scholars of the Quran provide a comprehensive explanation.
Maryam's lineage can be traced back to Haroon, the brother of Musa. The Quran's mention of Haroon serves a dual purpose: it corrects misconceptions about Maryam's family while emphasizing her honorable lineage. For the following reasons:
The Quran not only acknowledges her connection to a religious individual but also highlights her lineage from a prophetic family.
This naming convention aligns with Arabic linguistic norms, where familial terms can denote both direct relations and broader lineage connections.
For instance, individuals were often called "brothers" or "sisters" of a prophet not necessarily because of sibling ties but due to shared lineage.
Similarly, Maryam being designated as the sister of Haroon underscores her familial ties to him as well as her noble lineage.
So, their referring to her as “sister of Haroon” aimed to remind her that someone like her, coming from a good family, shouldn’t do something wrong like what they claimed she did.
This shows the depth and accuracy of the Quran's narrative. Showcasing its ability to include multiple layers of meaning within its verses.
The Quranic text stands as a testament to its profound intricacy and divine wisdom, captivating believers and scholars alike with its profound insights.
Jazakum Allah Khayran for reading. If you liked this letter, don’t forget to hit the like button ♡ below, to help others find it on Substack.
Share the post to spread the benefit among other Muslims!
We’d love to hear your feedback and connect with you. Feel free to chat with us at any time!
Speak soon,
Assalamo Alikom
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.