We do believe He exists despite not seeing Him. This belief gets firmer when we see the feats of Allah. We get the evidence of His existence in various ways among those feats.
This is
fairly common among all believers/ theists- the same thing happened to me when
I was a believer. Being a by-born Muslim due to my Muslim parents I found such
kind of logics-evidences for myself. While in class
three/four there was clear argument in religion text-book that ‘the signs that
Allah exists are numerous around us’. Everything runs so normally- which can
easily prove that there must be someone who I controlling everything so
efficiently. Allah is one because if He is two or three in number, there would
have been conflicts and chaos- the World would not run that smoothly – etc.
etc. I am pretty sure this argument is equally applicable to other religions
too- believing first, then searching arguments, signs and vestiges to
rationalize that belief.
Whatever,
nothing more to say about this, let’s come to the point- I have many things to
say on the evidences and arguments that have deepened your belief. If those
seem irrational to me, then couldn’t the bases of my previous belief be a
little weaker?
‘Sometimes
we see, the society the Prophet formed about 1400 years ago based on ideology,
principle and justice out of an abnormally feculent society is a rare example
in any time for any place in the world history. I can remember Omer (R:) and
his servant travelled through a long desert sharing the back of a camel 50-50%.
Sometimes I remember the speech of Hazrat Omer (R:) during the famine ‘Even if
a dog starves to death today on the bank of river Forat, I will be guilty for
that’. What comparison can you find against such a nice humanitarian attitude?’
I do admit
the contribution of Muhammad (S.) for the Arab society 1400 years ago and I
doalso have tremendous respect for him as a human being. But we also find
numerous number of people like him as the time advances- my respect to those
people also. But when it is said that
the role of Muhammad 1400 years ago in the Arab land is unique is the world
history- I then realize such kind of claimers fathom very little about the
world history. I realize it is just blind veneration or boot-licking- such
blind that it fantasizes a flesh and blood to the divine level, declares His
all rituals and actions to be the ultimate for all ages, all regions and all
social systems while simply forgetting that Muhammad (S.) was born in a
particular time, in a particular region and in a particular social system. Then
I cannot but ask politely that this man in his last Hajj speech appealed to
behave gently with the slaves but failed to call upon for the abolition of
slavery system. Why? Why did he keep provision of four marriage for men? Why
remained with the custom of Hillah marriage? Why did he permit extra-marital
sexual relation with the slave women? And so on!
When this
man is depicted as Great Man by dragging world history, or announced as a
direct friend of Allah or a Messenger of Allah- then I again gently ask- after
ascending to power, why he had to lean to woman one after another? Why getting
involved in war/Jihad one after another? Why spreading hatreds towards the infidels?
And also why he had to destroy the idols/sculptures of the Pagans who were of
different religions? And so on!
But due to
the above reasons I do have no disrespect for one human being Muhammad (S.)
since I know very well what the age-bound, social system bound confinements of
a man may be! But again I have thousands of questions to Muhammad (S.) as a
Messenger of Allah. So if any one tries to grant Prophet’s lust for women in
the name of time, or tries to show his character as exemplaryby comparing him
with king Solaiman or some other more lustful kings of ancient time- then I’ll
bring Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Socrates and numerous other people born far
before Muhammad (S.) and would request to follow their characters in this
regard but not Muhammad (S.)
Many tales
and stories of Omer (Ra.) still inspire us- this is the way many characters of
history remain alive among us for decades. But when based on those amazing
stories of flesh and blood some other fictitious threads are linked to promote
the sublimity of gossips rather than greatness of character- I’ll then humbly
ask- how many of the four Caliphs of Islam was murdered? By whom were they
killed? Had been killed
Why was the
delay in burial of corpse of Muhammad (PBUH)? Weren’t the people close to Him
certain that He was the Messenger of Allah? That engaging in conflict of power
keeping the corpse of His Prophet unattended would make Allah displeased?
‘When I see
the messages of the Holy Quran are so much metaphoric; till today there is no
such poetical work with such an incomparable ordination of words (however to
understand it much better, you have to know very well Arabic literature or
Arabic language or you have to be an expert in literature; whatsoever let’s
keep faith in the words of our experts!)
The so much
figurative messages of Al-Quran with excellent ordination of words- whoever is
a believer believes it blindly without understanding Arabic language. And such
a blindly devoted stand declares: ‘There is still no equivalent poetic literature
like the Holy Quran!’
So it can
easily be answered in one sentence: such declarant possesses no idea about
poetry or literature. I would be happy to inform such people that the position
of Al-Quran is at almost zero level with reference to world literature. This
book must have a considerable role as a history book or a book of philosophy-
you must approach The Quran and The Hadith to understand a whole era. But in
the universe of world literature, Quran matters a little. Even in our region,
the Ramayana or The Mahabharata may be leveled as ‘Epic’, we keep our
‘Charjapada’ with high esteem in the field of ancient literature, the two epics
of Homer further enriches the world literature; but Quran as a literary work
matters little comparing to those. You have dragged the experts’ opinion- but
they themselves have judged the literary values of ancient books- which one is
an ‘epic’, which one not!
Let’s judge
the poetic values of Al Quran by ourselves. Various organs of poetry are:
metaphor, simile, prosody etc. Expressing a thought through metaphors and
similes is the peculiarity of poetry- this is found in several verses of
Quran-I have to admit that. But they are very less in number and according to
my opinion not that much luminouspaint, rather kind of flat. Moreover the
illustrations of thoughtsthrough various similes-metaphors in our ancient
writings and poetry, the exorbitances of similes-metaphors in our very previous
somatic songs clearly imply that this is very much possible by human being.
And in terms
of prosody, Quran will to be ranked very mean. Verses of the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata, prosody of the lyrics of the Charzapada are much more melodious
and temperate. Most of the suras (verses) of Quran did not in fact maintain the
grammar of prosody. However in some of the suras, some successive Aayats in
some suras we get artistry of prosody. But again we have to add that- like any
other ancient rhythm they are combination of monotonous alliteration.
For example:
Alamtarakaifafa'alarabbuka bi ashaabil feel
Alamyaj'alkaidahum fee tad leel
waarsala 'alaihimtairanabaabeel
Tar meehim bi hi jaaratim min sijjeel
Faja 'alahumka'asfimm'akool
This is surah al-fil (105). The syllable
‘eel’ is present at the end of every sentence. (though the fifth sentence
includes ‘ool’). Similarly in surah Al-Fatiha every sentence ends with ‘eem/een’. In surah An-Nass every sentence ends with
the syllable ‘naas’ etc. etc.
Such kinds of rhymes/prosodies are found in
ancient poems. Actually at that time rhymes/prosodies were created orally,
circulated from mouth to mouth; so creation of verses as well as memorizing it
in rhyme format was easier. You can also make such quality prosody if you try.
For example:
10
fingers,
10 toes,
2 eyes
And a round nose.
10 toes,
2 eyes
And a round nose.
Or
One
potato, two potatoes, three potatoes, four,
Five potatoes, six potatoes, seven potatoes, more?
Five potatoes, six potatoes, seven potatoes, more?
Or
Kill
Bill
Jill
Fill
Mill
Nil
Hill
Ill
etc
Let’s try. If someone like me can do it, you can do also. You may
read the poetry of famous Bengali poet Satyendranath Dutta, you’ll then realize
how excellent the practice of prosody can be in the hand of a human being.
And if you show plea of ancient times, I’ll say keep an eye on
things like Charjapada, Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are created through such
rhythmic prosodies. After going through those books, you’ll understand how
inferior in quality the verses of Quran are in comparison with them. Inferior
in quality in this sense that verses of Quran are so much monotonous and same
word, same sentence is repeatedly used to show matches among the lines.
And with your sentence it seems that you have challenged the
present literature and poetry also. It should not be right for you for Quran
will then be more humiliated. The varieties of prosody, its strength- I cannot
expect this from some ancient books, so the comparisons will also not be
accurate, still if you challenge, then please learn no one in the world
literature has treated Al Quran as an epic/poetry.
‘’Or when we
see Quran did not change to a tittle within 1400 years whereas Bible and other
religious books have been changed hundred times. Kings or clerics changed those
according to their thoughts. We find the reflection of God’s will in this
case…. Many of the other religions though coming from God have actually been
changed/distorted in circumambulation of time and the religious books need a
latest of final version for the time advances. But the argument behind Quran
being the final version is its pure undistortedness. (Allah said He himself
would save the Quran and must it remain undistorted.)’’
What do you
mean by the intactness of Quran? What does it imply?
Today after
the invention of printing machine you’ll get tens of millions of books remain
unaltered for decades. The plays and sonnets of Shakespeare- all in as it was
created format; even not mismatching by a full-stop or comma. Nowadays we find
inscriptions of two or three thousand years ago- they too are also undistorted.
What does it imply?
Hmm, there was obviously possibility of distortion when once upon
a time knowledge, literature etc were transmitted in oral form from generation
to generations and era to era. And we know Al Quran inscribed as a whole did
not appear in front of mankind from Muhammad. Initially its fragments were
orally transmitted and in a scatter written format. That gave birth to the
natural doubt behind its undistortedness and that’s why convincing all
regarding the issue became the liability of Quran. So we find Allah saying in
Quran that He is its defender.
Indubitably no one even felt it necessary to proclaim such
undistortedness in the case of Michael’s Meghnathbadh Kabya in Bengali or for
King Lear or for War and Peace.
Let’s come to the point of comparing the Holy Quran with other
ancient books. Other scriptures have been tampered with, but not Quran! The
delusion of such logic is easily explicable.
Is it possible to claim distortions on those books that were
documented during the lifetime of their authors? It’s only claimed in case of
compilation writings after the death of its author. For instance- Socrates
never docketed any of his thoughts but did his two disciples. Now it’s a
natural question- do the inscriptions of
these two disciples word by word represent the thoughts and philosophy of
Socrates? But you see when Plato wrote or documented ‘Dialogue’ or ‘Socrates’
Defense’, we find it undistorted and obviously as a pure writing of Plato.
Neither Jesus nor Muhammad was successful in offering the
Bible-Quran in the way Plato did. Their follower compiled them later. Again
there comes the natural question- do the Holy books represent the cult preached
by them? Initiatives of compilation were taken after a certain time interval of
Jesus’ death- so possibility of distortion is higher for the Bible whereas
Quran is in a safer position than Bible. But once compiled or documented, it
may remain unaltered if upkept properly. We have found some before Christ era
books in our sub-continent and as these books were inscribed at that very time;
one can easily understand that they are the same word by word as the writer
wrote.
Next is the different explanations/opinions of one Surah/verse
even if it got documented in the Holy book i.e. ununiqueness of opinion over a
single verse. This issue in fact gave birth to the later edition of Bible.
Anyone may claim the later edition as tempered- but can the older version be
called tempered in real sense? This is also true for Quran. We find in many
Hadiths the differences in opioion among the Sahabis (companions) during
compilation of Quran. We know about Hazrat Ali's objections. Dispute over
different language is also known and also the act of destroying all other
copies of Quran by Usman. We know about different Qurans of the Haafs and the
Walsh, different Quran of the Shia and last but not the least the revised Quran
of Rashad Khalifa. All these indicate that Quran has been distorted many times
and Quran of one group is obviously a distorted one for the other group.
So you can never say Quran is written by Allah considering it
undistorted and when you clearly see Quran is distortedly inscribed and further
been distorted in course of time- shouldn’t you be suspicious about the
existence of Allah?
‘’Or when I see
there is not a single verse in Quran that can be proved incorrect by the established
science. Contrary to that, the other scriptures are full of wrong information
and inconsistencies.
Or when I watch
that Quran accurately described many events that were laterproved right by
modern science.’’
There is not a single verse in Quran that can be proved incorrect by the
established science- He who dares to say so is surely such a person that have
not read/understood all Aayats/verses of Quran and utterly ignorant of science.
The science
of today finds so many inconsistencies in all ancient books- whether it be a
Holy book or a book on science or philosophy. Similarly so many unscientific,
anti-science, false, inconsistent and bizarre statements are frequently
available in the verses of Quran. But then again some true and scientific
things are also available in them which are still accepted by science. (What it
implies- mankind discovered the accurate knowledge on certain topics by that
very time.)- In this way some topics/points of Quran may also be proved right
by today’s established science. But that does not necessarily prove that-
modern science grants every word of Quran. The story of Adam, Gossips of Angels
and ghostly bodies, magic-sorcery- jugglery, superhuman power of the Prophets-
modern science considers all these as fairy tales. Talks on heaven and earth,
creation of animals and human beings, birth of human, development of embryo-
all these are erroneous incorrect, preposterous in the eyes of modern science.
And there are still others. Just read by yourself a bit more, keep your
eyes-ears open, unclasp the window of your mind:- you’ll easily understand.
Regarding
the second point-‘Quran accurately described
many events that were later proved right by modern science’- is actually
not a unique pretension. Many of the other religions claim the same today. I
have refuted this point in one of my previous posts- so nothing new to say-
requesting to go through that post.
‘‘It’s a wonder how the Prophet,
an illiterate person, was able to write a book for 23 years with no inconsistency
which is at the same time 1) guide for mankind, 2) no inconsistency of
information, 3) no scientific mistake of any given information, 4) information
which have later been proven by modern science are also given, 5) full of
excellent poetic values, 6) has remained unchanged for 1500 years, 7) the only
one scripture that most people can commit to memory, 8) It is the only one Holy
book memorized by tens of thousands of people. So there is no possibility of
annihilation of this Holy book even if all the copies get burnt.’’
Historians
are divided into opinions whether Prophet Muhammad was an illiterate person.
Read- was the first revelation to him. He was a successful merchant in his
early life- He himself had to maintain the accounts. Such Hadiths are also
available where he rectified the letters written to different rulers. Whatever,
let’s assume that he was illiterate. But does this necessarily mean he was
empty-headed? Or does that mean he was not a man of extraordinary caliber?
There are so many ingenious people of ancient
time who were downright illiterate- they have gifted us impeccable creations in
oral format only using their brains. So no one can be
certain that he did not possess leadership capability, a very inquisitive mind,
a vision and ability to think deeper no matter if he was illiterate. And if
possessed with such qualities with some adroit followers around him, it is not
so difficult to write a book like Quran.
One more point to be addressed- Usman was the pioneer in offering
us the format of Quran as we get today. Before that Quran Compilation Committee
took the first initiative during the reign of Abu Bakar. There were many
efficient and also poetic minded followers in that committee. So Muhammad
should not be the only contributor behind today’s format of Quran. Even
Ali(R:) was seen to protect for this
reason.
1.
Guide for
mankind- is a completely wrong proclamation. The non-Muslim portion of today’s
world is running very well without Quran; so Quran can’t be a guideline for
them. Even the Muslim world is not following Quran directed life exactly or
they very well realize that it can’t be followed exactly.
You yourself can understand why Quran can’t
be a guideline for mankind if you read it carefully with meaning. You’ll see
how each of the Aayats/ Surahs appeared in response to various incidents
happened in Muhammad’s life. Even Aayats appeared when there were disputes among Muhammad’s wives- to tackle that situation. Many times when
the disciples came to Prophet to solve their different problems- Aayats
appeared. Aayats appeared when the non-Muslims came to ask something, when to
motivate the disciples etc. etc. A major part of all these incidents are very
specific. There are Surahs on some specific persons- you can’t say they are guidelines
for the whole mankind. Even one Surah was named after one person (Non-Muslim),
so much hatred was spread by that Surah-just read- you’ll make out what kind of
a guideline it is for mankind!!!
2.
There are many inconsistencies of
information. Please refer to previous points. Moreover, it is due to this
inconsistency that divided Muslim world into so many fractions/ Mazhabs.
3.
There are so many mistakes of Quran provided
‘scientific’ information. Again referring to previous discussions.
4.
Modern science has invented so many
things which were not included in Quran and also many other things are there
which are contradictory to different Aayats of Quran. And Quran includes
everything- this is just a crystal-clear lie and bluff.
5.
It has changed in 1500 years- which I
showed earlier. And you’ll find many ancient books older than Quran that are
undistorted.
6.
The topic of literary values are
discussed earlier. However, some names of followers are heard who were poets.
Let’s assume they are not created by those followers and Muhammad(S) himself
possessed poetic intellect. But if you think it is the poetic intellect of
Allah, then I cannot but say that Allah as a poetic genius is much inferior to
Yeats, Elliot, Jibananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Shakespeare, Michael Madhusudhan
etc.
7.
It’s true that the memorizers of Quran
are many in number. May be once upon a time people memorized many a books, but
in today’s world only some fanatic people do this job. Geeta or Bible
memorizers are also in the
world. These scriptures are older than Quran- so what?? And if one
memorizer of any book remains alive while all the copies get burnt- this book
will be revived, not only Quran.
But if I am thrown to a situation that the whole world will be
destroyed except one book, I would choose a science encyclopedia rather than a
Quran. I’ll compile all the latest laws and formulas of modern science in a
book and preserve it. Because it will be the best weapon at man’s hand that can
restore the position of earth within the least possible time. Quran the Holy
book can’t do it.
Translated by: Tanmoy
Original link of Bengali article: http://blog.mukto-mona.com/2009/05/21/1701/
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