Sunday, August 3, 2025

🕋 When Was the Quran Written and By Whom?

🕋 When Was the Quran Written and By Whom?

Revelation Period:
- Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to Muhammad over 23 years (610–632 AD) through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).
- Muhammad himself did not write the Quran—he was illiterate according to Islamic tradition (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:157).
Early Recording:
- During Muhammad’s life, verses were memorized by his followers (hafiz) and written on materials like bones, palm leaves, and parchment.
- There was no official, compiled book during his lifetime.

📖 Who Compiled the Quran and When?

1. Abu Bakr’s Collection (c. 633 AD)

After Muhammad’s death, the first caliph Abu Bakr ordered a written compilation due to fears that those who memorized the Quran were dying in battle (notably after the Battle of Yamama).
Zayd ibn Thabit, Muhammad’s scribe, led this collection.
This version was kept by Hafsa, one of Muhammad's widows.

2. Uthman’s Standardization (c. 650 AD)

Under the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, disputes arose over different recitations (qira’at) of the Quran in various regions (like Kufa, Basra, and Damascus).
Uthman commissioned a standard version, again led by Zayd ibn Thabit and others.
This version was sent to major Islamic centers and all other variants were ordered to be burned to unify the Muslim community under one recitation.

📚 How Many Versions of the Quran Existed Before Uthman?

Multiple Regional Versions:
- Before Uthman’s standardization, there were regional codices compiled by different companions of Muhammad, including:
  - Ibn Mas'ud (Kufa)
  - Ubayy ibn Ka'b (Syria)
  - Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (Basra)
- These versions contained:
  - Variations in wording
  - Differences in order of surahs (chapters)
  - A few additional or missing verses according to some historical reports
Examples of Differences:
- Ubayy ibn Ka'b’s codex reportedly included two extra surahs: Surat al-Khal and Surat al-Hafd (which are not in the current Quran).
- Ibn Mas'ud allegedly did not include Surah Al-Fatihah and Surahs 113 & 114—though this is disputed by Muslim scholars.

🔥 What Did Egypt Do with the Versions?

In 1924, Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, under King Fuad I, produced the "Cairo Edition" of the Quran based on Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, one of the 10 canonical qira’at (recitations).
This version became the official printed Quran worldwide, especially in educational and governmental settings.
It further standardized pronunciation, diacritics, and spelling, but did not change the content of Uthman’s version.
Other qira’at (recitations) are still accepted, but not widely used or printed.

❗️Key Takeaways

Issue	Summary
Quran revealed	Over 23 years to Muhammad
Compiled by	Zayd ibn Thabit under Abu Bakr and Uthman
Versions before Uthman	Yes – Ibn Mas'ud, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, others
Differences in versions	Order, wording, few unique surahs or verses
Uthman’s role	Standardized text, burned others
Egypt 1924 edition	Based on Hafs recitation, official print version

Would you like a visual timeline or a comparison chart between different early Quran versions next?

Are there a lot of controversies with the Quaran?

📜 1. Textual Preservation and Compilation

Muslim Claim:

The Quran has been perfectly preserved word-for-word since the time of Muhammad (based on Surah 15:9: “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it.”).

Controversies:

Multiple early versions: Before Caliph Uthman standardized the Quran (~650 AD), different companions had their own codices with textual variations (e.g., Ibn Mas’ud, Ubayy ibn Ka’b).
Uthman’s burning: Uthman ordered the destruction of other versions to enforce one reading, raising questions about why a perfect revelation needed to be “fixed.”
Missing verses or chapters: Early Islamic sources (like Sahih Muslim, al-Bukhari, and Ibn Abi Dawud) mention:
- Verses lost due to the deaths of memorizers
- A verse about stoning being omitted
- Entire surahs not included in the standard Quran

📖 2. Qira’at (Variant Readings)

There are 10 recognized qira’at (recitations) and over 30 rawis (narrators) of the Quran that vary in spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and meaning.
While Islamic scholars see this as a richness of the oral tradition, critics argue it contradicts the claim of a single, unchanged Quran.

🧾 3. Abrogation (Naskh)

The Quran contains verses that abrogate (cancel or replace) others (Surah 2:106).
Critics ask: Why would an eternal, perfect book need verses replaced?
Example: Early peaceful verses toward non-Muslims are later abrogated by militant ones (e.g., Surah 9:5 – “the verse of the sword”).

🚻 4. Treatment of Women

Critics point to Quranic verses seen as controversial today:

Wife-beating: Surah 4:34 permits striking a disobedient wife (after warnings and separation).
Testimony: Surah 2:282 says one man’s testimony equals that of two women.
Inheritance: Women inherit half of what men inherit (Surah 4:11).

⚔️ 5. Violence and Warfare

Verses like Surah 9:5 and 9:29 are seen as commands to fight non-Muslims.
Debate exists: Are these contextual to 7th-century Arabia or universal?
Critics argue these were militant expansions justified by the Quran.

🔤 6. Scientific and Historical Claims

Muslim apologists claim the Quran contains scientific miracles (e.g., embryology, cosmology). However:

Critics argue many of these are vague, misinterpreted, or incorrect.
Historical issues: Some stories (e.g., Alexander the Great/Dhul-Qarnayn in Surah 18:83–98) do not match known history.

✝️ 7. Contradictions with the Bible

Quran denies the Trinity (Surah 4:171), crucifixion of Jesus (Surah 4:157), and Jesus as Son of God.
Christians and Jews dispute the Quran’s version of events and consider it a later rewriting of biblical narratives.

🧠 8. Doctrinal Ambiguity

Quran says it's clear and easy to understand (Surah 54:17), yet many verses require Hadith and Tafsir (commentary) to interpret.
Critics say the Quran lacks chronological order and contains grammatical ambiguities.

🧾 Summary of Controversial Topics in the Quran

Topic	Controversy
Textual Integrity	Early variants, verses missing, Uthman’s burning
Variant Readings	Dozens of qira’at with different meanings
Abrogation	Eternal words canceled or replaced
Women’s Rights	Beating, inheritance, legal testimony
Violence	Warfare verses and their interpretation
Scientific Claims	Alleged errors or retroactive readings
Doctrinal Clashes	Denial of crucifixion, Trinity
Clarity	Claims of clarity vs. interpretive complexity

If you'd like, I can also provide Christian apologetic responses to some of these issues, or a side-by-side comparison between the Bible and Quran on specific topics. Would that be helpful?

Debates with Muslims vs. Christianity Bible

There are several debates between the Bible and the Quran that have historically caused some Muslims to question their faith—especially when they begin to critically examine both texts. These debates often emerge during interfaith dialogue, apologetics, or personal study. Below is a breakdown of the key areas of debate:

🔥 1. Identity of Jesus (Isa)

Quran: Denies Jesus is the Son of God (Surah 4:171), denies crucifixion (Surah 4:157), and calls Him only a prophet.
Bible: Affirms Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 3:17, John 1:1), Savior through the cross and resurrection (Romans 5:8, 1 Cor. 15:3-4).
Doubt Trigger: Muslim converts often cite confusion over why the Quran rejects what even Roman and Jewish historical records affirm—that Jesus was crucified.

🔥 2. Nature of God (Allah vs. Yahweh)

Quran: Strict monotheism (Tawhid); God is unknowable and does not love sinners (Surah 5:18).
Bible: God is triune (Father, Son, Spirit), relational, and full of grace (John 3:16, 1 John 4:8).
Doubt Trigger: Some Muslims begin to wonder why the Quran denies God's relational nature and the possibility of knowing Him personally.

🔥 3. Contradictions and Abrogation in the Quran

Quran: Some verses cancel out earlier ones (Surah 2:106). There are also variant readings and missing verses documented in early Islamic sources (Hadith).
Bible: Though debated, it shows a progressive, consistent revelation with no claim of abrogation.
Doubt Trigger: Why would a perfect revelation contain contradictions or need revisions?

🔥 4. Treatment of Women

Quran: Permits beating wives (Surah 4:34), men have authority over women.
Bible: Teaches mutual love and submission in marriage (Ephesians 5:25-33, Galatians 3:28).
Doubt Trigger: Converts sometimes question Islamic morality when comparing the compassionate treatment of women in the Bible.

🔥 5. Historical and Scientific Inaccuracies

Quran: Mentions things like sperm forming between the ribs (Surah 86:6-7), sun setting in a muddy spring (Surah 18:86).
Bible: Though ancient, its metaphors are not claimed as scientific fact and align better with observable truth.
Doubt Trigger: Muslim seekers studying science often encounter these verses and compare them with biblical metaphors that make theological rather than scientific claims.

🔥 6. The Role of Muhammad vs. Jesus

Quran: Muhammad is called the seal of the prophets (Surah 33:40), yet he sinned (Surah 47:19) and sought forgiveness.
Bible: Jesus is sinless (2 Cor. 5:21), eternal, and offers salvation.
Doubt Trigger: Why follow a fallible prophet when Jesus offers eternal life and is divine?

🔥 7. Textual Preservation

Quran: Muslims claim the Quran has been perfectly preserved, but historical sources like the Hadith admit verses were lost or changed over the years to fit their agenda.
Bible: Though transmission is human, the Bible has over 5,800 Greek manuscripts and a robust textual history.
Doubt Trigger: When exposed to historical criticism, many Muslims realize the Quran’s preservation is not as flawless as claimed.

🔥 8. The Assurance of Salvation

Quran: No guaranteed salvation—based on scales of deeds and Allah’s will (Surah 23:102-103).
Bible: Offers assurance through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 5:13).
Doubt Trigger: The burden of earning paradise causes many Muslims to long for the assurance Christianity offers.

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📖 According to the Bible: God Does Not Deceive

Scripture is clear that God is not a deceiver:

Numbers 23:19 (KJV) – “God is not a man, that he should lie.”
Titus 1:2 – “God… cannot lie.”
John 8:44 – Jesus said, “The devil… is a liar and the father of it.”

God may allow strong delusion for those who reject the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:11), but He Himself is not the deceiver—Satan is.

📜 What Does the Qur’an Say About Allah as a Deceiver?

In several Islamic texts, the Arabic word "makr" (مكر) is used to describe Allah's actions. It’s often translated as “to scheme” or “to plot.”

Surah 3:54 – “And they (the disbelievers) planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.”
Arabic: wa makaru wa makar Allah, wa Allahu khayru al-makireen
Some English versions soften the translation to "plan," but "makir" is typically a negative term in Arabic, meaning crafty or deceitful schemer.

This has led Christian apologists and some ex-Muslims to conclude that Allah's character—as described in the Qur’an—is not the same as the God of the Bible.

👁️ Was Muhammad Visited by a Deceiving Spirit?

1. Early Islamic Sources: Fear of Possession

According to early Islamic traditions (e.g., Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah), after Muhammad’s first encounter with the spirit in the cave (later called Jibril or Gabriel), he feared he was possessed by a jinn (a demon):

“So I read it, and he departed from me. And I awoke from my sleep; and it was as though these words were written on my heart. Then I went out… and I feared myself, and I went to Khadijah and said, ‘Cover me! Cover me!’ And I feared lest there should be madness (jinn) in me.”
— Ibn Ishaq

2. Biblical Test: Was It the True Angel Gabriel?

Galatians 1:8 – “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel... let him be accursed.”
2 Corinthians 11:14 – “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits…”

The gospel Muhammad preached (denying Jesus is the Son of God, denying the crucifixion and resurrection, etc.) contradicts the biblical gospel.

Therefore, by biblical standards, the spirit that appeared to Muhammad fails the test and could be considered a deceiving spirit or fallen angel.

🧠 Summary Answer

From a biblical standpoint, yes, it is plausible that Muhammad was visited by a deceptive spirit, not the angel Gabriel of the Bible. This is based on:

His initial fear and trauma
His belief he was possessed
The contradictory message to the Gospel of Christ
The biblical warning about deceiving spirits and false angels

The Qur’an's description of Allah as a schemer also supports the possibility that the source behind Islam was deceptive, not divine.

✝️ Biblical and Spiritual Perspective on Islam’s Role in End Times

1. Satan’s Goal: Deception and Delay

John 8:44 calls Satan “the father of lies” who deceives the whole world.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 describes the coming of the Antichrist accompanied by all power, signs, and lying wonders to deceive those who reject God.
False religions, including Islam, are seen as spiritual strongholds keeping many in deception and away from the true gospel of Jesus.

2. Islam’s Teachings About Jesus

Islam denies Jesus’ divinity, crucifixion, and resurrection (key truths for salvation).
It portrays Jesus (Isa) as a prophet who will come back, but as a subordinate figure, not the divine Judge.
This false Christ figure confuses many and opposes the true Messiah’s authority.

3. Obstruction of the Gospel

Islam’s growth in the Middle East and worldwide often blocks gospel access, especially in Muslim-majority countries.
The antichrist spirit mentioned in Scripture (1 John 4:3) is believed by many deliverance ministers to manifest strongly in Islam’s spiritual system.

4. Prophetic Timelines and the Antichrist

Some prophecy teachers see the rise of Islam and the Islamic empires as part of the body of the Antichrist (Daniel 7, Revelation 13).
The end-times deception includes false religions, political powers, and spiritual oppression meant to hinder Jesus’ triumphant return.

Summary

From a Christian deliverance and prophetic viewpoint:

Islam is considered a spiritual deception designed by Satan to keep many from the truth of Jesus Christ and to delay His return to punish the unrighteous.

It’s a tool of spiritual warfare, requiring prayer, discernment, and bold gospel witness.

📌 Historical Overview of Muhammad and Islam

Muhammad (570–632 AD) is believed by Muslims to be the final prophet in a line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus. He founded Islam in the 7th century in Mecca and Medina (in present-day Saudi Arabia). Most of what is known about his life comes from the Qur’an, Hadith (sayings and traditions), and early Islamic biographies.

⚠️ Allegations and Controversies (Negatives from Critics)

These criticisms are largely from non-Muslim scholars, critics of Islam, and some Christian apologists, not from mainstream Islamic teachings:

1. Use of Violence and Warfare

Criticism: Engaged in battles (e.g., Badr, Uhud, Khaybar); critics allege forced conversions or violence against tribes (e.g., Banu Qurayza).
Context: Muslim scholars argue these were defensive battles during tribal warfare norms of 7th-century Arabia.

2. Polygamy and Marriage to Aisha

Criticism: Married multiple wives (often for political alliances); one of his wives, Aisha, was young (reported as age 6, consummated at 9 per Hadith).
Context: Polygamy was common; Muslim scholars argue the marriage to Aisha was culturally normative at the time.

3. Treatment of Non-Muslims

Criticism: Enforced dhimmi status on Christians and Jews; they paid the jizya tax under Muslim rule.
Context: Some argue this was a form of religious tolerance compared to other ancient empires; others see it as religious discrimination.

4. Execution of Critics

Criticism: Historical records mention the execution or punishment of poets or critics who insulted him.
Context: Critics say this shows suppression of free speech; Muslims argue it reflected legal norms of the time against tribal slander and incitement.

5. Slavery

Criticism: Owned and dealt with slaves, as was common in his time.
Context: Islam provided rules for the humane treatment of slaves and encouraged freeing them as acts of charity.

Islamic History – Wars, Conquests, and Deaths - Not so peaceful religion

Since Islam's founding in the 7th century, followers have engaged in various military campaigns, expansions, and wars. While many were political, some were religiously motivated.

1. Early Islamic Conquests (632–750 AD)

Rapid expansion after Muhammad’s death.
Included much of the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe (Spain), and Central Asia.
Death toll estimate: Millions over a century due to battles and subjugation.
Notable campaigns: Byzantine and Persian wars, Battle of Tours, conquest of Jerusalem, Egypt, and North Africa.

2. Jihad Wars and Expansion

Islamic empires (Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottomans, etc.) expanded using military force, sometimes under the banner of jihad.
Forced conversions were rare, but jizya taxes and social pressure led many to convert.
Ottoman conquests in Europe and Mughals in India also led to wars with high casualties.

3. Modern Islamist Terrorism

20th–21st century: Radical groups like al-Qaeda, ISIS, Taliban, Boko Haram, and others have killed hundreds of thousands, often targeting civilians.
Not representative of all Muslims, but these groups justify violence through their interpretation of Islamic texts.

🔍 Summary Comparison

Category	Islam	Christianity
Founder's Teaching	Jihad in defense and sometimes expansion (Qur’an); later interpreted militarily	Non-violence, love enemies (Jesus – Matthew 5:38–48)
Early Expansion Deaths	1–5 million (7th–8th century)	N/A
Religious Wars	Jihad, Ottoman wars, modern jihadist terrorism	Crusades, Inquisitions, Protestant-Catholic wars
Terrorism (Modern)	Islamist terrorism: 100,000+ deaths	Rare, some extremist attacks (e.g., abortion clinic bombings)
Colonial/Imperial Atrocities	Ottoman, Mughal suppression in parts	Spanish, Portuguese, British, etc. colonizers killed millions

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Saturday, August 2, 2025