"CRITERIA for a Holy Book - Case for Al-Qur'an"

8/14/2019 "CRITERIA for a Holy Book - Case for Al-Qur'an"

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The CriteriaThe Criteria

for a Holyfor a Holy

BookBook

by :by :

Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj IsmailUstaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

Singapore.Singapore.

- a case for the Quran- a case for the Quran


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WHY CRITERIA ?WHY CRITERIA ?

INTRODUCTION ANDINTRODUCTION ANDA BRIEF BACKGROUNDA BRIEF BACKGROUND

2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail


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CLA IMS ITS ELF T OLA IMS ITS ELF T OBEEFR OM GOD.FR OM GOD.

The Book itself must make theThe Book itself must make the

claim, and not what peopleclaim, and not what peopleattribute to it based on whateverattribute to it based on whatever

reasons.reasons.


THE CRITERIATHE CRITERIA


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We (Allah) sent down the Quran inWe (Allah) sent down the Quran in

Truth, and in Truth has it descended :Truth, and in Truth has it descended :

and We sent you but to give gladand We sent you but to give glad

tidings and to warn (sinners). It is atidings and to warn (sinners). It is aQuran which We have divided (intoQuran which We have divided (into

parts from time to time) in order thatparts from time to time) in order that

you (O Muhammad) might recite it toyou (O Muhammad) might recite it to

men at intervals : We have revealed itmen at intervals : We have revealed itby stagesby stages

((Quran : Bani Israil : 105Quran : Bani Israil : 105)

)



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UNIQ UE AN DNIQ UE AN DINI MITABL E.NI MITABL E.

A Book from God must be unique so that itA Book from God must be unique so that it

is distinct from other books. Thus,is distinct from other books. Thus,inimitability (not possible for any toinimitability (not possible for any toproduce another like it) is an importantproduce another like it) is an importantquality.quality.




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The Quran providesThe Quran provides

outstanding challengeoutstanding challenge



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The Quran providesThe Quran provides

outstanding challengeoutstanding challenge

And if you are in doubt as to whatAnd if you are in doubt as to what

We have revealed from time toWe have revealed from time totime to our servant, then producetime to our servant, then producea Surah like thereunto ; and calla Surah like thereunto ; and callyour witness or helpers (if thereyour witness or helpers (if there

are any) besides Allah, if yourare any) besides Allah, if your(doubts) are true(doubts) are true

((Surah al-Baqarah : 23Surah al-Baqarah : 23))



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9Ust .Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

The Quran provides a testThe Quran provides a test

and an outstanding challengeand an outstanding challenge



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The Quran provides a testThe Quran provides a test

and an outstanding challengeand an outstanding challenge

This Quran is not such as can beThis Quran is not such as can be

produced by other than Allah. Onproduced by other than Allah. On

the contrary it is a confirmationthe contrary it is a confirmationof revelations that went beforeof revelations that went before

it, and a fuller explanation of theit, and a fuller explanation of the

Book wherein there is no doubt -Book wherein there is no doubt -from the Lord of the Universefrom the Lord of the Universe

((Surah Yunos : 37Surah Yunos : 37))



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CONTAINSONTAINSABSOLUTEBSOLUTEPRINCIP LES .RINCIP LES .

All principles which the book contains mustAll principles which the book contains must

be absolute (not affected by time) andbe absolute (not affected by time) andremain as true today as they will remainremain as true today as they will remain

true in the future and as they had proventrue in the future and as they had proven

true in the past.true in the past.2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail



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CONTAINS N EIT HERONTAINS N EIT HERDISCREP ANCY NORISCREP ANCY NORINACCUR ACY.NACCUR ACY.

God is perfect in His Wisdom and cannotGod is perfect in His Wisdom and cannot

be the author of discrepancies and/orbe the author of discrepancies and/or

inaccuracies.inaccuracies.



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The Quran provides the test andThe Quran provides the test and

another outstanding challengeanother outstanding challenge


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Do they not consider theDo they not consider the

Quran with care ? Had itQuran with care ? Had it

been from other than Allah,been from other than Allah,they would surely have foundthey would surely have found

therein much discrepancytherein much discrepancy

(Surah An- Nisa : 82)


The Quran provides the test andThe Quran provides the test and

another outstanding challengeanother outstanding challenge


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CONTRIB UTE S T OONTRIB UTE S T OTH E WELL-BEI NGH E WELL-BEI NGOF PE OPLE OF ALLF PE OPLE OF ALLLEVE LS.EVE LS.

Unlike other books which appeal to orUnlike other books which appeal to or

benefitbenefit only certain classes of peopleonly certain classes of peopleaccording to their intellectual levels, theaccording to their intellectual levels, theBook of God is meant for all classes ofBook of God is meant for all classes ofpeople. Only Gods Wisdom is capable ofpeople. Only Gods Wisdom is capable of

producing such a Book.producing such a Book.




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SO ME P ROPHECIE SO ME P ROPHECIE SPROVEN TRUE .ROVEN TRUE .

Proof of Gods knowledge is in the truth ofProof of Gods knowledge is in the truth of

His prophecies. Although there are manyHis prophecies. Although there are manywhich have not yet come to pass, still therewhich have not yet come to pass, still theremust be some prophecies which can validatemust be some prophecies which can validatethis unique attribute of God in the Book.this unique attribute of God in the Book.




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VICTORY OVER MAKKAH



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VICTORY OVER MAKKAHTruly did Allah fulfil the vision for His Messenger:

Ye shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills,with minds secure, heads, shaved, hair cut short,

and without fear. For He knew what ye knew no

and He granted besides this a speedy victory. It is

He who has sent His Messenger with Guidance an

the Religion of Truth, to proclaim it over all

religion: and enough is Allah for a Witness.

(Quran: Surah Fath: 48: 27-28)



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VICTORY OVER MAKKAHrevealed when Muslims were adisregarded group, oppressed andweak, living in Madinah after beingforced to migrate there, and thenhad faced several invasions by theQuraish. Yet the prophecy came of

his imminent conquest and victory.



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GREEK (RUM) VICTORY OVERTHE PERSIAN



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Alif Lam Mim. The Roman Empire has beenAlif Lam Mim. The Roman Empire has beendefeated In a land close by; but they,defeated In a land close by; but they,(even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon(even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon

be victorious. Within a few years. With Allahbe victorious. Within a few years. With Allahis the Decision, in the Past and in the Future:is the Decision, in the Past and in the Future:on that Day shall the Believers rejoiceon that Day shall the Believers rejoice



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although this verse came justafter news of their defeat by thePersian.



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ABU LAHABS FINAL END



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ABU LAHABS FINAL ENDPerish the hands of Abu Lahab (the FatherPerish the hands of Abu Lahab (the Father

of Flame)! Perish he! No profit to him fromof Flame)! Perish he! No profit to him from

all his wealth, and all his gains! Burnt soonall his wealth, and all his gains! Burnt soonwill he be in a Fire of blazing Flame! Hiswill he be in a Fire of blazing Flame! His

wife shall carry the (crackling) wood aswife shall carry the (crackling) wood as

fuel! A twisted rope of palm-leaf fibrefuel! A twisted rope of palm-leaf fibre

round her (own) neck!round her (own) neck!



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ABU LAHABS FINAL END

Even after this verse, helived for another 10 yearsbut finally died as an

unbeliever, true to theprophecy.



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SCIE NTI FICCIE NTI FICRESE ARCHESE ARCHVALID ATES DATA I NALID ATES DATA I NTH E B OOK .H E B OOK .

Any scientific fact mentioned in theAny scientific fact mentioned in the

Book should be able to stand the test ofBook should be able to stand the test of

time and scientific research.time and scientific research.




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Our understanding of empiricalOur understanding of empirical

science and human discovery inscience and human discovery in

nature is that of the inevitablenature is that of the inevitableoutcome of mans reflection of Godsoutcome of mans reflection of Gods

signs (aayat) In the universe, andsigns (aayat) In the universe, and

would not lead to any definitivewould not lead to any definitivecontradiction in terms of scientificcontradiction in terms of scientific

facts.facts.

An important qualification:An important qualification:



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Yet, science being relative andYet, science being relative and

therefore cannot claim to havetherefore cannot claim to have

absolute certainty, is thereforeabsolute certainty, is thereforeinadequate to be used as definitiveinadequate to be used as definitive

criteria.criteria.




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But, in the case of the Quran,But, in the case of the Quran,

what we can show is that, as manwhat we can show is that, as man

discover new things in nature, itdiscover new things in nature, itwould not make the statements in thewould not make the statements in the

Quran redundant, but rather onlyQuran redundant, but rather only

enhances mankinds understandingenhances mankinds understandingof them.of them.




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The Quran even prophesizes this..The Quran even prophesizes this..



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The Quran even prophesizes this..The Quran even prophesizes this..

In time We shall make them fully understandIn time We shall make them fully understandOur messages [through what they perceive]Our messages [through what they perceive]

in the utmost horizons [of the universe] andin the utmost horizons [of the universe] andwithin themselves, so that it will becomewithin themselves, so that it will becomeclear unto them that this [revelation] isclear unto them that this [revelation] is

indeed the truth. [Still] is it not enough [forindeed the truth. [Still] is it not enough [forthem to know] that thy Sustainer is witnessthem to know] that thy Sustainer is witness

unto everything?unto everything?

((Quran: Fussilat: 41: 53)Quran: Fussilat: 41: 53)



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References :References :

The Bible, the Quran and ModernThe Bible, the Quran and Modern

Science by Dr. Maurice BucailleScience by Dr. Maurice Bucaille

The Developing Human by Dr.The Developing Human by Dr.Keith L Moore (with IslamicKeith L Moore (with Islamic

additions)additions)

The Basis for a Muslim Belief byThe Basis for a Muslim Belief byGary MillerGary Miller



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Western preformation theoryWestern preformation theory

notice the preformed

shape of a foetus

Seventeenth century drawing bySeventeenth century drawing by

Hartsoeker of a spermHartsoeker of a sperm (circa 1600)(circa 1600)



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We (Allah) created man from aWe (Allah) created man from a

quintessence (gentle extraction) ofquintessence (gentle extraction) of

clay; We then placed him as a dropclay; We then placed him as a drop

((nutfahnutfah) in a place of rest firmly fixed;) in a place of rest firmly fixed;

then We made the drop into anthen We made the drop into an

alaqahalaqah (leech-like); and then We (leech-like); and then We

change the change the alaqahalaqah into into mudghahmudghah(chewed-like substance); then We(chewed-like substance); then We

made out of that mudghah bonesmade out of that mudghah bones

((izamizam); then We clothed the bones with); then We clothed the bones with

flesh (flesh (lahmlahm); then We developed out of); then We developed out ofit another creation. So blessed beit another creation. So blessed be

Allah, the best to create.Allah, the best to create.

((Q : al- Muminun : 23:12-15Q : al- Muminun : 23:12-15))2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail


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What did the Prophet say ?What did the Prophet say ?

When forty-two nights have passedWhen forty-two nights have passed

over the Nutfah (i.e. the zygote) Allahover the Nutfah (i.e. the zygote) Allah

sends an angel to it, who shapes itsends an angel to it, who shapes it

and make its ears, skin, flesh andand make its ears, skin, flesh andbones. Then the angel says O Lord ! Isbones. Then the angel says O Lord ! Is

it male or female ? And your Lordit male or female ? And your Lord

decide what He wishes and then thedecide what He wishes and then the

angel records it.angel records it.(Hadith reported by Muslim in Kitab al-Qadr)



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Admission of a modern professor ofAdmission of a modern professor of

Embryology, Keith L Moore.Embryology, Keith L Moore.

It appears that Human knowledge

had, at one time contradicted some

of the facts brought by Islam on

some aspects of reproduction. It isalso realised that as man discovers

new facts, he finds himself repeating

what had already been stated by the

Quran and the Hadith.



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MUST REMAINUST REMAINPRES ERVED ANDRES ERVED ANDNOT B E TAMPEREDOT B E TAMPEREDWIT H.IT H.

A claim of a Book from God must be on the basisA claim of a Book from God must be on the basis

of its original writing. Not something which hasof its original writing. Not something which hasbeen doctored with or edited, with the intention ofbeen doctored with or edited, with the intention of

giving it credibility, based on newly discoveredgiving it credibility, based on newly discovered

knowledge.knowledge.




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((Surah al- Hijr : 9Surah al- Hijr : 9))



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We (Allah) have, withoutWe (Allah) have, without

doubt, send down thedoubt, send down the

Message (Al-Quran) And WeMessage (Al-Quran) And Wewill assuredly guard it (fromwill assuredly guard it (from

corruption)corruption)

((Surah al- Hijr : 9Surah al- Hijr : 9))



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History of its preservation

Prophetic Era

13AH - 10AH

Reve la tio neve la tio nto P ropheto P rophetM u h a m m a du h a m m a d

* me mo rise d* D i cta te d* R e c o rd e d* C o ll a t e d* C o u n te r -

c h e c k e d2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail


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1st Mushaf

12AHBattle of YamamahBattle of Yamamah

* original materials

which have been

recorded by theProphets scribe

were sorted out,

checked and bound

into a single Book.



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MushafUthmani

30AH

Expansion of IslamExpansion of Islam

Uthmans recension -

7 official copies made

from the 1st Mushaf

these sent to all

Islamic centres

accompanied by a

Reciter (muqri)

(extant copies of

these are available

even to this day)



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Diacretialmarking

65AH

( Sc ience )S c i e n c e ) Ilmu-Ilmu-Qiraatil QuranQiraatil Quran

** inclusion of

markings to thescript conforming

with Prophets

recitation, and to

facilitate non-Arab

learning recitation



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MUSHAFFUAD

1342AH

From MushafUthmani, text

compiled atAL-

AZHARwith oneof the original

manner of

Recitation

which has beenpreserved - from

HAFASH.HAFASH.



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Hafash

Asim ibn Abin Nujud

Abi Abdur Rahman Abd ibn Habib as-Sulaimi

Ali Abi Talib Uthman Affan Zaid Tsabit Ubay

Kaab

Holy Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.




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MUSHAFMADINAH

1403AH(1980)

Commissioned bySaudi King, text

using theRasm

Uthmani-following strictly

the spelling,

letter for letter,

identical to

Mushaf Uthmani.



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MUST S PE AKUST S PE AKABOUT GODBOUT GODAND HI S DIVINEND HI S DIVINEPLANLAN

If God sends a Book to us, it must be toIf God sends a Book to us, it must be to

inform us about Himself and His Divineinform us about Himself and His Divine

Plan.Plan.




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UNIVERSAL APPE ALNIVERSAL APPE ALAND APP LICATIONND APP LICATI ONWhatever the message of the Book, itWhatever the message of the Book, it

must remain relevant throughout themust remain relevant throughout the

ages from the time of its revelation.ages from the time of its revelation.




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CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION:

If a Book ..If a Book .. claims to be fromclaims to be from

God;God; And which could notAnd which could not

be produced by anybe produced by anywho tries;who tries;

And containsAnd containsabsolute principles;absolute principles;

And does notAnd does notcontaincontaindiscrepancies;discrepancies;

And has contributedAnd has contributedto the well-being ofto the well-being of

mankind atmankind atall levels;all levels;

And can be shownAnd can be shownthat some of itsthat some of itsprophecies wereprophecies wereproven true;proven true;

And some of itsAnd some of itsdata compatibledata compatiblewith scientificwith scientificresearch;research;

And the whole bookAnd the whole book

still remains in itsstill remains in itsoriginal textoriginal text(language);(language);

And speaks of GodAnd speaks of Godand His plan;and His plan;

And has universalAnd has universal2006ZhulkefleeHjIsmail


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Then,Then, mostmost

certainlcertainly, ity, it

must havemust havecome from Godcome from God

No other conclusionNo other conclusionis plausible.!is plausible.!



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VISIT:

http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/

(A ll right s reserved 2005 Zhu lkefle e H jIsmail)

Also other sites by same author:

http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/

http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/

http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/

http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/

http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/
http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/

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"CRITERIA for a Holy Book - Case for Al-Qur'an"