Islamic Prophecies
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This article will refute False Claims of Fulfilled Quranic Prophecy.
[edit] False Claims of Fulfilled Quranic Prophecy
There are many websites and resources cropping up claiming that the Quran contains many prophecies that have been fulfilled due to the advancement of knowledge of our universe, and advances in Modern life. However all of the claims examined so far show us that, using hindsight, Muslims will take a verse, or a partial verse; or even a loose translation of the Quran, and twist the words in order to make the Quran seem prophetic. This is to say that they may take some of our current knowledge, ie. Aeroplane Technology, and then take a verse from the Quran, or a partial verse, and twist it to make it seem prophetic. As you will see, many of these claims are incorrect, disproven by their own experts on the Quran, and many of them are downright laughable! The Lengths Muslims will go to in order to "validate" their "Holy Book" is extreme, to say the least.
Some Muslims will even go so far as to say that all Tafsir are 'out of date' and their explanations of the Quran are no longer valid. This would then give them licence to interpret the Quran in any way they see fit; including presenting evidence of "fulfilled prophecy".
> Please Note: All Quranic passages in the Rebuttal sections (unless otherwise specified) are from Shakir's Translation.
[edit] Fingerprints
Claim:
The finger prints system at borders, criminal investigation cells and immigration centres prove the fulfillment of this Quranic prophecy.
Rebuttal:
Here's the Verse in context:
And on the day that the enemies of Allah shall be brought together to the fire, then they shall be formed into groups.
Until when they come to it, their ears and their eyes and their skins shall bear witness against them as to what they did.
And they shall say to their skins: Why have you borne witness against us? They shall say: Allah Who makes everything speak has made us speak, and He created you at first, and to Him you shall be brought back.
Reading the verse in context, its clearly talking about the unbelievers who are destined to the hellfire According to the Quran, their skins will be speaking to Allah and telling him about the evil deeds the people committed on earth, when they are in hell being tortured. Take notice that the author of the original article capitalised the “T” in “their”, implying it was a seperate sentence, and not carried on from an earlier part of the verse.
Conclusion: Putting the Verse back into context, the verse is clearly talking about post Judgement Day, when we who did not believe in Allah will be in hell, and our skins will be telling ALLAH about 'sins'. This has nothing to do with fingerprinting.
[edit] Pollution
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Here's the section in context:
This also is not prophetic. This is Allah claiming that any bad things that befall men are sent to “punish people” for not being Muslim or Muslim enough. Basically a scare tactic meant to keep the muslims with Muhammad, following him and Allah. Here's part of Kathir's Tafsir regarding this:
(Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, ) means the shortfall in the crops and fruits is because of sins. Abu Al-`Aliyah said: "Whoever disobeys Allah in the earth has corrupted it, because the good condition of the earth and the heavens depends on obedience to Allah."
Conclusion: Not Prophetic. It lends to the superstitious nature of Islam, and serves only to keep Muslims throughout history as 'pious' as possible, and when something bad befalls them, its their own fault for being “bad muslims”.
[edit] Establishment of Israel
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Again, in context:
This isn't a prophecy of the Establishment of Israel, merely a retelling of Musa (Moses), Firon (Pharoah) and the Israelites. Quoting out of context does not make it a prophecy.
Conclusion: Not prophetic, merely historical (according to the Bible and Quran).
[edit] The tribe of Israel will become very haughty
Claim:
As these verses reveal, the Children of Israel were to cause two corruptions over the world. After the first one, during which they adopted a very high level of haughtiness, Allah sent a powerful army against them. Indeed, when the Jews killed Prophet Yahya (as) and set a trap to kill Prophet 'Isa (as) ("reaching to a degree of great haughtiness"), they were exiled shortly afterwards from Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 and wandered all over the world.
When that verse was revealed to the Prophet (saas), the Jews were living under very difficult conditions in various countries and had no state of their own. Yet, Allah told the Children of Israel that one day they would recover their strength. At that time, however, there seemed to be almost no chance that this would really happen. Many centuries later, however, the Jews returned to Palestine and established the State of Israel in 1948. Today, Israel possesses military and political power and keeps the Middle East in great turmoil because of its Zionist ideology and harsh treatment of Palestinian Muslims and Christians.
This is a sign of the Children of Israel's second "corruption." However, this wicked behaviour clearly does not apply to the entire Jewish people, among whom there are many individuals of good conscience and common sense who do not agree with Israel's Zionist and anti-Arab policies. In this and other verses, we notice that almost no one could believe that such things would ever come about. But Allah willed their fulfilment, and thereby provided believers with more proof that the Qur'an is a miraculous book revealed by Him for their benefit.
Rebuttal:
This verse has nothing to do with the establishment of Israel, or the fact that muslims are to this day trying to destroy them. When this verse was revealed, the two “cases of mischief” and their consequences had already come to pass. Kathir Details the first incident (excerpt):
“`Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ash-Sham (Greater Syria, including Palestine), destroying Jerusalem and killing them, then he came to Damascus and found blood boiling in a censer. He asked them: What is this blood They said: We found our forefathers doing this. Because of that blood, he killed seventy thousand of the believers and others, then the blood stopped boiling.”
And the second incident, as cited by Kathir was brought about when Muhammad and his followers instituted the Jizyah on the Jews of their time:
"The Children of Israel returned to aggression, so Allah sent this group against them, Muhammad and his companions, who made them pay the Jizyah, with willing submission, and feeling themselves subdued.
Conclusion: Not prophetic, as both incidents of “mischief” (oppression) and their punishments had already come to pass when The Quran was revealed. It has nothing to do with the establishment of Israel or the Islamically perceived “downfall”.
[edit] The Preservation of Pharoah's Body
Claim:
We brought the tribe of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out of tyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he [Pharaoh] said: "I believe that there is no god but Him in Whom the tribe of Israel believes. I am one of the Muslims." (10:90)
However, this last-minute conversion was not accepted, for it was not sincere. According to the Qur'an, Allah exclaimed:
"What, now! When previously you rebelled and were one of the corrupters? Today we will preserve your body so you can be a Sign for people who come after you. Surely many people are heedless of Our Signs." (10:91-92)
The information that Pharaoh's corpse would serve as a sign for later generations may be regarded as an indication that his body would not decay. On display in the Royal Mummies Chamber of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a mummified body believed to be that of this tyrant. In all likelihood, Pharaoh's body floated to shore after being drowned, was found and mummified by the Egyptians, and then carried to a previously prepared burial chamber.Rebuttal:
Let's have a look at these verses all together:
Now let's have a look at Kathir's explanation of Allah's dealings with Pharoah:
“(So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you!) Ibn `Abbas and others from among the Salaf have said: "Some of the Children of Israel doubted the death of Fir`awn so Allah commanded the sea to throw his body -- whole, without a soul -- with his known armor plate. The body was thrown to a high place on the land so that the Children of Israel could confirm his death and destruction. That is why Allah said, ("So this day We shall deliver your..) meaning that We will put your body on a high place on the earth.....(that you may be a sign to those who come after you!) meaning, so that might be a proof of your death and destruction for the Children of Israel. That also stood as a proof that Allah is All-Powerful, in Whose control are all the creatures. “
So first and foremost, the proof would be given to the Children of Israel, and server as a sign that there is an Allah and he was the one who drowned Pharoah. This will apparently also serve as a sign that Allah will destroy the Jews for their disbelief in Allah. For the prophetic claim to say it would be a “sign for future generations” is incorrect, as its clearly only for the “Children of Israel” (the Jews). It doesn't say when Pharoah's body was or would be 'thrown up' from the ocean for the Jews to witness. However, athir shows that his identifying breastplate would be with him, so the Jews knew whose body it was. It was likely that Pharoah's body floated to shore, was found by the Egyptians and then mummified and then buried? Wouldn't it be quite difficult to:
- recognise a badly decomposed and waterlogged corpse
- then take the body and mummify it?
There's a lot of if's and maybe's in the author's fulfilled prophecy, but let's say its all true. That would mean that the identifying breastplate would be with pharoah. Where is it, and how do we know what Pharoah's breastplate looked like, in order to verify this claim? This theory doesn't hold water due to that fact, or Allah forgot to tell us about the specifics.
The claim that “Pharoah” is on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is also highly suspect. Are they saying that this Pharoah has been positively identified as being that of the Pharoah that drowned in the Red Sea? If so, where is the information to confirm this? Or is it true that the author didn't realise that Pharoah was the title of the reigning leaders of Egypt and not his name?
There were many pharoah's, and if the author is asserting that all a Pharoah has to do in order to fulfill Allah's prediction is be a mummified Pharoah, then Allah may have 'drowned' hundreds and hundreds of Pharoah's, because this is a very broad definition.
Last but not least is the claim that the evidence of Pharoha's mummified body would serve as evidence to the jews is ludicrous! After all Exoduc contains the story of the Egyptian army drowning in the Red Sea after the Israelites had safely passed through. If they have the same recounting of events, including the drowning of the Egyptian army, then why would evidence of what they already believe be proof enough to convince them (or anyone) that Allah is God?
Conclusion: Due to to the fact that neither Allah nor Muhammad bothered to give us the name of the Pharoah in question, or a description of the possessions that would accompany his corpse, we cannot ever conclusively prove this prophecy to be fulfilled. Any theory that requires you to fill in most of the blanks should be discounted. After all, the creator of the Universe shouldn't need any help from us with his “clear book”
[edit] Genetic Engineering
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Okay here are the verses in Question:
This isn't prophetic either. The first verse clearly states that he's talking about those who 'associate God's with him.” Then we have Satan coming in to say what he's going to do with those Allah hasn't appointed. The “...so that they shall alter Allah's creation.” Again, notice how the author of the article capitalised the “T' in 'they' implying it was a 'conscise sentence' as they say, when its a continuation of a sentence. The sentence in Question says “I will lead them astray and excite them in them (sic) vain desires, and bid them, so that they shall slit the ears of the cattle, and most certainly I will bid them so that they shall alter Allah's creation.”
It doesn't logically follow that the same sentence would be referring to something totally different, but 'altering Allah's creation' is referring to the cattle ears.
Conclusion: Going by the entire context of the verse, this does not refer to body modification, it seems to be another of Allah's rant about the evil's of the idolators, and the evil things Satan will convince them to do, because they did not follow Allah. Ignoring context and sentences, at a stretch it could be construed as a 'prophecy'.
[edit] Roads in Mountains
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Here it is in context:
When the sun is covered, And when the stars darken,
And when the mountains are made to pass away,
And when the camels are left untended,
Reading the whole Surah, its obvious that the subject is what's going to happen on the “Day of Judgement”. The quote in Question has nothing to do with roads or Dynamite. Kathir's Tafsir Regarding this 'prophecy' makes that quite clear.
Conclusion: This is not prophetic in the way that the author is implying. By that I mean its a 'yet to be fulfilled' prophecy and nothing that we can verify at this time, unless the Islamic Judgement Day has already passed, and was so insignificant that no one noticed?
[edit] New Transport Systems
Claim:
"And He has created horses and mules and asses that you may ride them, and as a source of beauty. And He will create what you do not yet know." (16:9)
"A Sign for them is that We carried their families in the laden ship. And We have created for them the like of it, in which they sail." (Qur'an, 36:41-42)
As we know people, specially those living in deserts, have now abandoned camels and other animals for travelling. But this prophecy of invention and emergence of new transport systems is on-going as we witness new and faster modes of transportation emerging all the time.
The last verse points to the fact that there will be such mass modes of transport as ships.
Rebuttal:
I'm not going to quote the first one again, because I've covered it in the previous “prophecy”. Surah 81 deals with the “Day Of Judgement” and is not prophecying of end times, but the supposed end of the world itself. It has nothing to do with the development of New Transport Systems.
This whole section deals with the various benefits of animals, eg. Food, Transport, Milk, clothing etc.. Kathir's Tafsir cites that the 'He creates what you do not know' is a reference to using the animals for food which one wouldn't normally eat.
Muslims claim this verse refers to recent inventions designed to make travel faster and more efficient (ie. aeroplanes); things that were not known of or invented in Muhammad's time. However the verse says that Allah creates what you do not know ; meaning that these creations were around in Muhammad's time. The verse does not say " He will create what you do not know." Also, this verse is not talking about man-made inventions, as Allah did not create these; it is obviously talking about a part of creation (ie. animals or plants). This is in line with Kathir's interpretation.
Yusuf Ali: And a Sign for them is that We bore their race (through the Flood) in the loaded Ark;
Pickthal: And a token unto them is that We bear their offspring in the laden ship,
Shakir: And a sign to them is that We bear their offspring in the laden ship.
Yusuf Ali: And We have created for them similar (vessels) on which they ride.
Pickthal: And have created for them of the like thereof whereon they ride.
Shakir: And We have created for them the like of it, what they will ride on.
Interesting translation of this last 'prophecy' given. I have provided 3 major translators to compare the wording of the verses in question. The word 'carried' is not in any of them, but 'bear/bore offspring'. Here are some excerpts from Kathir's Tafsir as to the meaning of these verses:
(And an Ayah for them is that We bore their offspring) means, their forefathers....(And We have created for them of the like thereunto, on which they ride.) Al-`Awfi said, narrating from Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, "This means the camel, for it is the ship of the land on which they carry goods and on which they ride. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Do you know what the Ayah: (And We have created for them of the like thereunto, on which they ride.) refers to We said, "No. He said, "This refers to the ships which were made after the ship of Nuh, peace be upon him, which was similar to it. This was also the view of Abu Malik, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Abu Salih and As-Suddi, that the Ayah: (And We have created for them of the like thereunto, on which they ride.) refers to ships.
So, depending on who is right, its either referring to camels or ships. This claim however says that these Ayats refer to the "mass mode of travel" ie. ships and is prophetic of them. However, if Ships were in use before, during and after Nuh (Noah), then how is it prophetic that ships will be used in the future too? Its common sense! Nowhere in these ayat's or their Tafseer's does it mention "mass travelling" by ships.
Conclusion: The First one is definitely not a current day prophecy proof as suggested and I only have the vague info in the tafsir to go on regarding the second cite. It is possible, although not plausible, because its so vague. Regarding the third set of proofs, its nothing to do with prophecy due to the fact that the people of Muhammad's time knew about ships, the people before that time knew about ships, so its logical to state that they would continue to be used. "mass transport uses" for ships is not mentioned or implied. Not prophetic.
[edit] Zoos
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Again, Surah 81 is dealing with the “Day of Judgement” and has not “happened yet” so cannot be considered as a confirmed prophetic event.
Conclusion: Not a fulfilled prophecy, and the quote is taken out of context.
[edit] Oceans Linked
Claim:
"He has made the two bodies of water flow. They will one day meet. Between them there is a barrier; they cannot encroach one upon the other." (55:20,21)
"And He it is Who shall merge the two seas together. This palatable and sweet, that saltish and bitter. And between them He has (presently) placed a barrier and a massive partition." (25:54)
This phenomenal prophecy is an excellent proof of truthfulness of Quran. It was beyond imagination of any one living 1400 years ago to even think of linking of oceans which we see today in Panama and Suez canals.
Again, Surah 81 is referring to the “Day of Judgement” and is not fulfilled prophecy and cannot be so. Surah 55 is dealing with the creation and isn't prophetic because its talking about what Allah created. Surah 55 as well as Surah 25:53 are referring to land masses placed between the two different types of water, ie 'barrier' and 'massive partition.' Its not figurative for the inability of salt fresh water to mix.
Conclusion: Its not prophetic because its talking about a past event. To say it was an “accurate statement” or “inaccurate statement” would be more correct than saying it is “propheticy”, because of course Prophecy is fortelling events before they happen. not a prophecy.
[edit] Modern Communications Systems
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Surah 81 deals with Judgement Day which has not happened, therefore cannot be a fulfillment of prophecy.
Conclusion: Not a fulfilled prophecy.
[edit] The Army Ant in Technology
Claim:
The "Valley of the Ants" refers to a special place and special ants. In addition, the fact that Prophet Sulayman (as) could hear the ants talking among themselves may contain striking references to future developments in computer technology. The present-day term "Silicon Valley" refers to the centre of the world of technology. It is most significant that a "valley of the ants" appears in the account of Prophet Sulayman's (as) life. Allah may be drawing our attention to the advanced technology of the future.
Furthermore, ants and other insect species are widely used in advanced technology as models in robot projects and are intended to serve in a wide range of areas, from the defence industry to technology. The verse may also be referring to these developments.
Latest Developments in Miniature Technology: Army-Ant Robots.
The best known project using ants as a model are the "Army-Ant Robot" projects being carried out independently in several countries. One study being carried out by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Virginia State University seeks to develop small, inexpensive, and simple physically identical robots that can be used as a robot army. Project officials explain these robots' functionality in the following terms: "The way they behave as a group, in a coordinated manner, perform a series of physical actions, and take joint decisions." These robot armies' mechanical and electrical designs have been based on the behaviour of an ant community. They are called the "army-ant" robots because of their similarities to their insect counterparts.
The "army-ant" robot system was originally designed as a "material-carrying system." According to this scenario, several small robots would be charged with jointly lifting and carrying objects. It was later decided that they could be used for other tasks. One report describes other tasks to which they might be assigned in the future. Nuclear and hazardous waste cleanup with robotic "swarms," mining (including material removal and search-and-rescue), mine sweeping (both land and water), surveillance and sentry, planetary surface exploration and excavation.
In a report by Israel A. Wagner, an expert on ant robot technology, the ant robot projects were described in these terms:
Ant-robots are simple physical or virtual creatures designed to cooperate in order to achieve a common goal. They are assumed to have very limited resources of energy, sensing and computing, and to communicate via traces left in the workspace or on the ground, like many insects naturally do… The distribution of work among multiple a(ge)nts [sic] can be made by either a central controller who sends orders to the agents, or by an a-priori agreement on a certain partitioning that, if obeyed by the agents, eventually leads to a completion of the given mission. A third way, used throughout the current work, is to design the behavior of individuals such that cooperation will naturally emerge in the course of their work, without making a-priori [sic] decisions on the structure of the cooperation. The specific application that we address is covering, which is also known as exploring or searching. This variety of names hints to the many applications this problem might have: from cleaning the floor of a house to mapping an unknown planet or demining a mine field.
As can be seen in these examples, an ant's social lifestyle forms the basis of many projects, and the various ant-based robot technologies are providing benefits for human beings. That is why it is so important that ants and their valley are referred to in the Qur'anic account of Prophet Sulayman's (as) life. The term "ants" in the verse may refer to an army consisting of robots, future developments in robot technology, and how robots will play an important role in human life. For example, they may perform many arduous tasks and thus make people's lives more comfortable. (Allah knows best.)This verse has nothing to do with technologies or robots. Its merely an account of Solomon commanding Birds, Jinn's and men, and then coming across some fictional ants, who think they may be crushed by the entourage.
Yes, this prophecy is apparently based on talking ants and Hoopee birds.
Conclusion: Nothing to do with Robots or Technology. It isn't even a prophecy OR written by Allah, since Muhammad stole this story from Jewish folklore. The lengths the author has to go to to twist this into prophetic is beyond imagination (almost!).
[edit] The use of Electricity
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Let's have a look at this ayat in context:
This verse is talking about Solomon's Journey on his Giant Wooden Carpet (along with his troops, camels and possessions). The Jinn apparently were made to manufacture items/goods for Solomon, including coats of Mail. This is what the “molten copper” is referring to.
Conclusion: This is part of the Quranic Solomon's story. In context the “fountains of copper” refer to the Metal work done by the Jinn's. This has nothing to do with electricity or prophecy.
[edit] Electric Light Bulbs
Claim:
We believe that there are implications in the Quran indicating certain important inventions that were to take place in the future for mankind. At the time of the Prophet, when these inventions were beyond human imagination, people could not have imagined them. How could it be possible to explain to these people what electricity and the electric light bulb were?
The verse above seems to hint at electricity and the light bulb. However, I am not claiming that this is its only significance. It is certain that the scope of it must be larger than that. While the verse points to a fundamental issue in referring to light, it also seems to have the connotation of an electric bulb and electricity.
Light (“noor” in Arabic) is described enclosed in a glass. The fuel of this light within the glass comes neither from the east nor from the west, as the fuel consumed at the time was olive oil, but the expression here seems to point to a source of energy other than olive oil. The expression east and west means the entire world. An energy whose origin is neither the east nor the west must be an unknown energy. When this fact is seen within the framework of the expression, “to light up even though fire touches it not,” one generated by an energy without fire suggests electricity.
This verse certainly has other connotations. But it is impossible not to think of electricity. At the end of the verse, mention is made of parables. Recourse to parables is a method used by the Quran to convey information to the public who may not be in a position to understand what is communicated.
The imaginative scene that this verse generates in our mind is the following: the electric bulb that is lit in a dark room without having recourse to a flame illuminates the entire medium. Likewise when we look at the universe around us without our being aware of God’s existence, deprived of all faith, everything will look dark, void and suggestive of despair. Once we take cognizance of God’s existence and are enlightened by religion, our world will be illuminated just as the dark room is lit up. An aimless life will become meaningful, despair will yield itself to hope, and the feeling of being in a void will be replaced by a sense of existence. That is, the dark will be turned into light.
Rebuttal:
The first thing one should note, is that this is a parable; a story. A likeness to the nature of Allah, and the true believers . ie. it should not be taken literally. Also notice the author's phrasing: this seems to HINT at electricity and the light bulb . Even they know its a stretch. Different types of lamps were in use, and known about long before the time of Muhammad; so, again, it isn't referring to an unknown thing. Everyone knew what a lamp was.
The Bible, which Muhammad and his companions had access to, also talks about lamps.
Another thing we notice when we read the verse in context, is the very next verse
Yusuf Ali: (Lit is such a Light) in houses, which Allah hath permitted to be raised to honour; for the celebration, in them, of His name: In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings, (again and again)
Pickthal: (This lamp is found) in houses which Allah hath allowed to be exalted and that His name shall be remembered therein. Therein do offer praise to Him at morn and evening.
Shakir: In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings,
If we are to take this as a "true prophecy" then wouldn't it mean that non-muslim houses would have no light bulbs ? After all, Allah tells us in the next verse, that this lamp/light is only found in houses in which his name is 'remembered'. This disqualifies non-Muslims and renders these verses as exacly what they are; a parable, and nothing more.
Conclusion: This is a parable. The very next verse (Quran 24:36) rules out the possibility that this is any way prophetic of the invention of Light bulbs, or electricity. This is not a prophecy.
[edit] Formation of Petroleum/Gasoline
Claim:
Petroleum is primarily the outcome of a long process during which herbage like algae and fern in the interstices of rocks is exposed to the chemical effects of various bacteria. Today the origin of petroleum is believed to be organic material. Pastures created before man was created were destined to turn in time to petroleum within the framework of the ecological balance of the world. Oily organic residues decomposed beneath the floor of the seas for millions of years. The underlying oily substance eventually was transformed into petroleum.
Petroleum presents the properties of “floodwater.” Petroleum, more often th'an not, moves away from where it was originally formed. It does not have a settling property. Petroleum behaves like flood liquid, traveling long distances and collecting at spots where it comes across hard rocks without pores. Petroleum beds have been discovered in places where they were found as deposits, hindered from continuing their course.
In brief, petroleum, as described in the verses, is
1. made of organic matter,
2. blackish and
3. moves like floodwater.
Rebuttal:
Let's have a look at these ayats in context in three famous translations:
Yusuf Ali: Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High, Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion; Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance; And Who bringeth out the (green and luscious) pasture, And then doth make it (but) swarthy stubble.
Pickthal: Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High, Who createth, then disposeth; Who measureth, then guideth; Who bringeth forth the pasturage, Then turneth it to russet stubble.
Shakir: Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High, Who creates, then makes complete, And Who makes (things) according to a measure, then guides (them to their goal), And Who brings forth herbage, Then makes it dried up, dust-colored.
The Author has used a very interesting translation to the two verses in question. When read in context, the verses appear to be saying that Allah causes the plants to grow, and then wither away again. The three translations I have provided above do not even hint at the word 'black'; nor of petroleum, as suggested. 'Dust-colored' does in fact, fit the laymen's interpretation; that plants grow and then die.
Here's what Kathir's Tafsir says about Quran 87:4 & 5 "
﴿وَالَّذِى أَخْرَجَ الْمَرْعَى ﴾
(And Who brings out the pasturage,) meaning, all types of vegetation and crops.
﴿فَجَعَلَهُ غُثَآءً أَحْوَى ﴾
(And then makes it dark stubble.) Ibn Abbas said, "Dried up and altered." It has been narrated that Mujahid, Qatadah and Ibn Zayd, all made similar statements.
Regarding these verses, Maudaudi States :
He creates vegetation on the earth as well as reduces it to mere rubbish. No other being has the power to bring about spring nor the power to prevent autumn."
Conclusion: It is clear from reading reputable translations, the views of scholars, as well as in context, that these verses refer to the life cycle of plants; things that are observable to normal humans. There is no indication of the word "black" or anything "moving like floodwater" in these verses. This is not prophetic.
[edit] Atomic Energy and Fission
Claim:
The terms "seed" (al-habb) and "kernel" (an-nawa) in the above verse may indicate the splitting of the atom. Indeed, the dictionary meanings of an-nawa include "nucleus, centre, atomic nucleus." Furthermore, the description of bringing forth the living from the dead can be interpreted as Allah creating matter from dead energy. Producing the dead out of the living may refer to energy (dead) emerging from matter (living), since the atom is in motion. (Allah knows best.) That is because as well as "living," al-hayy can also mean "active, energetic." With its meaning of "non-living," al-mayyit, translated above as "dead," may very probably refer to energy.
Scientists define energy as the capacity for doing work. Matter, the material that comprises all things on Earth and in the universe, consists of atoms and molecules that can be seen to be in motion under an electron microscope. In the early twentieth century, Albert Einstein (d. 1955) theorised that matter could be converted into energy, suggesting that the two were inter-related at the atomic level. This may be the bringing forth of the dead from the living, as described above, or, in other words, obtaining energy from matter, which is in motion at the atomic level. In addition, yukhriju, translated as "bringing forth," also means "bringing out, emitting" (as in the case of electrical waves). Therefore, the terms in this verse may be indicating the form of energy obtained from the atom. (Allah knows best.)
Scientists can now split the atom by dividing its nucleus. Taking Einstein's theories as their starting point, they obtained energy from matter in the 1940s by means of nuclear fission, the process of splitting the atomic nucleus. The verb faliqu in Surat al-An`am 95, translated as "to split," may be a reference to fission's dictionary meaning: the process of splitting (the atom's nucleus). When this process takes place, enormous amounts of energy are released. The words in Surat al-An`am 95 are very wise in terms of their meanings. The phenomena described in this verse bear a very close resemblance to the splitting of the atom's nucleus in order to obtain atomic energy. The verse may therefore be a reference to nuclear fission, which was only made possible by twentieth-century technology. (Allah knows best.)
Rebuttal:
Here are three versions of the ayat in question:
Yusuf Ali: It is Allah Who causeth the seed-grain and the date-stone to split and sprout. He causeth the living to issue from the dead, and He is the one to cause the dead to issue from the living. That is Allah: then how are ye deluded away from the truth?
Pickthal: Lo! Allah (it is) Who splitteth the grain of corn and the date-stone (for sprouting). He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and is the bringer-forth of the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then are ye perverted?
Shakir: Surely Allah causes the grain and the stone to germinate; He brings forth the living from the dead and He is the bringer forth of the dead from the living; that is Allah! how are you then turned away.None of these mention “kernel” so the prophetic explanation of atoms and such starts to fall apart. Here's what Kathir's Tafsir says regarding 6:95:
"Allah states that He causes the seed grain and the fruit stone to split and sprout in the ground, producing various types, colors, shapes, and tastes of grains and produce. The Ayah, (Who causes the seed grain and the fruit stone to split and sprout.) is explained by the next statement, (He brings forth the living from the dead, and it is He Who brings forth the deed from the living.) meaning, He brings the living plant from the seed grain and the fruit stone, which is a lifless and inanimate object. Allah said, (And a sign for them is the dead land. We gave it life, and We brought forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof.) (36:33) until, (as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.) (36:36) Allah's statement, (and it is He Who brings forth the dead from the living. ) There are similar expressions in meaning such as, He brings the egg from the chicken, and the opposite. Others said that it means, He brings the wicked offspring from the righteous parent and the opposite."
There are other explanations for this ayat, but they all have to do with things that were obvious in Muhammad's time. No mention of prophecy at all.
Conclusion: This is regarding the cycle of life for people, plants, land, etc.. Being inventive with the arabic and changing what the Quran says doesn't make it prophetic.
[edit] Artesian Wells
Claim:
The above verse describes how Prophet Musa's (as) people asked him for water and how he provided places where each tribe could drink. Clearly, his people were suffering from a shortage of water. Such shortages still exist, for more than 1 billion people today lack access to clean water, and 2.4 billion still live without improved sanitation. According to projected estimates, by 2025 about 5 billion people will not have access to sufficient amounts of water. Every year, some 12 million people die from water scarcity; 3 million of whom are children who die from waterborne diseases.
Today, 31 countries, comprising 8 percent of the world's population, face chronic freshwater shortages. By 2025, this number is expected to rise to 48 countries.According to UN predictions, renewable freshwater will become an even more limited resource by 2025, and the number of 131 million people experiencing water problems. Groundwater, the largest source of fresh water on Earth, represents more than 90 percent of the readily available freshwater reserves and is therefore of vital importance to meeting the water needs of up to 2 billion people. It constitutes the primary source of water for up to 50 percent of the American population, a figure that rises to 95 percent in rural areas. Groundwater is also the safest and most reliable source of fresh water. At the same time, this water can be used to produce geothermal energy and save energy by using heat pumps.
When the water sucked up from the soil meets an impermeable underground layer, it collects there and forms a water source. This water is then brought to the surface by the artesian method. Artesian springs are formed by sedimentary rocks that can store underground water.
The fact that artesian wells are drilled in rocky areas runs parallel to the description in the Qur'an. Given that Allah commanded Prophet Musa (as) to strike the rock, Surat al-A`raf 160 may be indicating this method. (Allah knows best.) The verb idrib, translated as "strike," can also mean "to raise, to open." Thus, this verse may be describing a water source being opened by the raising of the rock. As a result, pressurized water may have emerged, as described in the verb inbajasat (to pour out, flow freely, bubble up, flow), just as happens with artesian wells. If sufficient pressure forms, water can continue to flow to the surface without the need for a pump.
Rebuttal:
This is telling the Quranic version of the story of Moses and the Israelites; who were divided into 12 nations. Moses was told simply to “strike the rock” and water gushed out for the people to drink. They were IN THE DESERT! Of course they'd be thirsty!
Conclusion: The statistics and other information the author has provided are meaningless, because this passage if not prophetic in nature; merely a telling of a past event; the story of Moses and the 12 tribes of Israel needing water in the Desert.
[edit] Image Transmission
Claim:
"He who possessed knowledge of the Book" told Prophet Sulayman (as) that he could bring the Queen of Saba's throne to him very quickly. This is a possible reference to the transmission of images with present-day advanced technology. Another verse on the subject reads:
A demon of the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy enough to do it." (27:39)
In our day, text, pictures, and films can be sent anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds, thanks to the Internet and advances in computer technology. For instance, carrying the Queen's throne to Prophet Sulayman's (as) court very quickly may well refer to the fact that it will be possible to send a three-dimensional picture or image in the blink of an eye over the Internet.
According to scientists, the teleportation of atoms and molecules, as well as larger bodies, may become possible in the near future. By this method, the item's material characteristics are removed from one location and transferred in every detail and atomic sequence to another location, where they are reconstructed. If this technology becomes operational one day, time and space will no longer represent an obstacle to travel and objects will be able to be transported anywhere in a single moment without traversing any physical distance.
In 1998, physicists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) working with two European groups transported a photon. The scientists formed a copy of the photon by reading its atomic structure and then transmitted that information a distance of 1 metre. In another recent teleportation experiment, Ping Koy Lam of the Australian National University (ANU) and other researchers transmitted a laser ray a short distance.
Indeed, according to a CNN report on 17 July 2002, a group of physicists from the National Australian University in Canberra split a laser ray and "transmitted" it several metres. Ping Koy Lam, the team's head, stated that they had not yet succeeded in transmitting matter in its atomic state, but that such a thing was not impossible and may become a reality in the future.
According to a study published in the science journal Nature, Eugene Polzik of Denmark's University of Aarhus, and his colleagues performed successful experiments on a large number of atoms, using laser rays and quantum physics. In his analyses of teleportation's potential, published in the journal Scientific American, Australian physicist Anton Zeilinger states that far more complex systems could be teleported without violating the laws of physics.
As the Qur'an reveals in "We will show them Our Signs on the horizon and within themselves until it is clear to them that it is the truth" (Qur'an, 41:53), these scientific advances may represent a part of the technologies indicated in the Qur'an, all of which reveal its miraculous aspects.
Okay so the author takes an ayat or two twists them right around and then writes a lengthy perversion on what is 'may' or 'could possibly' mean. Sorry but this is just a telling of the Quranic story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Its a Past event, and doesn't spell out anything prophetic, so isn't prophetic.
Conclusion: This is not prophetic, and isn't even by Allah. Muhammad stole this story from Jewish folklore.
[edit] Smell Transferrance
Claim:
Today, scientists state that teleporting atoms and scent molecules may be possible in the near future. In Surah Yusuf 94, Prophet Yusuf's (as) father says that he can smell his son's scent. Scientists also say that it will soon be possible to send scents in the same way as pictures and three-dimensional images are sent. Therefore, this verse might be a sign of an advanced technology developing from the current research into transmitting scent.Like our other sense perceptions, smell forms in the brain. For example, a lemon peel's molecules stimulate the nose's scent receptors, which then transmit them in the form of electrical signals to the brain for analysis. Therefore, when the scent's signal is artificially formed in another form, the scent can be perceived in the same form. Indeed, the "electronic nose" is one of the research areas showing that this may well be possible in the near future.
A human being's scent perception system makes it possible for a trained nose to name and distinguish some 10,000 odours. Professionals in the perfumery business who have received special chemical training are able to sniff a scent that contains 100 different odorants and then list the ingredients.This superior creation in the human nose has encouraged many scientists to design similar equipment. Efforts are underway in various research and development centres to replicate this human scent perception system. The models developed on this basis are termed "the electronic nose." The human nose's receptors are composed of proteins; those in its electronic counterpart are composed of a series of chemical receptors. Each receptor is designed to detect different odours; the more their distinguishing capacities are enhanced, the more difficult production becomes and the greater the cost. The signals collected by the sensors are turned into binary codes, by means of electronic systems, and then sent to a computer. The electronic systems can be thought of as imitating the nerve cells responsible for scent detection, and the computer as the brain. The computer is programmed to analyse the data and thus interprets the binary code signals.
Electronic noses are currently being used in the food, perfumery, and chemical industries, as well as in medicine. Universities and international organizations are also providing major support for such projects. Nevertheless, as stated by Julian W. Gardner of the University of Warwick, researchers are still in the early stages of this technology.
Rebuttal:
Okay forget all the scientific information. The basis for this “fulfilled prophecy” in the Quran is that Joseph told someone to take his shirt and put it on his father's face, and then his father woul know it belonged to Joseph. And this somehow translates to “Electronic Noses”? Could it be that Joseph had previously been wearing the shirt (ie. without washing it in the meantime) and he had a certain smell, or used a certain scent on himself that his father would recognise?
Conclusion: This is a telling of the Quranic Story of Joseph, and in context it has absolutely nothing to do with prophecy or smell transferrance; although I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that.
[edit] Rapid Transfer of Things
Claim:
The Prophet King Solomon wanted the throne of the Queen of Sheba brought to him as soon as possible. Someone came forth telling Solomon that he would bring it before the King could stand up. Upon this, the person “who was given knowledge of the Book” promised that he would bring it within the twinkling of an eye, and granted Solomon’s wish.
Emphasis is made here to the knowledge of the person who performs this feat. It is not said that this so-called miracle was the doing of the Prophet or due to the jugglery of a jinn. What is of particular importance here is the fact that if one has the true knowledge of something, it is possible to convey it at a very high speed.
Thanks to the state-of-the-art science and technology in our age, the sound and image of a material in any part of the world can be transmitted at a speed almost equal to the one expressed in the verse. This is not the transportation of the matter itself, though. Could the transfer of matter itself be possible one day?
As a matter of fact, scientists have made some progress. For example, in 1993, researchers from Innsbruck University in Austria were able to transfer photons from one spot to another. They dreamed of conducting the transmission of atoms and molecules using the same method. In the future, even the teleportation of the human body is speculated.
The attitude of Solomon in the verse quoted must set an example for all scientists. What he saw led Solomon to realize that he was being tried as to whether he was ungrateful or grateful, and thus he decided to turn toward God, in thanks. A scientist should take cognizance of the fact that whatever he discovers or invents is due to the brain, eyes and hands given to him by God, within the laws He has laid down, and give thanks to Him.
Rebuttal: Let's go through this one claim by claim. First off, the author states that "someone" promised to bring Solomon the throne. Actually, according to the prevoius verse, this 'someone' was a jinn.
One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it.
Second off, the person who actually performed the feat is reported by Kathir to have been Asif a Scribe of Solomon; and a Knowledgeable Muslim:
﴿قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّن الْجِنِّ﴾
(An Ifrit from the Jinn said: ) Mujahid said, "A giant Jinn." Abu Salih said, "It was as if he was a mountain."
﴿أَنَاْ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ﴾
(I will bring it to you before you rise from your place.) Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Before you get up from where you are sitting." As-Suddi and others said: "He used to sit to pass judgements and rulings over the people, and to eat, from the beginning of the day until noon."
﴿وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ﴾
(And verily, I am indeed strong and trustworthy for such work.) Ibn Abbas said: "Strong enough to carry it and trustworthy with the jewels it contains. Sulayman, upon him be peace, said, "I want it faster than that." From this it seems that Sulayman wanted to bring this throne as a demonstration of the greatness of the power and authority that Allah had bestowed upon him and the troops that He had subjugated to him. Power such as had never been given to anyone else, before or since, so that this would furnish proof of his prophethood before Bilqis and her people, because this would be a great and wondrous thing, if he brought her throne as if he were in her country, before they could come to it, although it was hidden and protected by so many locked doors. When Sulayman said, "I want it faster than that,
﴿قَالَ الَّذِى عِندَهُ عِلْمٌ مِّنَ الْكِتَـبِ﴾
(One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: ) Ibn Abbas said, "This was Asif, the scribe of Sulayman." It was also narrated by Muhammad bin Ishaq from Yazid bin Ruman that he was Asif bin Barkhiya' and he was a truthful believer who knew the Greatest Name of Allah. Qatadah said: "He was a believer among the humans, and his name was Asif. "
﴿أَنَاْ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ﴾
(I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!) Meaning, lift your gaze and look as far as you can, and before you get tired and blink, you will find it before you. Then he got up, performed ablution and prayed to Allah, may He be exalted. Mujahid said: "He said, O Owner of majesty and honor." When Sulayman and his chiefs saw it before them,
﴿قَالَ هَـذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى﴾
(he said: "This is by the grace of my Lord...") meaning, "this is one of the blessings which Allah has bestowed upon me."
Next, the author states that "If someone has true knowledge of something, then it is easy to convey it at very high speed" and falsely claims that "emphasis is made on the knowledge of the person who perform the feat." The verse in question says no such thing.
It clearly states: "Said one who had knowledge of THE BOOK" What is "The Book"? Since its in the Quran, and Solomon was a Muslim, then it had to be either the Taurat/Injeel or the Quran. The verse does not say to someone who has (great) knowledge.
To make such a generalisation is in error.
The author then goes on to talk about as yet unrealised achievements such as matter transportation (from one place to another). This article is supposed to be about 'fullfilled prophecy' not 'what lies in the future.
Regarding the phrase In the Twinkling of an Eye" the Quran is not unique in its usage of the phrase. The Bible, in 1st Corinthians 15:52 states:
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye , at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
So we know that the phrase was known, and possibly even used outside of religious texts; therefore it could have been garnered in everyday life.
Conclusion: The explanatory text as to the prophetic nature of this 'miracle' grossly misrepresents the intended meaning of the verse. It is a 'stretch' at best, to call this 'prophetic' of anything. Considering the verses in context, and the scholar's explantions of the meaning of each part of this verse, renders it not prophetic. Nowhere does it even hint at literal transferrance of objects/matter.
[edit] Women's Rights
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Surah 81 is dealing with “Judgement Day” thus this is not fulfilled prophecy. This has nothing to do with Women's rights anyway. Its apparently going to be done so that Allah can see if the child sinned (hence was killed) or if it was unjust; ie. more punishment for the evil “idolators” who buried girls in the pre-Islamic Era.
Conclusion: Not fulfilled prophecy and has absolutely nothing to do with Women's rights. Even at a first read of the quote, this is apparent.
[edit] Books Published and Spread
Claim:
Rebuttal:
The translation the author of this article is using is very misleading in its quoting. Here's Yusuf Ali, Pickthal and Shakir:
Yusuf Ali: When the scrolls are laid open;
Pickthal: And when the pages are laid open,
Shakir: And when the books are spread,
Again, Surah 81 is talking about “Judgement Day”, and this is one of the final events the 'opening of the ledgers of people's deeds' before our Judgement by Allah starts. Its nothing to do with publishing and Globalisation.
Conclusion: Not fulfilled Prophecy.
[edit] Extra-Terrestrial Life
Claim:
Rebuttal:
Okay so they start off this prophecy fulfillment by saying “...still an unrealised dream..” so why include it? Okay here we go:
This is talking about what is included in the Earth and the Seven Heavens. It has nothing to do with aliens. Kathir states:
“..(and whatever moving creatures) this includes the angels, men, Jinn and all the animals with their different shapes, colors, languages, natures, kinds and types. He has distributed them throughout the various regions of the heavens and earth.”
Conclusion: This is not prophecying ET's, since (a) Aliens have not been proven to exist, and (b) it is clearly talking about angels/people/djinns in the Seven Heavens and on the Earth.
[edit] Air-Traffic System
Claim: '
While prophesying about modern transport systems, Quran also foretold the air-traffic system which is an essential part of aviation. A person living in desert 1400 years ago cannot talk about such advance technologies unless revealed to him by God Almighty.
"And to Sulayman We gave the fiercely blowing wind, speeding at his command toward the land that We had blessed. And We had full knowledge of everything. (21:81)
And We gave Sulayman power over the wind-a month's journey in the morning and a month in the afternoon... (Qur'an, 34:12)
As the above verse relates, Allah placed the wind under Prophet Sulayman's (as) command and allowed him to use it as a vehicle. There is a strong possibility of an indication here that, as in Prophet Sulayman's (as) time, wind energy will also be used in the technology of the future.
The expression "a month's journey in the morning and a month in the afternoon" may be drawing attention to the fact that Prophet Sulayman (as) moved rapidly between different regions perhaps by using a technology similar to an airplane, or developed wind-powered vehicles that could cover long distances quickly. (Allah knows best.) There is thus a strong possibility that these verses point to modern airplane technology.
Rebuttal:
Again, interesting translation they're using there. Here are three others:
Yusuf Ali: By the Sky with (its) numerous Paths,
Pickthal: By the heaven full of paths,
Shakir: I swear by the heaven full of ways.
Kathir Says:
“(By the heaven full of Hubuk,) Ibn `Abbas said; "Full of beauty, grace, magnificence and perfection. Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Abu Malik, Abu Salih, As-Suddi, Qatadah, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and others said similarly. Ad-Dahhak, Al-Minhal bin `Amr and others said, "The meandering of the water, sand and plants when the wind passes over them; carving paths out of them, that is the Hubuk. All of these sayings return to the same meaning, that of beauty and complexity. The sky is high above us, clear yet thick, firmly structured, spacious and graceful, beautified with stars such as the sun and orbiting planets such as the moon and the planets of the solar system.”
So this is referring to the (perceived) attribues of the earth and the solar system.
Let's see what Kathir has to say regarding 21:81:
(And of everything We are the All-Knower.) He had a mat made of wood on which he would place all the equipment of his kingship; horses, camels, tents and troops, then he would command the wind to carry it, and he would go underneath it and it would carry him aloft, shading him and protecting him from the heat, until it reached wherever he wanted to go in the land. Then it would come down and deposit his equipment and entourage.
And Kathir again on 34:12:
Having mentioned the blessings with which He favored Dawud, Allah follows this by mentioning what He gave to Dawud's son Sulayman (Solomon), may peace be upon them both. He subjugated the wind to him, so that it would carry his carpet one way for a month, then back again the next month. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, "He set out from Damascus in the morning, landed in Istakhar where he ate a meal, then flew on from Istakhar and spent the night in Kabil. Between Damascus and Istakhar is an entire month's travel for a swift rider, and between Istakhar and Kabul is an entire month's travel for a swift rider.
So from reading these two verses and explanations, is that Solomon somehow acquired a huge carpet/mat made of wood. On this mat, he placed all the equipment of his kingdom; his horses, camels, tents and troops, etc.. This Wooden carpet/mat had to be big enough to fit all of these things on; and strong enough to support all the weight. What kind of wood did Solomon acquire in order to have this constructed? How big would it have to have been to fit all of these things on it? A Structure of the size/strength required would not be able to be supported by wind alone. Either Solomon had a really small number of troops and few possessions or this story is beyond belief! One would need blind faith in order to think about this and then accept it fact!
So we have a flying wooden carpet/mat that is propeeled by the wind alone, with Jinn's kept at bay to stop them from interfering with the flight of this wooden carpet/mat. Considering that Aeroplanes don't use wind power alone in order to be propelled through the air, are not affected by Jinn's, are enclosed, etc.. I fail to see how this is in any way prophetic either. Its just a lame attempt at a "miracle" performed by Allah or Solomon.
Conclusion: The first is also not a fulfilled prophecy, nor even a prophecy! Its referring to the characteristics of the earth and solar system around the earth. Regarding Solomon, this is also not prophetic either. Even if you believe the ludicrous description of the HUGE wooden carpet/mat travelling by wind alone, it still doesn't ring prophetic of aeroplanes.
[edit] The Exploration of Space
Claim:
O company of jinn and human beings. If you are able to pierce through the confines of the heavens and Earth, pierce through them. You will not pierce through, except with a clear authority." (55:33)
Rebuttal:
This has nothing to do with space travel. This verse simply means that we cannot escape the Judgement of Allah. Here's what Kathir Says;
“ (O assembly of Jinn and men! If you are able to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allah)!) meaning, `you will never be able to escape Allah's orders and decrees, because it encompasses you. You will never be able to avoid or avert His rule and judgement over you, you are surrounded by it wherever you may be.' This is also about the Gathering when the angels, comprising seven lines in every direction, will surround the creatures. None of the creatures will be able to escape on that Day, “
Conclusion: This cannot be fulfilled prophecy by definition, because it deals with the “Day of Judgement”, which cannot have happened yet.
[edit] Voyage to the Moon
Claim:
After referring to the Moon, the above verses then say that people will mount up stage by stage. The term tarkabunna comes from the verb rakiba, (to mount, walk on a path, follow, embark upon, set about, participate, or rule). In the light of these meanings, it is very likely that the expression "you will mount up stage by stage" refers to a vehicle to be boarded.
Indeed, the astronauts' spacecraft pass through each layer of the atmosphere one by one, and then begin to pass through the Moon's gravitational field. Thus, the Moon is reached by moving through individual layers. In addition, the swearing by the Moon in Surat al-Inshiqaq 18 further strengthens this emphasis, meaning that the verse may well be a sign that humanity will travel to the Moon. (Allah knows best.)
Rebuttal:
Maudaudi says that Surah 84 is to do with the Day of Resurrection and the Hereafter:
"...in vv 6-19 it has been said that whether man Is conscious of this fact or not, he in any case is moving willy nilly to the destination when he will appear and stand before his Lord. At that time all human beings will divide into two parts: first those whose records will be given in their right hands: they will be forgiven without any severe reckoning; second those whose records will be given them behind their back. They will wish that they should die somehow, but they will not die; instead they will be cast into Hell. They will meet with this fate because in the world they remained lost in the misunderstanding that they would never have to appear before God to render an account of their deeds, whereas their Lord was watching whatever they were doing, and there was no reason why they should escape the accountability for their deeds. Their moving gradual]y from the life of the world to the meting out of rewards and punishments in the Hereafter was as certain as the appearance of twilight after sunset, the coming of the night after the day, the returning of men and animals to their respective abodes at night, and the growing of the crescent into full moon."
Here are some excerpts from Kathir Regarding this same part of Surah 84:
"(And by the night and what it Wasaqa,) "What it drives into due to its darkness, because when it is nighttime everything goes to its home. Concerning Allah's statement, (And by the moon when it Ittasaqa.) Ibn `Abbas said, "When it comes together and becomes complete. Al-Hasan said, "When it comes together and becomes full. Qatadah said, "When it completes its cycle. These statements refer to its light when it is completed and becomes full, as the idea was initiated with "The night and what it gathers. Allah said,(You shall certainly travel from stage to stage.) (From stage to stage.) "Stage after stage. Weaned after he was breast feeding, and an old man after he was a young man. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, (From stage to stage.) "Stage after stage. Ease after difficulty, difficulty after ease, wealth after poverty, poverty after wealth, health after sickness, and sickness after health."
Reading the whole Surah in context it is obvious that it is dealing with Judgement Day and the destination of people for eternity. Those who listened and became muslims will spend eternity in Jannat, and those who heard the Quran and did not heed, will spend eternity in Hell being tortured by the all-merciful Allah. The 'stage by stage' part of the ayat has been explained by Kathir, and is talking about the stages of one's life, ending with death (and judgement for our deeds on Earth).
Conclusion: Surah 84 is about Resurrection, Judgement and eternity after that. A chastisement for those who did not believe in Islam when they heard about it. The "stages" are talking about stages of life, and the Moon's stages is used as an illustration to this point. This has nothing to do with travelling to the moon, and its not fulfilled prophecy, because this "judgement day" has not occurred.
[edit] Moon Landing
Claim:
A very interesting prophecy relates to the moon landing (which occurred in 1969), is it possible The Quran predicted this? Well, judge for yourself by considering the following information – Chapter 54 of The Quran is entitled “The Moon” and starts right away by giving us news about the splitting of the moon as a sign that the end of the world is drawing close, with the above ayat.
When did the prophecy come to pass?
To answer that, one must keep the prophecy in mind: “The moon has split.” This is a metaphor. Parts of the moon have left its surface. They no longer are part of the moon. So, the prophecy does not refer to the landing on the moon or to the first step made by Neil Armstrong but to the fact that Armstrong and Aldrin collected 21 kilograms of lunar rocks to bring back to earth. The prophecy was fulfilled at the very moment the astronauts left the moon in the lunar module containing 21 kilograms of rocks that had belonged to the moon. This can be confirmed by checking the definition of “split” in any dictionary, among the definitions given by Dictionary.com are – “to divide, disunite, separate”
The date this prophecy came to pass was on July 21 1969. The moment the prophecy was fulfilled is confirmed by the hour of departure of the lunar module, which left the lunar surface at 17:54:1 (Universal Time) or 1:54:1 (EDT) and as you have seen above, verse [54:1] is the verse that deals with the prophecy.
Still not convinced? Lets read the following verses after (54:1) –
“The moon has split and the hour has drawn closer. Then they saw a great miracle; but they turned away and said, “Old magic.” They disbelieved, followed their opinions, and adhered to their old traditions.” (The Quran, from 54:1 to 54:3)
Rebuttal: The Claim that the start of the 54th Surah prophesies the Moon Landing is an interesting spin on the actual text provided as 'proof'; the extrapolation and resoning path of the writer sure is interesting to read though. There are a couple of points to note here:
1. When reading the 54th Surah in context, its is immediately obvious that the 'splitting of the moon' is reported as being an actual physical event. It is not metaphorical; nor presented as such. After talking about the moon splitting, Surah 54 goes on to talk other other 'signs' that were rejected by the unbelievers: the flood that was sent because people did not listen to Noah, the people of 'Ad that were besiged by a tornado for not listening, the people who refused to listen to Lot were punished with a stone storm & Pharoah and his army were destroyed when they were drowned in the sea.
Again, these are all physical 'signs'; things that clearly seem miraculous (ie. no human intervention).
In his Tafsir, Kathir states that Muhammad actually, physically split the moon. Here is a portion of Kathir's commentary on 54:1 to show that Kathir also agrees that the Splitting of the Moon is a physical event.
Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Abbas said, "The moon was split during the time of the Prophet" . Al-Bukhari and Muslim collected this Hadith. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Abbas commented on Allah's saying:
﴿اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ - وَإِن يَرَوْاْ ءَايَةً يُعْرِضُواْ وَيَقُولُواْ سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ ﴾
(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away and say: "This is magic, Mustamir.) "This occurred before the Hijrah; the moon was split and they saw it in two parts."
Maudaudi also agrees:
The amazing and wonderful phenomenon of the splitting of the Moon was a manifest sign of the truth that the Resurrection, of which the Holy Prophet was giving them the news, could take place and that it had approached near at hand. The great sphere of the Moon had split into two distinct parts in front of their very eyes. The two parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other side of it. Then, in an instant the two had rejoined.
There is absolutely no evidence in historical records (apart from the hadith) that the moon actually did split at any point; nor is there any physical evidence that this was the case; but the interpretation of two Tafsir writers shows that they both agreed that the Splitting of the moon, as described in Surah 54 is not meant as a metaphor but as an actual physical event.
2. The author then quotes 54:1-3 as further 'proof' of his claim that these verses allude to the moon landing. On the contrary, these verses do not indicate any interpretation like that which the author is trying ti imply. Again, reading the surah in context, we see that a similar admonition is given for every example of a catastrophic event that befall the people that did not listen. In, fact, quoting tho following verses cements the fact that the event that (allegedly) occurs is of such magnitude that the 'miracle' could not have been accomplished by other means (ie. people).
Conclusion: The verse in Surah 54 are not metaphorical in nature; neither to the casual reader nor to the experts. There is absolutely no indication in the text or from the tafsir's in order to come to this conclusion. This is not fulfilled prophecy.
[edit] Preservation of the Quran
Claim:
Rebuttal: This claim of "fulfilled prophecy" is almost laughable! There is absolutely no evidence that the Quran is exactly the way it was when Muhammad revealed it roughly 1450 years ago. When it was revealed, Muhammad's companions memorised parts of it, and wrote other parts down on leaves, animal bones and other things. The Quran was not compiled within Muhammad's time, so there wasn't even a standardised text in existence with which we can compare. All we have is the faulty human memory (for recitations) to show us that the Quran remained as one uniform "book" up until the time of Uthman. Uthman, of course collected all Quranic fragments/writings/recitations together; those that he had access to, and decided what the "offical version" of the Quran should be. He sent a copy of this "new" Quran off to each Town and ordered that all deviating copies be burnt.
How do we know that he did not add/subtract from the text? What were the differences in the Quran that required the "official version" to be established?
This event of course doesn't include the Missing Verses/sections of the Quran, such as the Verses of Rajm.
Conclusion: We only have Muslim's continual insistence that the Quran is "intact, uncorrupt and Unaltered" as evidence that the Quran is exactly as it was when Muhammad revealed it. However, what little evidence we have, actually points to the fact that the Quran is not exactly the same as Muhammad revealed it. It is plausible that the Quran has remained unaltered, but if Muslim's cannot prove it (beyond all doubt) then they cannot claim this as "fulfilled Prophecy."
[edit] Islam will Prevail
Claim:
Rebuttal: This is another case of the author twisting the words of the Quran in order to suit their own meaning. 61:9 clearly says "..and will make it (Islam) dominate over all religions ." Clearly there are other religions still present on Earth, so this is not fulfilled Prophecy. The "explanation" of the fulfillment does not match the verse the author has chosen to quote.
Conclusion: Not fulfilled Prophecy.