Coranic Inaccuracies
After the death of Muhammad
in 632, a number of his companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed
in the Battle of Yamama by Musaylimah. The first caliph, Abu Bakr, decided
later to collect the book into a single volume so that it can be
preserved. Zayd ibn Thabit was
the person who collected the Quran, because "he used to write Divine Inspiration
for the Apostle of Allah". Thus, a group of scholars, the most important of which was
Zayd, collected the verses and produced a manuscript of the complete book.
The manuscript according to Zayd remained with Abu Bakr until he died. Reaction
Zayd's pregnancy and the difficulties of collecting Quranic material from
parchments, palm leaf stalks, thin stones (commonly called
collectively known as suhuf) and from men who knew it by heart is
recorded in the previous narrations. After Abu Bakr, in 644, to Hafsa bint
Umar, Muhammad's widow, was entrusted with the manuscript until the third
caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, requested the standard copy from Hafsa bint Umar in
approximately 650.
In about 650, the
third caliph Uthman ibn Affan started
to notice small differences in the pronunciation of the Quran as Islam spread
extended beyond the Arabian Peninsula into Persia, the Levant, and North Africa.
To preserve the sanctity of the text, he ordered a committee headed by Zayd to
use Abu Bakr's copy and prepare a standard copy of the Quran.
Thus, within 20 years of Muhammad's death, the Quran was
committed to writing. This text became the model from which the
and promulgated copies in all urban centers of the Muslim world, and other
versions are considered to be destroyed. The current form of the text of the Quran
is accepted by Muslim scholars as the original version compiled by
Abu Bakr.
Layer A (which is
approaches the 86 surahs (chapters) "revealed before the Hijra", although
there are some mixtures) is a finely written theological work of high quality
rhetorical ability. It has a general scope, much of it being
dedicated to the telling of biblical (and apocryphal) stories (especially those of
Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses) as encouragements and warnings and referring to
the events in them as Signs and those involved in bringing the Word of
God as messengers. Shows intense interest in reconciling traditions
biblical texts with its own theological narrative and contains very few prescriptions
detailed ethics.
Layer B (approximately at
28 'after the Hijra') is completely different: it has a much more strange rhetorical style (in
mostly, although with some finer passages), longer verses and has
much fewer biblical references, heavy use of the second person
(directly addressing the listener) and includes many references to the Messenger
(singular) who recites the Quran as a prophet, emphasizing the need to follow it
listen. Includes various specific local references to Muhammad, Mecca, Mosque
and Yathrib (Medina), a series of detailed moral and legal prescriptions, some
personal guidance for the prophet and special dispensations for him (especially
about his wives), numerous anti-Christian and anti-Jewish polemics and
many exhortations to fight against the enemy and the infidel.
Inconsistencies and heresy
Islam (and implicitly its lack of theological value) was demonstrated by
Saint John of Damascus (ca. 655-750), the last of the Holy Fathers.
John
The Damascene knew the Muslim world well, he worked in the caliph's administration,
knew the language and customs. In this regard, I will present some aspects of
the life of Saint John Damascene.
–
I. His relationship with the Muslim community
–
II. Analysis of the topic about Islam
I.
The Iconoclastic Council of Chalcedon (754) –
gathered to condemn the veneration of icons. At the end of the meeting, this
The synod condemned by anathematization the three defenders of icons:
the patriarch of Constantinople, Germanus; the patriarch of Constanta, George, and
the priest and monk from the "Saint Sava" Monastery, John Damascene: "... Anathema
"to Mansur, the one with the bad name and the Saracen mind."” The Synod did not mention the Christian name of
of John of Damascus (as is customary in the Orthodox tradition, because
when he puts on his monastic robes, he abandons his family name and
took another name), but used the name Mansur which he had inherited from his grandfather
or, Sargun b. Mansur.
Mansur,
which meant "victorious", was a well-known name among Muslims.
The phrase: "one with a Saracen mind" was also used by the Seventh Ecumenical Council
when Beser, an apostate Christian, embraced Islam. This expression
was used on the one hand to blame the iconoclasts and on the other hand
to label the opponents of icons. But John of Damascus was labeled
so as to highlight his affinity with the Muslim world.
Grandfather
John of Damascus seems to have played an important role in the capitulation
Damascus before the armies of Khalid b. al-Walid. Damascus was besieged
starting on March 13, 635 and surrendered after six months. Heraclius
was in Antioch, but the Christians waited in vain for his army to
intervened to help the fortress. The following year it would return to the Byzantines, but
for a short period. The Battle of Yarmuk, 20 August 636, marked
the end of the Byzantine presence in Syria.
to
At first, Muslims were tolerant towards the Syrians, they were not forced to
convert to Islam. The tolerance of the early Umayyad caliphs was also expressed
by their decision to preserve the existing administrative system. John's grandfather
Damascene, Mansur held a high position of public authority. After
After the death of his father, John of Damascus became secretary, holding a position even
higher than his father in the caliph's administration.
II.
John of Damascus was first and foremost
theologian, and his writings become means of expressing theological opinions.
„"Heresy"
"Ishmaelites" appears in the main body of "De Haeresibus", which is part of
the work "The Source of Knowledge". .
Chapter
100 is a historical apology and a polemical writing. The discussion takes the form of a
dialogue.
1.
„"Exist
and the wandering folk religion of the Ismailis which to this day has
power and which is the forerunner of the Antichrist.”
–
This "and" shows us that this religion
is a heresy, being placed alongside other heresies and is not a special writing
written against the Ishmaelites
–
The phrase "precursor to"
"Antichrist" - John of Damascus also used it in a special chapter of "On
"Fide Orthodoxa" in which he considers the Antichrist to be not only Satan, but also any
a man who does not confess that the Son of God became incarnate, that he is God
perfect and became perfect man, while remaining God. He
applied this name to Nestorius as well.
2.
It
He is descended from Ishmael, who was born to Abraham by Hagar: therefore
The Ismailis are also called Agares. They are also called "Saracens" from
said, "Sarah bare," that Hagar would have said to the angel: "Sarah has freed me
on me in vain (Σάρρα κενήν με άπέλυσεν)”.
–
Saint John Damascene uses three
names for Muslims: Ishmaelites, Hagarenes and Saracens.
–
The Quran states that Abraham and Ishmael placed
the foundations of the house: "And when Abram and Ishmael laid the foundations of the house" SII, 121
–
He calls them Agares, a name derived from
Hagar, mother of Ishmael.
–
Saracens, refers to the Old
Will, Genesis, chapter 16.8: "and take
The angel of the Lord said, „Hagar, Sarah’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?”
"Are you going?" And she answered, "I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai."”
3.
They
well, up until the time of Heraclius they were clearly idol worshippers, but
Meanwhile, a false prophet named Mamed appeared among them, who, after giving
over the Old and New Testaments and spoke with a monk – supposedly – Arian,
he created his own heresy – and by getting under the skin of the people through the hair
piety, he brought peace to the land because a book was sent down to him from heaven, and
after writing some funny compositions in his book, this is how he taught them
worship.
–
That is, from the Old Testament he took
monotheism, from the Arians, the assertion that the Holy Spirit and Jesus are creatures, more
much as Christ was a simple man.
4. It says that the God of all is one
alone, neither born nor begetter.
–
This is the content of Surah Al-Purification or
The Surah of Unity is directed against Christians, that is, those who
attributes "associations" to God. In
the theology of John Damascene: "we know one God, in three hypostases"”
5.
It says that Christ is the word of God and
His spirit, created but also a servant, and that from Mary, the sister of Moses and Aaron,
born without seed, because "the word and the spirit of God," he says,
„"He entered into Mary and gave birth to Jesus, who was a prophet and servant of
God. "He also says that the Jews, committing a transgression of the law, wanted to kill Him.
crucify Him, and laying hands on Him, they crucified only His shadow, but Christ
himself was not crucified, nor did he die, because God took Him to
Himself in heaven, because He loved Him. It also says that after Christ ascended into heaven
God asked him, saying, „O Jesus, did you say, «I am the Son of God?’”
and God?'" to which Jesus replied: "Have mercy on me, Lord; You
You know I did not say [such a thing], nor do I feel humiliated to be Your servant, but
The lawless men wrote that I said this word, and they lied.
against me, and they are astray.' And he answered God, saying:
„"'I know you didn't say that word.'".
–
John of Damascus knew the Quran and all
Those that are exposed appear in the Quran.
6.
„"And
who bears witness that God gave him [this] writing, or which of
"Which of the prophets predicted that such a prophet would arise?"”
-Still
from the beginning of the chapter John of Damascus calls Muhammad a "false prophet",
and now he analyzes the authenticity of the prophethood. He appeals to
the example of Moses who had as witnesses his people who looked at the mountain
smoking, while Muhammad was sleeping when the book was revealed to him.
–
Although this part does not appear in the Quran, it appears in Muslim tradition in which
He says that Gabriel brought him God's command.
A
Another argument for the assessment of a false prophet is that he accepts a scripture without
witnesses to prove where and how this came from. Their scripture does not tell them
allows them to marry, buy, or do anything without having witnesses.
John of Damascus reproaches Muslims for not asking Muhammad to
give evidence, bring witnesses, as their law requires: "you did not ask him: «"First show us with witnesses that you are
prophet, and that you came from God, and what scripture testifies to this?
you».
7. Muslims are
accuses Christians of being associates/companions. In the Quran it appears
„"God has no son" (Sura 4.169). John of Damascus remains faithful to the Trinity and
names them snipers: „"So you are lying to us,
„"companions," and we call you "sinners" of God."”
8.
Muslims blame Christians
of idolatry because they venerate the cross, and Christians accuse them of venerating
Kaaba: „"They still gossip about us that we are
idolaters, because we worship the Cross"”
-although
In the Quran, Christians are not accused of idolatry directly, as they worship
the cross, yet they do so indirectly as they deny that Christ was crucified
on the cross: "But they did not kill him nor crucify him" (Sura IV)
9. The next part refers to
the titles of the surahs and their content.
–
In the surah "Women" it is summarized to the aspect of marriage and divorce, bringing out
polygamy and the practice of muhallil or repudiation of women are evident.
–
Surah „The Table” – says [Mâmed], he said to him: „I have given you and your companions a table
incorruptible". In the Quran it appears: "O Allah, our Lord!
"Send down to us a new table from heaven that will be our new feast" (Surah Al-Masa.114) "”
I will send it down to you, but whoever does not believe after this, I will
punish with a torment with which I will no longer punish
no one in all the worlds” (115).
-John
Damascene highlights the heretical aspect of Muslims, attempting a
allusion to the Last Supper, Muslims believe that this is the very consumption of
of food within a meal.
In
the last part records aspects of Muslim practices: circumcision,
about banning certain foods, banning drinks and giving up
Sabbath.
Chapter
„"De Haeresibus" must be seen as a writing with the aim of informing about
the content of the Ismaili religion, using verses from the Quran, but also to
combats heresy, appealing to theological arguments from the Old and New Testaments.