Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Studies of Quran

A Critical Analysis of the Subcontinent's Qur'anists' Perspective on Miracles Based on the Interpretations of the Two Schools of Thought

Document Type : Original

Author
Ph.D. in Comparative Qur’anic exegesis, University of Qom, Lecturer, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Belief in the existence of miracles is one of the accepted principles by most Muslims, and many verses and hadith narrations also refer to this issue, however, some Qur’anists of the Indian subcontinent have denied this. The Qur'anists have been classified into two groups in this regard. One group accepts the miracles related to the period before the Prophet (PBUH) and the other group has denied the existence of miracles due to its conflict with the laws of nature. The latter group referred to some verses of the Qur'an to establish its claim and interpreted it based on metaphorical meanings and allegorical interpretation and considered it to be against the laws of nature. The verses include: 1. Verse on the splitting of the moon. 2. Verses on the birth of Jesus (PBUH) and his speech in the cradle. 3. The verses of the angel appearing to Maryam (PBUH) and the preparation of heavenly food for her.
The findings after examining the opinions of the Qur’anists are: 1. On the splitting of the moon, the word "Ayah”in the second verse of Surah Qamar [Qur’an 54] refers to the miracle of the splitting of the moon, and the interpretation "Mustamir”refers to the incessant miracles of the Prophet of Islam (PBUHH), in which the splitting of the moon was its continuation. 2. God affiliates Jesus (PBUH) to his mother, which is a sign of not having a father, and also his speaking in the cradle is considered a miracle. 3. In verse 37 of Surah Al-Imrān [Qur’an 3], the word "provision”is mentioned without a definite article "Alif”and "Lam", and this is an indication that the mentioned provision was not common food among people, and it was simply a miracle for Lady Maryam (PBUH). The present research aims to evaluate the opinions of the Qur’anists of the subcontinent using a descriptive-critical research method, relying on the statements of the scholars of the two schools of thought
Keywords

Subjects


Holy Qur’an
Nahj al-Balaghah (The translation of Dashti)
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Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 16
January 2024
Pages 10-211

  • Receive Date 14 October 2023
  • Revise Date 18 February 2024
  • Accept Date 12 January 2024
  • Publish Date 22 December 2023