Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 22)

Author: Mohajer Azizi

Analysis and Criticism of Modernism in the Light of Islam (Part 22)

Consensus Evidence for the Authenticity of the Quran

The Islamic Ummah is unanimous in Quran authenticity, and the evidence of this is conclusive. No Muslim denies it, and whoever denies it has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Allamah Muhammad Ibrahim Hafnawi has said about the conclusive authenticity of the Quran: “According to the consensus of the Islamic Ummah, the Holy Quran is the first source of legislation in Islam; therefore, adhering to it and to its commands is essential. Since the Holy Quran is the foundation of Islam, it is undoubtedly the main source of Islamic culture. Thus, all the teachings of Islam – including beliefs and thoughts, values and ethics, religious worship and rituals, customs and behaviors and laws – return to the Quran in their foundation, because this heavenly book laid their foundations and established their pillars. In addition, the Quran contains truths about the unseen world, the human soul, individual and social life, and also expresses divine traditions and signs of Allah within souls and the vastness of the horizons; truths that no human being is in need of knowing and being guided by.” [1]

Ibn Hazm al-Zahiri (may Allah bless him) said: “When it has been made clear through evidence and miracles that the Quran is Allah’s covenant with us, and He has obligated us to believe in it and act in accordance with it, and when it has been definitively proven through universal narration that this Quran is the same as that which is written in the Mushafs and known throughout the Islamic world, then it is necessary to submit to what is stated in it. Therefore, the Quran is the first source and reference; because we find in it that Allah says: “We have not left out anything in this Book.” [2] Therefore, whatever is commanded and forbidden in the Quran, one must abide by it (i.e., accept and act upon it), and there is no difference between any of the sects affiliated with Islam – whether Sunnis, Mu’tazilah, Khawarij, Murji’ah, or Zaydi – in the obligation to act upon the Quran.” [3]

Amadi (may Allah bless him) said: «اتَّفَقوا على أنَّ ما نُقِل إلينا مِن القُرآنِ نَقلًا مُتَواتِرًا، وعَلِمنا أنَّه مِن القُرآنِ؛ أنَّه حُجَّةٌ.» Translation: “Everyone is agreed that what has been conveyed to us from the Holy Quran continuously and we have known that it is undoubtedly from the Quran is undoubtedly considered as a definitive proof and argument.” [4]

Allamah Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah bless him) said: “As for the methods of deriving the Sharia rulings that we talk about in the principles of jurisprudence, they are by the consensus of the Muslims: the Book. None of the Imams disagreed about this.” [5]

Intellectual and miraculous evidence for the authenticity of the Quran

Although the Quran is a book that does not require any evidence to prove it, every person with intelligence and insight will know as soon as he looks at it which it is not an earthly book that was compiled by any human being; rather, it is extraterrestrial and from the Creator of the universe. Because, deviant people like Western modernists have a negative and biased view of the Quran and its authority; hence, we will prove its authority through intellect and miracles as follows:

1. Islamic law is a fundamental and important necessity for humanity and human society; because its laws are completely in accordance with human nature and encompass all aspects of human life. Today, scholars and scientists have realized the wisdom and miracle of Quranic rulings through extensive research and have realized that the Quran is the source of law and has saving laws that are in harmony with human nature. In contrast, man-made laws and systems are flawed and distorted and have not been able to manage human society properly. For this reason, even Western thinkers and some Westerners have sometimes expressed dissatisfaction with democracy and human laws. From the perspective of intellect, it is also proven that the Quran is the word of Allah and the highest authority for legislation.

2. The Quran has been transmitted continuously from generation to generation, no other religious book in the world has such integrity and certainty. Therefore, as the main source of Sharia, it has complete validity.

3. Another reason for the authenticity of the Quran from the point of view of intellect is that the Quran contains the principles of belief, moral rules, religious and transactional rules, and a social and political system. No other source has such comprehensiveness.

4. Miraculous reason: Despite its brevity in expression, the Holy Quran contains many meanings. This divine book has reported events that had occurred before its revelation and no one except Allah was aware of; it also spoke of events that only a small group of people knew about, and the news of the Quran was completely consistent with reality. In addition, the Quran has predicted the occurrence of future events, which have also come true. The Quran has stated the traditions and laws governing the universe, the correctness of which has been revealed by subsequent scientific research.

Although the Quran is in Arabic, it has a high, unparalleled and extraordinary eloquence; with the amazing harmony of verses and chapters and the internal continuity between them. Also, the profound impact of the Quran on hearts and souls, whether when listening to it or reciting it, is a clear evidence of miracle.

Despite the passage of centuries, the verses of the Quran have been preserved from any change and transformation and its words have been safe from distortion; and all this shows without a doubt that the Quran is not the speech of human, but the speech of the Lord of glory and majesty. [6]

Based on the above explanations, the authenticity of the Quran is proven in terms of narration and intellect, and there is no doubt about it. Those who (including modernists) do not acknowledge the authenticity of the Quran, this is due to their misunderstanding and blindness. Therefore, the Quran is a clear and solid book and was revealed by the Creator of the worlds to the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him). The important purpose of its revelation is to guide people to the right and proper path and save them from the misfortunes and darkness of disbelief and ignorance. The laws of the Quran are not limited to one time – as modernists believe that the Quran is historical and exclusive to a specific people and time – but the laws of the Quran encompass all humanity and all ages and times, and have the ability to manage and lead people in every age and time; as the Quran itself declares that its message and laws are universal, comprehensive and eternal, not specific to one geography and era: «و ماارسلناک إلا کافة للناس بشیرا و نذیرا» Translation: “And We have not sent you except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner to mankind.” [7] meaning that the mission of the Prophet and the Quran is for all people until the Day of Judgment.

Continues…

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References:

1. Muhammad Ibrahim Hafnawi, Fundamental Studies in the Holy Quran, p. 91.
2. An’am: 38.
3. Al-Ahkam, vol. 1, p. 96.
4. Ibid, vol. 1, p. 160.
5. Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu’ al-Fatawa, vol. 11, p. 339.
6. Al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Quran, Qurtubi: 1/72-75; Al-Qat’ wa al-Zunn, Shathri: 1/152-153.
7. Saba’: 28.