Quran Issues
The Quran is complete and has no missing verses or chapters, as it has been perfectly preserved.
Quick answer
Christian apologists argue that there are historical narrations indicating that certain verses and chapters of the Quran have been abrogated or are missing. This raises questions about the completeness and preservation of the Quran as claimed by Muslims.
Full argument
In the Islamic tradition, it is often asserted that the Quran has been perfectly preserved since its revelation. However, various Hadiths, such as those narrated by Anas bin Malik, suggest that there were verses that were once recited but later abrogated or cancelled. For instance, the narrations describe a specific verse concerning martyrs that was revealed but subsequently removed from the Quran. This indicates that there may be gaps in the Quranic text that are not acknowledged in mainstream Islamic belief.
Moreover, the concept of abrogation (Naskh) in Islamic theology allows for the idea that some verses were meant to be temporary or context-specific. This raises further questions about the integrity of the Quran as a complete and unaltered text. If verses can be abrogated, it suggests that the Quran may not be the final, complete revelation as claimed.
Additionally, the existence of narrations claiming that entire surahs are missing adds another layer of complexity to the assertion of the Quran's preservation. These reports challenge the notion that the Quran is wholly intact and have led some Christian apologists to argue that the Quran does not fulfill the criteria of a perfect scripture, as it is subject to changes and omissions over time.
Key verses
Matthew 5:18bible
For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
John 10:35bible
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:106quran
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it or similar to it.
Related articles
More in Quran Issues
- Allah created men and jinn to be fuel for the fire of hell, predestining their fate to either be saved or punished.
- How can Allah be considered trustworthy when Satan accuses Him of misleading and deceiving him?
- The Quran describes Allah with physical attributes such as a face, hands, and a shin, which implies that Allah has a physical form like humans.
- Islam teaches that Allah can perform miraculous events, such as preserving a man and his donkey for a hundred years and raising a talking beast.
- How can Allah be sovereign if both His throne and Satan's throne are said to be upon the water?