Proofs?
- philhoraia
- Nov 22, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 7, 2023
The Quran in a number of passages speaks of proofs. For example in S 2:87 we read:
And we gave Musa the Book and sent the messengers after him. And we gave Isa son of Maryam the proofs and supported him with the Holy Spirit. So has every time a messenger come to you with what your souls do not desire you have been arrogant? So a party you accused of lying and a party you kill.
S 2:92 And Musa came to you with the proofs then you took the calf after him while you are wrongdoers.
S 2:209 Then if you slip after what the proofs have come to you then know that Allah is mighty, wise.
S 2:213 People were one nation then Allah raised the prophets as bearers of good news and as warners and sent down with them the book with the truth to judge between people in what they had differed concerning. And none differed in it except those who had been given it after what the proofs had come to them out of wrong between them. And Allah guided those who had believed in what they had differed in of the truth with his permission. And Allah guides whom he wills to a straight path.
What proofs did the founder of Islam produce in support of his claim to be a prophet or messenger?
In S 3:183 we read: Those who said: Allah has recognised from us that we should not believe a messenger until he brings us a qurban which the fire consumes. Say: Messengers came before me with the proofs and with what you speak. So why did you kill them if you are truthful?
He accepts what these Jews say, so where is the sacrifice consumed by fire from heaven?
Regarding messengers and miracles: Quran Inconsistency: Did the Messengers Perform Miracles?
بَيِّنَة
- A particular piece of evidence - Information accounting for believing something - Set of answers to exercise - Act of confirming or being confirmed - Continued steadly effort to achieve something - Declaration or statement of fact under oath or evidence. - An act of explaining and showing how something works or is done - evidence; proof; affirming; assertion Translation and Meaning of بينة
S 2:111 And they said: None will enter the Jannah but those who were Jewish or Nasara. Those are their desires. Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.
S 4:174 People, proof has come to you from your lord and we have sent down to you a clear light.
S 12:24 And she desired him and he would have desired her had he not seen his lord’s proof. Thus that we might avert from him the evil and the fahisha. He is of our sincere slaves.
S 21:24 Or have they taken gods instead of him? Say: Bring your proof. This is a remembrance for him who is with me and a remembrance for him who was before. But most of them do not know the truth so they are averse.
S 23:117 And he who invokes with Allah another god, he has no proof therein. Then his account is only with his lord. The kafirun do not succeed.
S 27:64 Or he who begins the creation then repeats it and he who provides you from the sky and the Earth? Is there a god with Allah? Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.
S 28:32 Insert your hand into your pocket. It comes out white without evil. And gather to you your wing from fright. So those are two proofs from your lord to Fir’awn and his chiefs. They were fasiq people.
S 28:75 And we withdrew from every nation a witness and said: Bring your proof. So they knew that the truth is Lah’s and what they used to fabricate strayed from them.
بُرْهان
- A particular piece of evidence - Set of answers to exercise - Act of confirming or being confirmed - Giving of support to a case - Act of giving support or approval to - Declaration or statement of fact under oath or evidence. - attestation; demonstration; evidence; proof; testimony; witness; advocacy; affirming; assertion
If he was a messenger or prophet, why did he effectively deny being one when he erased his self-assumed title?
Narrated Al-Bara: When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to perform the `Umra he sent a person to the people of Mecca asking their permission to enter Mecca. They stipulated that he would not stay for more than three days and would not enter it except with sheathed arms and would not preach (Islam) to any of them. So `Ali bin Abi- Talib started writing the treaty between them. He wrote, "This is what Muhammad, Apostle of Allah has agreed to." The (Meccans) said, "If we knew that you (Muhammad) are the Messenger of Allah, then we would not have prevented you and would have followed you. But write, 'This is what Muhammad bin `Abdullah has agreed to..' " On that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Allah, I am Muhammad bin `Abdullah, and, by Allah, I am Apostle of 'Allah." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used not to write; so he asked `Ali to erase the expression of Apostle of Allah. On that `Ali said, "By Allah I will never erase it." Allah's Apostle said (to `Ali), "Let me see the paper." When `Ali showed him the paper, the Prophet (ﷺ) erased the expression with his own hand. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had entered Mecca and three days had elapsed, the Meccans came to `Ali and said, "Let your friend (i.e. the Prophet) quit Mecca." `Ali informed Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Yes," and then he departed.
An interesting article: Muhammad's False Prophecies
Regarding miracles as proofs, there is the obvious problem of a messenger's not performing them. And the founder of Islam was obviously unable to perform one. If the Quran is a miracle and is his proof, then there is the problem of Allah's having been prevented from giving them. S 17:59 So how could the Quran be a miracle?
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