Differences
Analysis · argument tier
Questions raised about the text
Linguistic, historical, scientific and internal-consistency questions, verse by verse. Each item is an argument, with the sources it cites and a place for the responses.
Browse by category
All categoriesHistorical · old site “Historical”
Statements set against the historical record.
60
Open question
31% of items
60 original · 0 proposed · old “Question”
39
Linguistic
20% of items
39 original · 0 proposed
24
Internal contradiction
13% of items
24 original · 0 proposed · old “Quranic Contradiction”
24
Historical background
13% of items
24 original · 0 proposed · old “Historical Background”
21
Historical
11% of items
21 original · 0 proposed
15
Ambiguity
8% of items
15 original · 0 proposed
5
Parallels with earlier sources
3% of items
5 original · 0 proposed · old “Copied from other sources”
3
Scientific
2% of items
3 original · 0 proposed
0
Geographical
0% of items
0 original · 0 proposed
Each item is filed under one category from the old site's list (its most specific one); the other categories it carries still show as tags.
- 2:35 Historical Ambiguity Argument Allah said to Adam and his wife that they may eat whatever they desire in Eden but adds, “...but do not draw near this tree, or ye will be of the transgressors” (Q 2.35). The use of the definite article this indicates that the he…
- 2:552 verses Historical AmbiguityOpen question Argument This verse describes a scene from Moses’ journey with the Israelites in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. According to al-Tabarī’s commentary, prior to this response from Moses (verse 55), he was with a group of Jewish people w…
- 2:61 Historical Argument The Old Testament mentions that as the people of Israel were running away from Pharaoh and his soldiers, they arrived at the edge of the sea, where they could go no further. There, in the depth of their despair, they said to Mose…
- 2:62 Historical Open question Argument This verse puts the Jews, Christians, Sabaeans, and Muslims into one group (the believers in Allah) and promises them their reward at the end of time (Q 2.62). Another verse, Q 5.69, repeats this promise word for word. However, i…
- 2:652 verses Historical Argument This verse talks about the residents of a Jewish village who break the sanctity of the Sabbath. The exegetes explain that these Jews defiled the Sabbath by fishing on that day, “so Allah metamorphosed them into monkeys because of…
- 3:32 verses Historical AmbiguityHistorical background Argument These verses address Muhammad, stating that the book that came down to him “is confirming to what was sent down before of Allah’s books, which he had sent down upon his prophets and messengers.” It is “confirming…what they have t…
- 3:353 verses Historical Argument This text tells us of ‘Imrān’s wife, who is Hannah, according to the scholars. When she felt that she was pregnant, she offered what was in her womb as a servant to Allah. However, after she delivered, she discovered that the bab…
- 3:55 Historical Open question Argument Allah is addressing Jesus, telling him that Allah will deliver him from those who rejected him (Jews). Allah also promises Jesus that Allah will make Jesus’ followers (Christians) above the disbelievers and that Allah will judge …
- 7:1282 verses Historical Argument This text refers to a promise made by Moses to the people of Israel, stating that they will inherit the land of Egypt. While the verse does not specifically say “Egypt,” verse 129 talks about Allah destroying the enemy (in this c…
- 7:133 Historical Argument This verse mentions only five plagues that fell on the Egyptians: “Then we sent upon them the flood and the locusts and the lice and the frogs and the blood....” However, according to the biblical account, ten plagues were sent a…
- 11:44 Historical Argument According to the Islamic narrative, the journey’s end for Noah’s boat occurs when it settles on a mountain called “Gûdî.” The choice of this mountain for landing, according to Islamic commentators, is mentioned in two of the earl…
- 11:5010 verses Historical Open question Argument Islamic commentators mention that Hūd is the son of ‘Abd Allah Ibn Rabāh Ibn al-Julūd Ibn ‘Ād Ibn ‘Aws Ibn Irm Ibn Sam Ibn Noah. They also state that Hūd was sent as a messenger to ‘Ād, a pagan tribe in the region of Hadramout in…
- 12:83 Historical Argument Jacob tells his sons upon their return from Egypt, “It may be that God will give me them all together.” What does the reference “them all” mean here? According to al-Bayďāwī, Jacob is referring to Joseph and Benjamin and their br…
- 12:93 Historical Open question Argument It is not clear in the verse how the shirt would return sight to Jacob. The Islamic literature provides an attempt to explain this mystery by stating that the shirt originally belonged to Abraham. It was sent to him from heaven, …
- 13:13 Historical Argument This verse presents two issues: Personification and symbolism of thunder The verse states that the thunder celebrates the praises of Allah. The expression “the thunder celebrates His praise” is explained as “thunder magnifies All…
- 17:101 Historical Argument It is stated in the text that Moses was brought “nine manifest signs.” Islamic scholars mention that the nine signs are the five plagues that came down on the Egyptians, as mentioned in Q 7, and the rest are miracles. The Torah (…
- 19:56 Historical Argument The verse mentions the name Idrīs, a name that is not mentioned in ancient histories. Muslim exegetes say that he was a prophet who was lifted up to heaven. This description points to Enoch as the one called Idrīs in the Qur’ān. …
- 20:96 Historical Argument According to Muslim exegetes, what is mentioned in the verse is that the Samaritan saw “the footprint of the messenger”. The Samaritan took a handful of dirt from the footprint of the horse and cast it into the fire, saying, “‘Be…
- 21:782 verses Historical Argument The text deals with a judicial dispute that was arbitrated by David and Solomon. The cause of the dispute is not mentioned in the Qur’ānic text. Muslim exegetes state that the issue concerned sheep that had entered a planted land…
- 21:85 Historical Argument The identity of Dhū al-Kifl is unknown, and this verse does not offer more information about him. Islamic scholars offer various opinions concerning Dhū al-Kifl. A prophet (whose name is unknown) from the people of Israel was i…
- 25:38 Historical Argument The verse mentions “people of ar Rass.” Al-Rass is the name of a well. Regarding the identity of these people, Muslim exegetes offer the following disparate opinions: The people of the town of Thamūd. The people of a town in Yamā…