Misconceptions

ENGLISH

Many misconceptions stem from Quranic Verses. These misconceptions arise for several reasons, including quoting the Ayaat (Verses) out of context, a limited understanding of Arabic—the original language of the Quran—and a lack of necessary knowledge to fully grasp the text.

I will list some misconceptions and their answers from Muslim scholars that I have checked and studied before sharing with you.

This is an important topic, and if God wills, I will list them here and add my comments whenever I get time as they are many.

SWAHILI

Dhana nyingi potofu zinatokana na kutokufahamu vizuri kwa Aya za Qur’an, Dhana hizi potofu hujitokeza kwa sababu kadhaa, ikiwa ni pamoja na kunukulu Aya au kipande cha Aya nje ya mitiririko ya Aya (Out of Context) katika kurasa za Kuruani, Kutokufahamu kwa Lugha ya Kiarabu ambayo ni lugha asilia Iliyoshushwa Quran—na ukosefu wa elimu mbalimbali ambazo zinahitajika ili kufahamu Kuruani Vizuri na Kwa Ukamilifu.

Nitaorodhesha baadhi ya Masuali ya dhana hizo potofu na majibu yake kutoka kwa wanazuoni wa Kiislamu ambazo nimezichunguza na kuzisoma vizuri kabla ya kukushirikisha katika ufahamu huu.

Hii ni mada muhimu, na Mungu akipenda nitaziorodhesha hapa na kuongeza maoni yangu mara kwa mara nitakapopata nafasi kwani Masuali ya aina hii ni mengi.

HOW MANY DAYS THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND EARTH FROM THE QURAN

QUESTION NUMBER 1-

Why the first below verse states that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days, while the second verse mentions that Allah created the earth in two days and established mountains and sustenance in four days, totalling six days. Then, He created the heavens in two days, adding up to eight days.

How can we reconcile these two verses?

“Indeed, your Lord is Allah , who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds.”
[Al-A’raf 7:54]

“Say, “Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds.”

“And He placed on the earth firmly set mountains over its surface, and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures’] sustenance in four days without distinction – for [the information] of those who ask.“

“Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, “Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion.” They said, “We have come willingly.”

“And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.“

[Fussilat 41:9-12]

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

This is an issue which confuses some people, and some of them think that Allah created the heavens and the earth in eight days.

This is a misunderstanding, and the answer to it is as follows:

There is no contradiction between the time period mentioned in these verses and the other verse which says that it was six days.

In these verses – from Surat Fussilat – we see that Allah is telling us that He “created the earth in two Days”.

Then He “placed therein (i.e. the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers)” in four days equal– i.e., in two days that were added to the two days in which He created the earth, so the total is four days. It does not say that the creation of the mountains and the measuring of the sustenance took four days.

Perhaps the confusion which is mentioned in the question stems from this, i.e., from thinking that the four days are added to the two days in which the earth was created , equalling six, and then adding the two days in which the heavens were created (“Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days ”) – making a total of eight days, not six days. But this confusion can be dispelled by dealing with this mistaken notion. So the earth was created in two days, and the mountains were created and the sustenance measured in two more days which makes a total of four, i.e., this took the other two days. Then the creation of the seven heavens took two days. So the total is six days of the Days of Allah , may He be Glorified and Exalted.

The commentators of the Quran commented on this fact which deals with the mistaken notion. Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“in four days” – this is like someone saying, “I set out from Basra to Baghdad in ten days and to Kufa in fifteen days, i.e., a total time of fifteen days.” (Al-Jami` li Ahkam Al-Quran, vol. 15, p. 343).

Al-Baghawi said: “in four days” means the creation of what is in the earth. The measuring of the sustenance was on Tuesday and Wednesday, which along with Sunday and Monday add up to four days. This is like saying “I married a woman yesterday and today I married two” – one of whom is the woman whom he married the day before.” (Tafsir Al-Baghawi, 7/165)

Al-Zajjaj (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “in four days” means two days added to the previous two days.” (Al-Kashshaf, vol. 3, p. 444)

These verses – from Surat Fussilat – confirm the other verse, which says that the creation of the heavens and the earth was completed in six days. So there is no contradiction concerning the period in which Allah created the heavens and the earth. There cannot be any such contradictions in the Quran..

Summary of answer

The earth was created in two days, and the mountains were created and the sustenance were measured in two more days which makes a total of four. Then the creation of the seven heavens took two days making the total six days of the Days of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted.

Allah knows best. I believe that the word EARTH in the below Verse refers to the Earth Planet which is the Earth within the broader context of the solar system and beyond.
“Indeed, your Lord is Allah , who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds.”
[Al-A’raf 7:54]

This perspective encompasses:

The Complete Blue Planet which Encompasses All the Systems such as Physical Earth, Rain, Geology, Atmosphere, Solar, Mountains, Volcanos Sustenance and All Other Systems which is required for the preparation of life on the earth And this was done under Allah’s Blessings.

And in the verses below the word earth means not the complete Blue Planet but some of Earth Physical Body which took 2 days and then Allah added on the same Verse that it took 2 more days to create systems required for the formation of mountains and growing sustenance for all the creatures. And this was done under Allah’s Blessings.

“Say, “Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds.”

“Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, “Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion.” They said, “We have come willingly.”

[Fussilat 41:9-12]

This perspective includes:

Physical Earth, Wind, Solar System, Rain, Weather and Blessings of Allah.

This is the reason why Allah mentioned 6 days in one Verse for the heavens and Earth Planet and then he mentioned how he created the Earth in 2 equal stages which each took 2 days totalling 4 days. 2 days for the Ground Earth and 2 days for Mountains, Blessing and Sustenance.

In Arabic The word Earth has 2 meanings. The First Meaning is Land/ Ground, Surface of the Earth and the second meaning is Earth Planet. Allah used these two meanings in separated Verses so that we understand the creation stages properly.

And Allah knows best.

WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE HUMAN GESTATION PERIOD FROM THE QURAN

QUESTION NUMBER 2

The Question relates to the length of gestation from the Quran. If the command for nursing is 24 months, a normal period of time; and man reaching 40 years of age is a normal condition, then we would expect the first part of the below Quranic phrase concerning gestation to be speaking about a usual period of gestation (nine months); and not an unusual period of six months, which is really an illness. And this is why some people get confused.

Obviously there is no problem with 24 months weaning period. After many years of pushing bottle feeding, doctors are returning to the idea that the breast-feeding of babies is much to be preferred, even in developed countries.

The third verse, however, gives 30 months as the total for gestation and nursing.
30 months minus 24 months, leaves only 6 months for the period of gestation, but normal gestation lasts 9 months.
Yusuf Ali understood that there was a problem, so he has a note speaking of this six months as “the minimum period of human gestation after which the child is known to be viable.
This is in accordance with the latest ascertained scientific facts.” The reader might have been happy with that basic assumption when Yusuf Ali wrote it.
The verse goes on at length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me…..
Such a statement speaking about 40 years seems to be for every normal man, not for some special circumstance.

could you please explain?

The verses which give information concerning the duration of nursing are as below.

“And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the”[final] destination.(Luqman 31:14) :

“Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do”.(Al-Baqarah 2:233) :

“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.”(Al-Ahqaf 46:15)

ANSWER

In fact, Yusuf Ali has already given the answer. There is no contradiction among the three verses talking about the duration of breastfeeding or gestation. The three verses you mentioned in the Quran limit the recommended period for breastfeeding to 24 months. In the third verse, from Surat Al-Ahqaf, the duration of both gestation and breastfeeding is altogether 30 months.

This means that the duration of gestation could, in some rare cases, be six months, and that a normal labor with good survival potential could start from the sixth month of pregnancy.

The question that arises here is why should God give us the minimum rare case to demonstrate the issue instead of the normal case?

The answer is related to the unparalleled precision of the Quranic language. The Quran is the source of a strong legal system, which rules over people’s lives and the language should be accurate.

In the case you are talking about, if the duration of pregnancy is stated to be only that of nine months, and that the only viable babies are those born after nine months, this will lead to legal confusion concerning the issue of paternity.

The following story may demonstrate how Allah’s keenness to mention the minimum rather than the normal period of gestation helped to clear up a very thorny legal matter:

In one important incident, a woman gave birth after six-months of pregnancy; her husband, seeing the baby is alive and healthy, thought that his wife became pregnant from an affair before marrying him—on the assumption that normal labor only occurs after 9 months—therefore, he denied paternity and went to the ruler, Uthman ibn Affan.

Although the woman cried and affirmed the boy’s legitimacy, the Caliph, on hearing the case, ordered the woman to be sentenced to death for adultery.

The story reached Ali ibn Abi Talib, who was known for his unparalleled knowledge of every single word in the Quran. He askedUthman, “What are you doing?” `Uthman answered, “She gave birth to a perfect child after six months! How could this happen?”

Ali Answered, “Don’t you read Quran?” ‘Uthman answered, “Yes, I do.” Ali asked, “Haven’t you heard God saying:

“…..and the carrying of him and the weaning of him is thirty months” Then saying, “Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years.” Then the difference between the two periods together and the period of nursing becomes six months.”

`Uthman said, “By God, I hadn’t recognized this perfection before”. And he set the woman free.

Thus, God had to state all possible cases for the duration of gestation for legal considerations, especially when related to a sensitive issue like that of paternity and women’s honor.

The second part generally speaks about any human being repenting at the age of forty, there is no any issue or contradiction. wether the gestation period is 6 or 9 months it doesn’t matter as it’s not guaranteed that the baby born after 6 months Gestation period will not be normal.

SOLUTIONS TO THE INHERITANCE CALCULATIONS

Due to Misconception some people may think that there are mathematical errors in the Qur’an – exalted and glorified be Allah above that and
I will present one example of the Heritance Case which will shed light to this type of wrong conception.

QUESTION NUMBER 3

If a person dies and the heirs are three daughters, his parents and his wife. The result of the calculation may confuse people and think that there are errors in the Quran.

For example, if the deceased left 1000 dinars and the heirs are three daughters, his parents, and his wife, the Qaadhi (judge) would need 1125 dinars to distribute to them according to the calculation. Below is an example to illustrate this and provide clarity.

The share of the three daughters is 2/3 (Two Thirds), [Quran An-Nisa’ 4:11];
The share of the parents is 1/6 (One Sixth) + 1/6 (One Sixth) = 1/3 (One Third) [Quran An-Nisa’ 4:11];
The wife’s share = 1/8 (One Eight) [Quran An-Nisa’ 412].

Therefore From the Quran;
The Share of 3 Daughters will be 16 parts from 24 parts of the share
The Share of Each Parent will be 8 Parts from 24 parts of the share
The Share of the wife will be 3 parts from 24 parts of the share
27 Shares will be required but there are only 24 parts of the share

For Example
2/3 + 1/3 + 1/8= LCM is 24 and therefore 16/24 + 8/24 + 3/24
16/24 + 8/24 + 3/24=27/24

And if the Share was 1000 Dinars then the result we get shows the Heirs will require 1125 which is 125 More Dinars than the Heritage itself
16/24×1000=666.67
8/24 x 1000=333.33
3/24 x 1000=125.00
666.67 + 333.33 + 125.00=1125
So this is the Query which some people doesn’t understand. Quran has already given us with Data at a precision level and now it’s for scholars to do their job. We should not expect that everything is ready made and therefore we have to think and come up with solutions. Allah (God) Expects us to work and not sleep.

ANSWER

To solve this query is to divide the Share again to 27 parts (Equal to the Heirs Parts mentioned in the Quran) so that each person gets his or her share equally. The scholars of inheritance knew this case and explained it clearly and this type of case and similar others were also explained and solved many centuries back by using different practical calculations which were easy for them and different to the Mathematical Terminology we know today. In today’s mathematical language we can explain as below:
It is a case where the sum of the prescribed shares is greater than the inheritance or in mathematical language it’s when Nominator is Greater than Denominator. So by taking the LCM of 1/6 along with other 3 fixed sharers, we get 24 as a LCM and by adding up all the numerators of the fixed sharers after taking LCM 24 the total shares amount to 27/24, which exceeds unity i.e. numerator is greater than dominator, how is it possible to give 27 out of 24, so in order to tackle this situation, the doctrine of Increase (AWL) is applied, that is to increase the Common Denominator i.e. 24 to 27 and the said 27 is the sum total of the numerators of fixed sharers after taking LCM 24, so thereby the share of each sharers is rateably reduced.

For Example
If we calculate the above example that the deceased left behind 1000 dinars and when we do some simple calculation by adding the Denominator to be equal to the Numerator we will get the result 100% correct
16/27 + 8/27 + 3/27=27/27 – We change LCM to 27
Now the calculation will be 100% correct if we divide the parts of the estate from 24 to 27
-3 Daughters=16/27 x 1000=592.59 (Each Daughter will get 197.53)
-Father and Mother=8/27 x 1000=296.30 (Father will get 148.15 and mother 148.15)
-Wife=3/27 x 1000=111.11
Total=592.59 + 296.30 + 111.11=1000

And Allah knows best.