Qur'anic contradictions

Qur'an contradictions occur when two or more verses, approached from a literalist perspective, state two or more things that cannot simultaneously be true. Qur'an contradictions are internal errors (errors in relating the Qur'an to itself), not external errors.

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“”Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity.
—Qur'an 4:82 on the non-contradictory nature of the Qur'an
“”These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain.
—Qur'an 26:2 on the clarity of the Qur'an.[note 1]

Different Qur'ans

Who wrote the Qur'an?

Muslims believe that Allah wrote the Qur'an, verbatim, and that Muhammad merely transcribed it.[1][2]

However, the entire first surah is a prayer to Allah.

Numerous other verses have similar issues.

  • Qur'an 6:114 states: "Shall I seek other than Allah for judge, when He it is Who hath revealed unto you (this) Scripture, fully explained? Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is revealed from thy Lord in truth. So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers." The first two sentences refer to Allah in the 3rd person as "Allah" and "thy Lord", while in third sentence Allah talks to "thou (O Muhammad)".
  • Qur'an 37:164 states: "There is not one of us but hath his known position." Does Allah have a known position in space?[note 2]
  • Qur'an 37:168-169 states: "If we had but a reminder from the men of old we would be single-minded slaves of Allah." Does Allah require a reminder from humanity in order to be a single-minded slave of himself?
  • Qur'an 37:180-181 states: "Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him) and peace be unto those sent (to warn)." Is Allah referring to himself in the third person again?
  • Qur'an 37:182 states: "And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!" Is Allah praising himself again?
  • Qur'an 51:50-51 states: "Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from him. And set not any other god along with Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from Him." Muhammad is the "plain warner", not Allah; so why is Allah referring to himself as a "plain warner"?
  • Qur'an 51:58 states: "Lo! Allah! He it is that giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might." Is Allah referring to himself in the 3rd person again?
  • Qur'an 84:15 states: "Nay, but lo! his Lord is ever looking on him!" Is Allah referring to himself in the 3rd person again?
  • Qur'an 84:16-19 states: "Oh, I swear by the afterglow of sunset, and by the night and all that it enshroudeth, and by the moon when she is at the full, that ye shall journey on from plane to plane." Is Allah swearing by these objects? Why would he need to, when he's Allah and his Word is TruthTM?

Qur'an 6:94-105 is the worst offender, with 5 switches of narrative person in 11 verses: "[1st person] Now have ye come unto Us solitary as We did create you at the first, and ye have left behind you all that We bestowed upon you, and We behold not with you those your intercessors, of whom ye claimed that they possessed a share in you. Now is the bond between you severed, and that which ye presumed hath failed you. [3rd person] Lo! Allah (it is) Who splitteth the grain of corn and the date-stone (for sprouting). He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and is the bringer-forth of the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then are ye perverted? He is the Cleaver of the Daybreak, and He hath appointed the night for stillness, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. And He it is Who hath produced you from a single being, and (hath given you) a habitation and a repository. We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have understanding. He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, and therewith [1st person, mid-sentence] We bring forth buds of every kind; We bring forth the green blade from which We bring forth the thick-clustered grain; and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes, and the olive and the pomegranate, alike and unlike. Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who believe. [3rd person] Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn, although He did create them, and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto Him. Glorified be He and High Exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him). The Originator of the heavens and the earth! How can He have a child, when there is for Him no consort, when He created all things and is Aware of all things? Such is Allah, your Lord. There is no Allah save Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He taketh care of all things. Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtile, the Aware. Proofs have come unto you from your Lord, so whoso seeth, it is for his own good, and whoso is blind is blind to his own hurt. [1st person] And I am not a keeper over you. Thus do We display Our revelations that they may say (unto thee, Muhammad): "Thou hast studied," and that We may make (it) clear for people who have knowledge."

Has the Qur'an been abrogated in any way?

The Qur'an has doctrine in which later Qur'an verses take precedent, or "abrogate" previous verses.[3] This doctrine is based on several Qur'an verses; however, the Qur'an says that the Qur'an can never be changed or abrogated.

Never!
  • "Yet ye it is who slay each other and drive out a party of your people from their homes, supporting one another against them by sin and transgression? - and if they came to you as captives ye would ransom them, whereas their expulsion was itself unlawful for you - Believe ye in part of the Scripture and disbelieve ye in part thereof? And what is the reward of those who do so save ignominy in the life of the world, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be consigned to the most grievous doom. For Allah is not unaware of what ye do," (Qur'an 2:85).
  • "Messengers indeed have been denied before thee, and they were patient under the denial and the persecution till Our succour reached them. There is none to alter the decisions of Allah. Already there hath reached thee (somewhat) of the tidings of the messengers (We sent before)," (Qur'an 6:34).
  • "Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower," (Qur'an 6:115).
  • "Theirs are good tidings in the life of the world and in the Hereafter - There is no changing the Words of Allah - that is the Supreme Triumph," (Qur'an 10:64).
  • "And recite that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Scripture of thy Lord. There is none who can change His words, and thou wilt find no refuge beside Him," (Qur'an 18:27).
Only in order to replace verses with "better" verses:
  • "Nothing of our revelation (even a single verse) do we abrogate or cause be forgotten, but we bring (in place) one better or the like thereof. Knowest thou not that Allah is Able to do all things?" (Qur'an 2:106).
  • "And when We put a revelation in place of (another) revelation, - and Allah knoweth best what He revealeth - they say: Lo! thou art but inventing. Most of them know not," (Qur'an 16:101).


Different supernatural entities

Is Allah merciful?

Frequently, the Qur'an tells us that Allah is merciful, or on the contrary that He sends people to eternal, terrible doom.

So which is it?

Allah is merciful:
  • Allah is "the Beneficent, the Merciful". (Qur'an 1:1, 1:3, 2:163)
  • Allah is "the relenting, the Merciful". (Qur'an 2:37, 2:54, 2:128, 2:160)
  • Allah is "Full of Pity, Merciful toward mankind". (Qur'an 2:143)
  • Allah is "Forgiving, Merciful". (Qur'an 2:173, 2:182, 2:192, 2:199, 2:218)
Allah is vengeful:
  • "As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not. Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom." (Qur'an 2:7)
  • "Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment." (Qur'an 4:56)
  • "Lo! those who disbelieve and deal in wrong, Allah will never forgive them, neither will He guide them unto a road, except the road of hell, wherein they will abide for ever." (Qur'an 4:168-169)
  • "The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger and strive after corruption in the land will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. Such will be their degradation in the world, and in the Hereafter theirs will be an awful doom." (Qur'an 5:33)
  • "And the dwellers of the Fire cry out unto the dwellers of the Garden: Pour on us some water or some wherewith Allah hath provided you. They say: Lo! Allah hath forbidden both to disbelievers (in His guidance)." (Qur'an 7:50)


Who leads people astray?

Allah leads disbelievers astray:

  • "As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not. Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering," (Qur'an 2:6-7).
  • "We have placed upon their hearts veils, lest they should understand, and in their ears a deafness," (Qur'an 6:25).
  • "As for him whom He sendeth astray, for them thou wilt find no protecting friends beside Him, and We shall assemble them on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf; their habitation will be hell; whenever it abateth, We increase the flame for them. That is their reward because they disbelieved Our revelations," (Qur'an 17:97-98).
  • "Lo! on their hearts We have placed coverings so that they understand not, and in their ears a deafness. And though thou call them to the guidance, in that case they can never be led aright," (Qur'an 18:57).

Allah doesn't lead people astray after he guides them:

  • "It was never Allah's (part) that He should send a folk astray after He had guided them until He had made clear unto them what they should avoid. Lo! Allah is Aware of all things," (Qur'an 9:115).
  • "And naught hindereth mankind from believing when the guidance cometh unto them, and from asking forgiveness of their Lord unless (it be that they wish) that the judgment of the men of old should come upon them or (that) they should be confronted with the Doom," (Qur'an 18:55).

Iblis leads everyone astray:

  • "He [Iblis] said: Now, because Thou hast sent me astray, verily I shall lurk in ambush for them on Thy Right Path," (Qur'an 7:16).

Iblis leads disbelievers, but not Muslims, astray:

  • "He [Iblis] said: My Lord! Because Thou hast sent me astray, I verily shall adorn the path of error for them in the earth, and shall mislead them every one, Save such of them as are Thy perfectly devoted slaves [Muslims]," (Qur'an 15:39-40).
  • "He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one, Save Thy single-minded slaves [Muslims] among them," (Qur'an 38:82-83).

Devils lead disbelievers astray:

  • "Seest thou not that We have set the devils on the disbelievers to confound them with confusion?" (Qur'an 19:83).

Does Allah forgive everything?
Allah forgives if forgiveness is sought:
  • "Yet whoso doeth evil or wrongeth his own soul, then seeketh pardon of Allah, will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful." (Qur'an 4:110)
  • "Say: O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Qur'an 39:153)
Allah never forgives some things:
  • "Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him." (Qur'an 4:48)
  • "Lo! Allah pardoneth not that partners should be ascribed unto Him." (Qur'an 4:116)
  • "Those who believe, then disbelieve and then (again) believe, then disbelieve, and then increase in disbelief, Allah will never pardon them." (Qur'an 4:137)
  • "Those who disbelieve and deal in wrong, Allah will never forgive them." (Qur'an 4:168)
  • "Ask forgiveness for them (O Muhammad), or ask not forgiveness for them; though thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times Allah will not forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger." (Qur'an 9:80)
  • "Those who disbelieve and turn from the way of Allah and then die disbelievers, Allah surely will not pardon them." (Qur'an 47:34)
  • "They believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed so that they understand not. .... And when it is said unto them: Come! The messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you! they avert their faces and thou seest them turning away, disdainful. Whether thou ask forgiveness for them or ask not forgiveness for them is all one for them; Allah will not forgive them." (Qur'an 63:3-6)


Who tells devils to be friends of disbelievers?
Allah Himself:
  • "We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not." (Qur'an 7:27)
The disbelievers:
  • "A party hath He led aright, while error hath just hold over (another) party, for lo! they choose the devils for protecting supporters instead of Allah and deem that they are rightly guided." (Qur'an 7:30)


Is Iblis an angel or a jinn?
Angel:
  • "And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disbeliever," (Qur'an 2:34).
  • "And We created you then fashioned you, then told the angels: Fall ye prostrate before Adam! And they fell prostrate, all save Iblis, who was not of those who make prostration," (Qur'an 7:11).
  • "So, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My Spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him. So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together. Save Iblis. He refused to be among the prostrate," (Qur'an 15:28-31).
  • "And when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, they fell prostrate (all) save Iblis; he refused," (Qur'an 20:116).
  • "When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire, And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate, The angels fell down prostrate, every one, Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers," (Qur'an 38:71-74).
Jinn:
  • "He said: What hindered thee that thou didst not fall prostrate when I bade thee ? (Iblis) said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire while him Thou didst create of mud," (Qur'an 7:12). [Note: Jinn were created from fire (Qur'an 15:27, 55:15).]
  • "And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you ? Calamitous is the exchange for evil-doers," (Qur'an 18:50).
  • "He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay," (Qur'an 38:76).


Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


Does Allah distinguish between his messengers?
Yes:
  • "Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree," (Qur'an 2:253).
No:
  • "We make no distinction between any of His messengers," (Qur'an 2:285).


Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


Different Muhammads

Does Muhammad take a fee?
Yes, pay up:
  • "Whatever ye take as spoils of war, lo! a fifth thereof is for Allah, and for the messenger and for the kinsman." (Qur'an 8:41)
  • "Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. Allah is Hearer, Knower." (Qur'an 9:103)
No:
  • "Thou askest them no fee for it." (Qur'an 12:104)
  • "Follow those who ask of you no fee." (Qur'an 36:21)
  • "I ask of you no fee." (Qur'an 42:23)
  • "Or askest thou (Muhammad) a fee from them so that they are plunged in debt?" (Qur'an 52:40)
  • "Or dost thou (Muhammad) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed?" (Qur'an 68:46)


Different histories

What were humans created from?

Water:

  • "Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createth what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things," (Qur'an 24:45).
  • "And He it is Who hath created man from water, and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage; for thy Lord is ever Powerful," (Qur'an 25:54).
  • "So let man see from what he is created! He is created from a water gushing forth. Proceeding from between the back-bone and the ribs," (Qur'an 86:5-7).

A clot:

  • "Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth, Createth man from a clot," (Qur'an 96:1-2).

Clay/mud:

  • "He it is Who hath created you from clay, and hath decreed a term for you. A term is fixed with Him. Yet still ye doubt!" (Qur'an 6:2).
  • "Verily We created man of potter's clay of black mud altered," (Qur'an 15:26).
  • "And (remember) when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter's clay of black mud altered," (Qur'an 15:28).
  • "He [Iblis] said: I am not one to prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter's clay of black mud altered!," (Qur'an 15:33).
  • "Who made all things good which He created, and He began the creation of man from clay;" (Qur'an 32:7).
  • "When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire, And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate," (Qur'an 38:71-72).
  • "He created man of clay like the potter's," (Qur'an 55:14).

Dust:

  • "Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is. (This is) the truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver," (Qur'an 3:59-60).
  • "And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!" (Qur'an 30:20).
  • "Allah created you from dust, then from a little fluid, then He made you pairs (the male and female). No female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. And no-one groweth old who groweth old, nor is aught lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a Book, Lo! that is easy for Allah," (Qur'an 35:11).

Fluid (often interpreted as semen):

  • "He hath created man from a drop of fluid, yet behold! he is an open opponent," (Qur'an 16:4).
  • "Who made all things good which He created, and He began the creation of man from clay; Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid;" (Qur'an 32:7-8).
  • "Allah created you from dust, then from a little fluid, then He made you pairs (the male and female). No female beareth or bringeth forth save with His knowledge. And no-one groweth old who groweth old, nor is aught lessened of his life, but it is recorded in a Book, Lo! that is easy for Allah," (Qur'an 35:11).

Nothing:

  • "Doth not man remember that We created him before, when he was naught ?" (Qur'an 19:67).

Was Heaven or Earth created first?
Heaven:
  • "Are ye the harder to create, or is the heaven that He built ? Which was created first, heaven or earth? He raised the height thereof and ordered it; And He made dark the night thereof, and He brought forth the morn thereof. And after that He spread the earth," (Qur'an 79:27-30).
Earth:
  • "He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth. Then turned He to the heaven, and fashioned it as seven heavens. And He is knower of all things," (Qur'an 2:29).
  • "Say (O Muhammad, unto the idolaters): Disbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days, and ascribe ye unto Him rivals ? He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days, alike for (all) who ask; Then turned He to the heaven when it was smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: We come, obedient. Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower," (Qur'an 41:9-12).


Did Pharaoh's wizards believe Moses?
Yes:
  • "And the wizards fell down prostrate, Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, The Lord of Moses and Aaron," (Qur'an 7:120-122).
No:
  • "But none trusted Moses, save some scions of his people, (and they were) in fear of Pharaoh and their chiefs, that he would persecute them. Lo! Pharaoh was verily a tyrant in the land, and lo! he verily was of the wanton.," (Qur'an 10:83).


Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


Different morals

Do all Christians go to Hell?
Yes, belief in Jesus as the son of God guarantees Hell:
  • "They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers." (Qur'an 5:72)
No, belief in Allah and good acts can save them:
  • "Those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans — whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (Qur'an 2:62)
  • "Lo! those who believe, and those who are Jews, and Sabaeans, and Christians — Whosoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (Qur'an 5:69)


How should Jews and Christians be treated?
With mercy:
  • "Many of the people of the Scripture long to make you disbelievers after your belief, through envy on their own account, after the truth hath become manifest unto them. Forgive and be indulgent (toward them) until Allah give command. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things," Qur'an 2:109.
With swords:
  • "Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low. And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!" (Qur'an 9:29-30).


Is consuming alcohol acceptable?
Alcohol is good:
  • Wine provides nourishment:
    • "And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers. And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, whence ye derive strong drink and (also) good nourishment. Lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who have sense," (Qur'an 16:66-67).
      Tafsir:
      "(And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you derive strong drink) This indicates that it was permissible to drink it before it was forbidden. It also indicates that strong drink (i.e., intoxicating drink) derived from dates is the same as strong drink derived from grapes. Also forbidden are strong drinks derived from wheat, barley, corn and honey, as is explained in detail in the Sunnah. [...] (strong drink and a goodly provision.) Ibn `Abbas said: "Strong drink is the product of these two fruits that is forbidden, and the good provision is what is permitted of them. According to another report: "Strong drink is its unlawful, and the goodly provision is its lawful, referring to the fruits when they are dried, like dates and raisins, or products derived from them such as molasses, vinegar and wine (of grapes, dates) which are permissible to drink before they become strong (becomes alcoholic), as was stated in the Sunnah. [...] (There is indeed a sign in this for those of reason.) It is appropriate to mention reason here, because it is the noblest feature of man. Hence Allah forbade this Ummah from drinking intoxicants, in order to protect their ability to reason. Allah says: [...] (And We placed gardens of date palms and grapes in it, and We caused springs of water to gush forth in it. So that they may eat of its fruit - while their hands did not make it. Will they not then give thanks Glory be to Him Who created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not,)" Ibn KathirFile:Wikipedia's W.svg[4]
  • There are rivers/springs of wine in Heaven:
    • "A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised: Therein are rivers of water unpolluted, and rivers of milk whereof the flavour changeth not, and rivers of wine delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of clear-run honey; therein for them is every kind of fruit, with pardon from their Lord. (Are those who enjoy all this) like those who are immortal in the Fire and are given boiling water to drink so that it teareth their bowels?" (Qur'an 47:15).
    • "Lo! the righteous verily are in delight, On couches, gazing, Thou wilt know in their faces the radiance of delight. They are given to drink of a pure wine, sealed, Whose seal is musk - for this let (all) those strive who strive for bliss - And mixed with water of Tasnim, A spring whence those brought near (to Allah) drink, (Qur'an 83:22-28).
Alcohol is bad:
  • Alcohol's harms are worse than its benefits:
    • "They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect," (Qur'an 2:219).
  • Alcohol is the work of Satan:
    • "O ye who believe! Strong drink and games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an infamy of Satan's handiwork. Leave it aside in order that ye may succeed. Satan seeketh only to cast among you enmity and hatred by means of strong drink and games of chance, and to turn you from remembrance of Allah and from (His) worship. Will ye then have done?" (Qur'an 5:90-91).


Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


Different numbers

How many angels spoke to Mary?
Just one angel:
  • "And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, and had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art God- fearing. He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that may bestow on thee a faultless son." (Qur'an 19:16-19)
More than one angel:
  • "And when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee and made thee pure, and hath preferred thee above (all) the women of creation." (Qur'an 3:42)
  • "(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah)." (Qur'an 3:45)


How many angels fought for Muhammad?
3000:
  • "Allah had already given you the victory at Badr, when ye were contemptible. So observe your duty to Allah in order that ye may be thankful. When thou didst say unto the believers: Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should support you with three thousand angels sent down (to your help)?" (Qur'an 3:123-124).
1000:
  • "And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words, and cut the root of the disbelievers; That He might cause the Truth to triumph and bring vanity to naught, however much the guilty might oppose; When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank. Allah appointed it only as good tidings, and that your hearts thereby might be at rest. Victory cometh only by the help of Allah. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise," (Qur'an 8:7-10).


How long did Allah take to make the heavens and the earth?
Six days:
  • "Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!" (Qur'an 7:54).
  • "Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then He established Himself upon the Throne, directing all things. There is no intercessor (with Him) save after His permission. That is Allah, your Lord, so worship Him. Oh, will ye not remind ?" (Qur'an 10:3).
  • "And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His Throne was upon the water - that He might try you, which of you is best in conduct. Yet if thou (O Muhammad) sayest: Lo! ye will be raised again after death! those who disbelieve will surely say: This is naught but mere magic," (Qur'an 11:7).
  • "And verily We created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six Days, and naught of weariness touched Us," (Qur'an 50:38).
  • "He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days; then He mounted the Throne. He knoweth all that entereth the earth and all that emergeth therefrom and all that cometh down from the sky and all that ascendeth therein; and He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah is Seer of what ye do," (Qur'an 57:4).
Eight days"
  • "Say (O Muhammad, unto the idolaters): Disbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days, and ascribe ye unto Him rivals ? He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days, alike for (all) who ask; Then turned He to the heaven when it was smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: We come, obedient. Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower," (Qur'an 41:9-12).


Not contradictions

The following have been raised as contradictions, but don't appear to actually be contradictory.

Can Allah have a son?
No, Allah has no consort:
  • "Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn, although He did create them, and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto Him. Glorified be He and High Exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him). The Originator of the heavens and the earth! How can He have a child, when there is for Him no consort, when He created all things and is Aware of all things?" (Qur'an 6:100-101)
Yes, Allah can do anything:
  • "If Allah had willed to choose a son, He could have chosen what He would of that which He hath created." (Qur'an 39:4)


Qur'an 39:4 states that Allah can make any entity that he created have the status of being his son. This doesn't conflict with Qur'an 6:100-101, which just states that Allah doesn't have any "biologically"-produced offspring.

Was the Egyptian Pharaoh drowned or saved?
Drowned:
  • "He said: In truth thou knowest that none sent down these (portents) save the Lord of the heavens and the earth as proofs, and lo! (for my part) I deem thee lost, O Pharaoh. And he wished to scare them from the land, but We drowned him [the Pharaoh] and those with him, all together," (Qur'an 17:102-103).
  • "Therefor We seized him [the Pharaoh] and his hosts, and abandoned them unto the sea. Behold the nature of the consequence for evil-doers!" (Qur'an 28:40).
  • "So, when they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them every one [of the Pharaoh and his hosts]," (Qur'an 43:55).
Saved:
  • "And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts pursued them in rebellion and transgression, till, when the (fate of) drowning overtook him, he exclaimed: I believe that there is no God save Him in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender (unto Him). What! Now! When hitherto thou hast rebelled and been of the wrong-doers ? But this day We save thee in thy body that thou mayst be a portent for those after thee. Lo! most of mankind are heedless of Our portents," (Qur'an 10:90-92).


However, Qur'an 10:90-92 isn't saying that Allah will keep the Pharaoh alive -- Allah's saying that he'll use the Pharaoh's body as evidence (a "portent") of how lethally vengeful he is! (Out of his infinite mercy, of course.) It's hard to use a living person as proof of your intent to kill.[5]

Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:
  • "Was Pharaoh drowned or saved?" by Muslim Answers[5]


Did Allah drown one of Noah's sons in the Flood?
See the main article on this topic: Global flood
Yes:
  • "Noah cried unto his son and he was standing aloof — O my son! Come ride with us, and be not with the disbelievers. He said: I shall betake me to some mountain that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: This day there is none that saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom He hath had mercy. And the wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned," (Qur'an 11:42-43).
No:
  • "And Noah, when he cried of old, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from the great affliction," (Qur'an 21:76).
  • "And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer. And We saved him and his household from the great distress, And made his seed the survivors," (Qur'an 37:75-77).


Unfortunately for Noah's son, Allah was only saving Noah's household. The son was not one of Noah's household, because Allah said so:

"And Noah cried unto his Lord and said: My Lord! Lo! my son is of my household! Surely Thy promise is the truth and Thou are the Most Just of Judges. He said: O Noah! Lo! he is not of thy household; lo! he is of evil conduct, so ask not of Me that whereof thou hast no knowledge. I admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant," (Qur'an 11:45-46).

Praise be to Allah, the merciful! That son (and the other trillion living things on Earth) definitely deserved brutal, watery death.

Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


Can a man treat his wives fairly?
Yes:
  • "And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess. Thus it is more likely that ye will not do injustice," (Qur'an 4:3).
No:
  • "Ye will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives, however much ye wish (to do so). But turn not altogether away (from one), leaving her as in suspense. If ye do good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful," (Qur'an 4:129).


Qur'an 4:3 states that it's acceptable to marry up to four females, if you can act equitably between them. Qur'an 4:129 states that said equality is impossible, meaning that Qur'an 4:3 never comes into play. While having both is counterintuitive and stupid, it's not a contradiction.

Proponents of the contradiction: Opponents of the contradiction:


How long is a day for Allah?
1,000 years:
  • "A Day with Allah is as a thousand years of what ye reckon." (Qur'an 22:47)
  • "He directeth the ordinance from the heaven unto the earth; then it ascendeth unto Him in a Day, whereof the measure is a thousand years of that ye reckon." (Qur'an 32:5)
50,000 years:
  • "Unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years." (Qur'an 70:4)


The latter "Day" is the day of judgement, which is presumably special.

gollark: That's... essentially identical?
gollark: `eval`-based compression has the disadvantage of requiring a very apiopermissive content security policy.
gollark: I bet the extra -20KB hides some sort of insidious apioviroid.
gollark: That isn't suspicious at all.
gollark: Greetings, mortal.

See also

Notes
  1. See also 2:2, 27:1, 44:58, 54:17, 54:22, 54:32, and 54:40.
  2. Some BON thinks that, in this verse, "us" refers to angels. The Arabic word-by-word translation does not make this clear. Even if this is true, the point remains: the Qur'an is supposed to be written by Allah, not angels, so why did they get a turn to speak?

References
  1. http://www.missionislam.com/quran/whowrote.htm
  2. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Bible/Quran.html
  3. http://www.meforum.org/1754/peace-or-jihad-abrogation-in-islam
  4. http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2965&Itemid=71
  5. https://sites.google.com/site/muslimanswers/Home/contradictions/pharaoh


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