Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Author
Sheikh Dr. Akram Barakat
Introduction:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most
Merciful
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Let Allah bestow his blessings on his apostles in their
entirety, especially their seal Muhammad the son of
Abdullah and his purified household.
The moon crescent of the 1434 AH Ramadan
emerged with its blessings. Once again, meetings were
held within the mosque in the midst of the noon prayers,
during which my soul and the souls of my fellow
prayers nourished with spirituality. For them, this year I
chose subjects about the prophets of Allah the Exalted.
I collected these subjects in this book and named it,
They ask you about the prophets. It should complete
its previous book, They ask you about Allah, which
encountered great admiration, distributing twelve
thousand copies in only one year, with three editions.
My aim behind this book is to provide clear answers
Lesson [1]
How to find our way to perfection?
This question is based on the issue established in the
previous book, They ask you about Allah, that Allah
the Exalted created us in order to reach our perfection.
The summary of the previous book of discussions
was that Allah the Exalted is the Omni Rich. He is
the one and only primary reason for the creation of all
creatures; and from Him derives all perfections that we
experience in this universe. He is alive, all-knowing,
powerful, generous, and hence wise because a lack of
wisdom leads to the placing of objects in their wrong
positions, which takes place only because of:
1- Needfulness, whereas Allah the Exalted is Omni
Rich.
2- Ignorance, whereas Allah the Exalted is allKnowing.
3- Powerlessness, whereas Allah the Exalted is powerful.
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Lesson [2]
How do we establish that the Quran is
the miracle of our present time?
(1) Rhetoric Inimitability
When following up the biographies of those who
claimed prophecies, it becomes evident that their
miracles were useful for their ages, especially when they
challenged the most advanced developments taking
place during those ages. Moses (pbuh), for instance,
presented the miracles of the staff, stone, white radiant
hand, at a time when magic was widespread. Jesus
(pbuh) presented the miracle of bringing life back to
the dead and healing the sick at a time when medication
was widespread, especially when Palestine and Syria
at the time of Jesus (pbuh) were colonized by Greece,
which was famed for medication.
These kinds of miracles can be useful for conviction
during their times or the times that link to them.
However, they are not valid for continuity regarding
all times. It is clear that immortality must hold the
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Lesson [3]
How do we prove that the Quran is an
everlasting miracle?
(1) Scientific Inimitability
Prior to the presentation of the Quranic verses
that point to the inimitability of the holy Quran, we
must draw attention to the scientific causes, laws and
theories presented.
Laws are the solid and fixed equations that cannot
be affected by any change. Theories, on the other hand,
are equations that rise upon subjective foundations,
however, they are liable to change and modification.
Based on the preceding, it is not right to interpret
the Quranic verses according to theories because it
would result in a methodological error and might lead
to shaking trust in the holy Quran when a theory is
changed. Therefore, the scientific inimitability of the
Quranic verses must be confined to the fixed laws.
Accordingly, our presentation continues with the
following titles.
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Count
Word
Count
Day
365 times
Number of
days in a
year
Month
12 times
Number of
months in a
year
World
115 times
Afterlife
115 times
Life
24 times
Death
Woman
145 times
Satan
11 times
Phrases
to Seek
protection
11 times
Angels
88 times
50 times
Devils
Corruption
88 times
309 years
Allah in
narrating
their story
309 words
Man
Benefit
Period of stay
of the cave
Companions
inside their
cave
145 times
24 times
50 times
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Word
Count
The letters
of the Arabic
sentence,
In the name
of Allah,
the Entirely
Merciful, the
Especially
Merciful
19 letters
Arabic
words of the
challenge
verse:
Say, If
mankind
and the jinn
gathered
in order to
produce the
like of this
Quran,
they could
not produce
the like of
it, even if
they were to
each other
assistants.
19 words
Word
Count
Letter Qaf
in Surat
Qaf
57:
it derives
from number
19
(19x3=57)
Number of
Qaf letters in
Surat AshShra (The
Consultation)
57:
it derives
from
number 19
(19x3=57)
285:
Letters of Ya
it derives
& Sin in
from
Surat Y-Sn
number 19
(Ya Sin)
(19x15=285
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Lesson [4]
Was the Quran safe from distortion?
Asking this question comes in a natural context for
someone who is convinced that the Quran is a miracle
and is the book and words of Allah the Exalted. In
adopting the verses of the holy Quran, it is extremely
important that we verify the above question.
The meaning of distortion
There are two basic meanings of distortion. They
are:
1- Explanatory distortion: not interpreting the Quran
according to its true meaning. Definitely, this
question does not include this type of distortion
because its occurrence does not affect the Quran
in being a miracle. For example: interpreting the
Quranic verses that talk about the hand of Allah and
his face, eyes and leg, leading to the materialization
of Allah the Exalted.
2- Verbal distortion: includes several meanings. We are
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kneeling in prayers.
Nonetheless, some people interpreted this verse
in the form that it targeted the humbly submissive
kneelers.
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Lesson [5]
Why some people claim that the Quran
has been distorted?
How do we address their claim?
Despite the aforementioned clear evidence that the
Quran has not distorted by increase or imperfection,
still, a part of those who deviated from the Sunnites
and Shiites claimed that the holy Quran was missing a
number of the Quranic verses.
The reason behind this issue is due to the existence
of reports in the accounts of the Muslim Sunnites and
Shiites, which are being comprehended in the sense
that the Quran is still missing some of the revelation
that came down from Allah the Exalted.
On this issue, a number of the scholars of the Sunnites
emerged with comments. For example, Egyptian
scholar Ibn al-Khatib Muhammad-Muhammad Abdul
Khatib wrote a book about the distortion of the Quran,
which he named al-Furqan in 1948. He filled it with
reports that relay ideas concerning the distortion of
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How do we respond?
The previous methodology that we established
necessitates that we steer the stories that can be
directed in a different direction that must harmonize
with clearing the holy Quran from any distortion.
Otherwise, their fate will be denial and rejection.
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Lesson [6]
Is the Quran sufficient to explain the way
to mans perfection?
We understand from the aforementioned material
that the one capable of explaining the way to mans
perfection, in our present time, is the holy Quran.
However, the question remaining, does this mean that
the believer can, by simply reading the verses of the
Quran, learn the way that leads to perfection?
There is no doubt that the main role of the holy Quran
is to shed light on the way to perfection and guidance.
Allah the Exalted said, This is the Book about which
there is no doubt; a guidance for those conscious of
Allah. However, in being so, this does not mean that it
can independently state the detailed program that helps
one follow the way of guidance. This luminosity and
guidance can be achieved through its indication and
direction to a source that contains the entire program
of mans perfection.
This is exactly what happened. For instance, the holy
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Lesson [7]
What proves that the Prophet is inerrant or
protected from wrongdoings?
We understand from the previous subjects that
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hh) is inerrant pertaining
to delivering the message as well as pertaining to
his actions and decisions. This issue drags us to ask
questions about the inerrancy of the prophets in general
regarding wrongdoings, especially in light of the few
verses that do not harmonize with such inerrancy.
Hence, the question is: What is the evidence to the
prophets inerrancy or protection from wrongdoings?
It is necessary for this question to be advanced by a
question about the meaning of inerrancy.
1- What is the meaning of inerrancy?
Answer:
A- The meaning of inerrancy according to linguistics:
Note that the Arabic term to inerrancy is Esmah
with its past verb [Asama]. Ibn Faris said: asama
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but at the same time his reports tell us that they sinned,
describing them with negative descriptions?
The divine wisdom renders us contemplate while
reading theses verses in order to understand them in
the sense that agrees with that wisdom. We will clarify
this issue, God willing, as we address them next.
B- The traditional proof to the inerrancy of
prophets
Let alone the two previous coherent findings to the
prophets inerrancy, the holy Quran stressed on this
inerrancy when the Exalted said:
By Your pride, I will surely mislead them all;
except, among them, Your chosen servants.
Allah the Exalted repeated this meaning in His
words, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive
to them on earth, and I will mislead them all; except,
among them, Your chosen servants.
The term I will mislead them means I will make
them deviate. Misleading causes deviation from the
right path (aberration). Moreover, the term I will make
[disobedience] attractive to them brings to surface the
method for this attraction. This means decorating and
changing the ugly picture to present it as beautiful.
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Lesson [8]
Can an inerrant person perpetrate a
wrongdoing?
Allah the Exalted providing the prophets with
inerrancy, what does it mean?
Does this mean that Allah the Exalted coercively
prevents them from sinning?
The coercive inerrancy
Some people answered yes; that inerrancy is
coercive, imperative and necessary. Based on this issue,
when the inerrant person inclines to do wrong, Allah
the Exalted will interfere and influentially prevent him
from doing wrong. They give an example to this idea
saying that Prophet Joseph, when inclined to the wife
of al-Azeez and almost slipped into wrongdoing, Allah
the Exalted interfered and prevented the prophet (pbuh)
from committing sin by force and coercion.
They also justify the explanation of inerrancy in
the sense of coercion by saying that Allah the Exalted
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Lesson [9]
What is the secret behind Allahs invitation
to his Prophet Muhammad to ask forgiveness
for his faults?
In His holy Quran, Allah the Exalted mentioned
several verses in which he called upon His Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh&hh) to ask forgiveness for his
faults. The Exalted said:
And ask forgiveness for your sin
Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask
forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever accepting of
repentance.
Indeed, We have given you, [O Muhammad], a
clear conquest; That Allah may forgive for you what
preceded of your sin and what will follow
How do we address the interpretation of these
verses with our conviction in the inerrancy of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh&hh) while using the previous
rational evidence?
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Special answer
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Conclusion:
First: Fault does not always mean sin nor
is considered as disobedience to the obligatory
commandments of Allah the Exalted.
Second: Fault can be attributed to a good deed
within itself; however, this depends on the stature of
certain people and their priorities.
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Lesson [10]
How do we explain Adams fault?
Many verses of the holy Quran talk about the fault of
Prophet Adam (pbuh). Some of these verses are clear
regarding Adams fault such as in His holy words,
And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. In some of
its parts, the verse details Satans whispering to Adam
deluding him to eat with his wife from the tree, such as
in His holy words:
But Satan whispered to them
But Satan caused them to slip out of it
So he made them fall, through deception
Some verses declare the repentance of Adam (pbuh),
such as in His holy words, Then Adam received from
his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance.
Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the
Merciful.
How do we explain this fault of Adam (pbuh)?
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Lesson [11]
How do we explain the verses that mention
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) regarding dogma
and behavior?
Several verses of the holy Quran mentioned the
intimate friend of Allah the Exalted, His prophet
Abraham (pbuh). One time they mention his faith
in Allah the Exalted. Other times, they mention his
behavior, which might delude some people, thinking
that the verses disfigure his stature of inerrancy. Here
we present some events of his story.
Abraham and the godhead of the planets
Allah the Exalted said, And thus did We show
Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that
he would be among the certain [in faith]. So when
the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star.
He said, This is my lord. But when it set, he said,
I like not those that disappear. And when he saw the
moon rising, he said, This is my lord. But when it set,
he said, Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be
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right path. When the morning arrived and the sun rose
with its larger size and brighter light, he repeated his
disapproving explanation saying (this is my lord!), and
justified this issue saying (this is bigger!), which created
doubt in the minds of the worshippers of both Venus
and the moon, although this issue did not necessitate
their conversion. But, when it set and disappeared,
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) grabbed the chance to repeat
his disapproving explanation saying that disappearance
was not a quality of divinity in an attempt to encourage
people to convert to worshiping Allah the Exalted, the
ever existent, the creator of planets, skies and earth.
Hence he said, O my people, indeed I am free from
what you associate with Allah. Indeed, I have turned
my face toward He who created the heavens and the
earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who
associate others with Allah.
Therefore, the attitude of Abraham (pbuh) did not
express a progressive conviction of his. Instead, it was a
method of protest and persuasion to convince his people in
the unity of Allah the Exalted. Allah the Exalted clarified
this issue saying, And that was Our [conclusive]
argument which We gave Abraham against his people.
The aforementioned issues explain the answer of
Imam Ar-Ridah (pbuh) to the question of Al Mamun.
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Lesson [12]
How do we explain the verses that mention
Prophet Moses (pbuh) regarding dogma
and behavior?
Several verses of the holy Quran narrate the story of
the prophet and speaker of Allah Moses (pbuh). One
time they mention his faith in Allah the Exalted while
other times his behavior. Some people might falsely
understand the meaning of these verses in a sense that
tarnishes his stature of inerrancy. We will address this
case as follows.
Moses (pbuh) manslaughter
Allah the Exalted said, And he entered the city at
a time of inattention by its people and found therein
two men fighting: one from his faction and one from
among his enemy. And the one from his faction called
for help to him against the one from his enemy, so
Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him.
[Moses] said, This is from the work of Satan. Indeed,
he is a manifest, misleading enemy.
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Lesson [13]
Was David (pbuh) mistaken in his judgment?
Allah the Exalted said, And has there come to you
the news of the adversaries, when they climbed over the
wall of [his] prayer chamber. When they entered upon
David and he was alarmed by them? They said, Fear
not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged
the other, so judge between us with truth and do not
exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path. Indeed this,
my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe;
so he said, Entrust her to me, and he overpowered me
in speech. [David] said, He has certainly wronged you
in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. And
indeed, many associates oppress one another, except
for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and
few are they. And David became certain that We had
tried him, and he asked forgiveness of his Lord and fell
down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance
[to Allah]. So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him
is nearness to Us and a good place of return. [We said],
O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon
the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do
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Lesson [14]
What is the secret behind Jonahs (pbuh)
anger and injustice, and Allahs leniency
towards him?
Yunus Bin Matta [Prophet Jonah the son of
Amathi (pbuh)]
Before we answer this question, let us examine the
house inside which Prophet Jonah (pbuh) has been
raised, the house of his father Amathi (pbuh). Imam
As-Sadiq (pbuh) was quoted as saying, Prophet David
(pbuh) said: O Lord, tell me who is my companion in
heaven and my peer in my level. Allah the Exalted
inspired him that this is Amathi the father of Jonah.
Therefore, he asked Allahs permission to visit him
and he was granted permission. Consequently, he and
his son Suleiman departed until they reached his place.
They saw a house that was made of tree leaves. They
were told that he was at the market Seek him with the
seekers They sat waiting for his arrival. Suddenly,
he arrived with a pile of firewood on his head. He put
down the wood and praised Allah the Exalted and said:
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Contents
Introduction:............................................................................................................. 7
How to find our way to perfection?................................................. 9
How do we find the way?..............................................................11
How do we recognize the true prophets?........................11
Elements of the miracle....................................................................12
The Outcome..............................................................................................15
What is the miracle in our present time?.........................15
How do we establish that the Quran is the miracle of
our present time?................................................................................................19
Eloquence......................................................................................................23
Knowledge...................................................................................................26
Back to start.................................................................................................35
How do we prove that the Quran is an everlasting
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miracle?........................................................................................................................37
Was the Quran safe from distortion?...........................................49
The meaning of distortion..............................................................49
Evidence in proving the nonexistence of distortion
by imperfection...............................................................................................51
Evidence of the prophetic tradition (Sunnah) in
preserving the Quran..................................................................................53
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