Resolving apparent contradictions in the Quran
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Peace All
I was researching the economic values put forward by the quran & found that many people have chosen different verses to support their understandings of what these values are. One person would tend to quote verses a, c & f, while others would tend to quote verses b, d & e depending on the point that they wished to put forward. However, you sometimes find that verse b may contradict verse f. This puzzled me. Has anyone noticed this kind of occurrence in different peoples opinions on the same subject?
I would like to give a quranic example to illustrate.
In 2219 we find that we should spend that which is beyond our needs, while we have inheritance laws that determine how to divide the estate if there is no will. How do we distribute that which we don't have? We also find that there are verses where righteous people have had treasures that were stored somewhere as in the case of Moses & his companion straightening the wall in chapter 18. There was obviously a keeping of what was beyond the need of the person.
While this is a relatively specific example, this theme continues throughout the discussions on the economic values of the quran. There are people propose the the quran promotes a free market economy with social responsibility, while others contend that the quran promotes a very socialist economy. Both sides claiming the quran only the source of their proof.
I have been thinking that the only way to resolve these apparent contradictions is to view the quran as a text for all times (which I am sure most of us here agree to). I would put forward, though, that while there is no abrogation of verses in the quran, certain verses on a particular issue are to be effected when a society is in a particular stage of its development, while other verses may be applied when a society is in a different stage of development
This approach would satisfy the issues regarding slavery, drinking alchohol, economic theory & others I'm sure.
Any thoughts on this?
Imraan
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This approach would satisfy the issues regarding slavery, drinking alchohol, economic theory & others I'm sure.
Any thoughts on this?
Any more examples/verses for/about these? If you show some, I could help you clarify the alleged problems/contradictions.
Peace
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Peace
Any more examples/verses for/about these? If you show some, I could help you clarify the alleged problems/contradictions.
Maybe we should start with the one I mentioned & go from there.
Imraan
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Can you post the verses or give the reference for the thing with Moses?
Thanks. -
Peace
1877 & 1882.
Imraan
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Can you post the verses or give the reference for the thing with Moses?
Thanks.1882 And in respect of the wall - it belonged to two orphan boys of the city, and beneath it was their treasure, and their father was a virtuous man; therefore your Lord willed that they should reach their maturity and remove their treasure; by the mercy of your Lord; and I have not done this at my own command; this is the interpretation of the matters you could not patiently bea
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1877 So they ventured forth until they came to the people of a town. They requested food from its people but they refused to host them. Then they found a wall which was close to collapsing, so he built it. He said, "If you wished, you could have asked a wage for it!"
1882 "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure for them, and their father was a good man, so your Lord wanted that they would reach their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. None of what I did was of my own accord. That is the meaning of what you could not have patience for."
2219 They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, "In them is great harm, and a benefit for people; but their harm is greater than their benefit." They ask you how much are they to give, say, "The excess." Thus, God clarifies for you the signs that you may reflect.
2219 doesnt talk about zakat. It is talking about sadaqah.
Where is the contradiction? Furthermore, the treasure is described as "a mercy from your lord". -
Peace
2219 doesnt talk about zakat. It is talking about sadaqah.
Where is the contradiction? Furthermore, the treasure is described as "a mercy from your lord".I never said anything about zakaat. What is your understanding of the difference between zakaat & sadaqah?
The point about the treasure is that their was "saalih". Yet he accumulated wealth beyond his needs. I see a clear contradiction between accumulating wealth & spending what is beyond your needs or the excess.
Imraan
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I never said anything about zakaat. What is your understanding of the difference between zakaat & sadaqah?
Zakat = contribution towards betterment (obligatory)
Sadaqah = Redemption/expiation donation (not obligatory)The point about the treasure is that their was "saalih". Yet he accumulated wealth beyond his needs. I see a clear contradiction between accumulating wealth & spending what is beyond your needs or the excess.
First of all we must know, that there are no contradictions in the Quran.
482 Do they not reflect on the Quran? If it were from any other than God they would have found many contradictions in it.
We must improve our understanding and ask God for an increased knowledge. We shouldnt be hasty in making conclusions with things we are not sure about.
20114 Then High above all is God, the King, the Truth. Do not be hasty with the Quran before its inspiration is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase my knowledge."
Now back to the subject
1882 "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure for them, and their father was an upright man, so your Lord wanted that they would reach their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. None of what I did was of my own accord. That is the meaning of what you could not have patience for."
Do you still see a contradiction?
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In 2219 we find that we should spend that which is beyond our needs,
The confusion or contradiction emerged because of this translation. Read in conjunction with the instructions on the subject given at other places and the point will become evidently clear. Read it like this
And they ask you as to what is that they should spend. Tell them, "whatever you can spare". -
Peace
Zakat = contribution towards betterment (obligatory)
Sadaqah = Redemption/expiation donation (not obligatory)I agree that zakaat is obligatory. I was wondering what your reason is for saying so & why do you say sadaqah is not obligatory?
First of all we must know, that there are no contradictions in the Quran.
482 Do they not reflect on the Quran? If it were from any other than God they would have found many contradictions in it.
We must make improve out understanding and ask God for an increased knowledge. We shouldnt be hasty in making conclusions with things we are not sure about.
20114 Then High above all is God, the King, the Truth. Do not be hasty with the Quran before its inspiration is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase my knowledge."
I don't believe that there are contradictions in the quran. Hence the topic reads "apparent" contradictions. It is for this very reason that I tried to investigate these apparent contradictions.
Now back to the subject
1882 "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure for them, and their father was an upright man, so your Lord wanted that they would reach their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. None of what I did was of my own accord. That is the meaning of what you could not have patience for."
Do you still see a contradiction?
Still, why did the "saalih" man accumulate wealth beyond his needs? If we are to spend the excess, then we wouldn't have anything to accumulate. But I think we may be closer to resolving this once we establish why you think that sadqah is not obligatory.
Imraan
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I agree that zakaat is obligatory. I was wondering what your reason is for saying so & why do you say sadaqah is not obligatory?
It's an expiation/redemtion donation/charity.
2196 Complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for God. But, if you are prevented, then make what is affordable of donation, and do not shave your heads until the donation reaches its destination. Whoever of you is ill or has an affliction to his head, then he may redeem by fasting or giving a charity (sadaqah) or a sacrifice. But if you are able, then whoever continues the visit until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide what is affordable of donation. If one cannot find anything, then he must fast for three days during the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this will make a complete ten; this is for those whose family is not present at the Restricted Temple. Be conscientious of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.
I don't believe that there are contradictions in the quran. Hence the topic reads "apparent" contradictions. It is for this very reason that I tried to investigate these apparent contradictions.
I was just saying...
Still, why did the "saalih" man accumulate wealth beyond his needs? If we are to spend the excess, then we wouldn't have anything to accumulate. But I think we may be closer to resolving this once we establish why you think that sadqah is not obligatory.
"salih" man = upright man
The orphans got the treasure/part of it when they reached maturity.
1882 "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure for them, and their father was an upright man, so your Lord wanted that they would reach their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. None of what I did was of my own accord. That is the meaning of what you could not have patience for."
Besides, how do you know that they didnt donate some of it?
Also, why are they obliged to do so?Peace
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Still, why did the "saalih" man accumulate wealth beyond his needs? If we are to spend the excess, then we wouldn't have anything to accumulate. But I think we may be closer to resolving this once we establish why you think that sadqah is not obligatory.
Imraan
Who says the man accumulated wealth "beyond his needs"?
Why are you translating "kanz" as wealth? Kanz is simply "money buried in the ground" -
Peace
It's an expiation/redemtion donation/charity.
2196 Complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for God. But, if you are prevented, then make what is affordable of donation, and do not shave your heads until the donation reaches its destination. Whoever of you is ill or has an affliction to his head, then he may redeem by fasting or giving a charity (sadaqah) or a sacrifice. But if you are able, then whoever continues the visit until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide what is affordable of donation. If one cannot find anything, then he must fast for three days during the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this will make a complete ten; this is for those whose family is not present at the Restricted Temple. Be conscientious of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.
I think that this is a very narrow understanding of sadaqah. Look at the other verses where sadaqah appears, and also its root verb meaning & I think you will find that sadaqah is the right a person has.
"salih" man = upright man
The orphans got the treasure/part of it when they reached maturity.
1882 "As for the wall, it belonged to two orphaned boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure for them, and their father was an upright man, so your Lord wanted that they would reach their maturity and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. None of what I did was of my own accord. That is the meaning of what you could not have patience for."
Besides, how do you know that they didnt donate some of it?
Also, why are they obliged to do so?It does not matter whether or not they donated anything if we don't look at the quran as having different injunctions for different stages of community development because then they could have donated if it was appropriate to the stage of development their community was in. However, if the community was in a different stage of development, they may have been required to give over the excess. Besides, I am not referring to the youths, I am referring to their father who had accumulated this wealth. He obviously did not give the excess, yet he was upright.
Anyway, the reason that I asked about the sadaqah being obligatory or not is that we find in 9103 there is an instruction to take sadaqah from their wealth. This is an instruction as far as I understand it. Therefore we see that this is something that must be taken if it is not given.
Imraan
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Peace Samia
Who says the man accumulated wealth "beyond his needs"?
Why are you translating "kanz" as wealth? Kanz is simply "money buried in the ground"I don't think that it matters whether it is wealth or money buried underground. The point is that he had more than he required. If we say that it was not beyond what he needed, then I would concede that this does not pose a contradiction to 2219.
This discussion is not only about these verses though. There is still the issue of 2219 & the verses pertaining to distribution of the estate in the event that there is no will or the will does not account for all the assets. I don't understand how we can distribute to our heirs that which we don't have. Unless maybe all that is to be distributed is what we required for our needs & therefore did not spend it.
The issue here is whether or not different verses apply to different times of the development of a community on the same issue.
There are also apparent contradictions in the case instructions in the quran regarding slaves. We are told how to deal with slaves & yet slavery was obviously abolished.
So what I am saying here is that the same subject in the quran may have different instructions depending on the stage of development a community is in. This would enable a community at any stage of its development to start making the necessary changes slowly in order to attain the quranic ideal.
Imraan
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Peace Mazhar
The confusion or contradiction emerged because of this translation. Read in conjunction with the instructions on the subject given at other places and the point will become evidently clear. Read it like this
And they ask you as to what is that they should spend. Tell them, "whatever you can spare".Can you justify this interpretation linguistically?
Imraan
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Peace progressive
Sadaqah = Redemption/expiation donation (not obligatory)
If we look at 960, we see that sadaqah is described as "fareedah" (from fard), which if I am not mistaken means compulsory.
If his is the case, how do we reconcile this with verses that indicate sadqah being optional?
Imraan
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I think that this is a very narrow understanding of sadaqah. Look at the other verses where sadaqah appears, and also its root verb meaning & I think you will find that sadaqah is the right a person has.
"Other verses" - which?
It does not matter whether or not they donated anything if we don't look at the quran as having different injunctions for different stages of community development because then they could have donated if it was appropriate to the stage of development their community was in. However, if the community was in a different stage of development, they may have been required to give over the excess. Besides, I am not referring to the youths, I am referring to their father who had accumulated this wealth. He obviously did not give the excess, yet he was upright.
I still need to think about this one.
Anyway, the reason that I asked about the sadaqah being obligatory or not is that we find in 9103 there is an instruction to take sadaqah from their wealth. This is an instruction as far as I understand it. Therefore we see that this is something that must be taken if it is not given.
Read in context, and you will see that it confirms my viewpoint
997 The Arabs are the worst in rejection and hypocrisy, and more likely not to know the limits of what God has sent down upon His messenger. God is Knower, Wise.
998 From the Arabs are some who look upon what they spend as a fine, and wait for disasters to befall you. They will have the evil disasters, and God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
999 From the Arabs there is he who acknowledges God and the Last day, and considers his spending as a means towards God, and the support of the messenger. It indeed makes them closer. God will admit them in His mercy; God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
9100 The pioneers of the emigrants and the supporters, and those who followed them in kindness; God has accepted them, and they have accepted Him; and He prepared for them gardens with rivers flowing beneath in which they will abide eternally. Such is the great success.
9101 Among the Arabs around you are hypocrites, as well as from the city people; they are audacious in hypocrisy. You do not know them, but We know them. We will punish them twice, then they will be returned to a great punishment.
9102 Others who have acknowledged their sins, they have mixed good work with bad. Perhaps God will pardon them. God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
9103 Take from their money a charity to purify them and improve them with it, and support them. Your support is tranquility for them; and God is Hearer, Knower.
Peace
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Salaam ICELOSTNOWFOUND
I am not sure if I understand what you mean exactly. Spending what is in access is not equivalent to spending all we have. And you do not spend it all on the first "beggar" or needy, or spend it all in one instant; nor does one receive all their wealth in one go.
Sorry, I seem to explain the obvious, but as I said, I do not understand what you mean.There are also apparent contradictions in the case instructions in the quran regarding slaves. We are told how to deal with slaves & yet slavery was obviously abolished.
If there are instructions regarding slaves, yes I agree there would be contradiction. Since we agree that there shouldn't be any contradiction in the qur'aan, then maybe our understanding that these are "slaves" is wrong, especially that the word "slave" is not used.
I do not think that in the qur'aan there are any instructions concerning slaves. -
I do not think that in the qur'aan there are any instructions concerning slaves.
9010 We guided him to both paths?
9011 But he hardly tries the uphill road.
9012 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road?
9013 The freeing of slaves
9014 Or the feeding on a day of great hardship
9015 An orphan of relation
9016 Or a poor person in needAlso look at http//www.submission.org/islam/slavery.html