Originally Posted by
Quest4Glory
You and I are different ends on a spectrum in the sense that I was a big believer in Islam and the more research I did as I was rethinking organized religion is when I became disassociated with it and I came to the realization that Islam was also manmade.
I also used to be so fascinated by the Qur'an's literature, poetic flow and how people memorized it. It is also said Prophet Mohammed was illiterate and that it is a miracle he was able to recite all of the Qur'an. But then I looked in to the history and that was very achievable since during the pagan Arab era they used to be huge on poetry and the tribes used to do memorizations in the same way. A lot of the famous poets were also illiterate. Poetry was one of their main source of communication.
The Qur'an was also not always in its true form from the beginning. The way it was collected was a political process. Tthe original Qur’an was created during the political reign of Abu Bakr. In different parts of the Middle East there were even different version and copies. Then you have to look into the political process and history and it is very evident to why Hudhaifa and Uthman decided to burn all the other copies and remained with one version unity of the Qur'an since it was meant unity of all Muslims. Muslim source materials even indicate there were initially four different versions of the Qur'an. When you look at the Qur'an, does it not say "the book of Uthman"? It is all because in the process how it came to that one edited and compiled version.
That is why when Muslims claim that the Qur'an is original in its true form and dismiss all the other religious texts, I just cringe. They completely overlook the history and how the Qur'an was edited too.
I will say though, I think Prophet Mohammed was a genius, but in no way do I believe he was a real prophet sent from God like he claims he was.
I will just chime into this thread as I see it very interesting and beneficial. In regards to the compilation of the Quran and the fact that it has never been altered, not even a letter, has been confirmed through historical text by many scholars. Of course, you have others who will refute such claims because this is one of the miracles of the Quran as Allah (God) says in his holy book that he himself is responsible for preserving his final revelation. I could write on and on explaining how the Quran was compiled and completed by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) death, but it is more beneficial to watch a clip that I'll post if you are further interested.
The best evidence I can give to you asserting the Quran's preservation from personal experience is the fact that non speaking arabs who do not have some kind of uncanny photographic memory have memorized the Quran cover to cover all across the world. The imam at the mosque I attend memorized the Quran totally and he is asian. Part of the miraculous nature of the Quran is that it has such a style and rhythm that it can be called upon with ease for those who choose to remember their lord. Is this not a sign for those who take heed?
In regards to the issue of poetry and how it was a media for communication as well as past time among the Arabs, this is absolutely true. However, this is precisely why the Quran was able to grip the hearts of those that heard it. The words that came from the mouth of the truthful one (as he was known by his own people) was sweetness and unlike anything they had ever heard before. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was never known for poetry for the 40 years of his life prior to being given prophethood. And while the Quran does have a rhythmic flow to it, this is only one element. The Quran contains wisdom, rules and regulations, stories, science etc that could not possibly have been uttered from someone who had not known to read or write.
I like to think of someone trying to freestyle rap, while uttering things that actually have meaning and make coherent sense. Never seen it done before.
Anyways, heres the video I promised.
I have no faith in humanity.
