Points to Ponder
The Quran, regarded by Muslims as revelation from God to mankind, contains many verses referring to historical events, predictions and scientific facts. Since it was revealed to a 7th century Arab, Muhammad (PBUH), who was wise and truthful but illiterate and since it remains un-altered, one has to wonder about the source of the Quran.
The Romans have been defeated…
The first few verses of the 30th Chapter of the Quran, revealed around 615 AD, predicted that Romans would be victorious, within a few short years, after being crushed by the Persian Sassanid Empire in 614 AD. The battle happened near the Dead Sea, the lowest land on earth, an unknown geological fact at that time.
“The Romans have been defeated. In the lowest land. But they, after their defeat, be victorious. Within three to nine years. To God belongs the command, before and after. And that day the believers will have reasons to rejoice.” [Quran 30:2-4]
In 624 AD, Romans defeated the Persians on the same day the Muslims defeated the Quraish at the Battle of Badr. These few verses of Sura Ar-Rum correctly predicted the victory of Romans and the outcome of the battle of Badr.
Preservation of the body of Ramesis II
Egyptian tyrant Ramesis II died by drowning while chasing Moses. This information was not known to the Arabs in seventh century and his preserved body with evidence of drowning was only recently discovered in 1881. “So We shall save your body this day, so that you may serve as a sign for those who come after you: for many people are indeed heedless of our signs.” [Quran 10:92]
Open challenge to Abu Lahab, uncle of Muhammad (PBUH) Both Abu Lahab and his wife were given an open challenge in Chapter 111 in Quran that they would never accept Islam. “May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, may he be ruined. Neither his wealth nor his gains will avail him. He shall soon enter a Blazing Fire and also his wife who carries the fuel, with a rope of twisted fibre round her neck.” Both of them had over ten years to prove the Quran wrong by just saying that they accepted Islam but failed to do so.
Quran corrects Bible with Haman
Haman is mentioned in Bible as the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who was a vizier in the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus. In 1799, the mystery of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics was solved by the
discovery of a tablet, “Rosetta Stone”, dating back to 196 B.C. revealing that Haman lived in Egypt at the time of Prophet Musa and was a construction supervisor of Pharaoh. “Pharaoh said, “Council, I do not know of any other god for you apart from Me. Haman, kindle a fire for me over the clay and build me a lofty tower so that I can climb up to Musa’s god! I consider him a blatant liar.”” [Quran, 28:38]
Theory of Big Bang and all lives created from water: “Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the Earth were joined together then We ripped them apart? And then We made of water everything living? Would they still not believe? [Quran 21:30]
Expanding Universe: “And the heaven, We built it with craftsmanship and We are still expanding. [Quran 51:47]
Plate Tectonics: “You see the mountains and think they are firmly fixed: but they are moving away just like the clouds are moving away: (such is) the artistry of Allah, Who disposes of all things in perfect order: for He knows all what you do. [Quran 27:88]
Creation of human embryo: “We created men from an essence of clay.
Then We placed him as a drop of fluid in a safe lodging. Then We developed that drop into a leech. Then We developed the leech into a lump. Then We developed the lump into bones. Then We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We produced it into another creature. Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.” [Quran 23:12-14]