The Qur'an's Obscure Verses

'A Clear Qur'an'? - Not Quite

The Qur’an contains many verses that are completely obscure; in other words, we have no idea what they could possibly mean. Muslim scholars will, of course, attempt to furnish explanations. These explanations commonly date from more than two hundred years after the verses were ‘revealed’ and represent a belated effort to rescue the Qur’an from the charge of obscurity.

The credibility of these explanations is further undermined by the fact that there are a wide variety of possible answers given. Many of these are mutually exclusive. In other words, if one is true, the others cannot be.

What is the problem with a Qur’an that contains obscure verses? It is simply the fact that it is not supposed to have any. The Qur’an assures us: “It is we Who hath sent unto you the Book, explained in detail” (Qur’an 6:114); and: “A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur’an in Arabic, for people who understand” (Qur’an 41:3). The very presence of these obscure verses powerfully contradicts these confident assertions.

Here are some examples of verses in the Qur’an of which the meaning is entirely obscure:

Qur’an 74:30 simply reads “Over it are nineteen.” That’s it, the entire verse. The wider context is a description of hell. The reader is immediately forced to ask. Nineteen what? Above what? The Qur’an is silent on these questions. No explanation at all is given. This has not prevented generations of Muslim scholars from constructing elaborate mystical explanations of what this text is supposed to mean. The fact is, however, that we do not get any answers at all from the text itself.

Qur’an 30:2-5 contains the following statement: “The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious Within a few years. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice in the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.” Immediately the questions pile up. By whom have the Romans been defeated? Where? When? Why is this piece of information good news to a group of people supposedly living far from the Roman Empire in the middle of the Arabian Desert?

Qur’an 111:1-4 passes judgment on Abu-Lahab (Father of the Flame), but who was he, and why does he and his wife receive such severe punishment?

Qur’an 113:3 warns against those who “blow on knots” (literal translation). Who are these people? Why are they to be feared?

It is impossible to answer the questions above without making use of sources outside of the Qur’an or lapsing into endless mystical speculation (as is often done with the verse about the ‘the 19’). So much for a clear book in which “everything is explained in detail”.

For an in depth evaluation of the truth-claims of Islam, see ‘Questioning Islam - Tough Questions and Honest Answers About the Muslim Religion’

Kind regards,

Peter

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