Numerical miracles in the Quran

27-12-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

I was wondering; I heard the claim that Adam and Jesus are both mentioned 25 times in the Quran and that this is a numerical miracle. Is that true?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The name of each of these two Prophets was mentioned in the Quran twenty-five times. Some contemporary scholars exaggerated by considering this matter as a numerical miracle; they support their view by mentioning some matters related to the mention of the name of these two Prophets in the Quran: such as the seventh time where the name of each of them was mentioned was in the same verse, which is the saying of Allah (which means): {Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.} [Quran 3:59]

They also exaggerated by mentioning other matters, and there is no need to elaborate on that.

The origin of the subject of numerical miracles is the ideas of some contemporary scholars, and in general, the writing about it is based on exaggeration and indulging in saying things about the Quran without knowledge.

The most that can be said about this is that it is witty observation of corresponding matters, and not that it is a miracle and evidence of the truthfulness of the Quran.

Several writings were written in criticism of what is known as numerical miracles, among which are the following:

- Rasm Al-Mushaf wal-I'jaaz Al-‘Adadi: a critical study in the books of numerical miracles in the Quran by Dr. Ashraf Abdur Razzaaq Qutnah.

- Naqd Da‘wah Al-I‘jaaz Al-‘Adadi fil-Quran Al-Kareem (Criticism of the claim of numerical miracles in the Quran) by Professor Ibraaheem Al-Humaydhi.

- Al-I‘jaaz Al-‘Adadi (The numerical miracle) by Dr. Khaalid As-Sabt, which is an audio transcribed on his website.

What we have decided in our previous fatwas is the following:

The subject of numerical miracles in the Quran was not addressed by the former scholars, and the people today are divided between those who confirm it and those who deny it. Any claim of numerical miracles in the Quran must meet the following criteria:

1- It corresponds to the Quranic writing.

2- The inference of a numerical miracle must be in accordance with the methods of scientific statistical accuracy without any exaggeration or forging.

3- Relying on Mutawaatir recitations and discarding weak recitations. Please, refer to fatwa 265192.

4- The miracle in those numbers should be one which mankind would be unable to bring the like of if they ever wished to do so.

In our view, most of what has been written about the numerical miracles does not satisfy the above conditions.

Allah knows best.