Dr Maurice Bucaille

The Quran - the book of signs

Secrets of the Noble Quran

Parts 1-9

Maths in the Quran

"Does the author of the Quran know Maths?"

Question:

According to Arun Shourie there is a mathematical error in the Quran. In chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 when you add up the different parts of inheritance given to the heirs, it is more than one. Therefore the author of the Quran does not know mathematics.

Answer:

The Quran mentions about inheritance in many places, in:
Surah Al Baqarah-Chapter 2 verse 180
Surah Al Baqarah-Chapter 2 verse 240
Surah Al Nisa-Chapter 4 verses 7 to 9
Surah Al Nisa-Chapter 4 verses19 and 33
Surah Al Maidah-Chapter 5 verses 105 and 108

Regarding the share of inheritance it is clearly given in Surah Nisa-chapter 4 verse 11, 12 and 176.

Let us examine the verses quoted by Arun Shourie, i.e. Surah Nisa chapter 4 verses 11 and 12:

Allah (swt) (thus) directs you as regards your childrens (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half.

For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child; but if they leave child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. [Al-Quran 4:11-12]

Islam explains the law of inheritance in great detail. The broad and basic outline is given in the Quran and the minute details are given in the Ahadith i.e. the tradition and sayings of the Prophet (Pbuh).

A person can spend his full life only on the research of the Islamic law of inheritance with its various permutations and combinations. Arun Shourie expects to know the law only by superficially reading two verses of the Quran without knowing the criteria.

It is similar to a person who wants to solve a mathematical equation but does not know the basic rule of mathematics, i.e. BODMAS which says that in a mathematical equation, irrespective of which mathematical sign appears first, you will first solve BODMAS: 1st Brackets Off, 2nd Division, 3rd Multiplication, 4th Addition and 5th Subtraction. If Arun Shourie does not know mathematics and first does multiplication then subtraction, then brackets off, then division and finally addition, the answer that he will obtain is bound to be wrong.

Similarly, when the Quran mentions the law of inheritance in Surah Nisa chapter 4 verses 11 and 12, even though the childrens share is mentioned first and then that of the parents and spouses, according to the law of inheritance in Islam after paying off the debts and liabilities first, the share is given to the spouses and the parents depending on whether the deceased has left children or not, and whatever portion of wealth is remaining is divided between the sons and the daughters according to their respective shares.

So where does the question arise of the total coming to more than one? So it is not Allah who does not know mathematics but it is Arun Shourie himself who is ignorant about mathematics.

© The Revival 2000

Quran who wrote it 2

Well he was unlettered, he could not read or write nor was there any scholars. Nor is there any evidence to suggest he did that.

Because if he learned from someone else then maybe he can hide it for a while but not for long and he would eventually be found out. There are no evidence to back this even from his enemies’ of the time this was never part of their insults.

Also would you criticise yourself in the middle of your book, He turned and frowned sura 80.

Also the only bible available was not whole it was in parts and it was in Hebrew. He spoke Arabic so he would've had to learn another language this also would've noticed by someone.

So this is an old argument and it holds no water.

Quran: who wrote it?

The fact he that he could not write any language, he did not spend time which Christan's or Jews as friends. Also the fact that the storeis about the Prophets in the Quran contain different details like the answer to why Joseph/Yusufs brothers why jealsous, its not in the bible but in the Quran.

The quran describes how the day turning into the light but a slow process, heres more.

O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs).
( سورة الحج , Al-Hajj, Chapter #22, Verse #5)

Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!
( سورة المؤمنون , Al-Mumenoon, Chapter #23, Verse #14)

Theres a book called 200+ ways that the Quran corrects the bible. It has been protected over the years and its in the same language as it was revealed.