Is the Quran Complete?
Table of Contents
The following defunct article was salvaged from archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20031021105604/https://www.free-minds.org/books/naveed_01.htm.
Chapter 01
Is the Qur'an Complete and Easy to Understand?
I have started the discussion with this question because it is the most fundamental question related to Muslims' reliance on other books in addition to the Qur’an.
Ask this question- “Is the Qur’an complete and easy to understand?” - of any Muslim today, and his or her immediate answer will be “Yes!” However, further investigation would reveal that this Muslim is only paying lip service to this position, and that he does not actually believe in the completeness of the Qur’an. If you discuss the question at length, you will soon hear claims like "Yes the Qur’an is complete but it does not have everything, "and" Yes the Qur’an is complete, but we cannot understand it without other books. "
We will see that the Qur’an itself refutes these claims:
<Wa laqad sarrafna_ lin na_si fi ha_dhal qur'a_ni min kulli mathalin, fa aba_ aktharun na_si illa_ kufu_ran>
"And certainly We have repeated for humankind, in this Quran, every kind of example, but the majority of humankind do not consent to aught but denying." (17:89)
“We have put forth for humans, in this Qur’an, every kind of example so that they may remember” (Qur’an 39:27).
Here, Allah says that He has explained EVERY KIND OF EXAMPLE for our Guidance within the Qur’an. Thus, when Allah Himself testifies that every kind of example is within the Qur’an, does the Muslim need to look elsewhere for examples? Here we must note that since the initial audience of the Qur’an were people living in a desert city 1400 years ago the wordings of the examples are more relevant to their surroundings. However, the message of these examples is applicable to all times. In fact, the word 'example" by definition means that it is referring to a specific case outlining a general principal.
Allah further explains this:
"And We have revealed the Book to you which has the clear explanation of everything <wa nazzalna_ 'alaikal kita_ba tibya_nal likulli shai'iw>, and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89)
There cannot be any words clearer than this. When He says “liKULLI Shai’iw” that means EVERYTHING. If the Qur’an itself is supposed to explain everything, what does it mean to explain the Qur’an by other books? In other words, the above verse is saying that there is NOTHING that is not explained by the Qur’an. The Muslim who says that “not everything is in the Qur’an”, must sit down and contemplate on these Ayaats and reflect on the logical consequences of his statement.
Those Muslims who say that the Qur’an is not clear and they need other books to understand the Qur’an should read the following statement of Allah:
“A Qur’an in Arabic, without any crookedness in order that they may become more conscious.” (Qur’an 39:28).
Allah says that the Qur’an is without any crookedness, meaning that there is nothing obscure in the Qur’an. This is only logical as the Book is meant for everyone and not only those who have a Ph.D. in Fiqh and Hadith.
Then Allah confirms this, when He states it four times within the same Surah:
“And We have indeed made the Qur’an (The Recital) easy for taking Reminder <walaqad yasarnal Qur’ana li-Dhikri>; then is there any that will receive admonition?” (54: 17, 22, 32, 40)
Unless, the Muslim thinks that Allah is “speaking with His tongue in cheek” Nauzobillah, it is very clear what He says - the Qur’an is easy to understand.
The Muslim, when confronted with these Ayaat, adopts a more defensive approach and revises his earlier statements by saying “Yes, the Qur’an is complete and has everything and is easy to understand, but it LACKS DETAILS. And to get the details we must resort to the books of Hadith”. The Qur'an again refutes this statement. Here is what Allah says about the detail <Tafseel> in His Book:
“Shall I then seek a Ruler other than Allah? When He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) distinctly detailed <al-kitaaba mufaSSalan>” (6:114)
“And certainly We have brought them a Book, which We have detailed with knowledge <faSSalnaahu Ala Ilmin>, a guidance and mercy for a people who believe” (7:52)
“A Book of which the verses are distinctly detailed <fuSSilat ayaatahu>, an Arabic Qur’an for people who know” (41:3)
“Indeed We have made the verses detailed for a people who take reminder <qad faSSalnaa-l-’aayyaati li-qawmin yadhakkaruuna>” (6:126)
“And this Qur’an is not such as could be forged by those besides Allah, but it is a verification of that which is in his possession and a distinct elucidation of the book <tafSiila-l-kitaabi >, and there is no doubt in it, from the Lord of the Worlds” (10:37)
In face of these verses, the Muslim's claim seems once again contradictory to the Qur’anic evidence. Yet, the Muslim insists that the Qur’an is not detailed. In the light of the Qur’an, this only suggests that the Muslim is not using his common sense and the gift of Allah called Aqal (reason). Allah says:
“Thus do We make the revelations detailed for a people who reflect <nufaSSilu-l-’aayaati li qawmin yatafakkaruuna>” (10:24)
“Thus do We make the revelations detailed for a people who use their reason <kadhaalika nufaSSilu ’aayaati li qawmin yaqiluuna>” (30:28)
Thus, those people who refuse to reflect and use their reason, and insist on whatever they were taught by their elders without question, they are the people who will not find the details of everything in the Qur’an, and will go searching for other books.
Logically speaking, it would not make any sense that a Book that is supposed to shed light on other things and that is supposed to explain other things, is itself in need of explanation:
“By the Evidence of the Book that makes things clear <kitaab il Mubeen>. Surely We have made it an Arabic Qur’an that you use your reason” (43:2-3)
“By the evidence of the Book that makes things clear <Kitaab il Mubeen>” (44:2)
“We have made the revelations clear to you, if you will use your reason <qad bayyannaa lakumu-l-’aayaati ’in kuntum taqiluuna>” (3:118)
The discussion should end here for if the Qur’an is COMPLETE, and EASY and has DETAILS of everything that we need for Guidance, then there is no need to look at another book for Guidance. I must add here that people should be encouraged to talk with each other and share ideas - the problem occurs when individual's ideas are taken as sources of Guidance in ADDITION to the Qur’an. This is exactly what Allah tells them:
“Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book, which is recited to them? Most surely there is a mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe” (29:51)
The Muslim, however, refuses this “Mercy” and ties himself up in shackles of Hadith and tradition, and insists that the Book of Allah is not enough for him. With all of the above evidence, he still cannot give up Hadith. In the following chapters we will look at some of the other arguments put forth by the proponents of Hadith.
Further Reading
Incompleteness and Incoherence of the Qur'an
Analysis of the White versus Zawadi Debate [Part 1]
Muhammad's attempt of damage control (How Surah 3:7 suddenly makes sense)
How Allah Stumped Muhammad and His Followers (https://answeringislam.blog/how-allah-stumped-muhammad-and-his-followers/)
Answering Islam – Sam Shamoun Theology Newsletter
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