The Uncreated Quran’s Created Source Pt. 2
Table of Contents
I cite particular Sunni traditions, which state that the Quran was sent down to Muhammad in the month of Ramadan from the heavenly or preserved tablet, which is also called the mother of the book. All emphasis is mine:
Ibn Abbas and others have said, "Allah sent the Quran down all at one time FROM the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-Izzah), which is in the heaven of this world. THEN it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years." (Tafsir: Surah Al Qadr - The Night of Power)
Which Day the Quran was revealed
WAT DAY WAS THE HOLY QURAN REVEASLED TO PROPHET (SAW) FOR THE FIRST TIME
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Allah states in the Quran, “We have sent it down in a blessed night…” (Surah Dukhan: 3)
According to majority of the commentators, “blessed night”, refers to laylatul Qadr (Night of Power on 610 CE) which occurs in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. This is further supported by the verse, “We sent it (the Quran) down in the Night of Qadr”. (Surah Qadr: 1)
It is narrated in a tradition of the Prophet that all Prophets, since the creation of man till the end, received their respective Books in the month of Ramadan on different dates. Qatadah reports on the authority of Wathilah that the Messenger of Allah said that Ibrahim received his scriptures on 1st Ramadan, Injil was revealed on 18th Ramadan and the Holy Quran was revealed on the night of 24th, that is, on 25th Ramadan (Qurtubi, Vol 16, P110)
The statement that the “Quran was revealed in the Night of Power” means that it was revealed in its entirety FROM the Preserved Tablet to the lowest sky in one night of the month of Ramadan. But, it was revealed to the Prophet gradually over a period of twenty three years. Some scholars have expressed the opinion that the instalment of the Quran that was destined to be revealed in a given year used to be sent down on the Night of Power FROM the Preserved Tablet to the lowest sky of the Earth. (Qurtubi, Vol 16, P110)
Only Allah knows best
Sayeedur Rahman
Darul Ifta Birmingham (IslamQA.org)
The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr (the Decree)
Allah informs that He sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah says...
(We sent it down on a blessed night.) (44:3) This is the Night of Al-Qadr and it occurs during the month of Ramadan. This is as Allah says...
(The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an.) (2:185) Ibn `Abbas and others have said, “Allah sent the Qur'an down all at one time FROM the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in the heaven of this world. THEN it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Q. 97:1: https://quran.com/al-qadr/1/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir)
(And verily, it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.) This explains the high status of the Qur'an among the hosts on high (the angels), so that the people of earth will respect it, venerate it and obey it...
(And verily, it) means, the Qur'an...
(is in the Mother of the Book) meaning, Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet). This was the view of Ibn `Abbas and Mujahid...
(with Us,) means, in Our presence. This was the view of Qatadah and others...
(indeed exalted) means, occupying a position of honor and virtue. This was the view of Qatadah...
(full of wisdom.) means, clear, with no confusion or deviation. All of this indicates its noble status and virtue, as Allah says elsewhere...
(That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the pure. A revelation from the Lord of the all that exists.) (56:77-80)...
(Nay, indeed it is an admonition. So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honor, exalted, purified, in the hands of scribes (angels), honorable and obedient.) (80:11-16) (Ibid., Q. 43:4: https://quran.com/az-zukhruf/4/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir)
These days of the month of Ramadān wherein the Qur’ān was revealed FROM the Preserved Tablet to the earthly heaven on the Night of Ordainment laylat al-qadr from Him a guidance hudan ‘a guidance’ is a circumstantial qualifier guiding away from error for the people and as clear proofs lucid verses of the Guidance the rulings that guide to truth and of the Criterion that discriminates between truth and falsehood... (Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Q. 2:185: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=2&tAyahNo=185&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
And it is indeed fixed in the Mother Book the source of all the scriptures namely the Preserved Tablet which is with Us ladaynā substitutes for fī ummi’l-kitābi ‘in the Mother Book’ and it is indeed exalted above all the scriptures that came before it wise containing excellent wisdoms. (Ibid., Q. 43:4: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=43&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
Lo! We revealed it that is the Qur’ān in its entirety sending it down from the Preserved Tablet to the heaven of this world on the Night of Ordainment that is the Night of great eminence. (Ibid., Q. 97:1: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=97&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
(The month of Ramadan is) the month in (which was revealed the Qur'an) whereupon Gabriel brought down the entire Qur'an to the first heaven, dictated it to the scribes among the angels (al-safarah) and then took it down to Muhammad day after day, sometimes revealing to him just one, two or three verses and sometimes an entire surah, (a guidance for mankind) the Qur'an elucidates error to people, (and clear proofs of the guidance) in the matter of Religion, (and the Criterion (of right and wrong)) the lawful and the unlawful, the legal rulings, legal punishments and the steering away from doubtful matters. (And whoever of you is present) in settled areas and not travelling, (let him fast the month. And whoever of you is sick) during the month of Ramadan (or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of days) at another time... (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs, Q. 2:185: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=2&tAyahNo=185&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
(And lo! in the Source of Decrees) in the Guarded Tablet, (which We possess) where it is written, (it) i.e. the Qur'an (is indeed sublime) exalted, noble and glorious, (decisive) in explaining the lawful and the unlawful, (Ibid., Q. 43:4: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=43&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Lo! We revealed it): '(Lo! We revealed it) He says: We sent Gabriel with the entire Qur'an to the scribes of the nether heaven (on the Night of Power) on the night of judgement and decree; it is also said this means: on a night blessed with forgiveness and mercy, and then it was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) in instalments. (Ibid., Q. 97:1: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=97&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
2 "Umm al-Kitab": the "Original Book": the Book from which all the Books sent down to the Prophets have been derived. In Surah AI-Waqi`ah the same thing has been described as Kitab-um-Maknun (the hidden and preserved Book) and in Surah AI-Buruj 22 as Lauh-i Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet), that is, the Tablet whose writing cannot be effaced, which is secure from every kind of interference. By saying that the Qur'an is inscribed in Umm al-Kitab, attention has been drawn to an important truth. Different Books had been revealed by Allah in different ages to different Prophets for the guidance of different nations in different languages, but all these Books invited mankind to one and the same Faith: they regarded one and the same thing as the Truth; they presented one and the same criterion of good and evil; they propounded the same principles of morality and civilization; in short, they brought one and the same Din (Religion). The reason was that their source and origin was the same, only words were different; they had the same meaning and theme which is inscribed in a Source Book with Allah, and whenever there was a need, He raised a Prophet and sent down the same meaning and subject-matter clothed in a particular diction according to the environment and occasion. Had Allah willed to raise the Prophet Muhammad in another nation instead of the Arabs, He would have sent down the same Qur'an in the language of that nation. In it the meaning and content would have been expressed according to the environments and conditions of the people and land; the words would have been different and the language also different but the teaching and guidance the same basically, and it would be the same Qur'an though not the Arabic Qur'an. This same thing has been expressed in Surah Ash-Shu`ara, thus: "This (Book) has been revealed by the Lord of the worlds. The trustworthy Spirit has come down with it upon your heart so that you may become one of those who are (appointed by God) to warn (the people) in plain Arabic language; and this is also contained in the scriptures of the former peoples." (vv. 192-196). (For explanation, see Ash-Shu`ara: 192196 and the E.N.'s on it).
3 This sentence is related both to Kitab-i mubin and to Umm al-Kitab. Thus, it is in praise of both the Qur'an and the Original Book from which the Qur'an has been derived. This praise is meant to impress the fact that if a person does not recognize the true worth of this Book and does not benefit from its wise teachings because of his own folly, it would be his own misfortune. If someone tried to degrade it and found fault with it, it would be his own meanness. It cannot become worthless on account of someone's lack of appreciation of it, and its wisdom cannot be eclipsed by anyone's throwing dust at it. This is by itself a glorious Book, which stands exalted by its matchless teaching, miraculous eloquence, faultless wisdom and the sublime personality of its great Author. Therefore, none can succeed in minimizing its value and worth. In verse 44 below the Quraish in particular and the Arabs in general have been told that the revelation of the Book for which they are showing such lack of appreciation had provided them a unique opportunity of honor, which if they lost, would subject them to a severe accountability before God. (Please see E.N. 39 below). (Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, Tafhim al-Qur'an (The Meaning of the Qur'an), Az Zukhruf (The Ornaments of Gold))
1 The words in the original are anzalana hu: "We Ourself have sent it down". But although there is no mention of the Qur'an before it, the Qur'an is implied, for "sending down" by itself points out that the Qur'an is meant. And there are numerous instances of this in the Qur'an that if from the context, or the style, the antecedent of a pronoun is apparent, the pronoun is used even if the antecedent has not been mentioned anywhere before or after it. (For explanation, see E.N. 9 of An-Najm).
Here, it has been said: "We have sent down the Qur'an in the Night of Destiny", and in AI-Baqarah: 185, "Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down." This shows that the night in which the Angel of God had brought down revelation for the first time to the Holy Prophet in the Cave of Hira, was a night of the month of Ramadan. This night has been described as Lailat-ul-qadr here and as Lailat-im-mubarakah in Surah Ad-Dukhan: 3 above.
There can be two meanings of sending down the Qur'an in this night: first, that in this night the entire Qur'an was entrusted to the bearers (angels) of Revelation, and then Gabriel continued to reveal its verses and Surahs, from time to time, to the Holy Prophet during 23 years as the occasion and conditions demanded. This meaning has been given by Ibn `Abbas. (Ibn Jarir, Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Hakim, lbn Marduyah, Baihaqi). Second, that the revelation of the Qur'an began in this night. This is Imam Sha`bi's view, although from him too the other view also is related, which is the view of Ibn `Abbas as cited above (Ibn Jarir). Anyhow, in both cases, the meaning is the same that the revelation of the Qur'an to the Holy Prophet began in this very night, and this was the night in which the five opening verses of Surah Al-`Alaq were revealed. The fact, however, is that Allah did not compose the verses and the Surahs of the Qur'an right at the time guidance was needed by the Holy Prophet for his message of Islam in respect of an occasion or affair, but even before the creation of the universe, in the very beginning, Allah had a full plan of the creation of mankind on the earth, of raising the Prophets in it, of sending down the Books to the Prophets, of raising the Holy Prophet Muhammad at the end of the line of the Prophets and of sending down the Qur'an to him. In the Night of Destiny only the execution of the final phase of the plan began. No wonder if at that very time the entire Qur'an was entrusted to the bearers of Revelation. (Ibid., Al Qadr (Power))
The Sunni Dilemma
These statements contradict the assertion that the Quran is Allah’s uncreated speech, which he supposedly revealed to Muhammad via Gabriel and by other means. Rather, the Quran actually came down from the preserved tablet, which Allah is supposed to have created, and in which he commanded his mystical talking pen to write it down along with everything that will take place in creation. Allah had the pen do this fifty-thousand-years before the creation of the heavens and the earth:
Nūn one of the letters of the alphabet God knows best what He means by it. By the Pen with which He has inscribed the records of all creatures in the Preserved Tablet and what they inscribe that is the angels of good and righteousness. (Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Q. 68:1: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=68&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Nun): '(Nun) He says: Allah swears by the Nun, which is the whale that carries the earths on its back while in Water, and beneath which is the Bull and under the Bull is the Rock and under the Rock is the Dust and none knows what is under the Dust save Allah. The name of the whale is Liwash, and it is said its name is Lutiaya'; the name of the bull is Bahamut, and some say its name is Talhut or Liyona. The whale is in a sea called 'Adwad, and it is like a small bull in a huge sea. The sea is in a hollowed rock whereby there is 4,000 cracks, and from each crack water springs out to the earth. It is also said that Nun is one of the names of the Lord; it stands for the letter Nun in Allah's name al-Rahman (the Beneficent); and it is also said that a Nun is an inkwell. (By the pen) Allah swore by the pen. This pen is made of light and its height is equal to the distance between Heaven and earth. It is with this pen that the Wise Remembrance, i.e. the Guarded Tablet, was written. It is also said that the pen is one of the angels by whom Allah has sworn, (and that which they write (therewith)) and Allah also swore by what the angels write down of the works of the children of Adam, (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs: https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=73&tSoraNo=68&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2)
(By the pen) The apparent meaning is that this refers to the actual pen that is used to write. This is like Allah's saying...
(Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.) (96:3-5) Therefore, this statement is Allah's swearing and alerting His creatures to what He has favored them with by teaching them the skill of writing, through which knowledge is attained. Thus, Allah continues by saying...
(and by what they Yastur.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah all said that this means, "what they write." As-Suddi said, "The angels and the deeds of the servants they record." Others said, "Rather, what is meant here is the pen which Allah caused to write the decree when He wrote the decrees of all creation, and this took place fifty-thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth." For this, they present Hadiths that have been reported about the Pen. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Al-Walid bin `Ubadah bin As-Samit that he said, "My father called for me when he was dying and he said to me: `Verily, I heard the Messenger of Allah say...
(Verily, the first of what Allah created was the Pen, and He said to it: “Write." The Pen said: "O my Lord, what shall I write?” He said: "Write the decree and whatever will throughout eternity.”)’ This Hadith has been recorded by Imam Ahmad through various routes of transmission. At-Tirmidhi also recorded it from a Hadith of Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi and he (At-Tirmidhi) said about it, "Hasan Sahih, Gharib." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Q. 68:1: https://quran.com/al-qalam/1/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir)
This in turn raises additional problems and contradictions.
First, if Allah’s created talking pen wrote down the Quran along with everything else then it cannot be the uncreated speech of Allah, which emanated from him. Rather, it is something which came into being the moment the pen began to write it down, much like the rest of the words that would have been recorded within the tablet.
Now a Muslim may argue that the pen wrote down what Allah spoke to it of the Quran, and therefore the Quran isn’t created. The problem with this view is that this would be true of everything else that the pen recorded, namely, all of that would then be the words that Allah spoke. And if Allah speaking the Quran makes it uncreated then this would have to extend to every single word recorded by the pen. Yet the pen is supposed to have written down everything that creatures would say and do, which would then make their words, deeds, and even they themselves the uncreated speech of Allah.
Second, there isn’t a clear, unambiguous statement in the Quran where it refers to itself as the speech/word of Allah. Rather, there are verses that actually claim that the Quran is the word of a noble messenger!
That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger [i.e. Jibrael (Gabriel) or Muhammad SAW which he has brought from Allah]. S. 69:40 Hilali-Khan
Most surely it is the Word of an honored apostle, The processor of strength, having an honorable place with the Lord of the Dominion, One (to be) obeyed, and faithful in trust. S. 81:19-21 Shakir
Now unless Muslims want to claim that Allah is his own messenger, it should be clear that the Quran is not his word but the word of another.
Thus, both the Quran and Sunni traditions contradict the notion of the Muslim scripture being the uncreated speech of Muhammad’s god. It is rather words which the pen produced when it inscribed them in the heavenly tablet, which Allah created. The Quran even calls this tablet the mother of the book, meaning the source from which the Muslim book originates and came down to Muhammad.
Further Reading
The Uncreated Quran’s Created Mother
Allah Will Obliterate the Quran
Is Allah a Messenger? Or is Gabriel God?
Answering Islam – Sam Shamoun Theology Newsletter
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