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Introduction Introduction As-salam u ‘A laikum. The followers of Islam proclaim openly their Belief that the Qur’an is ‘the Word of Allah’, Perfect and Preserved. Some even use the phrase ‘read Al-Qur’an the Last Testament’. But do any of these perspectives truly represent the Qur’an? After prolonged verification of articles by classical and modern Islamic scholars concerning the text of the Qur’an and many other matters, the present writer is convinced that all in Islam who are truly concerned for Heaven and Hell need to take a careful look at these matters. They need to examine their own accepted scholarly sources as well as the Arabic texts of the Qur’ans in print and decide if their beliefs about the Qur’an agree with the content of these sources. Some who have examined the evidence have come away bewildered. It is for the purpose of providing the followers of Islam with sound, verified Islamic evidence that every piece of evidence in this book has been personally verified by the writer. Many, many months of personal letter for letter complete comparison of the authorised versions of the Arabic texts lies behind it. Thus this is not something written from mere hearsay. Each perspective was accumulated and verified by the writer himself while examining the topics in question. The materials cited concerning the text of the Qur’an are classical and well-known modern Islamic sources. What is presented concerning the Qur’an are the facts as the well-known classical and modern scholars of Islam have set them out and as the texts indicate. Often, along with the quotations, replicas of the entire pages of the Qur’anic texts as well as those pertaining to the writings of the classical or modern scholar are provided so that the reader can perceive the original context as it is. [NOTE: All representations of the Arabic Qur’anic texts are scans of the original texts so that, for example, any Arabic pertaining to the Turkish text or the Warsh text is scanned from that text, etc.. In some scans circles are added to highlight the significant section and this is mentioned.] This has two purposes. Firstly, so that as followers of Islam you are able to see the sources since you may not have access to them, while those who do can also establish their authenticity. Secondly, so that as followers of Islam, having no time for a book written concerning the Qur’an by a Christian, you can find confidence to approach the materials as coming from acceptable Islamic sources. Thus there is no reason to regard them
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with suspicion. The overall Islamic sources cited are varied. As the Bibliography indicates, they include not only classical writings, but even writings published by the UK Islamic Academy, the Islamic Foundation UK, Dr. Bilal Philips (at one time of the Islamic Information Centre, Dubai, UAE), and other authors and publications which are openly available in many Sunni Islamic bookstores in the UK. Even some booklets of I.P.C.I. (Islamic Propagation Centre International / Islamic Vision) have been cited, for although it is recognised that Mr. Deedat and his theology hold no credibility with the ulema and most in Islam, his points find favour among many. The writer mentions these matters because often those in Islam are not aware just how much the non-Islamic writer understands concerning Islam. They wonder "Does he think all that is called ‘Islam’ is the same?" The present writer is aware that extreme differences exist, not only between the Sunni and Shi’a [to quote a Shi’a scholar to a Sunni is like quoting a Roman Catholic to a Protestant, and vice versa] but between the followers of the Madhabs and those known as the la-Madhabis (those who reject restriction to the four Madhabs) including the so-called Salafiyyah sect. All these have been used, for, although knowing these groups differ in many areas, when it comes to a stand for the Qur’an anyone in these groups holds it as of Divine origin and they make the same statements concerning beliefs about its ‘Perfection and Protection’. It is also recognised that in other areas of discussion not all groups in Islam hold to the same perspectives. However, quotations from the various groups are used. This is not done in a fashion to mislead as to what Islam is, but in a fashion to bring a breadth of perspective on various matters. It is recognised that in such cases the reader will recognise which citations represent his own group. No incorrect perspective has been wilfully presented in any area. May the reader examine what is presented here with a heart that is willing to acknowledge truth before the true God. Finally, the writer apologises for any departure from an appropriate attitude of heart. -Brother Mark |