One feature of both the Quran and the Bible is that they narrate certain things multiple times. This is good for historical study because we can look at certain events from multiple angles and learn more about it. A good example is Mark 8: 27 – 33 and Matthew 16: 13 – 23. Both narrate the same event but Matthew gives more details.
One of the episodes that the Quran retells multiple times is the story of Adam and Iblis(Satan). Allah commands the angels to prostrate themselves before Adam. Satan refuses. Here’s a narration of that event that is only one verse long.
And We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam.” They bowed down, except for Satan. He refused, was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers.
– Surah 2:34
This event is narrated a grand total of seven times in the Quran. The other accounts that we find in the Quran have a lot more information than this brief episode. By reading all of the accounts, we can learn more about what happened with Adam and Satan.
Now, why would the author of the Quran give us seven accounts? He obviously wanted us to know all of the intimate details of this episode. Think about that for just a minute though. How is this story relative to the life of an everyday Muslim or the people of the book? It isn’t at all. I highly doubt Muslims ponder this specific episode that much while they think about of discuss their faith. Still, the Quran spoiled Muslims with seven narrations of this event.
At the same time, the Quran denies a rock solid event in history with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In addition to that, it’s such a confusing verse.
And for their saying, “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God.” In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him.
– Surah 4:157
Wouldn’t it help if we had the crucifixion event narrated a couple more times so this messy verse could be cleared up? The author of the Quran thought it important enough to narrate the Adam-Iblis story 7 times but this super important episode which is affirmed by pagans, Jews, and atheists gets one confusing narration.
To be honest it makes no sense but in reality this is the least of the problems with the Quran. It is pretty funny though. Just go to the Bible at this point.
First of all comparing Qur’an with the Bible is like comparing orranges with Apples, only evidence for any Quranic claims is that Allah revealed through Jibreel, it leaves no room for any reason or question, a muslim mind can accept it as Islam means surrender and muslim is the one who surrenderd, where as God of the Bible calls us to reason, So when Qur’an touches upon the Bible, it is innacurate, when we try to refute the super counter argument they come up with is the Bible is corrupt, a charge without any evidence, therefore any engagement with the naarative of the Bible that Quran touches, Qur’an has to right for the Muslim, if they accept Qur’an is false the whole foundation will collpses, therefore a muslim comes up with all sorts of charges, like, Bible is corrupt, interpretation is wrong, we don’t accept Paul, in conclusion Allah is not YHWH and Muhammad is not a prophet in the line of Biblical prophet, how do I know this? We have 66 books written by 40 authors through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit written over 1000 years, which gives us better understanding of who YHWH is and who are His prophets by which we can compare, not just one small book revealed to one manin over 23 years but written much later by the followers from their memories.
Allan, I know this kinda random but, do you play any musical instruments?
No