Is the Quran the word of God? | Omar Suleiman and Lex Fridman

Summary

The video script explores the belief in the Quran as the unaltered word of God, distinct from other scriptures which have undergone changes. It highlights the Quran's preservation through oral and written transmission, with over 2 billion Muslims reciting it identically. The speaker emphasizes the Quran's role in confirming and preserving the essence of earlier revelations, its legislative content, and its connection to the life of Prophet Muhammad. The script also touches on the Quran's narrative of prophets and its significance in Muslim names and practices.

Takeaways

• 🕊 The Quran is considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God, distinct from other scriptures which have undergone changes over time.
• 🌟 Muslims believe that the original scriptures, such as the Torah and the Gospels, were divine revelations but have been altered since their initial revelations.
• 📜 The Quran is seen as a miracle due to its preservation over 1400 years through oral and written transmission, with no variations in recitation among the global Muslim population.
• 🔍 The Quran's preservation is emphasized by the fact that it is memorized by millions, ensuring its accurate transmission across generations.
• 🌐 There is a universality in the recitation of the Quran, as any deviation in pronunciation can be corrected by Muslims worldwide, regardless of their age or nationality.
• 📚 The Quran was memorized and preserved in writing since the time of Prophet Muhammad, and its teachings are meant to be understood, applied, and practiced.
• 📖 The Quran confirms and builds upon the revelations of previous prophets, such as Moses and Jesus, while maintaining its distinct status as the final and preserved word of God.
• 🌿 The Quran contains stories, laws, and guidance that were revealed over 23 years, in response to the unfolding events in the life of Prophet Muhammad.
• 📝 The Quran's content includes the early focus on belief in God and the Hereafter, followed by legislation and stories of the prophets that were relevant to the circumstances at the time.
• 🌏 The Quran has introduced figures like Jesus and Moses to many parts of the world, with Muslims named after these prophets and chapters in the Quran dedicated to stories of their lives.
• 📑 The Quran is unique in that it was completed and memorized in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, ensuring its pristine form is maintained for future generations.

Q & A

What is the Islamic belief regarding the Quran in comparison to other scriptures?

Muslims believe that the Quran is the direct word of God, unlike other scriptures which they believe have been changed over time. The Quran is considered to be divinely protected and preserved in its original form for all time.

How is the Quran preserved and transmitted among Muslims?

The Quran has been preserved through oral and written transmission for over 1400 years. It is memorized by millions of people worldwide and recited in the exact same way across different cultures, ensuring its preservation in its original form.

What is the significance of memorizing the Quran in Islam?

Memorizing the Quran is emphasized in Islam as it ensures the preservation of the scripture in its original form. It also allows Muslims to recite the Quran accurately and to correct any deviations in recitation by others.

How does the Quran relate to the original revelations of other scriptures like the Torah and the Gospels?

Muslims believe that the original revelations of the Torah and the Gospels were divine but have been altered over time. The Quran confirms much of what came before it and is considered the final and preserved word of God.

What are the differences between the Quran and the New Testament in terms of their origins?

The Quran is believed to be the direct word of God, while the New Testament consists of testimonies and biographies collected around the life of Jesus Christ. The Quran is considered to be the final and preserved revelation, unlike the New Testament which has various versions and gospels.

How does the Quran's revelation process differ from that of other scriptures?

The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years, in accordance with unfolding events in his life. It includes belief, law, stories of prophets, and prophecies, and was completed and memorized during his lifetime.

What is the role of the Quran in honoring the revelations that came through other prophets of old?

The Quran preserves the essence and core of the revelations that came through previous prophets, such as Moses and Jesus. It allows Muslims to honor and learn about these figures and their teachings.

How does the Quran's content differ from other scriptures in terms of its structure and themes?

The Quran contains stories, legislation, and law, and was revealed over time in response to specific events and needs. It confirms and builds upon previous revelations, providing a comprehensive guide for Muslims.

What is the significance of the chapter 'Maryam' in the Quran and how does it relate to the broader Islamic tradition?

The chapter 'Maryam' is significant as it is named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, and provides her story. It is a popular name in Islam and reflects the respect and recognition given to figures from previous revelations.

How does the Quran's preservation and recitation by Muslims worldwide demonstrate its uniqueness among scriptures?

The uniform recitation of the Quran by nearly 2 billion Muslims across different cultures and languages showcases its unique preservation and the commitment to maintaining its original form.

What is the importance of understanding and applying the Quran in daily life for Muslims?

Understanding and applying the Quran is crucial for Muslims as it provides guidance for belief, law, and moral conduct. It is not only a scripture to be memorized but also to be practiced and lived by.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Preservation of Divine Revelation: The Quran

This paragraph discusses the belief among Muslims that the Quran is the direct word of God, distinct from other scriptures due to its preservation. Muslims believe that while the original scriptures given to prophets like Moses and Jesus were divine, they have undergone changes over time. The Quran, however, is considered to be under God's protection, unchanged and preserved in its original form for all time. The speaker highlights the Quran's miraculous preservation through oral and written transmission over 1400 years, with nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide reciting it uniformly. The emphasis is on memorization, understanding, and practicing the Quran. The paragraph also touches on the Quran's role in confirming and preserving the essence of earlier revelations, and its unique status as a scripture that has been memorized and passed down through generations.

05:01

🕋 The Quran's Role and Structure in Islamic Life

The second paragraph delves into the role of the Quran in the life of Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic community. It was revealed over 23 years, initially focusing on belief in God and the Hereafter, followed by legislation and stories of prophets that unfolded in accordance with events in the Prophet's life. The Quran is described as being completed and memorized during the Prophet's lifetime, ensuring its pristine preservation for future generations. The paragraph emphasizes the Quran's universality, with billions of people across different cultures memorizing the same words. It also mentions the Quran's content, including legislation, stories, and prophecies, and how it was revealed in response to unfolding events and as a guide for the community.

Keywords

💡Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, considered by Muslims to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the divine origin and preservation of the Quran, distinguishing it from other scriptures that have undergone changes over time. The script emphasizes the Quran's unique status as unaltered and perfectly preserved, with Muslims worldwide reciting it in the exact same way.

💡Divine Revelation

Divine Revelation refers to the communication of knowledge or guidance believed to come directly from a deity. In the context of the video, it is used to describe the original scriptures given to various prophets, including Moses and Jesus, as well as the Quran itself. The video highlights the belief that while other scriptures have been changed, the Quran remains the pure and unaltered divine revelation.

💡Preservation

Preservation, in the context of the video, refers to the maintenance of the Quran's original form and content over time. It is a key concept as the speaker discusses the Quran's miraculous preservation through oral and written transmission across 1400 years, ensuring that billions of Muslims recite it identically, which is a testament to its divine origin and protection.

💡Oral Transmission

Oral Transmission is the process of passing information or knowledge from one person to another through speech. The video emphasizes the importance of oral transmission in preserving the Quran, as it has been memorized and recited by millions, ensuring its continuity and uniformity across different cultures and generations.

💡Written Transmission

Written Transmission is the process of recording and passing down knowledge in written form. The script mentions the Quran's written transmission as a means of preserving its text, complementing its oral transmission and ensuring that the scripture remains intact and accessible.

💡Original Scriptures

Original Scriptures, as mentioned in the video, refer to the initial divine revelations given to prophets such as Moses and Jesus. The concept is important as it contrasts the changes and revisions that occurred in these scriptures over time with the unaltered state of the Quran.

💡Miracle

A Miracle, in the context of the video, is an extraordinary event that surpasses human understanding or the laws of nature and is attributed to a divine agency. The speaker refers to the Quran's preservation and uniform recitation across centuries and cultures as one of the greatest miracles, underscoring its divine nature.

💡Memorization

Memorization is the act of committing information to memory. The video script highlights the emphasis on memorizing the Quran in Islam, with millions of people having committed its 600 pages to memory, ensuring its accurate transmission and practice.

💡Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet of Islam, to whom the Quran was revealed. The video discusses the Quran as the final and preserved revelation given to him, which he then communicated to his followers, who have preserved and passed it down through generations.

💡Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible and is also considered sacred in Judaism. The video script mentions the Old Testament in the context of original divine revelations that align with some aspects of the Quran, despite the changes that have occurred in the Old Testament over time.

💡New Testament

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible, focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The video contrasts the New Testament, which consists of collected testimonies and biographies, with the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the direct and unaltered word of God.

Highlights

Muslims believe the Quran is the direct word of God, distinct from other scriptures which have been subject to changes over time.

The Quran is considered a miracle due to its preservation over 1400 years through oral and written transmission.

There is only one version of the Quran, recited identically by nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide.

The Quran can be corrected by any Muslim if recited incorrectly, highlighting its memorization and uniformity.

The Quran was memorized from the start and has been passed down and memorized by millions, emphasizing its importance in Muslim life.

The Quran confirms and preserves the essence of earlier divine revelations given to prophets like Moses and Jesus.

Original scriptures like the Torah and Gospels have been changed over time, unlike the Quran which remains unaltered.

Despite changes, truth remains in older scriptures, aligning with the Quran on certain aspects.

The Quran is different from the Gospels, which are testimonies collected around the life of Christ, rather than original scriptures.

The Quran contains stories, legislation, and laws, and was revealed over 23 years in accordance with unfolding events in the life of Prophet Muhammad.

The Quran was completed in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad and has been memorized and passed down through generations.

The Quran introduces figures like Jesus and Moses to the world, with many Muslims named after these prophets.

The Quran has a chapter named after Mary, reflecting its significance in Islam and the respect for earlier revelations.

The Quran's recitation is a practice emphasized in Muslim life, with many committing it to memory across different cultures.

The Quran's preservation and memorization is a testament to its importance and the belief in its divine origin.

The Quran serves to honor the revelations of the past, as its core message aligns with the essence of earlier prophetic messages.

Transcripts

is the Quran the word of God

so the Quran and this is what

distinguishes the Quran in many ways uh

from other scriptures so as Muslims we

do believe

that God has sent divine revelation

prior we believe that the Original

Scriptures

prior to the multiple versions and

the changes and revisions throughout

history The Original Scriptures that

were given to the prophets whether it

was the Torah

to Moses or the Gospels

were all original Divine Revelations but

they've been changed over time the Quran

is the word of God with a promise that

he will guard it for all of time and

it's probably one of the greatest

Miracles because in 1400 years

we have the Quran preserved through oral

transmission and through written

transmission

and there are almost 2 billion Muslims

in the world and they all recite this

book the exact same way and there's only

one version of it and so when I'm

reciting the Quran if I say U or e or ah

differently

an Ethiopian Muslim a Chinese Muslim a

yemeni Muslim can correct me an

eight-year-old kid in any one of those

countries can correct me because they

will know that this is not how it's

memorized and so it was memorized from

the start committed to memory in the

time of the Prophet Muhammad peace be

upon him and preserved in writing and

passed down and memorized by millions

and millions of people around the world

and it's 600 pages

and you can't go to a city in America

a city in the United States of America

and not find at least one person or a

group of people that memorize it that

have committed it to memory and so

there's an emphasis on committing it to

memory as well as understanding it and

applying it and practicing it as much as

we can

what are some

maybe deep or insightful differences

between the Quran the Torah and the

Bible

well like I said so so you've got the

original Revelations of those scriptures

but there are so many versions of those

scriptures and there are times

throughout history where there have been

changes just from an objective

perspective right uh

what is the original scripture that was

given to uh Moses peace be upon him and

what was initially communicated to Jesus

peace be upon him those things

um have changed over time

however there's still some truth that

remains even in those scriptures and so

there are still things that line up

especially with the Old Testament and

Islam there are still many things that

line up between the two

the Bible as well the New Testament now

Matthew Mark Luke and John it's it's

different because these are not uh

Original Scriptures these are

testimonies that were obviously

collected

around the entire phenomenon of the

coming of Christ but the authors

themselves the biographies

the documentation even of those original

testimonies and gospels what made the

cut in terms of being included within

the gospels and what didn't because

there are many gospels at the time in

that sense it's different from what we

believe was scripture communicated to

Jesus peace be upon him

the Quran is different in several ways

but it confirms uh what came before it

but it's the document and preserved word

of God to be recited throughout

throughout time so it confirms much of

what came before it

and it resides amongst us and within us

for for the rest of time and through it

we honor those Revelations that came

through the prophets of old

because the essence the core of what

came through those Revelations is

preserved in the Quran and with us I

tell people this all the time that you

know the prophet Muhammad peace be upon

Him introduced

uh Jesus peace be upon him and even

Moses peace be upon him to much of the

world

there are Muslims around the world that

are named ASA that are named Jesus there

are Muslims around the world that are

named Ibrahim Abraham Muslims around the

world named Musa and they learned of

these figures through the Revelation

that came to the prophet Muhammad peace

be upon Him Noah

Maryam one of the most popular names in

Islam Mary peace be upon her whole

chapter in the Quran named after

Mariam which is actually what I was

reciting in the prayer was the chapter

of Maryam the chapter of the story of

Mary peace be upon her so the Quran

contains the stories it contains

um

legislation and law but primarily it was

revealed over 23 years so it actually

was coming in accordance with some of

the events that were unfolding the life

of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon

him

the first 13 years of that was primarily

belief in God uh belief in the Hereafter

and things that surrounded the court

Creed of Islam and then legislation law

stories of the prophets uh came down in

accordance with the unfolding events as

well as prophesizing some of the things

that were to come

and speaking about some of the things

that just happened and it is completed

in the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad

peace be upon and memorized and then

communicated to generation after

generation after generation so that we

have it in its pristine Fashions now

billions of people yeah just all across

the world all the different cultures all

memorizing the same words