YT16 Are some Quranic words useless? or extraneous? by Dr. Hany Atchan

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores a fascinating linguistic detail in the Quran: the 'purposeless' conjunction 'أن'. Initially seen as extraneous, the speaker delves into its deeper significance, revealing how this tiny word helps distinguish the Quranic narrative from the Torah’s account, especially in the story of Moses. Through personal study, the speaker uncovers how such 'minor' details open up new meanings in the text. This discussion challenges traditional interpretations and invites viewers to investigate linguistic nuances in the Quran for greater understanding.

Takeaways

• 📖 The speaker discusses the concept of 'purposeless conjunctions' in the Quran and their significance.
• 🤔 A personal anecdote is shared, where the speaker questioned a conjunction in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 19, leading to a deeper investigation.
• 💡 The speaker was dissatisfied with the explanation that the conjunction (أن) was extraneous and began a search for a better understanding.
• 📚 After a long period of research, the speaker concluded that the conjunction is not purposeless, but rather indicates an indirect message or meaning.
• 🔍 The speaker discovered that the Quran's version of the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) differs significantly from the one in the Torah.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The conjunction (أن) in various verses of Surah Al-Qasas highlights indirect communication between Allah and Prophet Musa, challenging traditional interpretations.
• 💭 The speaker suggests that Prophet Musa may have been part of a gang in his youth, which contrasts with the Torah's depiction of him in Pharaoh's palace.
• 🌟 The key takeaway is that seemingly extraneous terms in the Quran often serve deeper purposes and should be carefully studied.
• 🧠 The speaker emphasizes the importance of questioning and investigating linguistic anomalies in the Quran, as they may reveal new insights.
• 📜 The speaker argues that the language of the Quran is distinct from classical Arabic, which may explain why scholars have historically misunderstood certain terms.

Q & A

What is the 'purposeless conjunction' discussed in the video?

The 'purposeless conjunction' refers to the Arabic conjunction (أن) that appears in certain verses of the Quran. The speaker initially believed it was extraneous or unnecessary but later discovered it had significant meaning.

Why did the speaker initially feel unsettled by the sheikh's explanation?

The speaker felt unsettled because the sheikh described the conjunction (أن) as extraneous or purposeless, which the speaker found hard to accept, as they believed every part of the Quran has a reason and meaning.

What led the speaker to question the traditional interpretation of the verse in Surah Al-Qasas?

The speaker was struck by the use of (أن) in verse 19 of Surah Al-Qasas and, upon researching further, found that scholars either dismissed it as extraneous or didn’t address it fully. This led the speaker into a crisis, prompting further investigation.

What new interpretation of the story of Prophet Musa (Moses) did the speaker arrive at?

The speaker concluded that Prophet Musa was part of a gang in his youth, a narrative different from the traditional one influenced by the Torah. The Quran, according to the speaker, offers a new story where Musa was involved in a conflict between two gangs rather than living a privileged life in Pharaoh's palace.

How did the speaker’s understanding of the conjunction (أن) evolve?

The speaker came to understand that (أن) is not extraneous but instead marks an indirection or subtle variation in the text, often pointing to indirect communication or contrast between different sources, like the Torah and the Quran.

What example does the speaker give about the conjunction (أن) in Surah Al-Qasas?

The speaker points to verse 7 in Surah Al-Qasas, where (أن) is used in the context of Allah revealing instructions to Musa's mother. The speaker interpreted it as an indirect communication, perhaps through angels, rather than a direct command.

What other examples of (أن) did the speaker find in the Quran?

The speaker found several instances of (أن) in the Quran, including in verses 30 and 31 of Surah Al-Qasas, where Allah speaks indirectly to Musa. They also found it in Surah Yusuf and Surah As-Saffat (verse 104), further supporting the idea of indirection.

What larger realization did the speaker make about the Arabic language in the Quran?

The speaker realized that the Quran’s language is not typical of classical Arabic as known by the scholars of the time. The use of structures like the conjunction (أن) shows that the Quran uses a distinct linguistic style that was unfamiliar even to early linguistic scholars.

How does the speaker view the preservation of the Quran in light of this discovery?

The speaker believes that the careful preservation of the Quran, even by scholars who did not fully understand its linguistic structures like the conjunction (أن), is evidence of its divine protection. Despite disagreements, the Quran was transmitted without alteration.

What is the main takeaway from the speaker's exploration of the 'purposeless conjunction'?

The main takeaway is that elements of the Quran that may seem unnecessary or confusing at first are actually important keys to understanding deeper meanings and nuances in the text. The speaker emphasizes the importance of questioning and investigating these elements.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Mysterious Conjunction 'أن' in the Quran

In this paragraph, the speaker introduces the topic of the 'purposeless conjunction' in the Quran, specifically the conjunction 'أن.' He recalls studying with a sheikh who dismissed the conjunction as extraneous, which left the speaker feeling unsatisfied and conflicted. His subsequent independent research on this issue led him to discover deeper meanings in the Quran, particularly regarding verse 19 of Surah Al-Qasas, where the use of 'أن' seemed unusual. Despite initial confusion, this investigation opened up new insights into the Quran’s narrative style, contrasting it with interpretations derived from the Torah.

05:05

🕵️‍♂️ Discovering a New Story of Prophet Musa

The speaker challenges the traditional narrative of Prophet Musa's early life as presented in the Torah. He asserts that the Quran tells a different story, suggesting that Musa was part of a gang and not raised in the Pharaoh’s palace. He uses this discovery to reinterpret the verse where Musa kills a man from another gang. The use of the conjunction 'أن' serves to show how indirect actions and speech are key to understanding Musa's story. The speaker plans to explore this revelation further in future segments, pointing out that traditional commentaries have overlooked or misunderstood these subtle differences.

10:07

🔍 Reinterpreting the Conjunction 'أن' and Divine Communication

In this paragraph, the speaker continues to explore the presence of 'أن' in various Quranic verses, including verses about Musa's mother and how she was instructed to nurse him. He reflects on the importance of this 'indirection' and how it contradicts earlier interpretations that assumed direct communication between God and Musa. The speaker highlights his discovery that indirect communication through intermediaries (as shown by 'أن') was more common, challenging long-held beliefs about God’s direct interactions with prophets, including Musa and Ibrahim. His findings emphasize the Quran's unique narrative structure.

✍️ The Language of the Quran: A Gift to Be Investigated

The speaker draws attention to the significance of small details in the Quran, like the conjunction 'أن,' which many scholars dismissed as extraneous. He argues that such elements are divine cues meant to provoke deeper investigation. Furthermore, he claims that this type of language was not used by the Arabs of the time, thus proving the Quran’s distinct and divine origin. The speaker concludes with an appreciation for the preservation of the Quran's text over centuries, emphasizing that even controversial or misunderstood elements were never altered. He encourages the audience to continue exploring these intricate details in future discussions.

Keywords

💡Purposeless conjunction

A conjunction that seems unnecessary or 'extraneous' in the grammatical structure of a sentence. In the video, the speaker analyzes the presence of such conjunctions in the Quran, particularly the conjunction 'أن,' which at first glance appears purposeless but is later revealed to have significant meaning, particularly in contrast to Biblical narratives.

💡Surah AL-Qasas

A chapter of the Quran (Surah 28) that tells the story of Prophet Musa (Moses). The speaker discusses specific verses from this chapter, focusing on the presence of the conjunction 'أن' and its deeper significance. This Surah forms the basis of the speaker's exploration of linguistic and narrative differences between the Quran and the Torah.

💡Conjunction 'أن'

The Arabic conjunction 'أن' (translated as 'that') is central to the speaker's analysis. Initially perceived as an unnecessary term in Surah AL-Qasas, the speaker later interprets it as a sign of indirect speech, which challenges traditional interpretations and suggests a different narrative about Prophet Musa and divine communication in the Quran.

💡Indirection

A concept introduced to explain the indirect communication in the Quranic verses, particularly in the use of 'أن.' The speaker argues that this indirection signals deeper meanings, like how God communicated with Musa indirectly rather than directly. This contrasts with common beliefs derived from the Torah and reshapes the understanding of divine speech in Islam.

💡Prophet Musa (Moses)

A major prophet in Islam, whose story is detailed in the Quran and the Torah. The speaker reevaluates Musa's early life, arguing against the traditional narrative that he lived in Pharaoh's palace and presenting a different interpretation, where Musa was part of a gang. The story of Musa is central to the video's discussion on Quranic storytelling and linguistic analysis.

💡Torah vs Quran narrative

The comparison between the Torah's and the Quran's telling of Prophet Musa’s story. The speaker argues that the Quran presents a different story from the Torah, particularly in terms of Musa’s background and God's method of communication with him. This contrast highlights the Quran's unique message and structure, as interpreted by the speaker.

💡Extraneous terms

Linguistic elements in the Quran that are often dismissed as unnecessary by scholars. The speaker refutes this notion, suggesting that such 'extraneous' terms have deep significance, as illustrated by the 'أن' conjunction in Surah AL-Qasas. These terms serve to convey indirect meanings and contrasts with other religious texts.

💡Translation challenges

The difficulties faced when translating the Quran into other languages, particularly when encountering terms that seem 'extraneous.' The speaker paused their translation work for two months to fully explore the meaning of 'أن,' demonstrating the complexities of translating sacred texts while preserving their intended nuances.

💡Musa’s mother

A figure mentioned in the Quran, who receives indirect revelation instructing her to nurse her son, Musa. The speaker questions why such an instruction would be needed for a mother and later finds that this also involves the theme of 'indirection,' adding another layer of meaning to the Quranic verses about Musa’s early life.

💡Divine communication

The method by which God communicates with prophets in the Quran. The speaker argues that, contrary to popular belief, God communicated indirectly with Prophet Musa, as signified by the repeated use of 'أن.' This challenges traditional understandings and emphasizes the Quran's unique approach to storytelling and theological discourse.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of 'purposeless conjunction' in the Quran and the initial perplexity around it.

The speaker's personal experience with a religious scholar dismissing the conjunction (أن) as extraneous in Surah Al-Qasas.

The speaker's dissatisfaction with the scholar's explanation, leading to a personal crisis and deep investigation into the issue.

The discovery that the 'purposeless' conjunction (أن) has significant meaning, pointing out an indirect narrative in the Quran.

Introduction to the new interpretation of the story of Prophet Musa, who was part of a gang, contrasting the traditional story from the Torah.

The revelation that the Quran’s narrative about Musa’s early life differs from the traditional Torah-based understanding.

Explanation that the conjunction (أن) in verse 7 of Surah Al-Qasas signifies an indirect command to Musa’s mother, revealing deeper layers of meaning.

The speaker explains how the indirect nature of Allah’s communication with Musa reveals a different interpretation of the story.

The significance of the conjunction (أن) in other verses of Surah Al-Qasas, including verse 31, where Allah commands Musa to throw his staff.

The speaker's broader discovery that Allah did not speak directly to Musa, but rather through intermediaries, challenging the traditional narrative.

The importance of questioning and investigating seemingly small or extraneous details in the Quran, which may reveal hidden meanings.

The argument that the Quran’s language differs from traditional Arabic, suggesting it is a unique linguistic style.

Scholars historically dismissed the conjunction (أن) as extraneous because they did not understand its purpose.

The speaker highlights how the unchanged nature of the Quran through generations proves the preservation of the original text, despite misunderstandings.

Final reflection that what seemed like an extraneous word (أن) turned out to be a key to uncovering new insights into Quranic stories.

Transcripts

Salam Alaykom. Today we're going to cover something very peculiar, it's called the purposeless

conjunction. Purposeless conjunction and we will elaborate Insha’Allah it deals with

the importance of paying attention to everything in the Quran a while ago I was a part a group

we studied every morning on Saturday, every Saturday morning at the mosque we used to

get together and study and memories parts of the Quran and there was a highly educated

sheikh you know scholar religious scholar who would teach us and would help us memories

and would provide commentary on the verses that we were memorizing and we got to verse

number 19 of Surah AL-Qasas, and I remember stopping at that verse and asking questions

that verse says, “”. And it translates roughly as for when he was

intending to destroy the one who has a common enemy to both of them, and that verse stopped

me because it has a conjunction (أن) that seemed to ring wrong in my ear, because in

Arabic we don't say,”” it's like you know in English if you want to say the same thing

for when he wanted to kill it doesn't make sense the first to does not make sense but

yet here it is in the Quran very plainly, it was clearly trying to tell us something

so I stopped and I asked the sheikh and to my surprise he said: oh that's an extraneous

Term an extraneous conjunction. I said extraneous as in you know useless purposeless

he says yeah there are many such you know terms in the Quran and scholars know about

them and they’re documented and I remember feeling very wrong about that answer I remember

going home that same day feeling depressed and I decided, you know to search maybe he

was wrong and sure enough I looked through whatever I could get my hands on in terms

of books of commentary on the Quran and they all either dismissed the issue you know didn't

address it at all like they considered normal or you know pretended it wasn't there and

a few of them confirmed what the sheikh said which is it is purposeless, and I found that

really depressing as matter of fact that sent me into a crisis mode that lasted for a long

time and then after a while. I decided, to dismiss the issue and not focus

on it, and I decided that maybe they're wrong you know there must be a reason for this fast

forward to the last 2 years where I've been working on translating the Quran and I got

to Surah number 28 and I got back to that same verse and then I couldn't translate that

verse assuming that this end this (أن) this extra conjunction as they said was not there

I could not translate it and to be honest you know I could not deal with the seriousness

of the task at hand and simply dismiss that extra (أن), and that forced me to really

dig as a matter of fact that stopped my project of translating the Quran for more than 2 months

really searching, and then I started to uncover all sorts of different things and that led

me to understand the Surah of AL-Qasas, which tells the story of prophet Musa in his earlier

years you know the years before the actual the actual Exodus from Egypt that led me to

understand that Surah in a totally, totally different way and then I started looking through

the Surah again and it started opening up new concepts and new meanings so what I learned

is to summaries the purpose of that (أن) which is not extraneous at all is that it

is reporting to us a variation, a difference a big contrast between the story of the Quran

and the story that the commentators bought from the Torah bought from the Old Testament.

In summary, because we don't have a lot of time to really dig through all the evidences

that the new story that revealed itself in the Quran, goes as following when prophet

Musa he wasn't a prophet at that time in his youth he was part of a gang, he was not living

you know in a partial situation at the palace of Pharoah, and I know this is shocking to

a lot of you because that's exactly what we were told because the Torah says so. But the

Quran does not say that at all, and I will Insha’Allah at a future date, talk about

the details of how I reach this conclusion, and I know there are some verses that say

you know the family of Pharaoh picked him up and his wife said this and I know all of

these things, because I dug through the whole story but I assure you that story from the

Torah is not what the Quran is talking about. The Quran is telling us a different story,

so to make a long story short prophet Musa or Musa at that time Moses was part of a gang

and that gang operated in a certain neighborhood where his mother's house existed so he entered

the city in quite in secret right? At night at a time where the people of the city are

or at least that neighborhood were not aware of him and he found 2 people fighting one

of them from his gang and one of them from the gang of the opposite neighborhood and

he killed the one from his own clan. In other words, from the people of the Israelite

so he hid, and the Quran tells us he hid and he was very afraid and the 2nd day the person

from the other clan who is actually his boss because you know, he was a double agent he

entered the place where Musa was and he was yelling at him and he was yelling at him he

wanted to kill him but not directly he wanted to let the people around Musa’s mother's

home, her neighborhood know that Musa killed one of them.

In other words, that the enemy of Musa wanted his own people to kill him so it was an indirection

so he was yelling and telling people in a loud voice, that you are about to kill me

just like you killed one of them one person yesterday so that indirection is referred

to by the conjunction and. He wanted to kill Musa but he did not want

to kill him directly he wanted somebody else to kill him, now as I reviewed the Surah AL-Qasas

number 28, I found the same (أن) in other places so for example in verse number 7 Allah

(swt), is describing how he revealed to Musa’s mother

the instructions. Here it is (أن) I thought okay (أن) I understand this one, you know

we revealed to her it's not a direct command it came through angels or it came through

some sort of revelation that we'd all materialized in her mind there's an indirection there but

that stopped me at another issue which is Allah (swt), was ordering moose's mother to

nurse him to suckle him and I thought what mother would need to have such an instruction

why is Allah (swt), telling us about this in the Quran is this extraneous again?

And of course, it turned out that it's not extraneous and this opened up a whole new

discovery for me about the Surah and so on so forth as I started unravelling it was like

pulling a string from a piece of spaghetti from a spaghetti bowl the more, I pulled the

more the story became different than the story that was told in the Torah and then eventually

I came to verse numbers 30 of the same Surah which says:””.

I said OK here's (أن) again if (أن) is used in verse number 7 It is an indirect call

to Musa’s mother that means (أن), to Musa was also an indirect call, and yet they told

us that God spoke directly to Musa but yet here it's very clear that Allah spoke indirectly

to Musa, meaning through some intermediary and you know I thought is that possible? And

then I searched the Quran and I found it in the very next verse in the very next verse.

Allah (swt), is continuing with his instructions to Musa in verse number 31 of the same Surah

and Allah (swt), said: And then throw your staff cast your staff. (أن) exist also in

that verse and then I searched through other stories and I found the same and in verse

number 37:104 meaning Surah of 37 number 104 with Allah (swt), is talking about the story

of Ibrahim prophet Abraham and he said: “”. (أن) Is an indirection in the case of Ibrahim because

nobody ever claimed that God spoke directly personally in his own voice to Ibrahim and

therefore it's the same style, it's the same structure, and Allah (swt), is making a point

to us to identify to us that what you guys were taught about God speaking directly to

Moses is not true and Allah (swt), was making that point by including the conjunction (أن),

at least 4 times in Surah AL-Qasas and countless other times in other places, I found it also

in Surah Yusuf regardless. The point, is that when you see something

that sounds or looks questionable it is a gift from Allah (swt). Allah (swt), stop investigate,

listen, pay attention, that little nagging voice inside of you is actually God pointing

you to something, and saying ask the question figure out why it's so why is it not as you

expected so that was one of the important moral of this story.

The other moral of the story is that this language is not the language of the Arabs

the Arabs did not speak this way, this so-called extraneous conjunction and Is that the scholars

all linguistic scholars and religious scholars called it extraneous which proves that they

were not familiar with it they did not understand why it's there. And therefore, they simply

dismissed it out of hand which proves that was not their language that the Quran was

using and this is a very controversial I know. But if you bear with me throughout the you

know the many coming segments that we will cover a lot of such issues and we will deal

with a very detailed methodology that builds on all of these concepts.

And finally, one last moral of this story is that this also proves the describes and

the countless generations, who preceded us who copied the Quran generation, after generation,

after generation, after generation, and brought it to us, all of them did not change the Quran

they kept it they made sure that it's not changed, even though they disagreed with its

structure they clearly did not like the fact that there is an extraneous (أن).

So, this poor (أن), which for 1400 years were thought of as experience turned out to

be an unbelievable gift a key that helped me uncover many discoveries about the stories

of the Quran and this is one of them. I hope this was useful to you I hope you will

stick with me, and continue to watch and subscribe to this channel because what's coming is a

lot more amazing stuff then Insha’Allah we will cover it in the future.

Thanks for watching!