“If you are in doubt”

A recent trend circulating among Christians on social media has caused Muslims to laugh. The good old British stand-up comedians have now blended in with Christian apologists, only to mock themselves in order to gain a handful of followers. After all, what are we to expect from a group of comedians who suffer from cognitive dissonance? Just for the record, I am not advocating any ad hominem attacks toward those compulsive liars.

 

Christians are turning to a specific verse from the Qur'an, which they claim supports their position on the authenticity of the Bible, the book they believe is the inspired word of God. This paper will address the verse they hold so dearly, which, unbeknownst to them, actually backfires.

 

Let us first read the verse in question.

 

So if you are in doubt, about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters. [Surah 10:94]

 

It is typical for Christians to misquote, or worse, mislead others using verses from the Qur’an, simply to convince themselves that they are winning. So, what is this verse actually saying? And why are Christians specifically using this verse while ignoring every other verse from the same chapter? Ironically and foolishly, Christians claim that this verse is directing Muslims to ask them about their scripture if they are in doubt. How absurd!

 

Now At first glance it may seem plausible the text is pushing the believers to go consult with  a certain group of people who are reading a scripture which came before the Qur’an. How is this verse meant to be understood? Well, the first method would be let the Qur’an explain the Qur’an.

 

Surah 10 [chapter Yunus] consists of 109 verses. The chapter deals with a variety of subjects, starting from the creation of the heavens and earth, man being ungrateful to God  by associating partners with him, man actions leading them to enter hell or paradise as their abode to the stories of the Messengers.

 

Surah 10:94 must be understood from its context. The context to verse 94 starts from verse 71

 

And recite to them the news of Noah, when he said to his people, "O my people, if my residence and my reminding of the signs of Allah has become burdensome upon you – then I have relied upon Allah So resolve upon your plan and [call upon] your associates. Then let not your plan be obscure to you. Then carry it out upon me and do not give me respite. [Surah 10:71]

 

The mentioning of Messengers by name narrating their stories starts from verse 71. Prophet Noah Pbuh is the first Messenger to be mentioned in this chapter followed by many other Messengers who came after him verse 74. We further read Prophet Moses and Aaron Pbut are also mentioned by name, verse 75. The story of Moses and Aaron Pbut ends at verse 94 thus, leading to the verse :

 

So if you are in doubt, about that which We have revealed to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so never be among the doubters. [Surah 10:94]

 

A little background regarding the story of Moses and Aaron (Pbut): Both the Prophet and the Messenger were instructed to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of the Children of Israel from bondage. As the story unfolds through many miraculous incidents, Moses leads the Children of Israel out of Egypt after a long exchange with Pharaoh, only to have them pursued by the tyrant. This pursuit leads Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea, where Pharaoh and his army are drowned to their demise. Moses and Aaron (Pbut), along with the Children of Israel, were saved.

 

Now comes verse 94 There are a few ways to explain this verse, one way is the verse is pointing to the reverts from Christianity and Judaism I.e., Salman Al Farsi and Abdullah Bin Salam RA. They were knowledgeable men of previous scriptures who were once well respected the the jews and Christians. In fact there is even an ayat addressing the believer from among the Children of Israel

 

Say, "Have you considered: if it [i.e., the Quran] was from Allah, and you disbelieved in it while a witness from the Children of Israel has testified to something similar and believed while you were arrogant...?" Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. [Surah 46:10

 

This ayat is speaking about Abdullah Bin Salam RA who was a famous Jewish scholar in Medina who believed in Prophet Muhammed Pbuh after His migration to Medina. Lets connect this to Surah 94, if the “jews” are in doubt to what was sent down “the Qur’an” and Prophet Muhammed Pbuh who is mentioned in their scripture then let them consult with Abdullah Bin Salam RA and verify.

 

Ibn Kathir in his commentary on Surah 46:10 writes the following.

 

(at the same time), a witness from among the Children of Israel has testified to something similar) meaning, `the previous Scriptures that were revealed to the Prophets before me all testify to its truthfulness and authenticity. They have prophecied, well in advance, about things similar to that which this Qur’an informs of.’ Concerning Allah’s statement,

 

These verses are also connected to Surah 7:157 where the believers found the description of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh in the scriptures which they had access to before they became Muslims. Surah 13:4 also mentions those who have the knowledge of the book know Prophet Muhammed Pbuh has been sent with the truth.

 

In short Surah 10:94 is referring to the prophecy of Prophet Muhammed Pbuh in their scripture which they should not have any doubt about. That is one understanding.

 

Lets look at the verse closely.

 

فَإِن كُنتَ فِى شَكٍّ “if you are in doubt” doubt of what? The word  فَإِن “if” is conditional, it is not a requirement as the verse continues to read  “so never be among the doubters” تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُمْتَرِينَ.

 

Why do the Christian single out “if you are in doubt” and avoid mentioning “so be never of the doubters”. Do you see what game they are playing?

 

The question is, did Prophet Muhammed Pbuh doubt and inquire with any of the people of the book whether the Qur’an spoke the truth about the Messengers? the answer is no.

 

Imam Said ibn Jubair said commenting on this verse: “The Prophet never doubted what was revealed to him and never asked those who had been reading the Scripture.” 

 

Qatadah said commenting on this verse: “It was mentioned to us that the Prophet said: I never doubt and I never ask.”

 

 

In fact we have an authentic hadith by Ibn Abbas RA Where he admonishes the believers not to ask the book of the book regarding their scriptures.

  

Narrated 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah:

'Abdullah bin 'Abbaas said, "O the group of Muslims! How can you ask the people of the Scriptures about anything while your Book, which Allah has revealed to your Prophet contains the most recent news from Allah and is pure and not distorted? Allah has told you that the people of the Scriptures have changed some of Allah's Books and distorted it and wrote something with their own hands and said, 'This is from Allah, so as to have a minor gain for it. Won't the knowledge that has come to you stop you from asking them? No, by Allah, we have never seen a man from them asking you about that (the Book Al-Qur'an ) which has been revealed to you. [Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 614:]

 

The above hadith is sufficient to destroy the argument made by Christians that the verse is pushing the believers to inquire with the Jews and Christians about their book. It is absurd to think Muslims having the Qur’an speech of Allah Swt would go to a corrupted book written by the Jews and Christians. The very same Qur’an calls out the Jews and Christians for distorting their books.

 

As we have mentioned Christians love nit picking specific verse leaving the rest out, let continue reading verse 95

 

And never be of those who deny the signs of Allah and [thus] be among the losers. [V.95]

 

Notice the above verse saying “never be of those who deny the signs of Allah” how can you go to another book when the Qur’an is the direct speech of Allah Swt. What more truth can there be than the Qur’an? If the Qur’an is the Muhaymin “Guardian” over the previous scriptures, how can you consult with the regarding their book?

 

The next verse from the very same chapter will finish their claim.

 

Say, [O Muhammed], "O people, if you are in doubt as to my religion – then I do not worship those which you worship besides Allah; but I worship Allah, who causes your death. And I have been commanded to be of the believers [Surah 10:104]

 

SubhanAllah, Surah 10:94 explained. The Qur’an explains the Qur’an.

 

Read carefully, write down in gold ink if you must and display it. Prophet Muhammed Pbuh is being instructed by Allah Swt to say to the people “IF THEY ARE IN DOUBT” His religion is ISLAM and He Worships Allah Swt and He is a Muslim.

 

Conclusion :

 

Surah 10:94 is not asking the believers to go consult with the Jews and Christians doubting the verses of the Qur’an as demonstrated from the sources above. Lets say for the sake of argument we  entertained their lousy argument, it would only backfire on them.

 

"Christians, according to you, I should ask you when in doubt. Well, here’s my doubt: I don’t believe the Torah you have was written by Moses. I want you to prove to me that the five books attributed to Moses, known as the Pentateuch, were written by him. In fact, I am going to make it even easier for you. Forget the five books—just prove to me that Moses wrote the very first book, Genesis (Bereshit). What compelling evidence do you have that Moses authored that book? Provide your evidence, as I am in doubt. After you have given compelling evidence that Moses authored Genesis, then you can answer which Torah is the authentic.

 

DSS, Torah

Samaritan, Torah

LXX, Torah

Masoretic, Torah (which recention? Aleppo codex, Lenningrad codex. Codex Sassoon 1053 which predates the Lenningrad codex. Aaron ben Moses ben Asher 930 CE family of the masorete)

The Ashkar-Gilson Manuscript    Torah  

Ketef Hinnom Scrolls 600BC, Torah

Silver scrolls, Torah

Nash papyrus 150BC Torah

Shapira or Moses scrolls

Aquila text  Torah

Theodotion text Torah

Lucian text Torah

 

See how this verse backfires on you guys.

 

Alhumdulillah [All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the Worlds] May Allah Swt increase me in knowledge and help me and Muslims. Ameen Ya Rabil Alamin

JazakhAllahu Khair Ustadh Adnan for sharing your knowledge with me, Shukran.