Dear All,
Over the years, members of this site have talked a lot about the miraculous events mentioned in the Quran. Traditional scholars often interpret these events literally, but the folks on this website may have different views among themselves.
I want to list these miraculous events and ask everyone for their opinions as short. Do you believe in the literal translation, or do you have another interpretation? and if yes why do you believe these are Allegorical in understanding?
Let us have a respectful and insightful sharing of understanding, of course with in the context of Quran but again interprations and understanding may differ.
To make it meaningful, I will quote the non-traitional interpreations of GA Pervez [as an example ONLY and his version is not the focal point of discussion]
https://www.parwez.tv/abid/mufhoom_1/by_G_A_parwez/Exposition%20of%20Quran.htm1. Splitting of the Sea (Moses)
Reference: Quran 26:63 (Arabic: "فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ", English: "So We inspired to Moses, 'Strike with your staff the sea,' and it split, and each part became like a great mountain.")
Traditional Interpretation: A miraculous intervention by God, displaying His power to save Moses and the Israelites by parting the sea.
GA Pervez:
So We sent a revelation to Moses, saying; "Take your people to the sea/river (from a particular direction) and then cross it at a point where it has become dry." (20:77; 44:24)
2. The Virgin Birth (Jesus)Traditional Interpretation: A divine miracle where Mary gives birth to Jesus without any male intervention, highlighting the miraculous power of God.
Reference: Quran 19:20-21 (Arabic: "قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّۭا. قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ", English: "She said, 'How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?' He said, 'Thus Allah creates what He wills. When He decrees something, He says to it only, 'Be,' and it is.")
GA Pervez:
She said, "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me." (When I was in the temple, I lived a virtuous life; and since I came out, I have not got married as this is against the clerical laws ~ 3:46; 19:28.)
He said, "Whatever I have told you, will happen according to Allah's law of creation (3:46). This is easy for Him (to remove all the hindrances which are in your mind and which perturb you ~ 19:9). Allah has also said that this child will not be like other children. He will be from our side an embodiment of Rahmat for the people; and a testimonial for truth and falsehood. (Whoever brings Eiman on his Nabuwat will be on the right path, while the one who rejects it will be wrong.) And this is already decreed by Us (that the child will be Our Messenger ~ 3:47).
(And gradually all impediments were removed and the fear of clerical taboos vanished from Mary's mind. At the same time, in spite of warnings and intimidation from the priests, one person agreed to marry Mary.) In time Mary conceived the child and consequently they (both of them) considered it appropriate to move to a far off place (so that the child would be born at a place where no one knew them; and where they would be safe from the wrath and accusations of the priests).
3. Reviving the Dead
Traditional Interpretation: Prophets like Jesus were given the power to revive the dead as a sign of their divine authority and God's supremacy by the order of God.
Reference: Quran 3:49 (Arabic: "وَأُحْيِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ", English: "And I give life to the dead by the permission of Allah.") [and ˹make him˺ a messenger to the Children of Israel ˹to proclaim,˺ 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a ˹real˺ bird—by Allah's Will. I will heal the blind and the leper and raise the dead to life—by Allah's Will. And I will prophesize what you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you ˹truly˺ believe]
GA Pervez:
Jesus will say to the Bani-Isr'ael, "(The Law which I have received through revelation is not a new one.) It will validate what has been said before in the Torah (and liberate you from your self-made Shari'at – 4/160, 6/147, 16/118) and to make lawful unto you some of the things which had been forbidden to you (earlier). And I have come with a message from your Sustainer so always abide by the Laws of Allah and follow me."
Mary was also told that her son will not be like ordinary children. Allah will give him the Book based on wisdom and reveal to him knowledge of the Torah and Bible, sending him as a Nabi to Bani-Isr'ael to whom he will say: "I bring to you a life-giving message from your Rabb. Through this revelation I will give you new life so that you can rise above the depths to which you have sunk and be able to soar high in the sky" (5/110). In all this is indeed a message for you, but only if you have faith in it.
At present you are sightless; this revelation will give you sight so that you can walk on the right path. At present, fields of your activities are barren and lifeless; through the revelation they will become green and fruitful. Your mean disposition due to which others shun you will be transformed.
In short, your present death-like state of disgrace and degradation will be changed into a new life.
4. The Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj)
Traditional Interpretation: A physical and/or spiritual journey undertaken by Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to heaven, affirming his prophethood and the miracles associated with it.
Reference: Quran 17:1 (Arabic: "سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱلَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَىٰ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِي بَـٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَآ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ", English: "Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.")
GA Pervez:
(1) (The atmosphere in Makkah had become unbearable for the Jama'at-ul-Momineen and there was a little hope that the message of Islam would be accepted by those who had not only rejected it but planned to kill the Rasool.) Limitless glory to Allah who moved his devotee one night from the sacred mosque (of Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Madina - where atmosphere was much more conducive) and its environs We had blessed. The purpose of the migration was that the promises made by Allah with him in Makkah should be fulfilled. Most certainly Allah is all Hearing and All-Seeing (20/23). (Therefore every decision of His is based on Knowledge and Wisdom.)
5. Creation of AdamTraditional Interpretation: God created Adam from clay as the first human, breathing life into him, demonstrating God's creative power.
Reference: Quran 38:71-72 (Arabic: "إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًۭا مِّن طِينٍۢ فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ", English: "When your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.'")
GA Pervez:
When the human being reaches a stage where it has acquired the best of proportions in every respect (after passing through all the developmental/evolutionary stages, and I breathe into it a sparkle of My energy, he attains a human personality capable of making choices and discretions. Then, at that stage, you (Malaika) should bow before him
6. Solomon and the AntsSolomon was granted the ability to understand animals, demonstrating his unique prophetic wisdom. The story illustrates his compassion and awareness, as he heeds the warning of an ant to avoid harming it and its fellow ants unintentionally.
Reference: Quran 27:18-19 (Arabic: "حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌۭ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَـٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ", English: "Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, 'O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.'")
GA Pervez:
(At one time Soloman learnt that the State of Sheba was planning to attack. So as a precaution he took his army towards them. The valley of Namal was on the way and like that of the State of Sheba, its head of state was a woman. When she received the news of this army, she ordered her subjects to remain in their dwellings to save themselves. Without ascertaining whether they had any connection or alliance with their enemy the State of Sheba, she was afraid that the troops might crush them. (This is normal action when armies invade. It is better to move out of their way.)
7. Age of Noah:
Traditional Interpretation: Noah is one of the longest-lived prophets in Islamic tradition. According to the Quran, he preached to his people for 950 years before the great flood occurred. This extended lifespan is seen as a testament to his perseverance in delivering God's message despite the continued disbelief of his people.
Reference: Quran 29:14 (Arabic: "وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ الطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَالِمُونَ", English: "And We certainly sent Noah to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years minus fifty years, and the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers.")
GA Pervez:
(However there is nothing strange in what they are saying. Consider the history of the tussle between good and evil, starting from the times long past. Firstly you will notice that) We sent forth Noah unto his people and his era lasted for a period of nine hundred and fifty years. (Then the period of Abraham started.)* (His people opposed him strongly and) The result was that the deluge overtook them; as indeed they were the 'Zalimeen'.
In short, what I am trying to understand is how those verses of Quran are interpreted by the people who follow only Quran. As I know some of the folks here leave the understanding of Quran completely open to every individual and even close to say Prophets and Messsengers may also not know the full depth of understanding of verses of the scriptures. Hence I am quite interested to know how are you going to interpret these verses; taking them literally or as a metaphor or perhaps a mix of both--- and based on what logic and attained knowledge of Quran.
I have given an example translation from GA Pervez which is sort of complete extreme version of not taking things literally and my understanding differs from his but I quoted him as an example:
For example: His interpretation of the chapter 105: The elephand which atleast I grew up understanding from my elders is quite different: I was told to believe the literal translation that أَبَابِيلَ [not a known species of bird] i do not know carrying stones protected the sacred site by pelting the army, leading to their destruction.
See below:
SURAH 105 : Al-Fîl
1.(If these opponents are under the false impression that none can defeat a powerful and mighty force like theirs, you should tell them) "Have you not seen, with your own eyes how your Rabb dealt with the army which had elephants?
2."You saw with your own eyes how He rendered their artful planning utterly unsuccessful.
3. They had selected an unknown and unsuspected pass on the other side of the mountain, so that they could lead a sudden attack and take you unawares.) "But flocks of eagles and vultures (which normally fly over the armies to pick up remnants of dead bodies or other eatables) started hovering over their heads. In this way you realised from a distance, that some army was on the move behind the mountains (their secret plan was thus exposed).
4-5. "Therefore you climbed over the mountain and started pelting them with stones, crushing their army and making them to look like chewed-up stubble."
(All this happened before your very eyes. When such a mighty army can be defeated, then what about yourself. All your secret plans will also fail.)
Appreciate GL and other to provide in short their understanding of the above apparant miraculous verses
Thanks
