An Encounter with a Minister

About seven years ago, I had a minister over to my home.  In the particular room which we were sitting there was a Quran on the table, face down, and so the minister was not aware of which book it was.  In the midst of a discussion, I pointed to the Quran and said, “I have confidence in that book.” Looking at the Quran but not knowing which book it was, he replied, “Well, I tell you, if that book is not the Bible, it was written by a man!” In response to his statement, I said, “Let me tell you something about what is in that book.” And in just three to four minutes, I related to him a few things contained in the Quran.  After just those three or four minutes, he completely changed his position and declared, “You are right.  A man did not write that book.  The Devil wrote it!” Indeed, possessing such an attitude is very unfortunate - for many reasons.  For one thing, it is a very quick and cheap excuse.  It is an instant exit out of an uncomfortable situation.

As a matter of fact, there is a famous story in the Bible that mentions how one day some of the Jews were witnesses when Jesus, peace be upon him, raised a man from the dead.  The man had been dead for four days, and when Jesus arrived, he simply said, “Get up!” and the man arose and walked away.  At such a sight, some of the Jews who were watching said disbelievingly, “This is the Devil.  The Devil helped him!” Now this story is rehearsed very often in churches all over the world, and people cry big tears over it, saying, “Oh, if I had been there, I would not have been as stupid as the Jews!” Yet, ironically, these people do exactly what the Jews did when in just three minutes you show them only a small part of the Quran and all they can say is, “Oh, the Devil did it.  The Devil wrote that book!” Because they are truly backed into a corner and have no other viable answer, they resort to the quickest and cheapest excuse available. 

The Source of the Quran

Another example of people’s use of this weak stance can be found in the Makkans’ explanation of the source of Muhammad’s message.  They used to say, “The devils bring Muhammad that Quran!” But just as with every suggestion made, the Quran gives the answer.  One passage (Chapter Al-Qalam 68: 51-52) in particular states:

“...and they say, ‘Surely he is possessed,’ but it [i.e., the Quran] is not except a reminder to the worlds.”

Thus it gives an argument in reply to such a theory.  In fact, there are many arguments in the Quran in reply to the suggestion that devils brought Muhammad his message.  For example, in the 26th chapter God, clearly affirms:

“No evil ones have brought it [i.e., this revelation] down.  It would neither be fitting for them, nor would they be able.  Indeed they have been removed far from hearing it.” (Quran 26:210-212)

And in another place (Surah an-Nahl 16:98) in the Quran, God instructs us:

“So when you recite the Quran seek refuge in God from Satan, the cursed.”

Now is this how Satan writes a book?  He tells one, “Before you read my book, ask God to save you from me?” This is very, very tricky.  Indeed, a man could write something like this, but would Satan do this? Many people clearly illustrate that they cannot come to one conclusion on this subject.  On one hand, they claim that Satan would not do such a thing and that even if he could, God would not allow him to; yet, on the other hand, they also believe that Satan is only that much less than God.  In essence they allege that the Devil can probably do whatever God can do.  And as a result, when they look at the Quran, even as surprised as they are as to how amazing it is, they still insist, “The Devil did this!”

Praise be to God, Muslims do not have that attitude.  Although Satan may have some abilities, they are a long way separated from the abilities of God.  And no Muslim is a Muslim unless he believes that.  It is common knowledge even among non-Muslims that the Devil can easily make mistakes, and it would be expected that he would contradict himself if and when he wrote a book.  For indeed, the Quran states (Surah an-Nisa 4:82):

“Do they not consider the Quran? Had it been from other than God, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.”

Mythomania

In conjunction with the excuses that non-Muslims advance in futile attempts to justify unexplainable verses in the Quran, there is another attack often rendered which seems to be a combination of the theories that Muhammad was crazy and a liar.  Basically, these people propose that Muhammad was insane, and as a result of his delusion, he lied to and misled people.  There is a name for this in psychology.  It is referred to as mythomania.  It means simply that one tells lies and then believes them.  This is what the non-Muslims say Muhammad suffered from.  But the problem with this proposal is that one suffering from mythomania absolutely cannot deal with any facts, and yet the whole Quran is based entirely upon facts.  Everything contained in it can be researched and established as true.  Since facts are such a problem for a mythomaniac, when a psychologist tries to treat one suffering from that condition, he continually confronts him with facts.

For example, if one is mentally ill and claims, “I am the king of England,” a psychologist does not say to him “No you aren’t.  You are crazy!” He just does not do that.  Rather, he confronts him with facts and says, “O.K., you say you are the king of England.  So tell me where the queen is today.  And where is your prime minister? And where are your guards?” Now, when the man has trouble trying to deal with these questions, he tries to make excuses, saying “Uh...  the queen...  she has gone to her mother’s.  Uh...  the prime minister...  well he died.” And eventually he is cured because he cannot deal with the facts.  If the psychologist continues confronting him with enough facts, finally he faces the reality and says, “I guess I am not the king of England.”

The Quran approaches everyone who reads it in very much the same way a psychologist treats his mythomania patient.  There is a verse in the Quran (Surah Yunus 10:57) which states:

“O mankind, there has come to you an admonition [i.e., the Quran] from your Lord and a healing for what is in the hearts - and guidance and mercy for the believers.”

At first glance, this statement appears vague, but the meaning of this verse is clear when one views it in light of the aforementioned example.  Basically, one is healed of his delusions by reading the Quran.  In essence, it is therapy.  It literally cures deluded people by confronting them with facts.  A prevalent attitude throughout the Quran is one which says, “O mankind, you say such and such about this; but what about such and such? How can you say this when you know that?” And so forth.  It forces one to consider what is relevant and what matters while simultaneously healing one of the delusions that facts presented to mankind by God can easily be explained away with flimsy theories and excuses.