If the Quran is perfect and unchanging, why does the Quran itself say verses can be removed and substituted?

Question

Quran 2:106 “ None of Our revelations do We abrogate (annul, change) or cause to be forgotten, BUT We substitute something better or similar: Knowest thou not that Allah Hath power over all things?” http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/002.qmt.html

This verse (aya) makes no sense. If the Quran can never be abrogated (changed) but a verse can be inserted and subtituted for another, isnt that a change?

If I have changed one verse for another verse, has there not been a change? Obviously, the author of this Surah in the Quran was afraid that there were imperfections in the Quran so he left open the ability to improve the Quran.

Notice these words "but we SUBSTITUTE something BETTER or similar". If something better is substituted, then the Quran is improved, thus meaning that it is not perfect, because perfection cant be improved or bettered.

Answer 1

First mistake: Assuming the english translation you used is correct and the words have the same exact meaning. When you translate you have options of words to use.

Second mistake: Out of context, completely. You have to read the entire chapter to get what a specific ayah is saying, like in this case.

Third mistake: The use of "we" is plural like the torah not to mean Muslims, but out of respect. You will see WE and US and OUR, but anyone who knows arabic or hebrew understands its a plural for a sign of respect.

Missing link: The Qur'an was not revealed at one time. It was done over periods and each surah had context and accompanying history. For example Surah Run talks about the Persian empire defeating the Romans, but the persians were polytheists and Romans were closer to Muslims. Muslims wanted the Romans to win. When the Muslims were fighting the battle of Badr the Romans defeated the persians.
Meaning: There is a plan for everything and Allah will show us by adding more ayats for more explanation. BUT NOT AFTER THE ENTIRE QUR'AN HAS BEEN REVEALED.

There are plenty of examples of this and if I'm not mistaken this gave learned people the ability to make Islamic laws and build shari'ah.

Allah forgive me if I said anything wrong

Great link below from other answerer.

Answer 2

Thanks for the question. This is one of the most misunderstood verses. Read the previous verse i.e., 2:105 which states

"It is never the wish of those without Faith among the People of the Book, nor of the Pagans, that anything good should come down to you from your Lord. But Allah will choose for His special Mercy whom He will - for Allah is Lord of grace abounding."

This was revealed when the Jews rejected Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and then the subsequent verse, 2:106 mentions the abrogation of the previous scriptures, not the Qur'an itself. It is being conveyed that some of the things are the same as they used to be in the previous books, but some of them have been abrogated. It is an accepted fact that there is a set of laws common to Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and there are differences as well.

I hope that explains it.

Remember that all of the Holy books were revealed by God.

and Allah Knows Best.

Answer 3

Your translation is incorrect.
Correct Translation:

The Aayat that We (Allah (the only one God)) abrogate (annul, change) or cause to be forgotten, (We (Allah)) reveal another such an Aayat or better (Aayat). Do you not know that Allah has power over all things?”


Here We is a respect word that Allah Subhanatallah uses for himself and means only one God and not more. must know Arabic to understand its true meaning or ask an Imam of a "Masjid" (mosque) in ur locality.

As an example I quote from the elaboration of Quran itself, that at the time Adam and Eve were sent to to Earth Allah Subhanatallah allowed the marriages between brothers and sisters which was his "command". Later this was prohibited which was also his command. The reason of course being that at that time there were only brothers and sisters and no others to marry.
Also drinking was allowed by Allah and prohohibited only during the prayer initially.Later drinking was prohibited completely later.
The reason (Muslim literary scholars state) is that it was hard for ppl to accept this all at once. So it was prohibited slowly.

In the end Allah Subhanatallah says that he has power over all things and so he will do as he wills.

Answer 4

what i have understood by this verse is that "our revelations" are not referring to the verses of the quran but ancient prophecies and revelations. like the quran doesnot annuled the torah or bible but offers something better than it, and sometimes similar laws like most of the ten commandments.

no religious book would make sense if verses can be replaced.

dont read the quran like you're reading the old testament or new testament. it must be read with a commentary or guide of a learn muslim or else u will misunderstand everything

Answer 5

LVS,
One day, while Muhammad was asleep in the cave, an angel approached with a sheet in his hand. The angel said to Muhammad, "Read." Muhammad answered in surprise, "What shall I read?" He felt as if the angel had strangled and then released him and heard once more the command, "Read." Muhammad's reply was, "What shall I read?" Once more he felt the angel strangling and then releasing him, and he heard him repeat the command, "Read." For the third time Muhammad answered, "What shall I read?" fearful that this time the strangling would be stronger. The angel replied, "Read in the name of your Lord, the Creator, Who created man of a clot of blood. Read! Your Lord is most gracious. It is He who taught man by the pen that which he does not know [Qur'an, 96:1-5.], Muhammad recited these verses, repeating them after the angel who withdrew after they were permanently carved upon his memory. Thus the earliest of the biographies reported, and so did ibn Ishaq[3]

According to the Haykal, Mohammad was not sure what happened, he thought the “angel” might have been a demon, who possessed him, something he always feared.

Answer 6

Assalm Alaykom / Hello

I found this translation:
[2:106] Whatever a Verse (revelation) do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or similar to it. Know you not that Allâh is able to do all things?


As they said, you have to learn the Arabic language.

Here are the right answers for your questions from a trusted islamic website (islamweb.net) :

Abrogated verses of the Qur'an
http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Fatwa/ShowFatwa.php?lang=E&Id=3467&Option=FatwaId

Naasikh and Mansookh in the Quran
http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Fatwa/ShowFatwa.php?lang=E&Id=9968&Option=FatwaId

Questioning whether the holy books have been changed
http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Fatwa/ShowFatwa.php?lang=E&Id=8680&Option=FatwaId

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

Regards

PS: I am sure that Khaled (like everyday) is going to answer this question by saying silly lies and blah blah blah.
Please Khaled, read what I wrote here
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhIJrGnS.yIO63zkvMQ1HJzsy6IX?qid=20061009013820AAkGSDI

Answer 7

Abrogation occurs when the ruling is gradually applied. For example drinking wine was allowed at first, then it was prohibited in certain situations and then it was totally prohibited. At this point in time first two laws would not be applicable anymore, since it dealt with people at that time. Now alchohol is considered a sin and it's not allowed for the muslim to consume any amount.

Answer 8

direction in Quran it doesn't point all to one side . some time North some time south and some time in same verse you see the North and the south together.

Answer 9

You should really study this , it's not about improvement at all .. but graduation of laws.

Answer 10

honey....do u speak arabic?????!!!!
learn to speak arabic first then come to study it's meaning....
a very holy great book like this.., it can Not be translated well...
the TRANSLATION does not make sense at all....
hope Allah (the god) leads u to the islam (the true way)