Thursday, December 23, 2010

Numerology in the Quran

Some claim that numerology is proof that the Quran is the divine word of Allah. Here is a sampling of the evidence (taken from here):

  • The statement of “seven heavens” is repeated 7 times. “The creation of the heavens (khalq as-samawat)” is also repeated 7 times.
  • The word “Day (yawm)” is repeated 365 times in singular form, while its plural and dual forms “days (ayyam and yawmayn)” together are repeated 30 times.

Those are kinda neat, but would be trivial to implement. It's a shame that the word "Day (yawm)" couldn't be repeated exactly 365.256363 times.

Now for the amazing number 19!! Again, just a sampling:

  • The first verse of every sura (chapter) known as “Basmalah” (bismillah al-rahman al-rahim) consists of 19 letters.
  • The Quran consists of 114 suras, which is 19 x 6.
  • The total number of verses in the Quran is 6346, or 19 x 334.
  • 6234 numbered verses & 112 un-numbered verses (Basmalahs) 6234+112 = 6346. Note that 6+3+4+6= 19.
  • The Basmalah occurs 114 times, despite its conspicuous absence from Sura 9 (it occurs twice in Sura 27) & 114= 19 x 6.
  • The Zakat charity is mentioned in [a number of verses that] add up to 2395. This total does not quite make it as a multiple of 19; it is up by 1.
    The Hajj Pilgrimage occurs in 2:189, 196, 197; 9:3; and 22:27. These numbers add up to 645, and this total does not quite make it as a multiple of 19; it is down by 1.
    Thus, Zakat and Hajj, together, give a total of 2395+645 = 3040 = 19×160.

  • ... yadda yadda yadda ...

The list goes on and on, quoting many MANY quantities that are divisible by 19.

It occurred to me that every 19th number is divisible by 19.

Moreover, suppose you have 100 different quantities that you tabulate in a document (eg. number of chapters, or times a word is used). If you consider all possible combinations of those quantities, you'll get about 1030 values. In combinatorial notation, that’s

   (100 choose 1) + (100 choose 2) + … + (100 choose 100).

If one out of every 19 of those is divisible by 19 (as one would expect), then you’re left with more than 1028 “coincidences”… combinations of quantities that are divisible by 19. In fact, there will be a comparable number of “coincidences” for 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, etc.

These numerology "miracles" are statistically unimpressive, and certainly not proof that the Quran is the divine word of Allah.

20 comments:

  1. You did not consider all of the "non coincidences" i.e. 10^28/10^30 yields what? A very slim set of odds my friend. The miracle part comes from the fact that the counts divisible by 19 have something to do with the content and thesis of the matter. I.E. Tell me if the words "liberal", "democracy", "equal rights" Are mentioned at a combined multiple of 19 in the Liberal Party Mandate/Charter.(if there is one.)

    You omitted that water and earth are mentioned many times in the Quran but at a ratio of approximately 70:30 respectively, similar to what is geographically apparent on our planet, but was not apparent 1400 years ago. This has nothing to do with 19 or your analysis.

    Finally, God nor Muslims claim this to be a miracle. The Quran is a miracle because it is the literal word of God. We are not told to count it, but read and ponder over it.
    If you are the intelligent man of reason and science, as you look and claim. Tell me why/how the big bang is explicitly mentioned in the quran 1400 years ago. While western science only hopped on that bandwagon in the 1900s, and are only realizing the logic and merits of intelligent design NOW.
    Want my personal numerical miracle found in the quran.
    According to Allah:
    time req'd to complete the universe=A(days)=6
    time req'd to complete the earth=B(days)=2
    According to Science and Hubble:
    universe age: a(GY)=13.75
    earth age: b(GY)=4.54

    would you belive me if i told you the ratios are the same. All this exercise did for me was explain how time is meaningless to the One who created it for us. He transcends time space matter energy and all things seen and unseen. Intelligent as you are, you cannot comprehend this, our earthly experiences prevent that. But you CAN be aware of it, and HIs presence. If you want to deny a higher power, do it in the context of your own failed "psuedo religion" but Islam has far too much reason and logic tied in with faith in the unseen. There is no argument - life is a test, you will only know that for certain when you its too late to start wildly filling in random multiple choice bubbles.

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  2. Ummm... actually the number 10^28 comes from an approximation of 10^30 divided by 19.

    To be more exact, there are 1.2677e30 ways to combine 100 things. Divide that by 19, and you get 6.6718e28.

    Oooh, notice that 6.6718e28 / 1.2677e30 is exactly 1/19. Magic!

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  3. The point of my post is that anyone can find such coincidences if they look for them.

    A similar project -- that I might imagine is at odds with the Qaran -- is the Bible Code (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_code). They found a whole bunch of predictions in the Torah. Actually, they were postdictions... predictions after the event. Not very impressive. And to show how ridiculous it is, they did the same exercise with "Moby Dick", and found lots of postdictions there too.

    The Qaran does not predict the big bang. The related text is far too vague. It's yet another example of fitting loose text to known events.

    If the Qaran really predicts things, then find some text in the Qaran that predicts an event that hasn't happened yet, and tell me when it's going to happen. Or extract from the Qaran some text that leads directly to a new scientific discovery. Not a discovery that is in the past. A NEW discovery that has not been made YET.

    Do that a few times, and then I'll be impressed.

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  4. OK Challenge accepted, how about the "Day of Judgement" synonymous with "cataclysm" or "apocalypse". Now this is my point. Its part of the Unseen Test, one where you must be a believer to pass. Now if you dont believe in the last day, then you wont be successful. A good sceptic would make the miniscule sacrifice to reap eternal rewards (sceptic of the devil's promises). A poor sceptic would be sceptic of Gods words, and actually follow the devil into materialism and failed theories like the one where it was proposed the universe is an eternal constant(the title escapes the tip of my tongue).

    Allah"Do the unbelievers not realize that the heavens and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe?"
    The Qur'an 21:30

    God knows you exist, that is why he specifically mentioned YOU as the subject. Each of these verses have limitless and sound implications. the second part about water tells all about darwin and evolution in a nutshell.
    The quran isnt some magic harry potter mostradamus sooth sayer book. its a book of warning and admonition, it contains stories of great prophets and men corrected from other old tales. Consider some new software, Quran is the .exe, but the prophet is the application consultant who showed us how to apply it> HIS sayings contain hundreds of prophesies, but thats another blog page. Half or more of the signs of day of judgement have passed. The prophesies regarding excess killing and floods and quakes are in the process of fulfillment. Thanks for the forum.

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    1. Hmm. My Quran (Shakir) has, "..the heavens and the earth were closed up, but We have opened them..." for Sura 21:30. That doesn't really look like the Big Bang to me. Who did your translation?

      I would say the Bible says it much more clearly when God says: "And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light." (Genesis 1:3)

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    2. Shiraz Engineer... I can appreciate your engineering skills in attempting to rebuild Quranic texts to lift your religious pride.

      Qur'an 21:30

      Nothing about "exploding" anything into existence however I am sure there are 100,000 million proud believers who will come to your aid and offer some intellectual patchwork to repair your engineering folly

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    3. Don't pretend to know Arabic by reading simple outdated translation. Split asunder/separated/clove tore up are all fitting for the translation. I never called it a big bang. Steven Hawking did. An explosion is a separation. The universe is expanding, that fact is also in the Quran. Read about red shift. Read in general.

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  5. Jeff you are being quite dishonest in with your critique. Asking why couldn't God have made the word Day ("yawm" in Arabic) be repeated exactly 365.256363 times? Any real academic would without hesitation acknowledge the fact that the speed at which the earth rotates around the sun is ever decreasing, thus this exact number which you reference is incorrect and constantly changing.

    Also please post the evidences of how the word usage and numerology which is found in the book "Moby Dick" is even remotely significant in a discussion such as this.

    If you understood anything regarding basic mathematics (The scientific study of probability) and were interested in conducting an honest critique. Then rather than typing nonsense such as "yadda yadda yadda...", as the evidence continued to pile up against your argument you would embrace the facts. If we try and calculate the probability of a book which was revealed over a period of 23 years to an illiterate and unlearned man, a book which has never once been revised and still contains all of the listed numerology miracles involving the number 19 as well as many more which use word numerology, some of which can be found here http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/mathematical_01.html one can only come to one conclusion. Does Moby Dick or any other literary work which you can name or think of contain examples similar to the following, "The words "paradise" and "hell" are each repeated 77 times", "The number of times the words "man" and "woman" are repeated in the Qur'an is 23", among many others. It is quite clear that the Quran ("The Recitation" when translated into English) is a book like no other and those who are honest with themselves and other and truly searching for the truth may benefit from it in this life as well as the hear after.

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  6. Jeff you just fuck yourself

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    1. Thanks for your constructive criticism, Anonymous. If you can think of any other non-anatomical suggestions, I'd be happy to consider them.

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  7. jeff i wish you are a muslim you would have seen the beauty and mathematical construction of the qur'an with an article of faith and believe. am afraid you should not be among those who said: "they have eyes they cannot see, ears cannot hear, and mind cannot comprehend..........". i enjoin you to quickly accept slam, welcome.

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    1. Has anyone ever considered that the numerology apparent in the Koran though perhaps supernaturally included, may very well be
      placed there by someone other the God or allah or whoever he maybe know. All muslims be aware of the alternative entity known as Satan, who has the power to deceive and lead humans astray. He could very easily have placed these coincidences in
      the koran to deceive humans in to believing that is god inspired. And while we are talking about God or allah, history
      that pre-dates the rise of islam show us that a pagan moon god
      by the same name was worship by Mohammads own tribe. Is this the as one true god that muslims worship to day. When I thing
      about the implications of this book having possible inspired
      by that evil one I shutter to the core. Do not forget that he
      that satan is a great deceiver of man and do not underestimate
      his ability to do anything towards that end!

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    2. At least you aknowledge the statistical miracles abundant in the Quran which this article barely scratches the surface of. The truth is that He is Sublime.. he could make the Quran float. But then you would accept through sight not through heart.

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  8. https://www.facebook.com/notes/oitache-mroane/numerological-calculations-/511659802349046

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  9. Hi Jeff,

    A problem with this article is that you haven't gone to the source material. This 19 numerology concept as proof of divine revelation was 'discovered' or revealed if you like by Rashad Khalifa in 1974 who was an Egyptian American assassinated later on by jihadis for this view. This 19 which also matches the number of markings in the Arabic alphabet was Essentially a divine method of ensuring the Quran was not 'altered'.

    What you have these days is Muhammadans claiming this 'miracle' but not understanding that it doesn't work for their Quran as it has two extra corrupt verses nor understanding where this came from. Rashad Khalifa was a "Quranist' to use a western term (as I'm sure he'd would have said he was a real Muslim) and was of the very logical 'opinion' or belief that Muslims should only be following the Quran and not the hadiths (which containS all the crazy cultural mysoginy and nasty jihad stuff written by people with their own agendas 200+ years after the death of prophet Muhammad). Quranists also don't venerate prophet Muhammad either.

    I don't ascribe to numerology and I see your point that any number could possibly be fitted in and the point about the bible numbers, but I think dismissal without trying to understand the facts is also disingenuous. Feel free to check out the source below:


    Any conflict of interest: I'm of no religious affiliation


    Source: http://submission.org/index.html


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  10. Have you been to casino and ever played ROULETTE? The Roulette numbers are 36 in totality which means 19 X 2. Similarly if you count 1+2+3+4+5+6+7 till the last number 36 on the Roulette board, the total will be 666 which means it's 6+6×6=19. This concept of Roulette has also been taken from Quran

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    1. What?! 19x2 is 38, not 36. And 6+6x6 is 42, not 19. ????

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    2. you said you want predictions well there are many signs of judgement day in the quran that were said 1400years ago and are occuring/will occur as time passes

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  11. Salam

    I am providing you holy discovery, a gift from Holy Qur’an and only for my students /Monos. This Holy discovery is related to a numerical number 19 as a sign for increase of faith, disclosed in Quran.
    We have discussed the “Value of Dot” in our Last Lesson. You are now fully conversant with the Holy Chart of Numeracy available with all of you. It’s a present for all of my students from our Lord AL : ELY – AL – Eazeem [ JJ ].
    This Holy discovery, a gift of Holy Qur’an. It is only for the students in Monotheism. This Holy discovery is related to the Numerical Word “19”. The Holy Qur’an disclosed in Surah Mudasar 74 : 30 – 31 that :
    “Above it there are 19. We have not appointed Kingly ones /Angelic ones, as Keepers of Hell Fire and we have not fixed their Numbers ( 19 ), but as a trial for those who disbelieve. So for who were given the book [ Holy Bible & Qur‘an ] may have certainty / Yaqien (in 19 ]. And those who are believed ones [ Monoun ] may have Greater Increase in Iman [ with No 19 ]. And those to whom the Book [ Bible/زبور ] have given and those who are the believers /Mominoun, may not have doubt in it [19 ]. And that in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers Kafiroun say : What does Allah mean by this example[19 ]? Thus, Allah leave to astray whomsoever, He wills and guides whomsoever, He wills…….”.
    Now, what is 19 ? And how the Iman of the Believed ones ( Monoun ) will be increased by it’s sign 19. First of all, please calculate the name of this Chapter Surah “EL : Mudasar”. It will be 775 (19) calculated for you as under :
    Alf + Lam + Mim + Dal + Sey + Ray
    1 + 30 + 40 + 4 + 500 + 200 = 775
    Therefore, it’s total comes, 775 which will be taken as 7 + 7 + 5 = 19. Now for you without doubt it has confirmed that the Lord has given this Surah AL – Mudasir as sign of 19 before It’s verse have highlighted the example of 19 for the Jews Christians Muslims, Believers and as well as for you the Believed ones going to be increased in Iman with this example of Numeric value 19.
    Why ! the Lord has given us 19 Aya’at ( 19 Verses ) in His own introducing Surah AL : Ea’ala /Most High in Holy Qur’an and have displayed it’s 19 Aya’at in a One Raku? Here is a light for the increase of Iman for a Believed one /A’ Mono. Why ! the Lord from the First Day [Youm -el- Awal ] of Creation has given us 12 Months and 7 days a week, same as 12 + 7 = 19, in a 1 Year ? A beautiful example of Oneness of 19 again. Why! were the 12 Tribes of Hz: Yaqoub A.S ( Jacob ] and for them a 7 Candle’s Gold Lamp Stand again a sign of 12 + 7 = 19 in the past nations of Lord‘s people ? Or why, the Lord made 12 Gates for the Garden of Eden [Asna Ashra Abwab – el -Jannah 3 in each side Revelation 21:13 ] and 7 Doors of Hell Fire [Abwab el Jahanamah] again a sign of 12+7 =19 ?

    Yours brother in Iman,
    Syed Akbar Abbas Naqvi.
    www.il-elyon19.com
    elyonhussain@gmail.com

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