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Muhammad's Knowledge of Geography

Ali Sina 

Another so called Miracle of the Quran, claimed by Muslims, is the verse 30:2 and 30:3 It reads: 

30.2
The Roman Empire has been defeated-
30.3
YUSUFALI: In a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious-
PICKTHAL: In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious
SHAKIR: In a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome,


These Muslims claim that the word near أَدْنَى can also be translated as lower and hence the above could be read: The Roman Empire was defeated in the lowest land. Then they claim that since the Dead Sea is it the lowest point on earth (1300 ft bellow sea level) Muhammad said something that no one could have known.

This is of course wishful thinking of deluded believers and the absurdity of that is evident. The Romans were not defeated in the Dead Sea but in Jerusalem and Jerusalem is above sea level. If we had to take this arbitrary translation and disregard the obvious meaning of the word as was understood by all the translators of the Quran, this verse would have become yet another blunder of Muhammad.

However, all the interpreters of the Quran have translated the verse correctly. If Muhammad really wanted to impress his followers about his knowledge of geography, he could have easily said that the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. Note that the verse is mentioning land and not sea. Muhammad is talking about Jerusalem and not about the Dead Sea .

 

More Miracles in the Quran

 

 

 

 

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