AL-BURHĀN: JOURNAL OF QURʾĀN AND SUNNAH STUDIES

APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS IN THE QUR’AN: PRECONDITIONS, CAUSES, AND SCHOLARLY METHODOLOGIES OF RESOLUTION

2025-09-01T01:52:01+08:00

This study investigates the phenomenon of apparent contradictions in the Qur’an by examining the conditions under which such perceptions arise, the causes that contribute to them, and the scholarly methods employed for resolution. The central issue addressed is the misinterpretation of verses that appear conflicting, despite the Qur’an’s divine origin and inherent coherence. Using inductive and analytical approaches, the research engages with classical uṣūlī principles to clarify the preconditions for a genuine contradiction and demonstrates that these conditions are never realized in the Qur’an. It further analyzes common sources of perceived conflict, including generality versus specificity, absoluteness versus qualification, abrogation, and contextual variation. The study highlights the interpretive strategies of scholars, emphasizing the importance of linguistic precision, contextual analysis, and the uṣūlī framework in safeguarding textual integrity. The findings affirm that true contradiction in the Qur’an is impossible, and that apparent conflicts can be resolved through sound interpretive tools. The research also recommends incorporating these methodologies into Qur’anic and legal studies curricula to enhance critical skills and deepen engagement with the sacred text. Ultimately, it reaffirms the Qur’an’s internal harmony and strengthens intellectual confidence in the Islamic tradition.

Keywords: Qur’an, Apparent Contradictions, Conditions of Conflict, Causes of Contradiction, Scholarly Methods of Resolution.

Statistical Validation of 19-Letter Verses in the Quran: A Quantitative Study of the Numerical Structure

2025-09-01T01:52:11+08:00

Background: Mathematics represents the fundamental universal truth and language of the cosmos. Numerical patterns inherent in naturally occurring perfect formations are similarly evident in the Quran as a result of its divine authorship. A sacred text believed to be divine is expected to exhibit inherent proofs that can be verified to validate its authenticity, with mathematical proof being the most unambiguous. The unique textual integrity of the Quran, meticulously preserved through oral and written traditions in a specific order, renders it exceptionally suitable for numerical analysis. However, previous methods have been proposed subjectively and lack objective statistical testing.

Methods: This study is the first to use robust statistical tests to examine numerical patterns in the Quran by converting each letter to a Microsoft Excel cell. We analyzed the frequency of 19-letter verses in the Quran using a dataset of 6,236 verses with letter counts ranging from 3 to 551. Among other numerical patterns, we identified an outlier of 168 verses with 19 letters in our scatter plot analysis, prompting us to question whether this could occur randomly. Both chi-square goodness-of-fit tests and Poisson tests were applied. STATA 18.0 was employed for statistical analysis.

Results: An expected frequency of 70 from the empirical distribution was compared with the observed frequency of 168. The chi-square test yielded a statistic of 138.76 (df = 1, p < 0.001), and the Poisson test produced a Z-score of 11.71 (p ≈ 0, using normal approximation). Both tests yielded highly significant results. The strong rejection of the null hypothesis by both tests demonstrates the statistically significant frequency of 19-letter verses (168 instances), which is highly improbable by chance. Quranic verses show a non-random distribution of letter counts, suggesting underlying structural or symbolic meaning and prompting further research into numerical patterns within sacred texts. The number 19, as mentioned in Quran 74:30-31, serves as a divine test to distinguish believers from disbelievers, affirming the Quran's divine origin and refuting the hypothesis that it consists merely of human words (74:25) while strengthening the faith of the People of the Book and true believers. The hypothesis that Prophet Muhammad or his companions intentionally designed the Quran's 19-letter verse frequency over 23 years is implausible due to their lack of mathematical expertise, focus on oral preservation, absence of historical significance for the number 19, and inconsistent numerical patterns across Quranic metrics.

Conclusion: The probability of the Quran being created by humans is approximately 1:1.73 × 10³¹, an event comparable to locating a single grain of sugar within a mountain-sized pile, confirming its divine authorship.

The Methodology of Al-Sabuni in Interpreting Legal Quranic Verses: A Critical Examination of Rawai’ Al-Bayan

2025-09-01T01:52:19+08:00

This study critically examines the methodology of Sheikh Mohammad Ali Al-Sabuni in interpreting legal verses of the Qur'an in his renowned work, Rawai’ al-Bayan. The research addresses the problem of understanding how Al-Sabuni integrates classical jurisprudential principles with contemporary legal and social challenges in his exegetical approach. Using a qualitative methodology based on textual analysis, the study delves into his use of linguistic tools, reliance on traditional Islamic jurisprudence, and contextual exegesis of Qur'anic legal verses. The objective of the research is to evaluate the distinctiveness, strengths, and limitations of Al-Sabuni's methodology and its applicability to modern contexts. The findings reveal that Al-Sabuni employs a thematic and multifaceted approach, balancing two primary methods: interpretation by tradition (tafsir bi’l-ma’thur) and interpretation by reasoned opinion (tafsir bi’l-ra’y). The study recommends a more comprehensive engagement with inter-school jurisprudential debates and a broader contextual framework to enhance the adaptability of his exegesis. These recommendations aim to further enrich the scholarly contribution of Rawai’ al-Bayan and encourage its use as a resource for addressing contemporary legal and ethical questions in Islamic jurisprudence.

AL-AMĀNAH AS A FOUNDATIONAL QUR’ANIC PRINCIPLE IN DAILY HUMAN AFFAIRS

2025-09-01T01:52:03+08:00

This study underscores the significance of al-amānah as a vital concept for promoting social justice and ethical conduct within communities. Al-amānah (trustworthiness or honesty) is a fundamental directive from Allāh Subḥānahu Wa-Taʿālā (Glorified and Exalted). Upholding al-amānah serves as a cornerstone for fulfilling the rights ordained by Almighty Allāh and His Messenger, as well as safeguarding human rights. Despite its centrality, many individuals neglect to observe al-amānah in their daily lives, a failure that contributes to widespread corruption, violence, and anti-social behaviour across societies worldwide. The primary aim of this study is to explore the essential role of al-amānah in human life and its implications for social order. By recognising and emphasising the importance of al-amānah, this research highlights its pivotal role in establishing an ideal society—one characterised by the faithful observance of the rights of Almighty Allāh, the Messenger, and the rightful claims of every individual.

أهم الأسباب الرئيسية للطلاق في الأسرة المسلمة الكمبودية وحلولها

2025-09-01T01:52:12+08:00

This research aims to study the main reasons for divorces in Cambodian Muslim families and the solutions. Specifically, the study examines the various factors that contribute to marital problems within Muslim families in the country. The study employs a quantitative approach using a questionnaire as its data collection instrument. Using a purposive sampling method, a sample was selected that included divorced men and women from five villages from two districts i.e., the Memot district and Creak district. Data from 100 participants was collected and analysed. The study found that weak tolerance in the relationship between spouses, lack or limited understanding of religious knowledge and rules, neglect of responsibilities, interference from in-laws, and lack of trust between spouses to be the main problems that negatively affect Muslim marriages in Cambodia.

منبر الجمعة بين اللَّغو والخُشوع: ظاهرة الانصراف الذهني والسُّلوكي عن الخطبة في ضوء السنة النبوية

2025-09-01T01:52:17+08:00

Abstract: This study explores the phenomenon of mental and behavioral distraction from the Friday sermon in contemporary settings, under the title: "The Friday Pulpit Between Reverence and Disruption: The Phenomenon of Mental and Behavioral Disengagement from the Sermon in Light of the Prophetic Sunnah." It begins by affirming the elevated status and importance of the Friday sermon as emphasized in both Qur’anic and Prophetic texts. The sermon is not only a core component of Jumuʿah but also serves as a spiritual and educational platform aimed at cultivating piety and ethical conduct. The study identifies modern manifestations of disengagement, including mobile phone use, side conversations, restlessness, leaving during the sermon, fundraising, flyer distribution, and answering calls. These actions are categorized as laghw (idle behavior), which the Prophet ﷺ explicitly warned against due to their negative impact on focus and spiritual benefit. Drawing on authentic hadiths, the study underscores the obligation of attentive listening during the sermon and highlights the detrimental effect of any form of disruption on the reward and validity of the Friday prayer. Ultimately, the study concludes that such distractions undermine the purpose of the sermon and reduce its transformative power. It calls for sustained educational efforts and practical steps, rooted in the Prophetic tradition, to restore reverence, correct behavior, and maximize the spiritual outcomes of the Friday gathering.

القيم الاجتماعية في القرآن الكريم في أخلاق العفو والتعاون والإصلاح: دراسة تحليلية

2025-09-01T01:52:14+08:00

Social values are among the most fundamental pillars of human development in the Qur'an, guiding individual behavior within an ethical framework that connects a person to their community and establishes relationships based on mercy, justice, and solidarity. This study aims to examine selected ethical values with a social dimension in the Qur'an by analyzing the virtues of forgiveness, cooperation, and reconciliation, and demonstrating their impact on shaping a faithful individual who interacts with others based on goodwill, participation, and forgiveness.

The research problem centers on how these three values contribute to forming social behavior considering the Qur'anic guidance, and what characteristics distinguish the Qur'anic treatment of these ethics. The study follows a descriptive-analytical approach, collecting Qur'anic verses related to the mentioned values, reflecting on their meanings and contexts, and deriving the educational and social insights they encompass.

The study concludes with several key findings, notably: the Qur'an fundamentally links faith with social ethical behavior; it establishes forgiveness, cooperation, and reconciliation as essential values for building a balanced individual and a cohesive society. Forgiveness is presented as a noble virtue connected to the names and attributes of God, and believers are encouraged to embody it for its spiritual reward. Cooperation is emphasized as a foundational element in collective work and a manifestation of righteousness and piety, rather than a mere social act. Reconciliation is portrayed as a supreme value tied to God's forgiveness and pleasure, invariably coupled with sincere repentance, while corruption is condemned as a characteristic of those deprived of God’s love. The Qur'an employs diverse rhetorical styles to communicate these values, considering human differences and aiming for effective moral influence.

Considering these findings, promoting these values in contemporary Muslim life and highlighting them in cultural and educational discourse would contribute significantly to restoring social fabric and reinforcing the ethical identity of the community.

دور التشريع الإسلامي في علاج التمييز العنصري: دراسة تحليلية

2025-09-01T01:52:15+08:00

Racial discrimination is an ancient problem that emerged with the creation of humanity. Despite its antiquity, it persists to this day, evolving and diversifying over the centuries, taking on various forms. As such, it is considered one of the most pressing issues facing humanity, undermining societal security, fragmenting its cohesion, and destabilizing its stability. Given its severity, it is imperative to work towards eradicating it or mitigating its effects as much as possible. This study aims to elucidate the role of Islamic legislation in eliminating this affliction, highlighting its therapeutic approach, and serving as a guiding light in this regard. Through an inductive and analytical methodology, the researchers examined relevant legal texts and jurisprudential literature, subjecting them to scientific analysis and logical presentation within the bounds of this research. The study yielded several key findings, most notably that Islamic legislation has comprehensively addressed racial discrimination through its integrated system, evident in its primary sources, the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah. These sources have tackled the issue through various means, including clarifying human origin, the purpose of human diversity, and the criteria for distinction in Islam, as well as constructing a creedal framework. Islamic legislation is founded on general principles, including justice, equality, and the pursuit of benefits while averting harm. Given that racial discrimination directly contradicts these principles, Islamic legislation inherently rejects and combats racism, treating it by eradicating its roots. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant contribution of Islamic legislation in addressing this issue through practical jurisprudential rulings applied in all spheres of life, including acts of worship, familial, financial, penal, political, and other transactions.

الإعجاز العلمي في القرآن بين النصوص الشرعية والاكتشافات الحديثة: دراسة تحليلية

2025-09-01T01:52:21+08:00

This study aims to analyze the concept of scientific miracles in the Quran and highlight the relationship between religious texts and modern scientific discoveries. It is based on the premise that the Quran contains scientific references that strengthen faith and support scientific research. The study addresses three main areas: the concept of scientific miracles and their foundational principles, the methodological challenges in interpreting the texts, such as hastiness and reliance on unstable theories, and finally, providing analytical examples that link religious texts to modern discoveries. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of a precise and balanced methodology that respects religious texts and avoids imposing unwarranted interpretations. It also calls for collaboration between religious scholars and scientists to achieve a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of scientific miracles, fostering integration between faith and reason.

عقد المرابحة كبديل شرعي للتمويل الربوي: دراسة تحليلية نقدية من منظور مقاصد الشريعة

2025-09-01T01:52:07+08:00

This research explores the concept of Murabahah contracts and examines how they can serve as a Shariah-compliant alternative financing option in contemporary economic contexts. It applies the fundamental objectives of Shariah (Maqasid al-Shariah) to analyze and clarify the meaning of Murabahah and its modern applications, particularly Murabahah to the Purchase Orderer, which has become widespread in Islamic banking. The study highlights the differences between the classical understanding of Murabahah and its current implementation in today’s financial landscape. It critically examines whether contemporary practices meet the ethical and legal standards of Islam. In doing so, the study uses Malaysia’s Islamic banking model as a case study to assess its alignment with key Shariah principles, such as promoting justice, preventing harm, and prohibiting riba (usury). The findings suggest that despite certain practical challenges, Murabahah contracts can function as legitimate and effective Islamic financial instruments when implemented under proper Shariah guidelines and oversight.

Keywords: Murabahah, Riba, Islamic finance, Maqasid al-Shariah, Islamic banks

العدالة الاجتماعية وآثار تطبيقها في واقع الأسرة في بنغلاديش

2025-09-01T01:52:05+08:00

This research aims to study the concept of social justice and its importance in building the Muslim family, highlighting the impact of its implementation on the reality of Bangladeshi families. The study relies on analysing Quranic texts and Prophetic traditions that emphasize the principles of justice, equality, and family solidarity while linking them to the challenges and social realities in Bangladesh. The inductive and analytical methods have been employed to examine and analyse the issue based on Quranic texts and Prophetic traditions. This study has reached several conclusions, the most important of which are: Social justice in Islam highlights standards of justice, equality, and the fair distribution of rights and duties within the family. Its significance in family stability includes strengthening family bonds, preventing family disintegration, and ensuring tranquillity and affection among family members. The challenges in achieving social justice within Bangladeshi families include poverty, social discrimination, and cultural factors influencing the distribution of rights between men and women. Solutions and recommendations derived from the Quran and Sunnah to implement social justice within the family include religious awareness, Islamic legislation, and promoting family values that maintain social balance. The study concludes that implementing social justice according to the Islamic approach contributes to family stability and reduces social problems, which positively impacts Bangladeshi society as a whole.

Keywords: Social justice, family, Bangladesh.

آثار انتشار الأحاديث الموضوعة على المجتمع الإسلامي

2025-09-01T01:52:22+08:00

This research underscores the pivotal role of the Prophetic Sunnah as the second source of Islamic legislation after the Quran. It delves into the strenuous efforts exerted by Islamic scholars to safeguard the Sunnah from distortion and fabrication. Allah has provided the Sunnah with distinguished scholars who meticulously scrutinized, authenticated, and differentiated the Prophet's sayings (ﷺ) from those of liars and malicious individuals, thus ensuring its purity. However, contemporary Islamic society witnesses a widespread dissemination of weak and fabricated hadiths due to ignorance of their gravity. This proliferation has been facilitated by media and social media platforms, negatively impacting the understanding of religion.

The research employs an inductive and analytical approach to examine scholars' endeavors in preserving the Sunnah and highlighting the perilous consequences of fabricating hadiths about the Prophet (ﷺ), as evidenced by his hadith: "Whoever deliberately lies about me, let him prepare his seat in the Fire." The study emphasizes the significance of disseminating knowledge about hadith sciences to avert such detrimental practices. Moreover, it recommends developing educational and da'wah programs that focus on acquainting Muslims with the dangers of fabricated and weak hadiths, encouraging them to consult reliable hadith sources. This approach aims to safeguard the purity and authenticity of Islamic law and serve the Muslim community.

دراسة نقدية في الاتهامات الموجهة للإمام فخر الدين الرازي: تحليل الموضوع والسياق

2025-09-01T01:52:09+08:00

In the context of the intellectual development of Islamic thought during the 6th and 7th centuries AH, Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 606 AH) emerged as a prominent figure in the fields of Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir), theology (kalam), and philosophy, leaving behind a rich and influential scholarly legacy. Despite his distinguished scholarly standing, al-Razi was not spared from successive waves of criticism and accusations, targeting his rational methodology, theological positions, and exegetical preferences—some even going so far as to question his faith and sectarian affiliation. This article aims to examine these critiques within a scholarly and critical framework that distinguishes between sound, methodological criticism and emotionally or ideologically driven accusations. The study adopts the inductive method by tracing the views of his critics from their original sources and analyzing the responses to them. It also employs the analytical method to interpret al-Razi’s positions within their theological and intellectual contexts and assess their significance through the lens of scientific critique. The study reaches two main findings: first, that many criticisms directed at al-Razi arose in sectarian and polemical contexts, which compromised their scholarly objectivity; and second, that despite his intellectual boldness and philosophical breadth, al-Razi largely remained committed to the general theological framework of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah.
In light of these findings, the study recommends a renewed scholarly engagement with al-Razi’s exegetical and theological legacy through rigorous academic investigations that respect the historical contexts and methodological intentions of his works, while avoiding hasty or ideologically charged interpretations. The scholarly significance of this study lies in correcting common misconceptions about al-Razi’s intellectual character and methodology, and in highlighting his influential role in consolidating the rationalist approach in classical Islamic thought and in shaping a balanced framework for Qur’anic interpretation.

EDITORIAL

2025-08-31T23:30:30+08:00

It is with great pleasure that we present to our esteemed readers the August 2025 issue of al-Burhān: Journal of Qur’an and Sunnah Studies. This volume brings together a diverse range of scholarly contributions that engage with the Qur’an, the Prophetic Sunnah, Islamic thought, and the lived realities of Muslim societies. Collectively, the articles reflect a balance between classical textual scholarship and contemporary socio-intellectual challenges, reaffirming the dynamism of Islamic knowledge in addressing perennial questions and modern predicaments.

Qur’anic Coherence and Methodologies of Interpretation

The opening article, “Apparent Contradictions in the Qur’an: Preconditions, Causes, and Scholarly Methodologies of Resolution,” revisits a timeless issue in Qur’anic studies: the claim of contradiction in revelation. By foregrounding the classical uṣūlī framework and demonstrating its enduring relevance, the author reaffirms the impossibility of true contradiction in the Qur’an and offers methodological clarity for students and scholars alike. Complementing this is a quantitative study on “Statistical Validation of 19-Letter Verses in the Qur’an,” which approaches the text through the lens of numerical analysis. This piece contributes to the growing discourse on the Qur’an’s structural integrity, situating statistical inquiry within the broader tradition of safeguarding its preservation.

Furthering the exegetical focus, “Al-Sabuni’s Methodology in Interpreting Legal Qur’anic Verses” offers a critical appraisal of Rawā’iʿ al-Bayān, illuminating how a modern mufassir navigates classical jurisprudence and contemporary realities. Equally significant is the thematic study “Al-Amānah as a Foundational Qur’anic Principle in Daily Human Affairs,” which emphasizes the centrality of trustworthiness as a guiding ethic for both individual conduct and communal cohesion.

Social and Ethical Realities of Muslim Communities

This issue also addresses pressing social questions confronting Muslim families and societies today. The article on “The Main Reasons for Divorces in Cambodian Muslim Families and the Solutions” offers empirical insights into marital breakdown, highlighting how insufficient religious literacy, external interference, and weakened mutual trust erode the family unit. In parallel, “Social Justice and the Effects of Its Application in the Family Context in Bangladesh” underscores the Qur’anic imperative of justice within familial structures, drawing connections between scriptural principles and the lived experience of Bangladeshi households.

Two additional contributions emphasize the shaping of moral and social life through Islamic teachings: “The Friday Pulpit Between Idle Talk and Reverence” draws attention to the challenge of distractions in Friday sermons in the modern age, while “Social Values in the Holy Qur’an in the Ethics of Forgiveness, Cooperation, and Reform” highlights the Qur’an’s role in cultivating a society founded on mercy, reconciliation, and solidarity.

Broader Intellectual and Civilizational Concerns

Beyond the family and community sphere, this issue turns to global and civilizational challenges. “The Role of Islamic Legislation in Addressing Racial Discrimination” positions Islamic law as a timeless framework to dismantle prejudice and affirm human dignity. In the realm of intellectual history, “A Critical Study of the Accusations against Imām Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī” revisits the polemics surrounding one of Islam’s greatest theologians, offering a nuanced assessment of his contributions and critics.

The article on “Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an: Between Religious Texts and Modern Discoveries” engages with the ongoing debate on reconciling revelation with science, cautioning against hasty claims while affirming the Qur’an’s potential to inspire genuine scientific inquiry. Similarly, “The Effects of the Proliferation of Spurious Hadith on Islamic Communities” warns of contemporary threats to the integrity of the Sunnah, highlighting the dangers of weak and fabricated reports circulating through modern media.

Finally, in the field of Islamic economics, “Murabahah Contract as a Shariah-Compliant Alternative to Interest-Based Financing” offers a critical analysis of contemporary applications of a classical financing model through the lens of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. By linking economic realities with ethical imperatives, the article demonstrates the adaptability of Shariah principles in addressing modern financial needs.

Concluding Reflections

Taken together, the contributions in this issue underscore three interwoven themes: the enduring coherence and interpretive richness of the Qur’an and Sunnah; the urgent need to apply Islamic principles to contemporary family, social, and financial challenges; and the continuous dialogue between classical scholarship and modern intellectual pursuits.

We extend our gratitude to the authors for their rigorous research, to the reviewers for their critical insights, and to our readers for their continued engagement with al-Burhān. May this volume serve not only as a repository of scholarly knowledge but also as an inspiration for deeper reflection and practical application of the Qur’an and Sunnah in our collective lives.

NOOR MOHAMMAD OSMANI

Editor-in-chief

August 2025