Why is the quran vague?
If you wonder why verses in the Quran are vague and don't 100% show God, consider these logical points
Point 1: God created humans to test if we worship him without proof of his existence
Point 2: If God created humans to worship him without proof of his existence, then he has to give us sufficient evidence.
Point 3: If God has to give us sufficient evidence, it cannot be a strong enough evidence that automatically 'proves' God. The evidence has to be there, but it cannot be too strong.
Point 4: Therefore, God gave sufficient evidence for those whose hearts are open, unbiased to show his existence, but that evidence is sufficiently vague so it doesn't compel those whose hearts are closed.
Imagine the Quran was a strong miracle that was 100% compelling and there was no vagueness in it and it was direct. Imagine the Quran listed scientific phenomena so clearly that in the future everyone knows its divine. Does that make sense for God to do that given the fact that our purpose in life is to worship him without 100% proof? If he gave us really strong proof of his existence, then our purpose in life is violated. We all believe in God and life is no longer a test--because everyone saw the undeniable proof.
Life is like multiple choice exam. If you pick the wrong choices throughout the test, you will be punished; if you pick the right choices throughout the test, you will be rewarded. The exam is going to have many tricks in it to test you. This is like life. Make the right choices. If the Quran was presented with clear 100% proof of God, then everyone believes in the Quran and God. It's like the professor decides to give everyone the answers to the exam--What's the point of the exam? It's not even an exam anymore.
If someone puts a gun to your head and tells you "say you love me, or I'll kill you" and you say "I love you", those words are not meaningful. They're only meaningful when you have a perceived opportunity to reject that relationship with God. There is an area in the world where either condition can seem plausible to you (believe in God or reject God). If there was no inclination to disbelieve (or do what is wrong), then wicked people with a heart made of stone would be compelled to believe in God. There has to be enough information in the world where those who are loyal or have an open heart to God can see the truth and pursue a relationship with God, but there has to be sufficient ambiguity in the world that enables those with a heart of stone to reject God. the extent of ambiguity (ie the difficulty of the test) is determined by God (just like how a professor decides the difficulty of the exam).
The Quran must support ancient beliefs AND reality (scientific facts):
Point 1: If God were to give a revelation to 7th century nomads it has to compel them and has to give them things to reflect upon so they believe in the scripture
Point 2: If that revelation is the final revelation and is supposed to compel people of the future, then that revelation cannot contradict reality that future humans will discover
Point 3: Therefore, the Quran MUST affirm 7th century belief without contradicting science.
And it must be sufficiently vague (read my past logic)
So yes, you find that in the Quran many words are purposely avoided or the Quran used alternate words so it could affirm 7th century beleif without contradicting (but supporting) science. So the Quranic scientific miracles have to be vague enough so they don't compel those whose hearts are closed and has to (at the same time) NOT contradict 7th century belief.
Imagine Muhammad directly told everyone at the time that the Earth is round and that you are standing off of the middle and God has made it so you don't fall off. Image Muhammad told people directly that mankind's parents were primates. People at that time would have considered him "idiotic" and "unscientific" and would have never considered Islam. So what did God do? In the Quran, there isn't a single verse that says the Earth is flat and there are many verses that hint at the Earth being round and there are many verses that hint at evolution. Those have to be sufficiently vague enough so it doesn't compel those whose hearts are closed AND not contradict 7th century belief AND support modern science.
So why does the Quran sound so basic and why didn't the Quran cover extensively the complex scientific topics?
God patronizes us in the Quran. He knows we are only limited to understanding certain things, and that is what he utilizes. So of course the Quran has to give 7th century people something to reflect upon. Its like me trying to explain the theory of relativity to a 2 year old. I am going to sound like I am 2 year old and I am going to avoid using bigger words and complex topics. Right?
Point 1: God created humans to test if we worship him without proof of his existence
Point 2: If God created humans to worship him without proof of his existence, then he has to give us sufficient evidence.
Point 3: If God has to give us sufficient evidence, it cannot be a strong enough evidence that automatically 'proves' God. The evidence has to be there, but it cannot be too strong.
Point 4: Therefore, God gave sufficient evidence for those whose hearts are open, unbiased to show his existence, but that evidence is sufficiently vague so it doesn't compel those whose hearts are closed.
Imagine the Quran was a strong miracle that was 100% compelling and there was no vagueness in it and it was direct. Imagine the Quran listed scientific phenomena so clearly that in the future everyone knows its divine. Does that make sense for God to do that given the fact that our purpose in life is to worship him without 100% proof? If he gave us really strong proof of his existence, then our purpose in life is violated. We all believe in God and life is no longer a test--because everyone saw the undeniable proof.
Life is like multiple choice exam. If you pick the wrong choices throughout the test, you will be punished; if you pick the right choices throughout the test, you will be rewarded. The exam is going to have many tricks in it to test you. This is like life. Make the right choices. If the Quran was presented with clear 100% proof of God, then everyone believes in the Quran and God. It's like the professor decides to give everyone the answers to the exam--What's the point of the exam? It's not even an exam anymore.
If someone puts a gun to your head and tells you "say you love me, or I'll kill you" and you say "I love you", those words are not meaningful. They're only meaningful when you have a perceived opportunity to reject that relationship with God. There is an area in the world where either condition can seem plausible to you (believe in God or reject God). If there was no inclination to disbelieve (or do what is wrong), then wicked people with a heart made of stone would be compelled to believe in God. There has to be enough information in the world where those who are loyal or have an open heart to God can see the truth and pursue a relationship with God, but there has to be sufficient ambiguity in the world that enables those with a heart of stone to reject God. the extent of ambiguity (ie the difficulty of the test) is determined by God (just like how a professor decides the difficulty of the exam).
The Quran must support ancient beliefs AND reality (scientific facts):
Point 1: If God were to give a revelation to 7th century nomads it has to compel them and has to give them things to reflect upon so they believe in the scripture
Point 2: If that revelation is the final revelation and is supposed to compel people of the future, then that revelation cannot contradict reality that future humans will discover
Point 3: Therefore, the Quran MUST affirm 7th century belief without contradicting science.
And it must be sufficiently vague (read my past logic)
So yes, you find that in the Quran many words are purposely avoided or the Quran used alternate words so it could affirm 7th century beleif without contradicting (but supporting) science. So the Quranic scientific miracles have to be vague enough so they don't compel those whose hearts are closed and has to (at the same time) NOT contradict 7th century belief.
Imagine Muhammad directly told everyone at the time that the Earth is round and that you are standing off of the middle and God has made it so you don't fall off. Image Muhammad told people directly that mankind's parents were primates. People at that time would have considered him "idiotic" and "unscientific" and would have never considered Islam. So what did God do? In the Quran, there isn't a single verse that says the Earth is flat and there are many verses that hint at the Earth being round and there are many verses that hint at evolution. Those have to be sufficiently vague enough so it doesn't compel those whose hearts are closed AND not contradict 7th century belief AND support modern science.
So why does the Quran sound so basic and why didn't the Quran cover extensively the complex scientific topics?
God patronizes us in the Quran. He knows we are only limited to understanding certain things, and that is what he utilizes. So of course the Quran has to give 7th century people something to reflect upon. Its like me trying to explain the theory of relativity to a 2 year old. I am going to sound like I am 2 year old and I am going to avoid using bigger words and complex topics. Right?
Let's discuss a Quranic Exegesis:
[Quran 76:2] Verily, We created man from a drop of mingled sperm so that We may test him; and therefore We made him hearing and seeing.
First and foremost, this verse discusses why we were created. We were created to be tested. And this verse says that therefore we have made humans conscious (hearing and seeing refers to awareness) so that we can actually engage in this test. This test is an intellectual exercise and that is why we have been given such developed intellect.
Now what is the significance of life being a test? As per the discussion above and the video, in order for the test to actually be a test, the answers of the test must not be given to us, otherwise, it is not really a test. This is a necessary conclusion that follows from life being a test. We are supposed to reason to find our way to Allah and be devout/obedient to him.
[Quran 26:3] Perhaps, [O Muhammad], you would kill yourself with grief that they will not be believers.
[Quran 26:4] If We willed, We could send down to them from the sky a sign so they would bend their necks to it in humility
This verse sequence is reassuring the prophet Muhammad not to grieve over the disbelievers. If Allah wanted, he could've sent them a massive sign that would have them prostrate their necks to Allah in humility. But clearly, Allah did not will for this. Allah has declined to send such a strong sign from the sky to make everyone a believer. As discussed above that would invalidate the test. That would be akin to giving the answers to the test. The test is for you to use your intellect and the guidance of the Quran to reach your own conclusions about God and to then be obedient to him. Such a strong piece of evidence given to them by Allah would invalidate the test.
[Quran 3:7] It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
This verse makes it clear that there is deliberate vagueness to some aspects of the Quran. And this vagueness can allow people who have a bias to seek a desired interpretation out of that vagueness and attribute this to the Quran. This is part of the test of the Quran. As Allah explains that life is a test in [Quran 76:2].
[Quran 2:26] Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allah intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.
This verse is specific to the vagueness of the Quran. In this verse, Allah makes a deliberately vague statement as an example for why he does this and has parts of the Quran being vague. Those who disbelieve will say "This doesn't make sense, what did Allah mean by this?". And Allah explains that it is so that he could mislead many by it and guide many by it. This deliberate vagueness sorts out those who fail the test and those who are successful in the test. Those who believe understand why Allah gives this vague example, it is a test of belief. Many who in their hearts are defiant would mock the Quran, say it is vague and doesn't make sense, and point out alleged contradictions because they decided to take a specific interpretation in a verse that is deliberately vague and non-specific (See Quran 3:7). It allows those who want the Quran to be false to believe that the Quran is false. It allows them to follow their defiant desires and feel certainty that the Quran is not from God. That is part of the test. Guidance and misguidance. As we discussed above the Quran must be sufficiently compelling to guide those whose hearts are open and unbiased, but at the same time sufficiently vague to not compel and even miguide those whose hearts are closed and biased against it. Also note that as we discussed above, the Quran must have deliberate vagueness so that it supports 7th century belief while at the same time not contradicting modern scientific understandings. Vagueness is a feature of the Quran, not a flaw, as the Quran itself states.
[Quran 76:2] Verily, We created man from a drop of mingled sperm so that We may test him; and therefore We made him hearing and seeing.
First and foremost, this verse discusses why we were created. We were created to be tested. And this verse says that therefore we have made humans conscious (hearing and seeing refers to awareness) so that we can actually engage in this test. This test is an intellectual exercise and that is why we have been given such developed intellect.
Now what is the significance of life being a test? As per the discussion above and the video, in order for the test to actually be a test, the answers of the test must not be given to us, otherwise, it is not really a test. This is a necessary conclusion that follows from life being a test. We are supposed to reason to find our way to Allah and be devout/obedient to him.
[Quran 26:3] Perhaps, [O Muhammad], you would kill yourself with grief that they will not be believers.
[Quran 26:4] If We willed, We could send down to them from the sky a sign so they would bend their necks to it in humility
This verse sequence is reassuring the prophet Muhammad not to grieve over the disbelievers. If Allah wanted, he could've sent them a massive sign that would have them prostrate their necks to Allah in humility. But clearly, Allah did not will for this. Allah has declined to send such a strong sign from the sky to make everyone a believer. As discussed above that would invalidate the test. That would be akin to giving the answers to the test. The test is for you to use your intellect and the guidance of the Quran to reach your own conclusions about God and to then be obedient to him. Such a strong piece of evidence given to them by Allah would invalidate the test.
[Quran 3:7] It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.
This verse makes it clear that there is deliberate vagueness to some aspects of the Quran. And this vagueness can allow people who have a bias to seek a desired interpretation out of that vagueness and attribute this to the Quran. This is part of the test of the Quran. As Allah explains that life is a test in [Quran 76:2].
[Quran 2:26] Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allah intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.
This verse is specific to the vagueness of the Quran. In this verse, Allah makes a deliberately vague statement as an example for why he does this and has parts of the Quran being vague. Those who disbelieve will say "This doesn't make sense, what did Allah mean by this?". And Allah explains that it is so that he could mislead many by it and guide many by it. This deliberate vagueness sorts out those who fail the test and those who are successful in the test. Those who believe understand why Allah gives this vague example, it is a test of belief. Many who in their hearts are defiant would mock the Quran, say it is vague and doesn't make sense, and point out alleged contradictions because they decided to take a specific interpretation in a verse that is deliberately vague and non-specific (See Quran 3:7). It allows those who want the Quran to be false to believe that the Quran is false. It allows them to follow their defiant desires and feel certainty that the Quran is not from God. That is part of the test. Guidance and misguidance. As we discussed above the Quran must be sufficiently compelling to guide those whose hearts are open and unbiased, but at the same time sufficiently vague to not compel and even miguide those whose hearts are closed and biased against it. Also note that as we discussed above, the Quran must have deliberate vagueness so that it supports 7th century belief while at the same time not contradicting modern scientific understandings. Vagueness is a feature of the Quran, not a flaw, as the Quran itself states.