In Search of the Original Koran: The True History of the Revealed Text by Mondher Sfar Read Free Book Online
Authors: Mondher Sfar
Abraham to attack those who do not believe in Muhammad and to demonstrate the inevitable character of the punishment that awaits them. And verses 36:69-70 reject the accusation made to the Prophet of being a poet, without any link with the preceding or succeeding verses devoted to the refutation of the belief of Associators. Similarly, verses 55:7-9 introduce the theme of "balance" and the necessity of equity in weights and measures-right in the middle of a thematic development about the omnipotence of God. It is also to be noted that this interpolation is not at the beginning of a new verse but is integrated into the end of verse 55:7.
This kind of interpolation (in the interior of a single verse) is also found in verse 2:189, which contains two different developments: the first devoted to astral phenomena, the second to social graces concerning the manner of entering into homes. Verse 35:18 is composed of two different themes, the first on the principle of individual responsibility, the second on the recipients of divine warnings.
This last figure of interpolation is found again in verse 4:164, where the phrase "Allah spoke directly to Moses" has no link with the beginning of the verse or with the verses that follow. The interpolated phrase is sometimes found in the middle of the verse, as in 6:25 that begins with "Some of them [infidels] listen to you," and suddenly leads to ". . . and we have cast veils over their hearts so they do not understand. We have placed deafness in their ears. If they see every Sign [aya], they do not believe in it." After this interpolation, the text returns to the development broached at the beginning of the verse in these terms: "When they come to you . . ." Another case of faulty interpolation inside a verse: "Indeed we gave the Book to Moses / Be not in doubt that you will meet him / and we made it a guide for the Sons of Israel" (32:23). One clearly sees that this interpolation (placed here between two slashes) can only be a fragment of an unknown development.
Similarly, the interjection "and it was said: `Away with those who do wrong!"' placed at the end of verse 11:44, has no link whatsoever with its beginning nor with the following verses. The same is true of verses 11:45-47, which evoke Noah's intercession in favor of his son, whereas the son was among those drowned in the flood in the preceding verses.
There also exists a particular category of interpolations deriving from the displacement of a text within the Koran. For example, verse 24:60 commences with a rule of politeness among believers, specifying that it also applies to the blind, the lame, and the sick. This precision is by all the evidence the twin of another verse, 48:17, where it finds its real justification, since there it is a matter of authorizing these infirm ones not to participate in war. Therefore, here in 24:60 lies a faultily placed interpolation. The same is true of verse 28:74: ". . . the day that Allah will call on them, He will say: `Where are my partners, those whom you pretended to be such?"' which has no connection with the topics where it has been placed, except that the exact same words are found in a preceding verse of the same surah (28:62). Here this duplicate is followed by the response of the associated divinities, incriminating their own idolators.
Another case of duplication, verse 35:12, seems, as Blachere has found,53 to take up the theme of verse 25:53 on the two seas, one sweet and the other bitter and salty, and in its second part reiterates the theme of verse 16:14 on the exploitation of fish in the sea. In any case, this verse (35:12) gives the impression of an interpolation that would be justified by an idea common to other verses, that of God's creative power. No doubt we see here one technique in the composition of the Koranic text, which testifies to the effect of hasty editing.
We may also speak of a mistake with regard to this verse: "We have enjoined man to be kind to his father
This kind of interpolation (in the interior of a single verse) is also found in verse 2:189, which contains two different developments: the first devoted to astral phenomena, the second to social graces concerning the manner of entering into homes. Verse 35:18 is composed of two different themes, the first on the principle of individual responsibility, the second on the recipients of divine warnings.
This last figure of interpolation is found again in verse 4:164, where the phrase "Allah spoke directly to Moses" has no link with the beginning of the verse or with the verses that follow. The interpolated phrase is sometimes found in the middle of the verse, as in 6:25 that begins with "Some of them [infidels] listen to you," and suddenly leads to ". . . and we have cast veils over their hearts so they do not understand. We have placed deafness in their ears. If they see every Sign [aya], they do not believe in it." After this interpolation, the text returns to the development broached at the beginning of the verse in these terms: "When they come to you . . ." Another case of faulty interpolation inside a verse: "Indeed we gave the Book to Moses / Be not in doubt that you will meet him / and we made it a guide for the Sons of Israel" (32:23). One clearly sees that this interpolation (placed here between two slashes) can only be a fragment of an unknown development.
Similarly, the interjection "and it was said: `Away with those who do wrong!"' placed at the end of verse 11:44, has no link whatsoever with its beginning nor with the following verses. The same is true of verses 11:45-47, which evoke Noah's intercession in favor of his son, whereas the son was among those drowned in the flood in the preceding verses.
There also exists a particular category of interpolations deriving from the displacement of a text within the Koran. For example, verse 24:60 commences with a rule of politeness among believers, specifying that it also applies to the blind, the lame, and the sick. This precision is by all the evidence the twin of another verse, 48:17, where it finds its real justification, since there it is a matter of authorizing these infirm ones not to participate in war. Therefore, here in 24:60 lies a faultily placed interpolation. The same is true of verse 28:74: ". . . the day that Allah will call on them, He will say: `Where are my partners, those whom you pretended to be such?"' which has no connection with the topics where it has been placed, except that the exact same words are found in a preceding verse of the same surah (28:62). Here this duplicate is followed by the response of the associated divinities, incriminating their own idolators.
Another case of duplication, verse 35:12, seems, as Blachere has found,53 to take up the theme of verse 25:53 on the two seas, one sweet and the other bitter and salty, and in its second part reiterates the theme of verse 16:14 on the exploitation of fish in the sea. In any case, this verse (35:12) gives the impression of an interpolation that would be justified by an idea common to other verses, that of God's creative power. No doubt we see here one technique in the composition of the Koranic text, which testifies to the effect of hasty editing.
We may also speak of a mistake with regard to this verse: "We have enjoined man to be kind to his father
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