A Critique on Statistical Studies in the Holy Quran based on the Characteristics of Muṣḥaf Script

علوم قرآن و حدیث

Article 7, Volume 55, Issue 2 - Serial Number 111, February 2024, Pages 177-207   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jquran.2021.71055.1132

Authors

Azam Sadeghinia^{* 1}; Seyyed Kazem Tabatabaipour²

¹Ph.D graduate, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

²Professor of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Some Quranic scholars, especially at the present time, have conducted statistical research on the Holy Quran, and their main goal is to prove the miraculous aspects of Quran through numerical and statistical analysis. However, the degree to which one can trust the results of such studies has been a great concern.
In order to evaluate the correctness of the results of such investigations, we have reviewed the Arabic script in general and the script of Muṣḥaf (a written copy of the Quran) in particular. The results show that numerical and statistical researchers, due to their unfamiliarity with the calligraphy, script and date of writing of the Muṣḥafs, have considered the script of the famous Muṣḥafs as a fixed and unchangeable fact, while in writing many words and letters in Arabic, especially in Muṣḥafs, there is not one identical instruction that is agreed upon by all. Therefore, different possible ways for writing one single letter, word or sentence may bring about different results in the statistical analyses.
This clearly shows that the results of many -not all- of these studies are not assured and need to be considered with more caution and thought.

Keywords

statistical research about the Holy Quran; numerical miracle of the Quran; Arabic script; Muṣḥaf script; number 19; number 7

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