Symmetry in the Quran
Symmetry in the Quran is the belief held by some Muslims, that the word and verse structure of the Quran exhibits such complicated symmetry that it could be neither random placements, nor the intentional work of man, but rather proof of "the will of God".[1] There are many examples of such symmetry. Using a program called QuranCode [2] and other analysis programs, scholars have found many patterns. An example is that chapter 76, called Al-Insan, has 247 words. It has three mentions of the word silver. The middle word of the chapter is word number 124. It is the word silver. It is in a verse that is the middle verse of the chapter (verse 16 of 31). It is the third of five words of the verse. [3]
Some of this symmetry are the significance of the number 19: It is claimed that if all the numbers mentioned in the Quran are added up, their sum is 162,146, which is 19x6534; That there are 19x6 (114) Suras; that Muhammad's first revelation consists of a verse that has 19 words and 4x19 (76) letters.[4]
Symmetry in the Quran's linguistics
Another aspect of the Quran's symmetry, which was discovered using linguistic computer searching algorithms (Quran Corpus, an open-source software), includes the number of times certain words and their forms are used in the whole Quran. Some of these symmetrical patterns include:
- Muslims pray 5 times every day. The word 'prayers' (صلوات) is used in the whole Quran exactly 5 times: 2:157, 2:238, 9:99, 22:40, and 23:9.
- There are 12 months in a year. The word ‘month’ and all its forms are used in the whole Quran exactly 12 times: 2:185:1, 2:185:16, 34:12:4, 34:12:6, 2:194:1, 2:194:3, 97:3, 2:217, 9:36, 46:15, 5:2 and 5:97.
- The Quran says there are seven heavens above us, and sometimes it describes them as seven layers (23:17) and that we are in the lowest of these layers (دنيا). So the Quran is basically saying that there are six layers "above" the one in which we are in. The phrase ‘seven heavens’ is used in the whole Quran exactly seven times: 2:29, 41:12, 65:12, 67:3, 71:15, 17:44, and 23:86.
- Muslims circumambulate around the Qiblah, which is the Kaaba, seven times during pilgrimage. The word ‘Qiblah’ is used in the whole Quran exactly seven times: 2:142:8, 2:143:15, 2:144:8, 2:145:10, 2:145:14, 2:145:18, and 10:87:12.
References
- ↑ Statistical Profile of Holy Quran and Symmetry of Makki and Madni Surras, Muhammad Khyzer Bin Dost & Munir Ahmad Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences Vol.1 2008
- ↑ http://qurancode.com
- ↑ http://www.7ameem.com/news.php?id=649&catID=4
- ↑ The Qurʼan: An Encyclopedia, edited by Oliver Leaman, page 465