Does the Qur'an Contain a Coherent Worldview? | Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd (2009)

If you would like to know more about Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd I encourage you to watch this video first: • The "Apostasy" of an A...
This is a recording of a lecture delivered by Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd at the University of Notre Dame in 2009 at the beginning of the conference on the "Qur'an in its Historical Context." Dr. Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd (1943-2010) discusses the multi-dimensional worldview of the Qur'an. He comments on the differences between the chronological reading of the text and the current order of Surahs.

[@LeylaJ-sl9zn]

What a wonderful thing. Thank you for this. I read some of his writings before. But I must say that hearing the man speak in person carries a completely different clarity for me and he makes some great points that I have not found in his writing (yet). May he rest in mercy and peace.

[@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388]

how did Allah reveal quran to jibreel?

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

​@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388 "How did Allaah reveal Qur’aan to Jibriil?" To find how, then you need to read the Qur’aan. It is called Allaah’s creation which is what the entire Qur’aan is about! All the created: Al-Malaaʼikat, Al-Jaann (also known by name Ibliis, as well as known Aš-Šayṭaan), Aadam, Jinn wa Ins? Learn what creation is in the Qur’aan! Otherwise, stop crying!

[@Leo-yx7rk]

It is interesting to see how many Muslims in the comments section of this video are praising Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. It is also significant to note Islamic Scholars issued a fatwa declaring this author an apostate, and forcing his wife to divorce him. He had to flee his home of Egypt, and he contracted an unexplained/unidentified (to my knowledge) virus and died the year after he gave this presentation. ​@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156 The truthful answer is that both Allah and the Quran are the inventions of Qutham's (aka Mohammad) own mind. Islam is among other things, a long-running fraud. Viewed in its totality, Islam constitutes and represents a series of crimes against humanity (including against Muslims themselves, and against everyone else also). The power and reach of the internet is enabling vast numbers of people to see and learn of Islam's true nature. The sooner Islam is abandoned and relegated to the dustbin of history, the better for all of Creation.

[@MohamedShou]

@@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388how? That’s like saying how Allah create the universe 🤦🏾‍♂️. Are you a secular liberal?

[@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388]

@@MohamedShou good question how Allah created the universe but at least he wasn’t reciting anything in a manmade created language to the universe which then accurately had to recite to mankind.

[@iprph90]

I believe the final minutes were the highlight of the lecture. The notion that the Quran's text is unclear or ambiguous in certain aspects is not a novel idea. The connection between occasional ambiguities in Quranic legislation and the 'Quran's worldview of uncertainty' is not apparent to me. Considering Muslims regard the Quran as humanity's ultimate guidance, it begs the question: Why would God confine the Quran to its historical context if it is meant to provide guidance until the end of time? During the early Islamic era, the field of ethics was not formally established as a separate discipline; thus, it was solely jurists who formulated and articulated legal opinions. This stance was justified given the historical circumstances and the swift expansion of the Islamic empire. Nonetheless, according to the late Fazlur Rahman, there existed a profound legal tradition. He strongly criticized a fragmented and literal interpretation of the Quran, advocating instead for its understanding as a book of ethical teachings, prioritizing its moral message over legalistic interpretations. Rahman contended that the Quran's legal directives concerning human affairs should not eclipse its overarching ethical message. Scholars like Fazlur Rahman and Al-Shatibi shared a contextual approach to the Quran, concentrating on the higher objectives of Islamic Law (Maqasid al-Shariah) and the application of reason (Ijtihad)."

[@عبدالرحمنعبدالله-ز4م]

Fazl ar-Rahman simply wants an excuse to replace the Islamic penal code with a western one, so he appeals to an overarching ethical message that is somehow divorced from the content of the book itself. This is pure comedy.

[@ramialhamad8768]

I’m happy I found this, as an Arab I always heard about Abuzaid but in arabic he’s never this clear about his stances on the Quran he’s always trying to ovoid saying Quran has contradictions and other statements that goes against Islamic beliefs like saying the Quran is a cultural product .. now I know his clear perspective and thoughts

[@ahmedhashim2652]

Greetings Dr Reynolds. We lost a great man and it’s all because of Al Azhar. Basically he said the mind takes precedence over text even though Al Ma’arri said the same things in the eleventh century.

[@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388]

how did Allah reveal quran to jibreel?

[@homer1273]

@@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388ask jibreel

[@MohamedShou]

Erm cool but he was wrong as well then. Just because someone said it a long time ago doesn’t mean it’s 100% right 🤦🏾‍♂️🙄

[@abdullahimusa9761]

I've wondered why this is seen as wrong. Imām Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī also states "al-'aql asl al-naql" in "Asās al-Taqdīs".

[@oalivo]

Thank you so much for sharing it.

[@oalivo]

Looking forward to Q n A session, if the recording is available :)

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

​@@oalivo Wonderful to share that those who studied speak ᶜArabic while I don't! It must terrible to go to university to study a tradition and what other people said about the Qur’aan rather than the Qur’aan itself!

[@shoaibbhat279]

I really wonder how a profound scholar can make such a silly mistake by saying Iblis (satan) was one of the angels when the Quran is clear that he was one of the jinn. By casting Iblis as angel changes the whole Islamic narrative regarding many things

[@DWAGON1818]

It's because they don't understand the verses where he refuses to prostrate. As the verses call of Angels to prostrate. But he forgets surah 7: 12. Maybe don't take him as a profound scholar?

[@shoaibbhat279]

@@DWAGON1818 why are you being judgemental. Do you even have an idea who Nasr Abu Zayd is within the discipline of Quranic studies ? His standing as a profound scholar is uncontested.

[@DWAGON1818]

@@shoaibbhat279 I don't see him as a profound scholar. He has no standing. You passed a judgement. You called him a profound scholar. After listening or reading his work you would know that his understanding is pretty basic.

[@shoaibbhat279]

@@DWAGON1818 No standing. Lol. Bruh must be up on dope .

[@DWAGON1818]

@@shoaibbhat279 I would really like to meet you some day and have you say that to my face. People like you can't come up with anything original. I was having a conversation with you but you don't deserve it. Either come up with something original he said or shut up. I won't be replying if you don't have anything interesting to say.

[@CXMANXC]

Amazing - I always wanted to find an English lecture for him, been fond of this man from young age

[@jeangatti9384]

Modern scientific historical research proves that the city of Makka could not have existed as a large commercial caravan city in the years 600 AD Main reasons for this fact are: 1) Makka is not an oasis, so there is no surface water (only a well, known as zamzam which is clearly unsufficient for many caravan camels) 2) Makka is not shown on any map at that time or even previously 3) Makka is located down of Hidjaz plateau and could therefore not be located on the caravan route which is located more than 1000 m above on the plateau (eg the city of Taeef is located at an altitude of ca 2000 m while Makka is 300 m) 4) there were no archeological artefacts discovered in Makka dating from before circa year 700 5) no agriculture whatsoever is possible in this wild desert location, how could a large city survive in such adverse climate ?

[@osamaheba7383]

A waste of time, given the title of the video; actually by every measure.

[@adventuregemssydney2219]

In all honesty as a veteran ponderer of these magnificent words/spirit/dictates/wisdoms contained in the book.. The objective of the Quran is laid out clearly, objectively and repetitively. That is 1. To know God's magnificence, presence, and sublime attributes drawing 0 partners or comparison to Him based on this and more that we don't know 2. To live life in accordance to this manner (iman) and do "righteous good deeds" and to stay away from evil 3. To remind that we are all heading towards final judgment 4. As guidance for us to understand our final abodes 5. To obey Muhammad pbuh as a messenger To embark on a task other than this may yield additional fruits or cause ruin based on the condition of the heart of a person and what they are genuinely intending (eg seeking humble answers, or arrogant dismissal) .. the Quran is a spirit and isnt stale like other books. Allah knows best.

[@0Er0]

Quran is a mish mash of nonsense.

[@0Er0]

Quran is full of nonsense

[@krisc3371]

All your points show that Islam is just a superficial religion.

[@Jen8973]

The Quran was created by Abdeb Malik. It's like the whole thing was put together by a child who didn't know any better.its stories are borrowed from diffrent sources. The writers didn't want the Bible to be the same!! You can say that again there's mo order no method not by topic not by date not by revelation not by categories of generally any intellectigence. Its wrong on the Bible, the cross, Jesus Christ and every story in there.

[@JohnGeometresMaximos]

@@0Er0 Absolutely. 😊 👍🏻

[@almazchati4178]

I really enjoyed this presentation. Quran actually states clearly some verses are unambiguous, clear and can not be debated. Some are time limited, one time, for a specific event, The rest should be interpreted by the believers, and they become clear as their knowledge of the world expands. You can not have a world view before you know about the world.

[@CamouflageMaster]

Can you please refer to the verse where it is written in the quran? I'm researching

[@mehmetcirit678]

@@CamouflageMaster Bakara, but can't remember the verse numbers.

[@CamouflageMaster]

@@mehmetcirit678 thanks:)

[@TheRoundtable_RTG]

A bit of a slow wind up but got really good toward the end. Interesting break down of Islamic law mechanism

[@khalidNroses]

I enjoyed listening to him , thanks for sharing

[@thenun1846]

I always wondered this when i was a muslim, the quran was apparently revealed for very special circumstances surrounding a single tribe in quraish, nearly every verse has a "reason for revelation" But there's no order at all, without external referencing, the quran is meaningless You also have situations where halfway in the quran it will say "today i have completed your religion", you would think that would be the very last verse lol

[@Rowaq]

wonderful

[@DWAGON1818]

How can the meaning of Quran change over the years. The meaning will the same as it is. People might change their way of reading it or because of some other reason. Strange view.

[@shoaibbhat279]

What do you even mean by this question? It is a very naive view

[@DWAGON1818]

@@shoaibbhat279 the sentence I've written means something. It cannot change just because you think it's a naive view. Someone might see it as the advance view . I'm saying the same about the Quran

[@shoaibbhat279]

How do you assume the meaning of a text is determined?

[@DWAGON1818]

@@shoaibbhat279 Why do you assume that only you and I get to decide a meaning? Just like facts of the physical world. We can arrive at the correct fact but it exists regardless of our understanding.

[@shoaibbhat279]

@@DWAGON1818 I'd strongly recommend some lessons on hermeneutics and a must read is Foucault!

[@DWAGON1818]

Interesting. Can you please point towards a book or document in which he has listed the contradictions he talks about. He didn't give any example.

[@shak347]

His audience is probably mostly English speakers, he was at Notre Dame after all, I wish he had translated most of the important arabic words and all of the Quranic ayats into English for his audience.

[@cgocgo]

If the prophet receives in a chronological and his followers memorize in such, who decides to messed up his message. Human beings. If human beings are the ones put it together, we have a problem.

[@fay1298]

A fine and decent intellectual who was unjustly treated for dissidence and apostasy. His analysis and critique religious texts does not go well in authoritarian and fragile regimes.

[@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen]

👏🙂 Very interesting and thought provoking. 13:38 wow. Thats a very interesting and informative point. 45:01 another great point. Great video

[@jingojingo1]

?? No such thing he lies

[@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen]

@@jingojingo1 can you pls give examples

[@jingojingo1]

@@AbdulHannanAbdulMatheen you muslim or did you apostate?

[@0Er0]

​@@jingojingo1apostate and proud☝️

[@jingojingo1]

@@0Er0 do you usually put your nose in other peoples conversations? Did I ask you anything?

[@MohamedShou]

I mean to be honest he didn’t say anything profound 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Arbognire]

Just that the mind (💭) takes precedence over the text {📜}

[@kamrulislam9098]

And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof,.. Quran 2:23 For man like Nasr Hamid, Quran will always be a puzzle, which they can't solve. But for believers, it’s guidance. not a book of jurisprudence, not philosophy, sociology, history, science, biography or any other. Only a guidance for believers.

[@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388]

how did Allah reveal quran to jibreel?

[@raydanabe]

You can ask Allah that question when you meet Allah.​@@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388

[@jma7600]

@@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388 The very verse that you chose (and there are many like it) proves that the Quran cannot be divine. A creator will never put himself at the same level of his creation, exposing his own (many) textual flaws to criticism and therefore running the risk to be bitten at his own game.

[@Yalla12347]

@@jma7600 I can see logic and education were not big in your family.

[@WiseWisdom94]

​@@seekthetruthandthetruthwil2388nobody knows. As it is not mentioned.

[@mukhtarAhmed-eg6tg]

Islam is very easy to understand and apply.. This man complicating everything, He is to say the least: (Confused, estray and misleading) I feel sorry for him.. " And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (Qur'an: 54:22)

[@ibrahimzakzouk6104]

I wonder how all these lies he is telling are presented with these confidence!!! All due to not reading I think

[@markorbit4752]

it would help your point if you could point out the specific lies, and offer refutation. Otherwise your comment is just empty noise

[@tjbergren]

Your attack is delivered with great confidence…

[@Megaritz]

He was a scholar for years. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say he probably did a lot of reading.

[@MohamedShou]

@@MegaritzI mean when secular liberal western Islamic scholars love a particular Muslim “scholar” I’m always weary 😬

[@markorbit4752]

@@MohamedShou No one has made any claim that he is "loved". All that happened here is that a lecture from him was presented. Dont be such a snowflake

[@AshokGupta-oq6hs]

Sir, it is the nomadic Arab view based on texts of Judaism and Christianity.it makes axiomatic bombastic claims about its text superseding all previous Abrahmic texts claiming them to be corrupted. Essentially it lacks intellect claiming everything in it to be words of the Arab God in toto.

[@2murie]

I don't think Abu Zayd sees anything except confusion. I have never heard an academic speech full of nonsense as much as this. Muslim scholars didn't see the Quran as nass (text)? Even though I do get what he is at, that is absolutely false. He is undoubtedly a very personally disturbed and confused man.

[@0Er0]

Bias muslim alert 😅

[@2murie]

@@0Er0 Bias non-Muslim alert!

[@0Er0]

@@2murie i was born muslim tho 😂

[@0Er0]

@@2murie so?

[@slippingsnake]

Quran is the most confusing text ever, the real world problem is it's social and political Potential.

[@QuranicIslam]

Rather than that, I'd say it is the most polarizing book ever. No one hates a book as much as those who hate it hate it, and no one loves a book as much as those who love it love it. There are those who find if confusing and contradictory (such as yourself?), and others who find it clear and harmonious. Quite a feat I'd say

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

Humanity is the most confusing thing to humanity itself! The Qur’aan is about humanity itself and its home as one - hence humanity’s confusion about it-him-her-SELF!

[@tjbergren]

No matter where one might stand on the nature of the Quran it must be acknowledged that it is a rather disjointed patchwork of texts and narratives requiring external sources to have it make sense…

[@slippingsnake]

@@QuranicIslam And Quran is full of Nonsense, actually quite funny sometimes, like: Yusuf Ali [9:97]: "The Arabs of the desert are the worst in Unbelief and hypocrisy, and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath sent down to His Messenger: But Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise." So what do we learn? Arabs good, Desert Arabs bad? Can they change and become non-Desert-Arabs? And there was no other important message to deliver, maybe for people who live in countries without Desert and without Arabs?

[@QuranicIslam]

@@slippingsnake I would have put it more like the Qur'an being a reflection of this world in many ways - where again some see meaning & purpose & planning/design, and others see random meaningless chaos 😆 not to get into it, but we learn Lot. From that verse and the other that praises some of them too; { وَمِنَ الۡاَعۡرَابِ مَنۡ یُّؤۡمِنُ بِاللّٰہِ وَالۡیَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَیَتَّخِذُ مَا یُنۡفِقُ قُرُبٰتٍ عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ وَصَلَوٰتِ الرَّسُوۡلِ ؕ  اَلَاۤ اِنَّہَا قُرۡبَۃٌ لَّہُمۡ ؕ  سَیُدۡخِلُہُمُ اللّٰہُ فِیۡ رَحۡمَتِہٖ ؕ  اِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ ٪ } [Surah At-Tawbah: 99] Sahih International: But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allāh and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allāh and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allāh will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful. Yusuf Ali: But some of the desert Arabs believe in Allah and the Last Day, and look on their payments as pious gifts bringing them nearer to Allah and obtaining the prayers of the Messenger. Aye, indeed they bring them nearer (to Him): soon will Allah admit them to His Mercy: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

[@dom3073]

Honestly, Dr. Nasr said nothing special nor remarkable that has not been thoroughly explained and/or refuted by reputable Islamic scholars from the past. I dont understand what the fuss is about. I found this talk quite unimpressive.

[@ashleydean9680]

Dear sir. Iblis was Not an Angel... Please correct your Lecture

[@osmansaid4601]

I listened all the video .I didn't anything special. He said the quran says anything like god and another places it say god had a body.It is not new .No matter vwhat you say about god it likeness.God exist we exist He said quran supports free will and determinsm . That is the same all the compatibility school of thought. He says quran talks about what other books talk about.The quran it self says nothing is new in this quran.Lastly different interpretation of different schools.That normal if I am feminist I will say quran supports feminist if I am traditionalist I will say quran is against feminist. That is human nature . He said quran is historical book that is true in some sense but something must be universal. Lastly quran vs nature .is the the universe created or exist for ever .No body knows in the world if you support it is created you will justify if you beleive is not created you will justify. I don't see anything new here.if the quran was only sura ikhlas do you think all muslims will interpret the same?.If I am socialist I think the quran is socialist book if I am capitalist I willthink quran is capitalist book.any worldview people confront some people rejected like salafi. Accept the other worldview and interpret their book and others group mix it up.

[@Leo-yx7rk]

Remembering that the Quran claims to be clear, complete, and free of contradictions (and that if this was found not to be so, the Quran may be condidered false), you might reread your own words here... The Quran is neither clear, nor complete, nor is it free of contradictions and demonstrable errors of fact. The Quran is false. Qutham (aka Mohammad) was a fraud. There is just one thing uttered by Mohammad that may be considered Prophesy, and that is his own mode of death (Aorta) in event he was found to have falsified the Quran.

[@0Er0]

You cannot even write english properly you also probably cannot understand sufficiently, also you are a bias muslim. 😅

[@0Er0]

Bias muslim

[@DatoMiko-w5o]

Who is this 🤡. what credentials does this self claimed scholar have

[@briantariq1313]

He isn't self proclaimed he was a professor at Al-Azhar University who was deemed a apostate by the Al-Azhar ulema and forcible divorced from his wife.

[@0Er0]

More than you that's for sure. 😂😂😂😂

[@ricetanzania4148]

Why is this thumbnail with him with a palestionian scarf while he has none her in the lecture? Is that picture real?

[@Whyyteway]

One of the best lecture about quran.

[@johnseebmalek4792]

It might seem profound to some, but the guys entire presentation was entirely incoherent. It seems the western audience would gladly listen to any madman who knows a little bit about islam and can bash it. "So profound." Some eloquent speech is as effective as magic.

[@zverh]

You are describing the muslim audience. They gladly listen to muslim conversion stories and other islam flattering content gladly, regardless of the legitimacy of what is being said. They are therefore, to use a quranic term, سماعون للکذب. Also regarding the magic of speech the entire backbone of islam is built upon it with the challenge of bringing a surah like it. To the extent that dawah man ended up challenging Eminem for a rap battle with the Quran, which makes sense given the fact that Allah dropped a diss track on the OG Abu Lahab in a dedicated surah.

[@0Er0]

I can say the exact same thing about the quran and your prophet 😂

[@dom3073]

@@zverh And guess what ... no one has been able to meet the challenge.

[@marwafawzy2465]

He is using his own personal experience to take part in an academic conference and hopes he gets the audience's approval. The western academia is ready to flout its rules for some bashing on Islam and the Quran. But God forbid you go there to study Engineering with an IELTS score of 5😂.

[@0Er0]

@@marwafawzy2465 apostate and proud ☝️

[@wereyare9143]

Thank you for making this valuable talk available. You both are great. When delivers the talk, he does not carry a Palestinian symbol, but from the first frame of the video, there is a picture of him with a clear sign and text about Quds. May I ask what the reason is?

[@edmundo.santiago]

I enjoyed this lecture very much, thank you for sharing it Gabriel. It seems in religion, you can only ask questions for which there is an already known (or expected / memorized) answer... because asking difficult questions that cause too much thinking and thus the revealing of the origins of the religious dogmas is akin to heresy, or worse, apostasy (as in the case of this fine gentleman).

[@ultrasignificantfootnote3378]

If we are to accept that an Angel spoke the Quran to Mohammed, why can I find no information whatsoever about how Angels (who are made of light , so the religious say, ) can speak? Do we simply have to take it all for granted ?

[@MohamedShou]

What? Are you saying why angels made of light can’t speak? I’m confused

[@samantarmaxammadsaciid5156]

Read the Qur’aan again and again until you begin to understand! Nobody is forcing you! You don't have to read for others! All relevant to how all came to be, meaning it's about Aadam you need to understand, meaning you understand humanity and its own habitat = one and the same!

[@abdallah6757]

There’s literately verses in the Quran and in the Hadith of Angels talking to each other and humans what are you talking about dude lol

[@justice70567]

99:1 WHEN THE EARTH quakes with her [last] mighty quaking 99:2 and [when] the earth yields up her burdens 99:3 and man cries out, "What has happened to her?" 99:4 on that Day will she recount all her tidings 99:5 as thy Sustainer will have inspired her to do 99:6 On that Day will all men come forward, cut off from one another, to be shown their [past] deeds 99:7 And so, he who shall have done an atom's weight of good, shall behold it 99:8 and he who shall have done an atom's weight of evil, shall behold it

[@ultrasignificantfootnote3378]

So far nobody has been able to answer my question, so I can not accept Islam.