THE NUMERICAL AND TIME CORRELATIONS IN THE QURAN

by Sahal A. Mohamed ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2018

An analysis of the mathematical representation of time allegedly encoded within the Quran. 

The Quran is notoriously resistant to confident interpretation, which partially explains why it has remained a subject of spirited dispute for thousands of years. Debut author Mohamed endeavors to shed some exegetical light on the most obscure elements of the Quran—the mathematical symbolism hidden within plain sight. According to the author, the Quran abounds with references to time. In fact, Allah even identifies himself with time. It’s not only mentioned in words, but alluded to in mathematical relationships subtly inserted in numerous passages throughout the text. Mohamed hunts down every reference to time and number with the zeal and rigor of an investigative journalist and attempts to divine its meaning. He covers several topics in relation to time, including prayer, faith, creation, and Jesus. Ultimately, his overarching point seems to be that the incomprehensible intricacy of the Quran, expressed in its complex mathematical relations, couldn’t possibly be the result of either coincidence or human artifice and is therefore evidence of the book’s divine origin. “No man could have written this with the intention of including these many coincidences,” he writes. The author’s methodology is reminiscent of Judaic gematria; every conceivable numerical relation is tracked down—even the number of words or letters in a passage—and subjected to microscopic scrutiny. The author’s knowledge of the Quran is inarguably impressive, and his interpretative efforts astonishingly creative. Also, he writes the plainest prose, especially helpful given the complexity of the subject matter. Most of Mohamed’s proposals seem wildly speculative, however, if not arbitrary. For example, the author will count the number of words in a verse, multiply them together, take their root, and divide by two, arriving at a final number he claims is both significant and divinely intended. But by what rationale does he justify these mathematical procedures? He provides none. 

A unique study of the Quran that seems randomly devised and provides no general accounting of its interpretive principles. 

Pub Date: June 25, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-5255-3002-9

Page Count: 132

Publisher: FriesenPress

Review Posted Online: Nov. 16, 2018

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION