A Contradiction Within the Quran
By Dr. Max Shimba
Max Shimba Ministries
Introduction
This issue represents a significant theological discrepancy within Islamic scripture — a contradiction between the historical record preserved in the Hebrew Bible and the later narrative presented in the Quran. The core question is simple yet deeply consequential for scriptural integrity:
Who rescued Moses from the Nile — Pharaoh’s daughter or Pharaoh’s wife?
The Biblical Account
According to the Holy Bible, when Pharaoh sought to kill all Hebrew male infants, God intervened to save Moses by causing Pharaoh’s daughter to adopt the child and raise him as her own. The account is clearly detailed in the book of Exodus:
"And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bore a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to see what would be done to him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?' And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' And the maid went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, 'Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.' And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, 'Because I drew him out of the water.'"
— Exodus 2:1–10 (KJV)
This is affirmed again in the New Testament:
"And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son."
— Acts 7:21 (KJV)
The Quranic Account
Over two millennia later, the Quran presents a conflicting version of this historical episode, asserting that it was Pharaoh's wife — not his daughter — who rescued and adopted Moses. The Quran states:
"And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: 'Suckle him, and when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Lo! We shall bring him back unto thee, and shall make him (one) of Our messengers.' And the family of Pharaoh took him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a sorrow. Lo! Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were ever sinning. And the wife of Pharaoh said: 'A comfort for me and for thee! Kill him not. He may be of use to us, or we may adopt him as a son.' And they perceived not."
— Surah 28:7–9 (Pickthall Translation)
Here, it is explicitly Pharaoh's wife who intervenes and claims the infant Moses.
Evaluating the Contradiction
Given that the Hebrew Bible, authored by Moses himself (according to longstanding Jewish and Christian tradition), was written far closer to the time of these events, it would logically hold greater historical reliability. The Israelites, as direct participants and custodians of their national history, would certainly have accurately preserved the identity of Moses' rescuer.
Additionally, the Quran itself instructs Muslims to consult the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) regarding earlier revelations and sacred history:
"And if you (Muhammad) are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto you, then ask those who read the Scripture (that was) before you. Verily the Truth from your Lord has come unto you. So be not of the doubters."
— Surah 10:94 (Pickthall)
"And verily We gave unto Moses nine clear signs. Ask the Children of Israel how he came unto them, and Pharaoh said unto him: 'Lo! I deem thee one bewitched, O Moses.'"
— Surah 17:101 (Shakir)
Further, the Quran claims that Jesus himself confirmed the authority of the Hebrew Torah available in his day:
"He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel." ... "'And (I have come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. So fear God and obey me.'"
— Surah 3:47, 49 (Khalifa)
"And in their footsteps, We sent Jesus son of Mary, confirming the Torah that came before him; and We gave him the Gospel, wherein is guidance and light, and confirming the Torah that preceded it, a guidance and an admonition for the righteous."
— Surah 5:46 (Khalifa)
Conclusion
Given the corroborative testimony of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and even Quranic endorsements of these scriptures, it becomes clear that the biblical account — which identifies Pharaoh’s daughter as Moses' rescuer — is historically and theologically sound.
In contrast, the Quran’s claim that it was Pharaoh’s wife represents a critical historical error, undermining its claim to confirm previous scriptures.
As a result, we must conclude that:
-
The Holy Bible remains historically consistent and theologically reliable.
-
The Quran’s contradiction on this matter reveals its fallibility as a later historical source.
Shalom.
Dr. Max Shimba
Max Shimba Ministries
No comments:
Post a Comment