A critical analysis of James Bellamy’s theory of Existence of errors in certain Qur’anic Verses with emphasis on Thematic Axis & exemplification.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, Ph.D candidate in Comparative Exegesis, Rafia Al-Mustafa Specialized Seminary:

2 Associate Professor, University of Qur’anic Studies and Sciences, Faculty of Qur’anic Sciences, Tehran

Abstract

Abstract
James Bellamy is among the Orientalists who, in his works, explicitly affirms the existence of errors in certain Qurʾanic propositions and proposes substitute words in order to rectify these alleged errors. In the entry “Textual Criticism of the Qurʾan,” he advances this claim and refers to approximately thirty instances of error in the Qurʾan. With firm conviction regarding the presence of errors in the Qurʾan and the necessity of correcting them, he approaches the Qurʾan without taking into consideration the views of scholars, intellectuals, and exegetes, and—according to his own assertion—undertakes the correction of some of its alleged errors. The principal axes upon which Bellamy relies in substantiating his claim include: the non-writing and non-codification of the Qurʾan during the Prophetic era; the absence of evidence for the recitation of a written Qurʾan; the alleged recognition of errors in the ʿUthmānic codex by first-generation reciters; the Prophet’s lack of awareness—along with that of his audience—of rhetorical defects; the purported lack of textual coherence in the Qurʾan and the placement of phrases and words in unsuitable positions. None of these claims possesses a scientific or literary foundation—particularly in light of the rules of the Arabic language—and some are based merely on the author’s personal preference and conjecture. The cases Bellamy identifies as errors in the Qurʾan have not been raised in any exegetical or Qurʾanic sciences sources. Likewise, his assertions concerning orthographic errors arising from misspellings, defects in the scribes’ pens, or slips of the pen are entirely unfounded and stand in opposition to historical and Qurʾanic evidence, as well as to the doctrine of inimitability (taḥaddī) and the eloquence and rhetorical excellence of the Qurʾan. Bellamy’s claims, which reflect limited familiarity with the language of the Qurʾan, are not accepted even by certain Orientalists, who regard his perspective as extreme.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 June 1404
  • Revise Date: 16 August 1404
  • Accept Date: 13 September 1404

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