Are there any prophecies in the Koran?

Every divine revelation foretells some events pertaining to the future. Such events or information are called “prophecies”. Qur’an has no exception to this. None of the events mentioned over 1400 years ago has yet been proven false.

Following are few of them:

1.  Promise to bring back to homeland:

“Surely, He Who ordained The Quran for thee, will bring thee home again.”(Source: Holy Qur’an: Surah Al-Qasas, Ayah No. 85)

Although Makkah was the birth-place of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and he had a very good repute there, the pagans of Makkah became his enemy when he started preaching the message of Islam. They expelled Mohammad (PBUH) from Makkah and forced him to migrate to Madinah. This Ayah was revealed as a prediction of good news for the prophet. He (PBUH) had migrated as a refugee and then returned several years later as a conqueror. Hence the prophecy was fulfilled.

2.  Abu Lahab

“Perished are the two hands (works) of Abu Lahab, and he is perished. His money and whatever he has accomplished will never help him. He will enter a fire full of flames.”(Source: Holy Qur;an, Surah Masad, Ayah 1 to 3)

Abu Lahab was uncle of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and still was among the worst enemies of Mohammad (PBUH), his followers and his message. His wife supported him in his mission against Islam. This Surah predicted that he and his wife will never embrace Islam and will die as disbelievers. Hence both will enter the hell-fire.

Inspite of Mohammad’s (PBUH) continuous preaching, the ill-fated man never embraced Islam. It is reported from Ibn Masud (RA) that when the messenger of Allah (PBUH) called people to faith, Abu Lahab said:

“Even if what my nephew says is true, I will save myself from the painful torment on the Day of Judgement with my wealth and my children.”

Have you noticed that this was a golden opportunity for Abu Lahab and his wife to belie the Qur’an by embracing Islam (even superficially as a Munafiq) and hence break the whole foundation of Islam that Qur’an is a divine revelation and it cannot be false or wrong? But they failed to do so although they had time of over 11 years to prove Qur’an wrong. Ultimately, they died as a disbeliever and once again became an evidence of correctness of another prophecy of the Holy Qur’an.

The above were examples of prophecies which were fulfilled during the life of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Some of the prophecies which are fulfilled after his life are:

3.  Body Pharaoh

Previous scriptures (Old and New Testament) as well as historical sources were silent about preserving the body of Pharaoh in water. However, it is the honor of Qur’an to inform mankind that his body was preserved as a sign of Allah’s powers and also as a lesson for future generations. Following is the translation of relevant Ayahs from Qur’an:

“We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his troops pursued them, aggressively and sinfully. When drowning became a reality for him, he said, ‘I believe there is no god except in the One whom the Children of Israel have believed; I am a submitter’. (Allah said) ‘Too late! For you have rebelled already, and chose to be a transgressor. Today, we will preserve your body, to set you up as a lesson for future generations’. Verily, many among mankind are totally oblivious to our signs.” (Source: Holy Qur’an: Surah Yunus, Ayahs 90 to 92)

Although, this event occurred over 1600 years before prophet Mohammad (PBUH), no one had an idea that the body of the Pharaoh would be preserved as a sign for future generations. Who else could have told this except All-Knowing God?

This prophecy was proved correct when the mummy of Pharaoh was discovered well preserved in 1898. It can be seen in the Royal Mummies Room of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

4.   Qur’an will remain un-altered

“Absolutely, We have revealed the reminder (The Qur’an), and, absolutely, We will preserve it.” (Source: Holy Qur’an: Surah Hijr, Ayah 9)

Since its revelation more than 1400 years ago, the original Qur’an is still fully preserved and intact word by word as it was when it was first revealed on the holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

5.  Error-free book

“Why do they not study The Qur’an carefully? If it were from (someone) other than God, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.” (Source: Holy Qu’an: Surah Al-Nisa, Ayah 82)

Qur’an deals with hundreds of issues, and reiterates many events of the past nations. Yet, no one can show any incongruity or contradictions among more than 6600 verses of The Qur’an. Many have tried but failed to prove. Till date not even a single valid contradiction has been surfaced!

6.  Signs within and in the universe

Although due to lack of knowledge man cannot understand some of the Ayah’s of Qur’an, Allah has promised that with the advancement of science, the study will continue to prove truthfulness of Qur’an, because it is revealed from the creator of everything. For example, the Ayahs of Qur’an regarding motion of sun, earth and moon and also regarding the concept of reflection of light by the moon were totally against the beliefs prevalent at the time of revelation of Qur’an and also against the Biblical sources. Qur’an mentions:

“We will show them our signs in the universe, and within themselves, until they realise that this is the truth. Is your Lord not sufficient as a witness of all things?” (Source: Holy Qur’an: Surah Fussilat, Ayah 53)

Today, scientific discoveries in every field are giving more and more evidence to the truthfulness of this Ayah in particular and the whole Qur’an in general.

Allah says in Qur’an at numerous places:

“And We have made (this Qur’an) easy in thy language only that they may heed.”

Is there anyone who will consider the truthfulness of this divine revelation?

Related posts:

1. Satan deceives
2. What is Quran (also written as “Koran”)?
3. Science and Islam
4. Mohammad is not the founder of Islam
5. Muslims worship “moon god”?