Author of the Quran does not know Mathematics

Author of the Quran does not know Mathematics
By Dr. Zakir Naik, Islamic Voice, April 2001
Question: According to Arun Shourie there is a mathematical error in the Quran. In
chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 when you add up the different parts of inheritance given
to the heirs, it is more than one. Therefore the author of the Quran does not know
mathematics.
Answer: The Quran mentions about inheritance in many places, in
• Surah Al Baqarah-Chapter 2 verse 180
• Surah Al Baqarah-Chapter 2 verse 240
• Surah Al Nisa-Chapter 4 verses 7 to 9
• Surah Al Nisa-Chapter 4 verses19 and 33
• Surah Al Maidah-Chapter 5 verses 105 and 108
Regarding the share of inheritance it is clearly given in Surah Nisa-chapter 4 verse
11, 12 and 176.
Let us examine the verses quoted by Arun Shourie, i.e. Surah Nisa chapter 4 verses
11 and 12:
Allah (swt) (thus) directs you as regards your childrens (inheritance): to the male, a
portion equal to that of two females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is
two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half.
For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; if
no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the
deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all
cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents
or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by
Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child; but if they
leave child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave,
their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eighth;
after payment of legacies and debts. [Al-Quran 4:11-12]
Islam explains the law of inheritance in great detail. The broad and basic outline is
given in the Quran and the minute details are given in the Ahadith i.e. the tradition
and sayings of the Prophet (Pbuh).
A person can spend his full life only on the research of the Islamic law of inheritance
with its various permutations and combinations. Arun Shourie expects to know the
law only by superficially reading two verses of the Quran without knowing the
criteria.
It is similar to a person who wants to solve a mathematical equation but does not
know the basic rule of mathematics, i.e. BODMAS which says that in a mathematical
equation, irrespective of which mathematical sign appears first, you will first solve
BODMAS: 1st Brackets Off, 2nd Division, 3rd Multiplication, 4th Addition and 5th
Subtraction. If Arun Shourie does not know mathematics and first does multiplication then subtraction, then brackets off, then division and finally addition, the answer
that he will obtain is bound to be wrong.
Similarly, when the Quran mentions the law of inheritance in Surah Nisa chapter 4
verses 11 and 12, even though the childrens share is mentioned first and then that
of the parents and spouses, according to the law of inheritance in Islam after paying
off the debts and liabilities first, the share is given to the spouses and the parents
depending on whether the deceased has left children or not, and whatever portion of
wealth is remaining is divided between the sons and the daughters according to their
respective shares.
So where does the question arise of the total coming to more than one? So it is not
Allah who does not know mathematics but it is Arun Shourie himself who is ignorant
about mathematics.