Title: The Exact Word 'IQRA' in the Bible Question: "and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned" [Isaiah 29:12] Let me first explain what I know about the above verse.. In the cave of hira...the angel Gabriel suddenly appeared before him and ordered him to "Iqra!" (read, recite, repeat, proclaim). Muhammad (peace be upon him), in his terror thought he was being asked to read, so he stammered: "I am unlettered." The angel Gabriel again ordered him to "Iqra!" Muhammad (peace be upon him) again replied: "I am unlettered." The angel Gabriel now took a firm hold of him and commanded him "Iqraa in the name of Allah who created!". Now Muhammad (peace be upon him) began to understand that he was not being asked to read, but to recite, to repeat. He began to repeat after him, and Gabriel revealed to him the first verses of the Qur'an, those at the beginning of the chapter of Al-Alak(96): When the angel Gabriel used to address Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the Arabic word "Iqra." It is derived from the Arabic root word "qara". However, if we were to go back to the original Hebrew form of the verses of Isaiah 29:11, we would find that the actual word which is translated into English as "Read this [I pray thee]" is the Hebrew word qara', {kaw-raw'}. Is it not an amazing coincidence that the Hebrew text used not only a word with the same meaning, but the exact same word itself ? Verse 11 of Isaiah tells us that the final book (the Qur'an) was revealed to previous prophets, however, they could not read it. It was "sealed" for them because it was meant for the last prophet, and until the last prophet's time came, the people would not yet be able to "bear" this message (John 16:12-13). It was also sealed for them because it was revealed in Arabic. "A Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur'an in Arabic for people who have knowledge" (The noble Qur'an, Fussilat(41):3) "Had We made this as a Qur'an (in a language) other than Arabic, they would have said: 'Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! An Arab and non Arabic?' Say: 'It is a Guide and a Healing for those who believe; and for those who disbelieve, there is a heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it is a blindness upon them: They are as those who are called from a place far distant (so they neither hear nor understand)'" (The noble Qur'an, Fussilat(41):44) My questions are: Was the book of Isaiah originally written in HEBREW language? Is the book of Isaiah a part of OLD testament which was revealed before Jesus? "QARA" an ARABIC word which is TAKEN in the book of Isaiah for the perfecting the situation of the prophecy... then this mean that the word "QARA" is not in HEBREW LANGUAGE then how do a person pronounce the word "READ" in HEBREW LANGUAGE? Please if you don't know the answer to this question please can you find it our for me.. because I really need to know it and if it is really true that "READ" in HEBREW LANGUAGE is not "QARA" then it will put A LOT OF WEIGHT in proving that the prophecy is really for the PROPHET MUHMMAD (PBUH)...which I really need to know... The verses of Isaiah 29:11 and John 16:12-13 says that the message was sealed for the chosen one (Muhammad-pbuh)... I don't understand the word seal here.. this means that quran was reveled in past but prophets couldn't read it.??? Or they were prophesizing that a book is waiting to reveal to the chosen one or a book is sealed (secure) from the prophets...or the message is in ARABIC language so Jesus don't know Arabic neither other prophets... please clear the verse of Isaiah 29:10-13 and John 16:12-13 in detail explanation Does the prophecy in Isaiah 29:11 fits in ANYWAY to any other Prophets including Jesus (pbuh)... Why not Christians recognize Isaiah 29:11 prophecy to be RELEVANT? According to my knowledge that the NEW TESTAMENT was originally written in ARAMAIC Language... then how did the ARAMAIC BIBLE translated the word "QARA" in [Isaiah 29:12] Do Muslims in Pakistan and Arab pronounce the name of ISAIAH as ISAAC ?? the son of ABRAHAM through Sarah? If not then where does he lies in the Tree of Nabi/Rasul ? Who was ISAIAH? .. A messenger of God or A Nabi or A Prophet? How does Christians in (OLD AND NEW Testament) and Muslims in Islam VALUE his (ISAIAH) words and sayings (BOOK OF ISAIAH)....?? Khalid Jamil Pakistan Answer: I will not make any comments regarding your understanding of the Biblical verses and how they relate to the Prophet of Islam. I do not necessarily agree with your exposition, nevertheless, I will answer the rest of your questions to the best of my ability. All sources indicate that the Book of Isaiah was indeed written in Hebrew, however there may have been some Aramaic writings as well. Yes. I do not agree that Isaiah 29:12 is a prophecy related to the Prophet Muhammad. I believe that this particular scripture has been misconstrued and that its true meaning deals with the hypocritical ways of the Jews. As for the word " qara " then it should be understood that Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew come from the same parent language. So, indeed " qara " is also a Hebrew word and it is spoken the same way in all three languages with slight variations in accent. The "Theological Word Book of the Old Testament" Hebrew Lexicon states: Hebrew word Qara (Strong's 7121) Transliterated word: Qara Phonetic spelling: kaw-raw' 1. to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim a. (Qal) 1. to call, cry, utter a loud sound 2. to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 3. to proclaim 4. to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 5. to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 6. to call, name, give name to, call by b. (Niphal) 1. to call oneself 2. to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named c. (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen Aramaic word Qara (Strong's 7123) Transliterated word: Qara Phonetic spelling: ker-aw' 1. to call, read aloud, read out, shout a. (P'al) 1. to call, proclaim 2. to read aloud, read out b. (Ithp'el) to be summoned, be called Please accept my apologies for not seeing the connection between Isaiah 29:12 and John 16:12-13. Nor do I see any indication of a prophecy regarding a sealed book. Therefore I cannot answer your questions based on those assumptions. I have already given an explanation of the main point regarding the Isaiah verse. John 16:12-13 alludes to a forthcoming personality that will guide humanity with God's message. This, to me, seems more harmonious with the revelation of the prophethood of Muhammad. Since I do not consider Isaiah 29:12 a prophecy, it becomes obvious that the question cannot be answered based on your assumption. The New Testament was written in Greek not Aramaic. Some of the personalities, especially Jesus, may have spoken Syriac-Aramaic but when the various authors wrote it it was in the Greek language. As for how " qara " is pronounced in Aramaic I have answered that in answer number three. Isaiah is a completely different prophet than Isaac. Isaac is the son of Abraham but Isaiah is not. As a matter of fact Isaiah was born centuries after Isaac. As for the pronunciation of Isaac in Arabic it is something close to this transliteration: Iss-Haq. On the basis of the information available to us, Isaiah seems to be a prophet, not a messenger, of God. His background is not well known, though it is believed, according to Biblical information, that he was a descendent of Judah. As of yet, however, even this bit of information is uncertain. Christians regard Isaiah's words, especially his prophecies, in high esteem. They tend to believe that Isaiah prophesized the coming of Jesus Christ. Muslims also respect Isaiah since he is a prophet of God. Many Muslim scholars find tremendous evidence in Isaiah's words indicating the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad. Hence, they both have tremendous admiration and reverence for the prophet Isaiah for their own respective reasons. I would like to conclude my answers with a small suggestion. I say this in the most respectful and compassionate way, please take no offense; It is commendable that you seek to understand Christianity and the elements that are within it that relate to Islam. However, I would humbly suggest that you invest more of your energies in trying to grasp the concepts of Islam. This will not only enrich your life but will insha'Allah strengthen your relationship with the Almighty. Not only will you grow spiritually but also you would have a better, clearer foundation of Islam. This in turn will afford you the knowledge to present Islam as the beautiful religion of God that it is. Your efforts of becoming an example of Islam will insha'Allah be rewarded in this life and in the Hereafter and it may accomplish for you your presentation of Islam by word and deed. Insha'Allah you have not misunderstood me and find it in your heart to forgive me if I indeed have overstepped my bounds with this humble suggestion. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan June 16, 2003