Miracles & Timing (Part III)

In the initial article from this series, we delved into the dual mechanisms through which God enacts miracles in our world. The first method is encapsulated in the divine command, “Be” (kun / كُن ), which instantaneously brings into being what is decreed (fayakūnu / فَيَكُونُ ). The second method involves the intricate weaving of a miracle into the very fabric of the universe from its inception, set to manifest at a predetermined time and place in alignment with the laws governing the cosmos. From this, we concluded that the method of how a miracle comes to fruition doesn’t independently determine what constitutes a miracle, as God can use whatever mechanism He wishes.

In our subsequent exploration, we turned our attention to the anatomy of a miracle. We concluded that the essence of a miracle cannot be found within its mere physical manifestation but rather in the response it elicits from those who witness it. It is not the mechanics of the miracle that define it but the spiritual reverberations it creates in the hearts and minds of the observers. This understanding challenges us to look beyond the surface level of miraculous events, prompting a deeper contemplation of their true significance and the transformative impact they can have on our understanding of the divine and our place in the grand scheme of existence.

In this article, God willing, we will delve into the profound significance timing has in the manifestation of miracles. It’s not merely the occurrence of these miraculous events that captures our attention, but rather the precise moments at which they unfold. This impeccable timing reinforces the very essence of a miracle. It’s as if the fabric of reality conspires to reveal these extraordinary occurrences exactly when their impact will be most meaningful and when they will resonate most profoundly with the human experience. In this exploration, we will uncover how this synchronicity between a miracle and its moment in time not only solidifies the reality of the miracle itself but also amplifies its meaning and our connection with the divine.

Only God can Authorize Miracles To Be Manifested At Predetermined Times

The Quran provides a profound insight into the nature of miracles in relation to messengers. It articulates that no messenger has the capacity to bring forth a miracle on their own accord; rather, it is only possible if and when God wills it and at a time that has been preordained. This concept underscores a fundamental aspect of divine sovereignty and the structured order of the universe. It suggests that miracles are not arbitrary displays of power or whims of the messengers, but are deeply embedded in the divine plan, occurring at moments that hold specific significance within the broader tapestry of time and existence.

[13:38] We have sent messengers before you (O Rashad), and we made them husbands with wives and children. No messenger can bring a miracle without GOD’s authorization, and in accordance with a specific, predetermined time.

 وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ

10	wamā	وَمَا	And not
11	kāna	كَانَ	it was
12	lirasūlin	لِرَسُولٍ	for a messenger
13	an	أَن	that
14	yatiya	يَأْتِىَ	he brings
15	biāyatin	بِـَٔايَةٍ	in a sign / miracle
16	illā	إِلَّا	except
17	bi-idh’ni	بِإِذْنِ	by (the) permission
18	l-lahi	ٱللَّهِ	(of) God.
19	likulli	لِكُلِّ	For everything
20	ajalin	أَجَلٍ	an appointed term
21	kitābun	كِتَابٌ	recorded / prescribed (predetermined).

Miracles & Timing

It is worth emphasizing that based on the above verse, the timing of the miracle is just as crucial as the miracle itself.

Let’s consider the story of the parting of the Red Sea. Irrespective of whether God stated, “Be” to make the sea part, or it was predestined that at that exact time and place, there was going to be a geological event that caused the seas to part “naturally,” what makes the event a miracle was the timing. Imagine if the sea had parted at a different time, absent of any human context. While such an event might still strike us as highly improbable or miraculous, it would lack the profundity of meaning that it possesses.

The real power of this story lies in its precise timing: the sea parts exactly when Moses and the Children of Israel, in a desperate flight from the tyranny of Pharaoh, reach its shores. In that critical moment, Moses strikes his staff, the sea parts, offering a path of salvation for the Israelites and, simultaneously, a watery grave for their oppressors. This is not just a tale of a supernatural event; it’s a narrative imbued with deep meaning for the Children of Israel who were present and us today to reflect on how such an event makes us think about our relationship with our Creator.

[26:60] They pursued them towards the east.
[26:61] When both parties saw each other, Moses’ people said, “We will be caught.”
[26:62] He said, “No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me.”
[26:63] We then inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff,” whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.
[26:64] We then delivered them all.
[26:65] We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.
[26:66] And we drowned the others.
[26:67] This should be a sufficient proof (ayah), but most people are not believers.

 فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ
 قَالَ كَلَّآ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
 فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
 وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
 وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
 ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
 إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

This synchronicity between the miraculous event and its timing elevates it beyond a mere anomaly in the natural order; it becomes a testament to the purpose and authorization of the messenger by the Lord of the universe. So miracles are not just highly improbable events but are imbued with a purpose that will have us assess our relationship with our Creator, and they are perfectly orchestrated to be revealed at specific times.

Each Miracle Is For Its time and Place

Every miracle that God authorizes to be revealed is tailored for its specific time and place, intricately aligned with the cultural and societal context of the era. Consider the examples of Moses and Aaron: their miracles were manifested at a time when magic held a significant place in society’s collective imagination. These miracles were designed to resonate within that specific context, to challenge and surpass the prevailing standards of what was considered miraculous.

Similarly, when Saleh was graced with the miracle of the camel, it was presented to a people who held camels in high esteem, making the miracle not just a display of divine power, but also a symbol deeply meaningful to its audience. In the time of Jesus, when famine and disease were rampant, his miracles of healing and sustenance addressed the immediate and dire needs of the people, providing both relief and a demonstration of divine compassion. And when Muhammad was bestowed with the Quran, it came during an era when the Arabs highly valued the art of poetry, making the Quran’s linguistic mastery and profound depth a miracle that spoke directly to the hearts and minds of its initial audience. These instances illustrate that miracles are not just about defying the natural order; they are communications, crafted in a language and form that speak powerfully to the people of their time, challenging, guiding, and inspiring them in ways uniquely suited to their circumstances and worldviews.

Code 19: The Miracle For Our Time

In our current era, characterized profoundly by advancements in technology, particularly in the realm of computers and cryptography, it only makes sense that our miracle would also align with this contemporary context. For this, God provided us a miracle of the revelation of a cryptographic code embedded inside the Quran based on the prime number 19. This code provides a mathematical and cryptographic assurance that the Quran we engage with today is the unaltered, pristine message that was conveyed initially to the prophet over 1400 years ago. More significantly, this cryptographic pattern points towards the divine origin of the text, suggesting that the architect of this complex, numerical framework could be none other than God Himself.

Code 19 is a miracle predestined to be revealed for this generation as it resonates deeply with our current societal preoccupations and intellectual inclinations, much like the miracles of the past were tailored to their respective times. This phenomenon invites a reflection on the ways in which the divine continues to communicate with humanity, adapting the medium and method to suit the evolving landscape of human understanding and technology.

Code 19 shows that the Quran is characterized by a unique phenomenon never found in any human-authored book. Every element of the Quran is mathematically composed — the suras, the verses, the words, the number of certain letters, the number of words from the same root, the number and variety of divine names, the unique spelling of certain words, the absence or deliberate alteration of certain letters within certain words, and many other elements of the Quran besides its content.

There are two major facets of the Quran’s mathematical system: (1) The mathematical literary composition and (2) The mathematical structure involving the numbers of suras and verses. Because of this comprehensive mathematical coding, the slightest distortion of the Quran’s text or physical arrangement is immediately exposed.

This miracle was revealed through Dr. Rashad Khalifa. A complete overview of the mathematical miracle of the Quran can be found here, while a documentary on the subject can be seen below.

Code 19 & Timing

Some argue that the miracle of Code 19, as specified in the Quran as a rebuttal to those who assert that the Quran is clever magic and manmade, is not a miracle because it was embedded inside the Quran from its inception. But these kinds of arguments don’t diminish the miracle of Code 19 any more than the geologists arguing that the parting of the Red Sea could have occurred coincidentally. This is because the timing of the revelation of Code 19 has all the hallmarks of a divine miracle, including the impeccable timing of its revelation.

The discovery that “19” is the Quran’s common denominator became a reality in January 1974, coinciding with Zul-Hijjah 1393 A.H. The Quran was revealed in 13 B.H. (Before Hijrah). This makes the number of years from the revelation of the Quran to the revelation of its miracle 1393 + 13 = 1406 = 19×74. As noted above, the unveiling of the Miracle took place in January 1974. The correlation between 19×74 lunar years and 1974 solar years could not escape notice. This is especially uncanny in view of the fact that “19” is mentioned in Sura 74.

It’s intriguing and somewhat ironic that some contend Dr. Khalifa’s discovery of Code 19 in the Quran should not be attributed to him because of his utilization of a computer in the process of discovery. This line of reasoning is akin to asserting that Moses’s miracles lose their attribution to him because he used a staff as an instrument. It’s a peculiar argument because the tool or medium used in the execution of a miracle does not diminish the significance of the act itself or the agency behind it. In fact, even the use of earthly materials in revealing profound truths is not outside the purview of prophecy, as the Quran itself hints at a creature made of earthly materials playing a role in such revelations.

[27:82] At the right time, we will produce for them a creature, made of earthly materials, declaring that the people are not certain about our revelations.

 وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَآبَّةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ

This acknowledgment in the Quran only deepens the layers of meaning and significance surrounding the discovery of Code 19 rather than detracting from it. It underscores the idea that the mediums God’s messengers may use, whether they be a staff or a computer, are integral to the unfolding of God’s miracles for mankind. It is also worth noting that if we add the digits of the sura and verse 27:82, we get 2+7+8+2 = 19.

It is also worth emphasizing that Dr. Rashad Khalfa was not just someone who made a discovery, but we find the narrative of his life, death, coming, and function heavily prophesized in the Quran. The same cannot be said about others who made discoveries relating to the Quran.

Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s work extended far beyond merely claiming to be a messenger of God or using the discovery of Code 19 as validation of his divine mandate. He devoted his life to a mission of profound spiritual significance: the purification of God’s religion, an endeavor aimed at restoring it to its original essence. This essence, as he articulated, was centered on the singular worship of God and an unwavering adherence to the Quran alone. This dedication to purifying and returning the faith to its pristine state of monotheism sets him apart in a realm distinct from those who have merely uncovered interesting facets of the Quran. His work wasn’t just an academic or intellectual exercise; it was a deeply spiritual quest rooted in a commitment to rekindle the fundamental truths at the heart of the faith.

In the exploration of the Quran, numerous individuals have unearthed fascinating insights and scientific revelations. However, the phenomenon of Code 19, as revealed to Dr. Rashad Khalifa, stands distinctly apart in this realm. This particular finding is a testament to the very nature of a miracle orchestrated by God Almighty at a divinely appointed moment, providing far-reaching implications for believers and disbelievers. It embodies the essence of what a miracle is intended to be, not merely a discovery or an interesting finding, but a profound trial for mankind to our purpose and our standing with God in His religion, meticulously aligned with the timing designated by the divine will. This alignment with the divine timing and grand implications is where the fundamental difference lies from other discoveries and sets it apart as a clear and deliberate miracle from God.

[74:30] Over it is nineteen.

 عَلَيْهَا تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ

[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19)
(1) to disturb the disbelievers,
(2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture),
(3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful,
(4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and
(5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts,
and the disbelievers; they will say, “What did GOD mean by this allegory?” GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people.

 وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ

[74:32] Absolutely, (I swear) by the moon.
[74:33] And the night as it passes.
[74:34] And the morning as it shines.
[74:35] This is one of the great miracles.
[74:36] A warning to the human race.

 كَلَّا وَٱلْقَمَرِ
 وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذْ أَدْبَرَ
وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَآ أَسْفَرَ
 إِنَّهَا لَإِحْدَى ٱلْكُبَرِ
 نَذِيرًا لِّلْبَشَرِ

In the final article from this series, we will God willing explore what it means to accept or reject a messenger from God and its ramifications.