In 1974, Rashad Khalifa claimed to have discovered a mathematical code hidden in the Qur’an, a code based around the number 19. He wrote the book The Computer Speaks: God’s Message to the World, in which he thematizes this Qur’an code. He relies on Surah 74, verse 30 to prove the significance of the number: “Over it is nineteen,”
Initially, there was with overwhelming excitement but for many, the excitement was short-lived. Disillusionment set in when the full import of Code 19 dawned on them. Because to accept such a claim was to acquiesce to its implication which was so unsettling many were unprepared to face it. And to make matters worse, he went on to advance the outrageous claim that his discovery was proof that he was a messenger sent from God describing himself as God’s “messenger of the covenant”.
Rashad Khalifa claimed that Muhammad is the last prophet but not the last messenger
S33:40 Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things.
In the above verse, only prophets of Allah were given books from time to time and these prophets were also messengers of Allah until Muhammad the final prophet who received the final book –
S2:213 Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent prophets with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed…..
Muhammad being the last prophet means the Qur’an which was sent to him became the final book for mankind. With the Qur’an as the final book, only messengers of Allah mentioned in the Qur’an were examples for Muslims to follow and obey. Any new claimant after the Qur’an of being messenger is a false claim and should be discarded.
S33:21 Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.
S60:5 There is for you an excellent example to follow in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: “We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides Allah…..
S6:90 Those were the prophets who received Allah’s guidance: Copy the guidance they received; Say: “No reward for this do I ask of you: This is no less than a message for the nations.”
Any other than those messengers mentioned in the Qur’an are therefore, not messengers of Allah but they are self-proclaimed messengers as they have no way to claim they received inspiration from Allah.
Rashad Khalifa claimed he is the messenger of the covenant
S3:81 Behold! Allah took the covenant of the prophets, saying: “I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you a messenger, confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him and render him help.” Allah said: “Do ye agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on you?” They said: “We agree.” He said: “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”
It is impractical for Rashad Khalifa to make a claim he is the messenger of the covenant at
S3:81 as the covenant was an agreement between the living prophet who will receive a messenger during his lifetime to confirm the message given to him and he is to render that messenger his help.
There is no living prophet during Rashad’s lifetime for him to confirm the message that was given to that particular prophet nor is there any prophet to believe and render him help according to the covenant as all the prophets were dead.
Muhammad as the last prophet with the Qur’an has a double role of also being a messenger of Allah. This is where when the prophet made a mistake against Allah it is the messenger who will identify his errors to confirm and corrected him as –
S66:1 – O Prophet! Why hold thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seek to please thy consorts. But Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Thus, the two names Muhammad (S33:21) and Ahmad (S61:6) validate his two roles in the Qur’an as the messenger who came to confirm while the prophet is to render his help which will disqualify any other character claiming to be the messenger of the covenant at S3:81.
Rashad Khalifa claimed that his Code 19 is a miracle in the Qur’an
The Prophet Muhammad as the last prophet did not receive any miracle as was given to former prophets before him.
S29:50-51 Ye they say: “Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?” Say: “The signs are indeed with Allah: and I am indeed a clear Warner.” And is it not enough for them that we have sent down to thee the Book which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.
The reason miracles were not given to him as even if he received any miracle, human by nature will still not believe –
S17:59 And We refrain from sending the signs, only because the men of former generations treated them as false: We sent the she-camel to the Thamud to open their eyes, but they treated her wrongfully: We only sent the Signs by way of terror and warning from evil.
The Qur’an written as a complete book and memorised by millions is enough as a mercy and a reminder to those who believe –
S29:49 Rather, the Qur’an is distinct verses preserved within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.
S25:5 And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written: and they are dictated before him morning and evening.”
80:13-16 It is in Books held greatly in honour, Exalted and purified. Written by the hands of scribes- Honourable and Pious and Just.
S15:9 We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it from corruption.
S39:28 A Qur’an in Arabic, without any crookedness therein: in order that they may guard against Evil.
Fallacy on claimed number 19 has a role in preserving the original Qur’an
Rashad Khalifa Code 19 claimed that the Quranic text contains a hidden mathematical pattern that serves as a preservation of the original Quran. This claim, which he first proposed in 1974, is based on the observation that certain sequences of numbers appear in the Qur’an, particularly the number 19.
S74:30-31 Over it (عَلَيْهَا) are Nineteen. And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers…..
However, his claimed that “over it is 19” is a factor of preservation of the Qur’an can be disputed as the Arabic word Qur’an or book carries a masculine gender whereas is at S74:30 Over it (عَلَيْهَا) is 19 carries a feminine gender and it fit to qualify the word fire or hell in Arabic but not a book. So, his claim that his Code 19 is preservation of the Qur’an is a falsehood in terms of Arabic application in the Qur’an.
Rashad claimed Code 19 exposed verses S9:128-129 were fabricated and illegally inserted.
Rashad Khalifa claimed he casts suspicion into the authenticity of the two verses the verse S9:128 calls the prophet Muhammad “Raouf, Raheem” or “kind, merciful”. In the Qur’an, God uses many dual epithets to refer to Himself exclusively, which are phrases that contain a dual combination of what the Quran says are His “Beautiful Names (Asma ul-Husna)”. So, the dual epithet “Raouf, Raheem” combines two of God’s names in the Qur’an: Raouf (Benevolent) and Raheem (Merciful). Throughout the Qur’an, God calls Himself “Raouf, Raheem” multiple times, and no one else. But in verse 9:128, the prophet is referred to by one of God’s own dual epithets, “Raouf, Raheem”. Thus, this raises the suspicion that verse 9:128 does not belong in the Qur’an.
His claimed with the words Raouf and Raheem solely belong to Allah can be refuted as there are evidences in the Qur’an both the words were also use to describe human considerate character towards others –
S9:128 There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind (Raouf) and merciful (merciful)
S48:29 Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful (Ruhama) among themselves……..
S57:27 Then We made Our apostles to follow in their footsteps, and We sent Isa son of Marium afterwards, and We gave him the Injeel, and We put in the hearts of those who followed him kindness (Raafatan) and mercy (Warahmahtan)………
And there are other words which are the attributes of Allah but are also used for humans but that will not make the character divine.
To claim to be a messenger of Allah and receive divine inspiration is not without its risk.
S6:93 Who can be more wicked than one who invent a lie against Allah, or saith, “I have received inspiration,” when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, “I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed”? If thou could but see how the wicked do fare in the flood of confusion at death! the angels stretch forth their hands saying, “Yield up your souls: this day shall ye receive your reward, a penalty of shame, for that ye used to tell lies against Allah, and scornfully to reject His signs!”
Pondering with Saifuddin's index 