Is the Qur'aan self-sufficient as the source for Islam?

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

The Qur'aan says, "... We have neglected nothing in the Book ..." [Verse 6.38]

And yet, there are a number of things that are not mentioned in the Qur'aan, as, for example, the number of rakaat in the ritual Prayers (Salaat) offered at different times of the day .

Mohammad: Masha Allah what a wonderful post, thank you my brother so very much. Now please allow me to put some sharing in your worshderful post. If you did not read my post about are prayers mentioned in Qur'aan, I amswered a lot about this issue, so please read it, it is in the section of: what Is Islam? Now, as for your saying here: many things are missing from Qur'aan, while Allah says: we left out none, then how you make such a statement my beloved brother, anyway, I did not read all of this post, answering it as I go. Let me share one step at the time, as if each part is a message by itself.

Many Muslims, or let us say most of them say: HAdeeth came to complete Qur'aan, as if the perfect Allah my send an imperfect book, which is so sad on the part of those who say so. Let me say this out clearly and out loud: in regard to our relation with Allah, Allah left nothing out, and if by any chance Allah did, then this is not importatn, because if it is important then Allah would mention it in Qur'aan. How about the number of Rakaas, well, first let us ask: did Allah mention Rakaas in Qur'aan?

Yes, Allah metioned Ruku and Sujud in Qur'aan all over the book, and called prayrs by Salah. Let me first take your attention to an Ayah in Qur'aan this I will base my debate over at this time. Ayah 17:12, if you count the number of the words, Allah mentioned word number 19 the word: Math, when speaking about the day and the night, which relates to three planets, Earth, the Sun and the Moon. When Allah brought the word Math to be number 19 when counting from the first word in the Ayah, then recently we discovered how those three planets come on a straight line every 19 years, then Allah says after Math: and every thing we gave you in full extreme details. This is what Qur'aan looks like, not your average book.

Read gain what I just said, do you think it is easy for any average Muslim to understanf this much, no it is not? nother question: since most Muslims do not even understand anything in Qur'aan, do you think any of those are fit to judge if Rakaas are mentioned or not in Qur'aan, not they are the furthest from such? Therefore, before we say Allah did not mention or forgot, we need to count till one thousand and then think before we utter such words. Now as I am not a Genius about Qur'aan, do you know any one who is, Allh says about a man who worked with Solomon who can bring the Throne of Sheba before Solomon blinks with little knowledge from the book of Allah, do you know any one today with this kind of knowledge, then ask yourself, how much from this book we need to know, and how much we really know about such?

At this time I can share with you a little fact, Surh 17 is the Surah that speaks about the trip of our prophet SAW to the Throne of Allah, during which some stories say: Muhmmad received the number of the Rakaa, whether the stories you know are true or false, and this is as I said is Surah 17, what this number signifies at this point? Count the Obligtory Rakaas, 2 morning, 4 Noon, 4 Aser after noon, 3 Maghrib Evening time, and 4 Isha night time, 2+4+4+3+4=17. Is this a coincedance, Surah 17 about Israa and miraaj, when Muhammad SAW received the number of prayers, to match the number of the Rakaas in its number, think about that, it is clear how we have to think about where a word is mentioned, why a number is given?

You see how easy it is on missing the little thing, and how much study we need to do before we say anything about this miraculous book from Allah. Since Allah said: everything we gave you in extreme details, then it is obvious to have the Surah that speaks about the time when Muhammad received the number of Rakaas to be equal to the number of Rakaas, I hope you can clearly see what I am saying here, remember number 19 in the word Math, and the relation that took us 1400 years to discover and understand? Why 1400 yers, first to keep Qur'aan alive till the end of time, second because there is no rush about this issue, not like the number of Rakaas.

You also sid: In the circumstances, how does one interpret the Verse quoted above, and similar other Verses telling mankind that the divine Book contains explanations on everything? There are many Verses in the Qur'aan, like Verse 6.38, that are strongly indicative of the divine Book being self-sufficient on all matters concerning Islam, the Allah-approved and perfect Religion for the entire mankind. Some such Verses are as follows:
12.111 - ... It is not a concocted hadeeth, but a confirmation of what preceded it and details of every thing and a guidance and a mercy for people who believe.
17.89 - And We have certainly explained, in this Qur'aan, every kind of example ...
18.54 - And We have certainly explained, in this Qur'aan, every kind of example for mankind ...
39.27 - And We have certainly given for mankind, in this Qur'aan, every kind of example for them to remember.
When the Almighty Creator of everything, Himself categorically declares that He has explained everything in His Book, and neglected nothing, we cannot but accept the divine declaration. If we do not, we betray our lack of faith in the Qur'an being the divine Book. So, the believers have no option but to accept that the Qur'aan explains everything that needs to be explained to mankind for the right conduct of their lives on this planet. Here one thing needs to be clearly understood, and that is that, besides the Qur'aan, the All-knowing Allah has granted the boon of a high grade Intellect to mankind. And when the Qur'aan tells us that it has not neglected anything, it obviously means anything that is not grasped through the Intellect. To illustrate this point through a simple example, it would be ridiculous to ask, "If the Qur'aan has neglected nothing, where is the guidance therein for driving a car properly?" This question would be ridiculous because Allah has given us the Intellect to acquire the necessary knowledge and expertise to be able to drive a car. Allah guides us, through the Qur'aan, in matters that cannot be dealt with merely through the use of the Intellect. And it is in such matters that Allah's guidance, through the Qur'aan, is thorough and perfect. That is what the divine Verses, quoted above, tell us.

Mohammad: how wonderful this example is, and how wonderful is the way you gave an answer back, and please as usual allow me to share what I have, I sometimes am a pain in the neck, I know that. If we have the proper knowledge about Qur'aan, be not dismaid if you find Allah spoke about the car, but the Question is: since a car has nothing to do with worshiping Allah, then why any non Muslims ask us to show such from a book that is related to our entrnce to Paradise, and exodus from Hell? If any of you ever faced a silly person who ask about a silly issue saying: did not Allah claim to bring from every example, where is the walk of a Worm is explained, we say: how the worm walks does not matter to our escaping Hell, and seeking Paradise. Not knowing what saves us from Hell is more dangerous than not knowing how the Worms moves about the ground. And as you said Mohammad: we can discover this on our own, no need for Allah to trouble Garbiel to carry this all the way across the seven Skies to reach us with, but on the other hand, do not be surprised if you discover some time Allah mentioned even such.

You said next: Now let us consider the case, specified above, wherein the Qur'aan appears to have missed mentioning some important and necessary detail:

Number of Rakaat in Salaat

The number is of course not mentioned in the Qur'aan. Nor is it unanimously specified, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in the ahaadeeth. Authors of books of Salaat appear to have mentioned the number on the basis of the established practice prevalent at the time of writing those books. In any case, let us consider whether the number is absolutely necessary and important in the eyes of Allah Ta'ala in whose worship the prayers are performed. Since He has not mentioned it in His Book, it goes without saying that it is not absolutely necessary and important in the eyes of Allah. What is absolutely important is what is specifically mentioned in the Qur'aan. And what is mentioned in the Qur'aan is, inter alia, that the prayers be performed devotedly for Allah and for none else. Allah may not question us on the number of rakaat we performed, but He may question us regarding the wanderings of our minds during the performance of those rakaat.

But that apart, the Qur'aan does not prevent us from following the practice prevalent as regards the number of rakaat. Herein comes the role for our Allah-given boon of Intellect. Since Allah has directed us to perform our salaat in congregation preferably, we have to perform the same number of rakaat as the Imam does. And for the sake of uniformity, it would be preferable to follow the prevalent practice in this regard. But Allah has purposely not prescribed the number to enable His devotees to make adjustments suitable to any abnormal situation that may arise at the time of the prayer. Far from being a neglect, this is really a Mercy from Him .

To conclude,
the number of rakaat is not an absolutely necessary and importanct aspect of a salaat,
the Qur'aan does not, nevertheless, prevent us from following the prevalent practice in this regard, for the sake of uniformity,
the Qur'aan has not prescribed any number for the rakaat, to enable an adjustment to suit any abnormal situation,
far from being a neglect, this is really a Mercy from Allah, and,
the Qur'aan is the self-sufficient source for Islam.
Mohammad: wonderful ending you did here, thanks. Ok, now comes the trouble maker (me), you and all of others here mong the wonderful memebers do remember the Ayah, however let me bring it for a reminder to all of us. Ayah 16:44 sys:
??????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ???????
Please notice the words I underlined, now here is the Interpretation of those Noble words: "and we gave you the Qur'aan, so that you will reveal and explain to the people what Allah gave them, and may they reflect about.

What we have here in this Ayah, and which is extremely important, please pay extreme attention to such? Allah is saying: He gave Muhammad the Qur'aan (Called it by Ziker), and said: so that Muhammad may explain what Allah gave us, and perhaps this will make us think about. As An Arab, I noticed something that no Translation, and no none Arab giving Interpreattion to the Qur'aan is capable of giving you such, so please listen up. Allah says: and we gave you the Qur'aan (Zikir), so that you will explain to the people what was brought for them, makes one like me wonder, does this means how Allah brought in Qur'aan things for others besides mankind?

Notice the words: to explain to people, what was given to them, then this Qur'aan has things not given to mankind, you will ask: who else is there, please listen to this: Do you remember the bird of Solomon, who came explaining to Solomon about the people of Sheba, listen to what this bird said: I found a woman (it knew Gender), ruling over them it knows what rule is all about. The bird spoke a lot, explaining in a manner the best of us fail to explain this situation at hand, knew Allah and worship, please go read Ayahs 27:22-29. Look at how this bird started speaking to the wisest among the wise, Solomon: I know what you do not know, this bird claimed knowledge even the wisest man didnt have . Read the speach of this bird to Solomon, then wonder, is in this Qur'aan something for birds, for the Fish, for the animals, before you answer, please read this Ayah 21:79: which speaks how the mountains and the birds praise Allah, this is why I ask: is there in Qur'aan something for people to be explained, and things only other creatures understand? How?

Look at the Jinn, Ayah 72:2 says: some Jinn listened to Qur'aan from Muhammad SAW and said: we heard marvelous Qur'aan. What Jinn understood, how did they reach this conclusion this fast, took Muhammad 12 yers at Mekka with people and only 40 men and one woman came to Allah, what Jinn saw from little time in the company of the Ayahs of Allah we people till now cannot speak like they spoke saying: Qur'aan Ajaba (which is above any normal, over all expectations), 1400 years and none of us Muslims see Qur'aan as such, we say it is, but can we prove that, yes I know some of us can, but remember those were ordinary Jinn, just happened to pass by according to the wish from Allah.

What I am trying to tell you about all of this, please do not forget, as I started drawing your attention: we know very little about Qur'aan, you know something, I wish, and I dream if Muslims start studying Qur'aan as hard as they criticize it, I wish they start studying Qur'aan as hard as they study silly books that are so much less, and do not compare to the words of Allah, you know why? If we do, I personally promise you: Allah will open from Qur'aan windows that make us see what takes us thousands of years of study, we can see in no time. I know this from personal experiance, I found things others did not, just because I gave Allah some of my time.

Again, what I am trying to say here, and I am sorry I made this post this long? Please do remember how we do not know Qur'aan this well to say: Rakaas are not mentioned, I gave you a hint, simple and easy to understand, but also remember and do not neglict Muhammad was given the knowledge to explain what we need to know, which makes some Hadeeth is true and Genuine, but how we can tell the true Hadeeth from thefalse ones? Those who depend on the books of Hadeeth are so sad, and so ignorant, we all need to make Qur'aan and Allah as our standard. Compare Hadeeth with Qur'aan, when Hadeeth explains Qur'aan, then this is a fulfillment to the order of Allah when He ordered Muhammad SAW to explain Qur'aan to us. This is how we know true Hadeeth from wrong ones, while even the books of Hadeeth can be played dangerous games with, and non Muslims can alter those books as they want, but no one can alter the Noble Qur'aan. This is why Qur'aan is the best refrence in our hands, according to which we can see true hadeeth from none true ones.

Now, and in conclusion I say: prayers were explained fully in Qur'aan, some are clear to all of us to understand, some are little difficult only some of us can, and some we took from our prophet and Imam SAW who was given knowledge from Allah also an order to explain Qur'aan to us, and what Hadeeth about Prayer is given, must be true, when prayer is explained this much, then Muhammad SAW make things clear, then we should accept that Muhammad is doing his Job given to him by an order to explain to us. Now all hadeeth are false if they do not match with Qur'aan, a lot are true and Genuine because they match, let Allah be the Judge through His words and the Noble Qur'aan.

Ayah 39:18 says: those who hear all speaches and follow the best, those who Allah gave guidnce to, and those who have good reflections from the hearts. My Allah makes us among those Insha Allah