Contradictions in the Qur’an

[فداء الرسول]

2. Width of the Garden
There is a clear discrepancy with reference to the width of the Paradise or Garden in the Qur’an. Verse 3:133 says that it is all the heavens (Samawath: plural) and the earth combined. Verse 57:21 says that the width is the (lower?) heaven (Sama: singular) and the earth combined.

(3:133)
“…. a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous,”

(57:21)
“…. a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah …. “

Answer to Contradiction no. 2: The word سماء (heaven) of the second instance has been used as اسم الجنس (generic noun) which, following grammatical rules attached to this ‘particular kind of noun,’ (of which there are several kinds in Arabic), generates the meaning both in singular as well as in plural. A little knowledge of grammar will come handy to understand the Arabic Qur’an.