Oukacha presents a concise critique of Islam’s foundational text. Originally written in French and translated into English, his book adopts a systematic, polemical approach, cataloging logical inconsistencies, doctrinal contradictions, and scientific errors within the Qur’an. The tone is direct, often confrontational, yet the structure—divided into clearly numbered entries—makes the book accessible and easy to reference.
Oukacha’s primary goal is to challenge the notion of Qur’anic inerrancy, a tenet central to traditional Islamic theology. He examines verses that appear to contradict one another, moral prescriptions that clash with modern sensibilities, and cosmological claims that are irreconcilable with contemporary scientific knowledge. For readers unfamiliar with Islamic apologetics or critical scholarship, the book offers a brisk tour of contentious claims concerning Qur’anic reliability.
However, two key critiques must be raised. First, Oukacha’s treatment of intra-Qur’anic doctrinal contradictions, while rhetorically effective, underestimates the long-established Islamic interpretive mechanism of al-nasikh wa al-mansukh (abrogation). For centuries, Muslim scholars have addressed seeming inconsistencies in the Qur’an by asserting that later revelations supersede earlier ones. Though contested and sometimes opaque, this concept provides a framework that allows Muslims to reconcile many of the contradictions Oukacha highlights. His dismissal of this exegetical tradition may oversimplify the complexities of Islamic theology.
Second, the book’s focus on scientific errors in the Qur’an—though salient in secular critiques—risks being less impactful when viewed in a comparative religious context. Virtually all major scriptures contain descriptions of the natural world that conflict with modern scientific understanding. Believers across traditions routinely interpret such passages allegorically or theologically rather than literally. Thus, scientific “errors” in the Qur’an are not uniquely damning, nor do they necessarily diminish the devotional force of the text for adherents. Believers often find ways to rationalize these passages.
That said, Oukacha’s work remains a valuable compendium for those interested in critical perspectives on Islam. While it may not sway believers grounded in faith-based epistemologies, its concise, plainspoken style makes it a useful summary of many arguments advanced in more critical academic literature.
Raymond Ibrahim is a Middle East expert, author, and scholar on Islam and the West
