In a world often divided by religious ideologies, it is stories like Dr. Gary Miller’s that remind us of the harmonious convergence of faith and intellect. Dr. Miller, a Canadian scientist and former Christian missionary, set out on a mission to find contradictions in the Holy Quran. However, after an extensive and thorough study, his research led him not to the flaws he expected, but rather to undeniable proof that the Quran is, in fact, the word of God. This profound journey resulted in his conversion to Islam, a decision that not only altered his personal faith but also paved the way for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and outreach.
This is the remarkable story of Dr. Gary Miller, a man of science whose quest for truth led him to embrace Islam after discovering the divine authenticity of the Quran.
Who Was Dr. Gary Miller?
Before becoming a Muslim, Dr. Gary Miller was a prominent figure in Christian missionary work. Born and raised in Canada, Miller was deeply committed to his Christian faith, and for 15 years, he worked as a missionary spreading the teachings of Christianity. However, as he observed the increasing growth of Islam in the West, particularly in North America, he became deeply concerned.
Driven by a desire to halt the rapid expansion of Islam, Dr. Miller decided to approach the Quran in a critical manner. With his extensive knowledge of religious studies, he embarked on a mission to scrutinize the Islamic holy text in hopes of finding inconsistencies, errors, or contradictions. He believed that if he could point out flaws in the Quran, he could dissuade Muslims from their faith and prevent others from embracing Islam.
Yet, what he discovered was beyond anything he could have anticipated.
The Initial Skepticism: Why Dr. Miller Began Reading the Quran
Dr. Miller, like many skeptics of the Quran, assumed that the holy book would be filled with human errors, just like other religious texts he had studied. With an academic and methodical approach, he began his investigation into the Quran with the intention of compiling a list of contradictions.
His initial goal was simple: prove that the Quran was not divine. However, from the very beginning, Dr. Miller found himself intrigued by what he was reading. Rather than a book filled with self-glorification or errors, the Quran presented something entirely different. As he delved deeper, his perception of Islam and the Quran began to change.
Surprising Discoveries: The Chapter of Maryam
One of the first things that astonished Dr. Miller was the chapter named Maryam (Mary). In this chapter, the Quran tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a way that was unlike anything Dr. Miller had read in other religious texts, including the Bible.
In fact, he found that Mary was honored in a way that was unprecedented. The Quran dedicated an entire chapter to her, and her story was told with such reverence and respect that Dr. Miller was moved. Furthermore, he noticed that the name of Jesus Christ (Isa bin Maryam), peace be upon him, appeared more than 20 times throughout the Quran, while the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was mentioned only four or five times.
This led Dr. Miller to an important question: If Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had authored the Quran, why would he choose to glorify people like Mary and Jesus, who lived centuries before him, rather than focus on elevating his own status?
This realization was the first of many that caused Dr. Miller to reconsider his initial assumptions about the Quran.
The Verse That Changed Everything: A Direct Challenge to Find Errors
As Dr. Miller continued his deep dive into the Quran, he came across a verse that would change his view of Islam entirely. It was verse 82 of Surah An-Nisa, where Allah states:
“Do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from anyone other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.” (Quran 4:82)
This verse directly invites readers to reflect on the Quran and search for errors. Dr. Miller was taken aback by this bold challenge. He realized that no other book in human history had openly invited scrutiny in such a confident manner. Normally, authors of religious or secular texts try to shield their works from criticism, fearing that errors might undermine their credibility.
However, here was a divine book challenging people to find a mistake, and Dr. Miller realized that this was no ordinary claim. It was a testament to the Quran’s authenticity, one that invited the world to question it, confident that no contradictions would be found. This challenge piqued Dr. Miller’s curiosity even more, and he continued his research with a newfound sense of awe.
The Quran’s Challenge to Produce a Single Chapter
Dr. Miller’s journey through the Quran led him to another significant verse in which Allah issues a challenge to those who doubt its divine origin. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 23, Allah says:
“And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful.” (Quran 2:23)
This challenge to produce even a single chapter like the Quran is significant, especially considering that some chapters of the Quran consist of only a few short verses. Despite the simplicity of this challenge, no one in history, including the most skilled poets and linguists of Prophet Muhammad’s time, has ever been able to replicate even a fraction of the Quran’s eloquence and depth.
The leaders of the Quraysh tribe, who were Prophet Muhammad’s most powerful adversaries, were masters of the Arabic language. They viewed the Quran as a threat to their social order, wealth, and traditions. Yet, despite their power and wealth, they could not take up this challenge. They failed to produce even one verse that could match the Quran in its beauty, structure, and meaning.
This realization further solidified Dr. Miller’s belief that the Quran was truly unique and divine.
The Absence of Personal Glorification: A Sign of Divine Authorship
Another aspect of the Quran that struck Dr. Miller was its absence of personal glorification. As someone who had spent years studying religious texts, Dr. Miller was well-versed in the structure of holy books and autobiographies. Typically, when someone writes about themselves, they tend to highlight their successes and downplay their failures.
However, the Quran does the exact opposite. It does not dwell on Prophet Muhammad’s personal victories, nor does it glorify him or his close companions. In fact, the Quran contains very little about the Prophet’s personal life. For example, there is no mention of the death of his beloved wife, Khadijah, or the loss of his children.
Instead, the Quran focuses on delivering a message of humility, sacrifice, and devotion to Allah. Verses revealed after major victories caution against arrogance, while verses revealed during difficult times emphasize the importance of perseverance and patience. This self-effacing nature of the Quran was another sign for Dr. Miller that the book was not authored by a man seeking personal glory.
The Quran’s Revelation of the Unseen
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Quran is its revelation of knowledge unknown to humanity at the time of its revelation. Dr. Miller found this particularly fascinating as a man of science. In Surah Hud, verse 49, Allah says:
“This is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muhammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people before this.” (Quran 11:49)
This verse, and others like it, provide information that was not known to the people of Prophet Muhammad’s time. One example is the story of Prophet Noah, which the Quran recounts in detail. Dr. Miller was impressed by how the Quran presents information that was unknown to the people of Mecca and how it continually challenged its readers to verify its claims.
No scholar has ever been able to prove that the knowledge contained in the Quran was known to anyone before its revelation. This fact reinforced Dr. Miller’s growing belief that the Quran could not have been authored by any human being.
The Big Bang Theory in the Quran
One of the most compelling discoveries for Dr. Miller was the Quran’s reference to the creation of the universe, which aligns with modern scientific theories. In Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 30, Allah says:
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Quran 21:30)
This verse describes the separation of the heavens and the earth, a process that modern scientists refer to as the Big Bang. The fact that this knowledge was revealed in the 7th century, long before the development of modern scientific theories, was a turning point for Dr. Miller. How could Prophet Muhammad, an unlettered man living in the Arabian Peninsula, have known about the origins of the universe?
This revelation was a decisive factor in Dr. Miller’s conversion to Islam, as it demonstrated the Quran’s divine knowledge of scientific facts that were only discovered centuries later.
Also Read: The Remarkable Journey of Dr. Daniel McBride: From Neuroscience to Islam
Dr. Gary Miller’s Conversion to Islam
After months of research and reflection, Dr. Gary Miller made the life-altering decision to embrace Islam. In 1978, he publicly declared his faith and adopted the name Abdul Ahad, meaning “Servant of the One God.” His conversion marked the culmination of his intellectual and spiritual journey, one that had begun with skepticism and ended in faith.
Following his conversion, Dr. Abdul Ahad dedicated his life to Islamic outreach. He worked at a university in Saudi Arabia for several years before devoting himself to dawah (Islamic preaching). Through television programs, public lectures, and his writings, Dr. Abdul Ahad sought to help others discover the truth of Islam, just as he had.
One of his most famous works is his book The Amazing Quran, in which he outlines the many miraculous aspects of the Quran that led him to Islam. His story continues to inspire people around the world, particularly those who seek the truth with an open heart and mind.
Conclusion: The Power of Open-Mindedness
Dr. Gary Miller’s journey to Islam serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of approaching knowledge with humility and an open heart. His transformation from a skeptic seeking to disprove the Quran to a devoted Muslim who dedicates his life to spreading its message is a testament to the divine power of the Quran.
As Dr. Miller himself emphasized, the key to discovering the truth is to set aside prejudices and approach the Quran with sincerity. For those who do so, the Quran offers not only guidance but also irrefutable proof of its divine origin. Dr. Miller’s story encourages all of us to seek the truth with an open mind, confident that the light of Islam will guide those who are sincere in their quest for understanding. May Allah bless Dr. Abdul Ahad for his contributions and guide others to follow in his footsteps.
