Plato and the Quran: Number and Allegory from Ancient Mesopotamia and Greece to Islam is a book by Noor Bosra that argues for a hidden, esoteric code within the Quran, tracing numerical and allegorical concepts from Mesopotamian, Greek (particularly Plato's), and other ancient traditions to the Holy Quran. The book suggests these sacred numbers and allegories, which can seem absurd on a literal level, hold profound esoteric meanings that form a unified system of ancient wisdom, providing a deeper, "supra-textual" method of interpreting the Quran.
Key Concepts:
Esoteric Knowledge: The book focuses on hidden, esoteric knowledge accessible only to initiates, contrasting it with the exoteric (obvious) meanings of texts.
Sacred Numbers: A core premise is the existence of a "code" of sacred numbers with underlying meanings, suggesting numbers possess a unique allegorical function that is less susceptible to mistranslation or alteration than words.
Allegory and Metaphor: The book proposes that many narratives in the Quran, like the age of Noah or Jonah's story, are not literal but allegorical, designed to convey deeper truths to future generations.
Transmitters of Ancient Wisdom: Bosra argues that this ancient knowledge was passed down from Mesopotamia through various cultures and philosophies, with Plato playing a crucial role in gathering and interpreting these traditions before their appearance in the Quran.
The Author's Argument:
1. Observation of Numerical Patterns: Bosra, with an aptitude for mathematics, identified numerical patterns in the Quran and felt that the stories held allegorical meanings.
2. Historical Connection: The author suggests a historical link between the philosophical traditions of Ancient Greece and Mesopotamia and the Abrahamic faiths, including the Quran.
3. A Unified Code: The book aims to show that a numerical code emerged in Mesopotamia, was codified by Plato, and eventually integrated into the Quran, forming a universal esoteric system.
4. "Supra-textual" Interpretation: The goal is to develop a new, supra-textual method for interpreting the Quran, moving beyond mere inter-textual comparison to unveil these hidden, unifying mysteries.
