A Critical Examination of the Alleged Conversion of Professor Maurice Bucaille and the Pharaoh's Mummy

The narrative circulating about Professor Maurice Bucaille's alleged conversion to Islam, purportedly triggered by his research on the mummy of Pharaoh and a specific Quranic verse, is a popular story within certain Islamic circles. However, a closer examination reveals significant discrepancies and unsubstantiated claims that warrant refutation.

The story typically begins with the French government, under President François Mitterrand in 1981, requesting the transfer of Pharaoh Merneptah's mummy from Egypt to France for scientific examination. The article provided states, "Upon arrival, a very royal attendants were there including the French president himself and all ministers who bowed in honor for the mummy." This depiction of President Mitterrand and his ministers "bowing in honor for the mummy" is highly improbable and lacks any credible historical evidence. French official protocol, and indeed general Western diplomatic customs, do not involve bowing to ancient mummies. Such a detail appears to be an embellishment designed to dramatize the narrative.

The mummy in question is indeed believed to be that of Merneptah, who reigned in ancient Egypt from approximately 1213 to 1203 BC. He was the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty and is widely considered by Egyptologists to be the Pharaoh of the Exodus. His mummy was discovered in 1898 by Victor Loret in the Valley of the Kings (KV15).

According to the narrative, Professor Maurice Bucaille, a French doctor and author, led the scientific team examining the mummy. The article emphasizes his particular interest in determining the cause of death. It states, "The final report of the scientists was released late at night which states that the remaining salt in the mummy is an overt evidence that it was drawn in the sea, and the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed to be saved." While it is true that Merneptah's mummy showed evidence of drowning, with some salt residue found, the assertion that "the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed" is speculative. The state of preservation is remarkable, but attributing it to an immediate rescue and embalming after drowning in the Red Sea, in the context of the Exodus story, is an interpretation that aligns with the religious narrative rather than a purely scientific deduction. The natural mummification process in arid environments, combined with intentional embalming practices of the time, contributed to the preservation.

The core of the story revolves around Professor Bucaille's astonishment upon being told that Muslims believe their holy book, the Quran, speaks of Pharaoh's drowning and the preservation of his body as a "Sign to mankind." The article claims Bucaille's initial skepticism, followed by his shock upon discovering Quranic verses and the Old Testament's account.

Refutation and Clarification with Quran and Hadith:

Here, we must carefully examine the Quranic verse cited and the historical context. The verse in question is Quran 10:92:

Original Translation: 

"فَالْيَوْمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنْ خَلْفَكَ آيَةً وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا لَغَافِلُونَ"

Common Interpretation (as presented in the article): "This day shall We save you in your body, that you may be a Sign to those who come after you! But verily, many among mankind are neglectful of Our Signs."

While this translation is widely used, it's crucial to understand the nuances of the Arabic word "ببدنك" (bi-badanika). While "badan" can mean "body," it can also refer to "physical being" or "person." Some classical and contemporary commentators interpret "bi-badanika" in this context as saving Pharaoh as a person or his physical being from utter destruction and oblivion, not necessarily the preservation of his mummified corpse. The primary message of the verse, in the context of the preceding verses (10:90-91), is Allah's decision to destroy Pharaoh and his army for their disbelief and oppression, but to make Pharaoh's end a clear lesson for future generations.

The verse primarily emphasizes Pharaoh's salvation from total obliteration as a sign, meaning that his punishment and the ultimate triumph of Moses would serve as a warning. It does not explicitly state that his body would be preserved through mummification and then rediscovered thousands of years later. The knowledge of mummification was well-established in ancient Egypt, and the preservation of bodies was a common practice among the elite. Therefore, the rediscovery of a preserved pharaoh's body, while remarkable, isn't necessarily a unique miracle directly foretold for Merneptah in this verse.

Furthermore, it is a well-established historical fact that the mummy of Merneptah was discovered in 1898, not "200 years ago" from the date of the alleged events in 1981, as the article states. This is a minor but notable factual error that undermines the precision of the narrative.

The Claim of Professor Maurice Bucaille's Conversion:

The most significant point of contention is the assertion of Professor Maurice Bucaille's conversion to Islam. Despite the widespread dissemination of this story, there is no credible evidence from Professor Bucaille himself, his family, or academic institutions to suggest he ever converted to Islam. He remained a devout Christian throughout his life.

Professor Bucaille was indeed a respected French surgeon and author who became known for his book "The Bible, The Qur'an and Science" (original French title: "La Bible, le Coran et la Science: L'authentification des écritures saintes à la lumière des connaissances modernes"), published in 1976. In this book, he analyzed the scientific accuracy of the Abrahamic scriptures. While he praised the Quran for its scientific consistency and asserted it contained fewer scientific errors (according to him) than the Bible, this intellectual appreciation and a call for a critical re-examination of religious texts do not equate to conversion. His work aimed to show the compatibility of science and religion, particularly Islam, and often highlighted perceived scientific inaccuracies in the Bible. He concluded that the Quran was exceptionally free of such errors, leading him to believe in its divine origin, but this does not mean he abandoned his own faith.

The rumor of his dramatic declaration, "I believe in Islam, I believe in Quran," in front of a crowd of Muslim scientists is entirely unsupported by any reliable source. This appears to be a fabrication added to make the story more compelling for a religious audience.

The "Sign to Mankind" (Ayah):

The Quran consistently uses the term "Ayah" (آية) to refer to signs, verses, and miracles. The preservation of Pharaoh's body, even if not explicitly mummified as stated, served as a potent "Ayah" for the Children of Israel who witnessed the drowning and for all subsequent generations. The very destruction of such a powerful and arrogant ruler, and the salvation of Moses and his followers, was itself a tremendous sign of Allah's power and justice.

The Quran recounts Pharaoh's defiance and ultimate demise in several places, emphasizing the lesson for humanity. For example, in Quran 79:25-26:

{فَأَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ نَكَالَ الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَىٰ}{إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَىٰ}

Translation: “{So Allah seized him with a punishment for his last [transgression] and the first.} {Indeed in that is a lesson for whoever fears [Allah].}”

This emphasizes the lesson ("'ibrah") from Pharaoh's fate, aligning with the idea of him being a "sign."

The enduring lesson from the story of Pharaoh:

Professor Bucaille's academic contributions were significant in fostering dialogue between science and religion, and his work did indeed highlight what he perceived as scientific accuracies in the Quran. However, it is crucial to separate his genuine academic inquiry from the embellished and unverified accounts of his personal life and religious conversion.

The enduring lesson from the story of Pharaoh, as described in the Quran, is not merely the physical preservation of his body, but the profound spiritual and moral lesson of divine justice against arrogance, tyranny, and disbelief. This is the true "Sign to mankind" that Allah intends for humanity to reflect upon, rather than a misrepresentation of a scholar's personal beliefs.

When encountering such narratives, Muslims are encouraged to verify information against authentic sources and to rely on the Quran and established Hadith for their understanding of Islamic teachings, rather than sensationalized accounts that may contain factual inaccuracies. The truth of Islam stands firm on its own merits, without the need for fabricated stories.