A popular Egyptian Islamic preacher says the Quran predicted the rise of social media and the internet more than 14 centuries ago, sparking controversy and criticism.

Dr. Mabrook Atiyah, a professor at Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, said in a Facebook livestream on Sunday: “Did someone tell you that the Internet and Facebook are mentioned in the Quran?”

He said that modern phenomena were foretold in verse 83 of sura 4 of the Quran, which is titled “Women”.

“I swear to God the Internet and Facebook are in verse 83,” he said.

The verse says: “And when there comes to them information about [public] security or fear, they spread it. But if they had sent him back to the Messenger [the Prophet Muhammad] or to those of them who have authority, then those who [can] to draw the correct conclusions would have known. And without God’s favor upon you and his mercy, you would have followed Satan, except for a few.”

“Is not it [talking about] Internet, you who like to broadcast and disseminate information?” asked Atiyah.

The Islamic preacher has more than 20 books to his name and his loud and humorous style of presentation has won him huge popularity in some circles, with more than 1.3 million people following his Facebook page.

Atiyah chastised people who spread information without verifying it, calling it “evil at heart”.

“Don’t spread secrets or say what you have hidden in the closet…we have to govern relationships and leave people to their own business,” he warned, saying good Muslims don’t spread secrets. good or bad news without making sure it’s true.

However, Atiyah’s remarks sparked confusion and criticism with another Islamic studies professor at Al-Azhar, Amna Nosseir, claiming his remarks were “artificial” and a “deviation” from the meaning of the Quran.

He then clarified his remarks in a television program broadcast by the Al Nahar TV station.

“In the Quran, things are either referred to by name or by context,” he said.

“Verse 83 mentioned the internet, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and all forms of media, when it said ‘and when they receive information about security or fear, they spread it.’ How are they going to spread it?

“You buy into the meaning of God, and He knows what He means best, when someone who is spreading information verifies the information they are putting out,” Atiyah said.

Muslims believe the Quran to be the word of God, as revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad over 14 centuries ago.

In recent years, some Muslim scholars have claimed that the Quran foretells modern scientific discoveries and social phenomena, but these claims have sparked controversy.