Again, you aren't answering the question. What is the objective standard for determining what is absurd or not? Can you tackle this question directly please?
Salaaam!
In one word, to answer you, the objective standard for us should be if it is from God. And if it is from God there shall be no contradiction and there is no question something to be absurd (provided that the verses of the Quran are studied and researched keeping in mind the points brother Wakas has quoted and without interpreting the verses based on other sources.
As for taking those things from the Qur'an metaphorically..... well I see no evidence for doing so.
As you are aware, the verses of the Quran are two kinds - one consists of those verses which have definite meaning-mukakamaat”, and the other kind is that of those verses which are figurative and explain abstract realities metaphorically (3:6). At one place, the Quran has been mentioned as “..kitaabam mutashaabikum...” (39:23). There its meanings are that all its verses have similarity with each other - there is no contradiction or discrepancy among them ie. these are consistent with each other (4:82). To explain the point little more;
In connection with Nikah, it is said: “Hurrimat alaykum ummahaatukum...” (4:23) - “prohibited to you (for marriage) are your mothers...”. Here the real meaning of umm (mother) will be taken. But where it is said., “with Him is the Mother of the Book." (13:39), here the meaning of the word Umm will be taken as a metaphor or it will be said that the Quran has explained the reality allegorically, i.e. their description is metaphorical.
It has been said about Allah “...Summas tawaa alal arsh...” (and is firmly established on the Throne). The real meaning of arsh is “throne”, but in this context it does not mean a real wooden cot but it means “Allah’s power and authority”. Therefore the word arsh has been used metaphorically. The meaning totally will change if the words are taken in their real meaning.
The Quran also uses metaphorical language in regard to Jannah. Even the verse starts with explaining Jennah, “A similitude of the Jannah which is promised unto those keep their duty to Allah: underneath it streams flow; its fruit everlasting and its shade” (13:35; 47:15). "Similitude" is the key-word in the above verse. It is significant and highly suggestive. We are clearly warned against insisting on the literal meaning of the words in which the pleasures and comforts of Jannah are described. In fact, Jannah cannot be described: it can only be symbolised. The Quran is explicit on this point, as the following verse shows: “No one knows what joy of the eye is reserved for them as a reward for what they do”(32 : 17).
There is nothing metaphorical about them. Musa either parted the sea or he didn't. Musa's staff either transformed into a snake or didn't. The context no where shows that it's metaphorical.
Given that they are literal... again.... why aren't those "absurd" but things from the ahaadith are?
Firstly, let me tell you that, even without proving metaphorical understanding of the verses, one can easily prove that the absurdities mentioned in the ahaadith does not qualify to be even compared with the things stated in the Quran. You are simply shooting in the air to make confusion in the mind of ordinary people in your attempt to justify some of ridiculous and absurd hadiths collected by hadith compilers and presented to us as authentic reports.
Anyhow, regarding the possibility of metaphorical explanation, I will explain in short metaphorical meaning of some of the verses you have have quoted above in your initial post.
- The army of elephants was destroyed by little birdsThe Quran did not mention in the verse the birds threw stones. What happened was flocks of eagles and vultures (which normally fly over the armies/ over caravans of trade to pick up remnants of dead bodies and other eatables) started hovering over their heads and people realized some army was on the move behind the mountains and the secret plan was thus exposed. Then people climbed over the mountain and started pelting them with stones, and it is the severe stone pelting and terrified elephants fleeing back crushing the army that made them to look like chewed-up stubble.
- An ant spoke and Sulayman heard it talkThis is a beautiful narration that explains the status of the people lived in the valley in comparison to the mighty army of Sulayman. It has nothing to do a valley containing full of ants. The people in the valley were afraid that Sulayman’s army might crush them on his way for an attack on state of Sheba and the Namlath (probability of a woman ruling) directed her subjects not to cause disruption to the army of Sulayman and directing her people to confine to their dwellings without causing any disruption to Sulayman. When Sulayman heard about this news he smiled, because the poor souls misunderstood that Sulayman would crush them since normally when a royal army passes an area, it brings nothing but haphazard destruction for all those on their way.
The hoopoe bird spoke to SulaymanThe literal understanding of Tair is the problem for creating confusion here. Tair in the context of the verse means fast horses: (cavalry). It is said prophet David: wattiara mahshoora: 38:19 he had an army of very fast horses. Also Sulayman syas in 27:16 ullimna mantiqat tair which literally means “we were taught the languages of the tair”, however, it actually means "we have been trained as how to man the horses". It may be noted the usage of plural word "we" herem referubg not just prophet solomon. Wa tafaqqadat tayr in 27:20 means that prophet Solomon searched for riders of fast horses (who were not present there at that time). And when they arrived he asked them, where is your chief Hud-Hud? Has he gone somewhere for a while or is he absent from his duty? If he is absent (then according to the rules of the army) I will severely punish him. And if he does not produce any explicit authority (permission slip), he may even be sentenced to death. Prophet solomon made use of horses and the power of wind and all natural resources in its best use to strengthen his army. Kindly check verse 34:12 which states; “And to Solomon (We made) the Wind (obedient): Its early morning (stride) was a month's (journey), and its evening (stride) was a month's (journey). Can you tell me what does it mean wind obedient? It is a beautiful representation of how he ulilized and exploited the power of wind for the fleet of boats he had. Solomon had full knowledge of the direction of winds and how to utilize it in the most efficient way. As a result, in one day or even the earlier part of the day, his boats covered distances that other boats would travel in a month. Similar long distances were covered in the later part of the day. Can you tell me your understanding of "Its early morning (stride) was a month's (journey), and its evening (stride) was a month's (journey)"? I believe what I mentioned above is the best explanation.
- The staff turned into a snakeThe staff turned into snake is another beautiful allegory of the actual truth prevailing over falsehood. What was actually happened was not a magical victory but a victory in an intellectual debate. You may note the initial speech made by Prophet Moses giving a strong warning to the “magicians” (his priests) not to fabricate lies against Allah. Do you think such a command will be directed to some magicians who came there to perform magical tricks? Also kindly note the comment in verse 26:40 "Perhaps we can follow the magicians if they are the winners”. What way people thought to follow magicians? Also note the request from Moses to strengthen him with his brother since he is an expert in public speech. It is interesting to note, in biblical narration it is brother Aaron who is in fact throwing the stick which points the possibility of Aaron doing a major role in the public debate. There are several interesting points I want to point out, but not now, at some other stage.
- Moses parted the sea with his staffThis is the perfect example of forces of nature siding with those who remain steadfast in the path of Allah. In verse 41:30, ‘In the case of those who say, Our Lord is Allah", and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them’. On that occasion of battle of badar notice Allah said to the Malaika: “I have promised My succour to the Momineen. I will be with you. You steady the hearts of the faithful and I will cast dread into the hearts of their enemies.” (8:12). Notice how some of the forces of nature sided with Muslims in badr giving Muslims great psychological strength. Quran says there was raining (8:11) that made them relaxed and removed from them all anxieties. The forces of nature also sided with Moses and his people. Biblical narration states that the sea went back by a strong east wind, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. But the incident is symbolically explained by way of Moses hitting on the surface of the sea with his staff and the sea getting split.
Regards
Optimist