The Qur’an is the ultimate and definitive Holy book revealed upon the final Prophet, Muhammad PBUH exclusively intended for the everlasting guidance and enlightenment of the entire mankind. Staunch belief in the divinity of Qur’an is a prerequisite to faith and constitutes one of the pillars of Eemaan.
Prior to the bestowing of Qur’an, Allah SWT revealed divine books – Psalms, Gospel, Torah and other holy scriptures for the betterment of the people. Instead of sanctifying, they unfortunately distorted the illustrated heavenly message beyond its reason, rendering it enormously imprecise from its authentic form. Allah SWT reprimands, “So woe to those who write the scripture with their own hands, then say, “This is from Allah,” in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.” [Al Baqarah; 2:79].
To counter this scandalous act, Allah SWT revealed the Holy Qur’an as an affirmation to the previous books. Allah SWT mentions, “And it was not (possible) for this Qur’an to be produced by other than Allah SWT, but (it is) a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of the (former) Scripture, about which there is no doubt from the Lord of the worlds.” [Yunus; 10:37].
Almighty Allah SWT ensures the accuracy of divine message by safeguarding Qur’an against addition. HE says, “Indeed, it is WE who sent down the message (i.e., the Qur’an), and indeed WE will be its guardian” [Al Hijr; 15:9]. Such is the purity of Qur’an that not even a single word of it has ever been altered or tampered despite countless attempts being made in past which were all defeated.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah RA that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “Every Prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given, is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection.” [Bukhari and Muslim]. The Prophet PBUH was especially entrusted with the miraculous Qur’an that confronted mankind to create something akin to it.
Initially, Allah SWT challenged the disbelievers to produce at least ten chapters like that of Qur’an. The Almighty said, “Or do they say, “He invented it”? Say [O Muhammad], “Then bring ten surahs like it that have been invented and call upon (for assistance) whomever you can besides Allah, if you should be truthful”. [Hud; 11:13]. And then ALLAH SWT offered them relatively easier task to produce a single chapter like that of HIS book, The glorified Lord mentioned, “And if you are in doubt about what WE have sent down (i.e., the Qur’an) upon Our servant (i.e., Prophet Muhammad PBUH), then produce a surah (chapter) the like thereof and call upon your witnesses (i.e., supporters) other than Allah, if you should be truthful”. [Al Baqarah; 2:23]. Subsequently HE dared the skeptics to come up with one single verse. Allah SWT says, “Then let them produce a statement like it, if they should be truthful”. [At-Tur; 52:34]
The pagans, although believed to be most eloquent among all nations, developed tremendous hatred and enmity against the Prophet PBUH and his religion for being unsuccessful to withstand and respond to the challenge. Allah SWT befittingly mentions, “But if you do not, and you will never be able to…” [Al Baqarah; 2:24] signifying that they will never be able to confront the glorious Qur’an. This is indeed a miracle that ALLAH SWT has clearly stated without doubt that the noble Qur’an will never be opposed or challenged by anything alike for eternity.
The content of Qur’an has not been modified till date and shall never be amended. Every word and meaning in the Qur’an is eloquent and cannot be surpassed. The expressions in the Qur’an are perfect and its meanings are explained. The one who recites the holy Qur’an realizes that it reflects various levels of superiority through the apparent and obscured meanings that it reveals.
The Qur’an is true, just and complete with bless and guidance. It is devoid of exaggerations, myth or falsehood, unlike Arabic and other types of poems full of fabrication. As for the Qur’an, it is entirely eloquent in the most perfect manner, as those who have knowledge in such matters and understand Arabic methods of speech and expressions concord. The more frequent Quranic stories are repeated, the more beneficial and beautiful they become. The mystique of Qur’an seldom fades, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it. When the Qur’an promises, it opens the hearts and the ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace – Paradise – and to be the neighbours of the Throne of the Most Beneficent.
It is impossible to ever produce something like the Qur’an, when the Qur’an is the Word of Allah SWT Who created everything. How can the words of the created ever be similar to the Words of the Creator? The challenge becomes audacious when Allah SWT the almighty, “Say (O Muhammad), “If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistance” [Al Isra; 17:88]. It implies that speech of the Lord of all that exists incomparable to the language of the created beings, just as HIS attributes are unique. Nothing resembles HIS existence. Exalted is HE, the Most Holy, and the Sublime.
Towards enlightenment 