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Ridiculous suggestions from them, refuted in the Book itself:
The challenge to disprove this claim still stands, yet some people, instead of taking it up, only manage to throw in many “red herrings” i.e. irrelevant issues or questions towards the book; mere distractions, which do not affect the standing claim. Such criticism has no relevance to the challenge but rather demonstrates a streak of cynicism stemming from obstinate ignorance of the issue.
Yet, the author of this book did not leave such questions unanswered but even these questionings have been refuted in the book itself, for Muhammad was assured by Allah s.w.t. in the Qur’an:
وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا
“And no question do they bring to thee but We reveal to thee the Truth and the explanation thereof”
(Qur’an: al-Furqan: 25: : 33)
If they say: “Why an Arabic Qur’an?
The Book replies:
وَلَوۡ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ قُرۡءَانًا أَعۡجَمِيًّ۬ا لَّقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا فُصِّلَتۡ ءَايَـٰتُهُ ۥۤۖ ءَا۠عۡجَمِىٌّ۬ وَعَرَبِىٌّ۬ۗ قُلۡ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ هُدً۬ى وَشِفَآءٌ۬ۖ
“Now had We willed this [divine writ] to be a discourse in a non-Arabic tongue, they would surely have said, ‘Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! (a book) not in Arabic and (a messenger) an Arab?’ Say: ‘It is a Guide and a Healing to those who believe”
(Qur’an: Ha Mim Sajda: 32: 44)
In response to the question, the Qur’an cites two reasons. Firstly, if it were to be in another language, it would not be an effective medium to efficiently carry messages laden with profound wisdom as it may require long-winded sentences to express something in detail. Whereas Arabic, (belonging to the Semitic group of languages), is very profound indeed. Every word can be traced to its (tri-lateral) roots that can share a wide range of semantic fields of words with exact meanings. Thus its words are capable of conveying layers of deep meanings while maintaining the minimum usage of expression without yet losing its elegance – together presenting the hallmark of wisdom.
The second reason for an Arabic Qur’an, (and to expose the foolishness of such questioning) is that it reminds the audience that the Messenger is an Arab. Surely, the book must be in the language, which can be understood by him. If it were to be in a language other than Arabic, then it would again invite questioning, or perhaps a relevant excuse for finding fault with its rationale – why not Arabic when the messenger is an Arab?
If they say: “Why has not the Qur’an been revealed to him all at once?”
The Book replies:
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ جُمۡلَةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ۚ ڪَذَٲلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَۖ وَرَتَّلۡنَـٰهُ تَرۡتِيلاً۬
“Those who reject Faith say: ‘Why is not the Qur’an revealed to him all at once?’ Thus is it revealed that We may strengthen thy heart thereby, and We rehearsed it to thee in slow well-arranged stages, gradually”
(Qur’an: al-Furqan: 25: 32)
Whether the Book came all at once or not, actually neither proves nor disproves its divine origin. But to appease the curiosity of those who try to find fault, seeing that Muhammad s.a.w. received it gradually, the author explains its rationale – i.e. it is to strengthen the Prophet with its messages. Interestingly, the manner of its revelation is here stated. It is as though, the revelations also function as a spiritual aid, as educational material, and as a source of solace and guidance fitting with the context of the Prophet’s unfolding mission.
If they say: “Muhammad may have received it from the Devil!”
The Book replies:
وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتۡ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينُ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُمۡ وَمَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ
“No evil ones have brought down this (revelation). It would neither suit them nor would they be able to produce it!”(Qur’an: ash-Shuara: 210-211)
Seeing that this Book has amazing qualities (i.e. they recognize its miraculous nature), and yet refusing to acknowledge divine authorship, there are some who cynically suggest a ridiculous explanation by the accusation that Muhammad s.a.w. may have perhaps received it from the devil. The Qur’an rejects this absurd assertion and provides two important reasons against such an accusation.
First, how can one say it is from the devil because if we are sincere and objective, the message contained within this book and the whole of the teaching of Islam would clearly indicate that it is completely against the devil and all that which it represents? It even teaches the audience, that prior to reciting this book, they are to seek refuge in God from the devil[1]; and it teaches men to shun all evil[2] and reminds them to beware of the devil who is the avowed enemy of mankind[3]. The point of it all is: how then does it suit the devil if it is indeed from him - as purported by them?
Secondly, and this is important to remember, it contains the standing challenge to produce another like it. To suggest that it can be from other than God should be proven by bringing something like it as the proof, not by mere allegation.
If they say: “It is a fraud!”
The Book replies:
قُلۡ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَمَا يُبۡدِئُ ٱلۡبَـٰطِلُ وَمَا يُعِيدُ
“Say: ‘Truth has arrived, and falsehood neither creates anything new, nor restores anything”(Qur’an: Saba’: 34: 49)
Even today there are some cynics and bigoted scholars influenced by prejudiced writings of their past Orientalist commentators on Islam who quite simplistically, smear Muhammad s.a.w. and his teachings with the labels of “fraud” and of falsehood. Yet the Book has already responded to such accusations by putting forth a potent argument – “that falsehood and fraud can neither create anything new nor can it restore anything.” History and the many aspects of development which Islam established and spearheaded have shown how its teachings have transformed the idol-worshipping Arabs towards a Tawhidic (monotheistic) worldview, created a new civilization (a truly cosmopolitan civilization as distinct from those other past civilizations); and it has restored many of the teachings of the earlier prophets as evidenced in the many verses correcting Judaic-Christian beliefs and practices.
There have been many past writings guised as scholarly work or so-called ‘academic research’ which have unashamedly distorted and purposely misrepresented the truth about Islam, especially by those academicians termed as Orientalists, and patronised by Western colonialist powers. These kinds of works only demonstrated their jaundiced view of Islam and only serve as proofs of their insincerity and run counter to their claim of being objective (neutral). Such lies could never be sustained and are now beginning to be refuted by their own contemporary scholars [4]. Even the Roman Catholic Church, to its credit, has now reversed its earlier bigoted stand towards Islam in the II Vatican Council (1962-1965) as recorded in their encyclical ”Nostra Aetate”[5].
When we consider the Arabic language used, it was the Qur’an which has transformed it into a scientific language previously unknown to the Arabs themselves and which was successful in transforming the worldview or weltanschauung of the Arabs. Contemporary linguists, researchers and thinkers, especially when they study its linguistic semantics and worldview – scholars such as the world-renowned Islamic scholar, Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas, as well as others like Toshihiko Izutsu and Daniel Madigan – have posited and affirmed this view.[6]
If they say:” He was taught by a Jew or a Christian!”
The Book replies:
وَلَقَدۡ نَعۡلَمُ أَنَّهُمۡ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ ۥ بَشَرٌ۬ۗ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلۡحِدُونَ إِلَيۡهِ أَعۡجَمِىٌّ۬ وَهَـٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ
“We know indeed that they say ‘It is a man that teaches him’ (but)
the tongue of him they wickedly pointed to is notably foreign, while it
(Al-Qur’an) is Arabic, pure and clear”(Qur’an: an-Nahl: 16: 103)
Even during Muhammad’s time, the Quraisyh had made such an accusation when they claimed that he had learnt it from a Zibr Ar-Rumi (a Greek slave). It was recorded that when his Quraiysh master beat this Zibr, he even denied having taught Muhammad s.a.w. but instead he vehemently asserted and swore that it was rather Muhammad s.a.w. who taught him the Qur’an. The Qur’an recorded this and has even provided a rational argument for rejecting such an accusation levelled against Muhammad s.a.w. by pointing out that the ‘miraculous’ nature (inimitability) of the Qur’an is in the impeccable Arabic language, in contrast to such accusations which purported that he had learnt it from an A’jamiy (a non-Arab, be they a Jew or a Christian). Can an Arab possibly learn perfect Arabic from a non-Arab? Lest we forget, the challenge to produce something like the Qur’an still stands. Thus, if such an accusation was to be believed, it would have been possible for the Quraiysh then, to learn from such people, the way as they purported that Muhammad had learnt, and presented it. Yet there was none such achievement.
وَمَا كَانَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ أَن يُفۡتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ
“Now this Qur’an could not possibly have been devised by anyone save God.”
(Qur’an: Yunus: 10: 37)
Remember that these questions evades addressing the challenge, "Try and produce something like it!" - which they were unable. The author asserts emphatically, no one else could possibly do it except Allah s.w.t.
Yet, it is also amazing that the Book had included responses to every criticism against it by prominent Arab linguists and others - which would also be repeated again in the future, by all manners of cynics and sceptics of lesser erudition in this Arabic language. The method it seems would merely be "red herrings", raising questions not relevant to the challenge, i.e. instead of producing a likeness to the Qur'an. Still, even to these questions raised, Muslims are very certain that by referring to its consistent message, appropriate response are already there and can be found. Thus unlike book of human authorship, which usually would be revised in subsequent editions, this Book does not need any revision.
SUBHAA-NALLAAH!
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Footnotes:
[1] Q: An-Nahlu:16:98 “Now whenever you happen to read this Qur’an, seek refuge with God from Satan, the accursed.”[2] Q: an-Nur: 24: 21 “O you who attained to faith! Follow not Satan’s footsteps: for he who follows Satan’s footsteps [will find that], behold, he enjoins but deeds of abomination and all that runs counter to reason.”; Q: al-Mujadilah: 58: 19 “Such as these are Satan’s partisan: oh verily it is they, the partisan’s of Satan, who will truly be the losers!” Etc.
[6] Excerpts of their findings (see Chapter 12 of this book.)
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