PRODUCE A SURAH LIKE IT - THE CHALLENGE OF THE QURAN Printer Friendly Version Copyright © 2009 Joseph A Islam: Article last modified 29th March 2011 The Quran is well known to have presented a challenge to its listeners to produce a Surah (Chapter) like it. The oft quoted reason for the challenge is cited as the inability of humans to be able to reproduce the divine eloquence and beauty of the text of the Quran. This would then amount to proof that the Quran was indeed the word of God. This is indeed the claim of the majority of Muslim theologians. The Quran however makes no such claim with regards its challenge. At the heart of this majority Muslim belief is a misunderstanding of verses such as 2:23-24. 002:023 And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter (Arabic: Surah) like it and call on your witnesses besides God if you are truthful 002:024 But if you do not do it and never shall you do it (Arabic: walan tafalu), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers Reading the above passages it is clear that the Quran invites its audience to bring a chapter - not a verse, but a complete unit of chapter like it. In verse 11:13 we note a similar challenge inviting the audience to bring 10 such chapters. The first most important point to note is that the challenge is clearly directed at the immediate recipients and primary audience of the Arabic Quran. This is not a challenge to the whole world for time continuum. If the challenge in 2:23 is read with its prophecy in 2:24 that never shall you do it (Arabic: walan tafalu), there is no reason given in this verse as to why. However, the reason why the listeners could never produce a Surah like the Quran is clearly elaborated in other verses of the Quran, particularly in 10:39 below. 10:038 Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: Then bring a chapter like this and invite whom you can besides God, if you are truthful 10:039 Nay, but they denied that, the knowledge of it they could not encompass (Arabic: bima lam yuhitu bililmihi) and where its interpretation (Arabic: walama yatihim tawiluh) has not yet come to them. Even so did those before them deny. Then see what was the consequence for the wrong-doers!
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 21:28:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015