Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Or they say, "He (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) forged it (the Qur’an)." Say: "Bring you then ten forged Sûrahs (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allâh (to your help), if you speak the truth!"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَمْamOr
يَقُولُونَyaqūlūnathey say
افْتَرَاهُ ۖif'tarāhuHe has fabricated it
قُلْqulSay
فَأْتُوا۟fatūThen bring
بِعَشْرِbiʿashriten
سُوَرٍۢsuwarinSurahs
مِّثْلِهِۦmith'lihilike it
مُفْتَرَيَـٰتٍۢmuf'tarayātinfabricated
وَٱدْعُوا۟wa-id'ʿūand call
مَنِmaniwhoever
ٱسْتَطَعْتُمis'taṭaʿtumyou can
مِّنminbesides Allah
دُونِdūnibesides Allah
ٱللَّهِl-lahibesides Allah
إِنinif
كُنتُمْkuntumyou are
صَـٰدِقِينَṣādiqīnatruthful
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 13) {اَمْيَقُوْلُوْنَافْتَرٰىهُقُلْفَاْتُوْابِعَشْرِسُوَرٍ …:} That is, if you have any doubt or suspicion about this Quran being the Word of Allah, then all of you gather together and try to respond to this challenge. It should be noted that in the Quran, the Arabs have been challenged multiple times. In Surah Bani Isra'il (88) and Surah Tur (34), the challenge is to bring something like the entire Quran. After that, here in Surah Hud, the challenge is of ten surahs. Then in Surah Yunus and Baqarah, it is of one surah. But the Arabs could not present the entire Quran, or ten surahs, or even a single surah. This is irrefutable proof that the Quran is the Word of Allah. (Ibn Kathir) Remember that the miraculous nature of the Quran, that is, the impossibility of composing even a single surah like it, is due to the countless excellences of the Quran, which are beyond the capacity of creation. Muslim scholars have written many books on this, whose very title is "I'jaz al-Quran" (by Baqillani, Salih bin Abdul Aziz, etc.) or something similar. Among these excellences, along with its eloquence and rhetoric, are the majesty and beauty of its style befitting the glory of Allah, the fact that none of its prophecies or reports are incorrect, its verses being free from contradiction, and its comprehensiveness, etc.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
13. 1. Imam Ibn Kathir writes that first Allah Almighty issued a challenge that if you are truthful in your claim that this Quran is made by Muhammad ﷺ, then bring forth something similar to it, and seek help from whomever you wish, but you will never be able to do so. It is said: "قُلْلَّىِٕنِاجْتَمَعَتِالْاِنْسُوَالْجِنُّعَلٰٓياَنْيَّاْتُوْابِمِثْلِهٰذَاالْقُرْاٰنِلَايَاْتُوْنَبِمِثْلِهٖوَلَوْكَانَبَعْضُهُمْلِبَعْضٍظَهِيْرًا" (17:88) (Say: If all mankind and the jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.) After this, Allah Almighty issued the challenge that if you cannot produce the whole Quran, then bring forth ten surahs like it, as is mentioned at this place. Then, thirdly, the challenge was given that at least bring forth one surah, as is stated in Surah Yunus, verse 39, and at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, for the verse under discussion in Surah Yunus). And on this basis, the final challenge could be that just bring forth a single statement like it: "فَلْيَاْتُوْابِحَدِيْثٍمِّثْلِهٖٓاِنْكَانُوْاصٰدِقِيْنَ 34ۭ" (52:34) (Let them then produce a statement like it, if they are truthful.) However, the order of revelation does not support this sequence of challenges. And Allah knows best what is correct.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
13. Or do they say, "He has fabricated this Qur'an himself"? Say, "Then bring ten surahs like it, fabricated, and call upon whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful [16]."
[16] The Challenge to Produce a Surah Like the Quran:
One of the objections of the Quraysh of Makkah regarding your prophethood was also this: Where is the evidence that this Quran is revealed from Allah? This is merely your own composition. In response, Allah Almighty challenged them that if you are truthful in your claim, then you too should produce ten surahs like it. It should be noted that here the disbelievers are asked to bring forth ten surahs, whereas in Surah Yunus, verses 37 and 38, only one surah is demanded, which means that Surah Yunus was revealed after Surah Hud. Similarly, in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 23, only one surah is demanded, and this was revealed after Surah Hud and Surah Yunus. Both of these surahs are Makki, while Surah Al-Baqarah is the first of the Madinan surahs. For details on the challenge to produce a surah like the Quran and the distinctive features of the Quran, see footnote number 27 on Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 23.
