The Truthfulness and Miracle of the Holy Quran
A prominent proof of the truthfulness of the Holy Quran is its miraculous nature. It is a speech whose example is beyond human capability to produce. For this reason, it is regarded as the greatest miracle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In this writing, we will briefly discuss those aspects that prove that this speech is undoubtedly from Allah Almighty and that no human mind has any involvement in it.
The Reality of Eloquence and Rhetoric
Eloquence, rhetoric, and the enchanting nature of speech are qualities related to understanding and perception. It is not possible to fully express them in words. Just as the complete description of a beautiful face cannot be given, similarly, it is difficult to fully describe the beauty of any speech. The true judgment of the beauty of speech is made by taste and intuition.
The Importance of Native Speakers
To assess the eloquence and rhetoric of any speech, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of that language. Therefore, the taste for eloquence and rhetoric is only valid from the native speakers of the language; no matter how skilled a non-native speaker may be, they cannot equal the native speakers.
The Arabs of the Age of Ignorance and the Challenge of the Quran
The Arabs of the Age of Ignorance were skilled in oratory and poetry; eloquence and rhetoric ran in their veins. In such an environment, an unlettered (Messenger of Allah ﷺ) announced the Quran and issued a challenge:
“وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ”
“If you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our servant, then produce a surah like it.”
Further Challenge and the Silence of the Arabs
The Quran then issued another challenge:
“قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَن يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ”
“Say, ‘If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they were to each other assistants.'”
The great poets and literati of Arabia could not present even a few sentences in comparison. Even eloquent individuals like Walid bin Mughirah acknowledged the eloquence of the Quran, saying:
“By God! What Muhammad ﷺ speaks has an extraordinary sweetness and attraction; this speech always prevails.”
Failed Attempts at Challenge
Some people tried to compose their own words in opposition to the Quran, but their writings proved to be ridiculous. Consider the words of Musaylimah the Liar:
“یا ضفدع بنت ضفدعين، نقّي ما تنقّين، نصفك في الماء ونصفك في الطين”
“O frog! Give birth to two frogs, half of your body is in water and half in soil.”
To understand the reality of these words, there is no need to be an expert in the Arabic language; they themselves testify to their failure.
The Miraculous Style of the Quran
The Egyptian scholar Allama Tantawi conducted an experiment with German orientalists in a gathering. When they recited this verse of the Quran:
“يَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ هَلْ مِن مَّزِيدٍ”
“The Day We will say to Hell, ‘Have you been filled?’ and it will say, ‘Are there any more?'”
When recited, the German orientalists stood up from their seats in amazement and were astonished at the miraculous nature of the Quran.
Conclusion
The challenge of the eloquence and rhetoric of the Holy Quran still stands today. Despite the presence of great literati and poets among Arabs and non-Arabs, no one has been able to present speech like it. Whoever tries to present speech in its comparison becomes merely a subject of ridicule.
