Did the Qur’an Copy from Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt’s Poetry?

The Dispute Between the Qur’an and Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt

Written by: Munir Abbasi​

❖ Introduction to Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt​

Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt was a renowned Arab poet from the tribe of Thaqīf, residing in Ṭā’if. Poetry was common in his family; his father and sister Fāri‘ah were also poets. His two daughters and some close relatives were likewise skilled in poetry. His brother Hudhail, who was captured during the siege of Ṭā’if, died as a polytheist.

❖ Religious Inclinations and Awaiting the Prophet ﷺ​

Umayyah was among the few poets who detested idol worship and believed in the existence of a One God. He believed in the Hereafter, detested immoral conduct and outdated Arabian customs, and awaited the arrival of a coming Prophet. Interestingly, Umayyah believed he himself would be appointed to the rank of Prophethood. However, when he learned that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the foretold final messenger, he refused to accept Islam out of envy.

❖ Meeting with the Prophet ﷺ and Refusal to Accept Islam​

According to traditions, Umayyah once met the Prophet ﷺ in Makkah and listened to Sūrah Yā-Sīn, after which he affirmed the truth of the Prophet ﷺ. However, when the polytheists of Makkah inquired about his opinion, Umayyah refrained from accepting Islam due to malice and animosity. It is reported that on another journey towards Madinah intending to meet the Prophet ﷺ, he was misled by the polytheists along the way, and feelings of revenge for those killed at Badr filled his heart, causing him to turn away from Islam. He died in a state of shirk.

❖ Accusation of Similarity Between Umayyah’s Poetry and the Qur’an​

Some verses in Umayyah’s Dīwān contain references to praise of God, the Day of Judgment, eulogies of angels, and narratives of the prophets. These verses, however, are dubiously attributed to him. Certain orientalists and Christian missionaries claim that the Qur’an borrowed from Umayyah’s poetry. However, leading scholars—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—refute this claim.

❖ Views of Orientalists​

• Carl Brockelmann (German orientalist) and Tor Andrae (French orientalist) assert that the religious verses attributed to Umayyah were wrongly ascribed to him.
• Eminent scholars of Arabic literature such as Dr. Ṭāhā Ḥusayn, Dr. Shawqī Ḍaʿīf, and Dr. Jawād ʿAlī agree that the poems associated with the Qur’an were fabrications of later storytellers and preachers.

❖ Historical Evidence and Rebuttal of Objections​

Historical records confirm that neither Umayyah himself, nor any member of his family, nor any Arab tribe ever raised the objection that the Qur’an had copied his poetry. Had such a claim held any truth, Umayyah’s tribe—initially opponents of Islam—would have certainly raised it.

❖ Key Points to Consider​

✔ If the Qur’an had taken content from Umayyah’s poetry, he would have accused the Prophet ﷺ of plagiarism—but no such claim exists.
✔ Fāri‘ah, Umayyah’s sister, and his sons embraced Islam, yet they never claimed the Qur’an was based on Umayyah’s poetry.
✔ Renowned opponents of Islam like Abū Miḥjan al-Thaqafī and Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf also never used this argument against Islam.

❖ Conclusion​

It is evident that the verses of the Qur’an have no connection to the poetry of Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt. The objections raised are fabrications of later generations of storytellers. The Qur’an is divine revelation, and no human speech can rival it.