The Linguistic Miracle of the Quran
_-_A_Challenge_for_Humanity_001.jpg) There is another important aspect that Muslim scholars
have traditionally considered the greatest miraculous aspect of the Quran, this
is the linguistic miracle. Unfortunately, though, before becoming a Muslim
(and even afterwards), I had no way to truly appreciate this topic. I could
only read what some scholars had written about the language and beauty of the
Quran. For example, John Naish wrote:
The Quran in
its original Arabic dress has a seductive beauty and charm of its own. Couched
in concise and exalted style, its brief pregnant sentences, often rhymed, poses
an expressive force and explosive energy which is extremely difficult to convey
by literal word for word translation.
Similarly, Arberry yearned for his earlier days when he
would hear the Quran being recited during Ramadhan in Egypt. I actually had no
access to hearing the Quran being recited and therefore did not know what a
moving experience it is. Furthermore, without knowledge of the Arabic
language, the impression of the English translations could not possibly be like
that of the original Arabic. However, I must discuss this miraculous here,
however briefly, because it is truly one of the most amazing aspects of the
Quran.
Again, traditionally, Muslim scholars have considered
the linguistic miracle of the Quran as perhaps the most important miraculous
aspect of the Quran—and it is definitely the one that had the most influence at
the time of the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon
him. The Arabs were very proud of their language. The very word that they
used for foreigner, ajami, basically meant one who is barbarous in
speech or lacking clarity in his speech.
However, even they were no match for the Quran. Before the Quran, they used to
have fairs and competition to see which of them could produce the most
beautiful work in Arabic. However, according to Draz:
But when the Quran
was revealed all such fairs came to an end, and literary gatherings were
defunct. From now on, the Quran was the only work to command people's
attention. None of them could challenge or compete with it, or even
suggest that a single word be changed, moved, added or omitted from the
sentence where it occurs. Yet the Quran did not close the door to
competition. Indeed, it left it wide open, calling on them, individually
and collectively, to take up its challenge and produce anything similar to
it. It repeated the challenge in different forms, berating their
inability to do so, and reducing the task for them time after time.
Arabic scholars have identified many linguistic aspects
that distinguish the Quran from all other works and sets it apart as a miracle.
Herein, only a few shall be mentioned briefly:
(1) Each word that is used in its precise place
and cannot be moved or exchanged for a close synonym without its beauty or
meaning being loss.
(2) The Quran has a unique sentence structure and
rhythm that sets it apart from both prose and poetry, sometimes resembling one
more than the other but never being completely one or the other.
(3) The sentences use the smallest number of words
without losing any necessary meaning. In other words, they are concise, which
adds to their beauty, while at the same time they convey all that needs to be
conveyed.
(4) There is a perfect balance as well as a
consistency in style between emotional and intellectual passages of the Quran.
Draz noted that this beauty can only truly be found in the Quran:
Two forces
are always active within a human being: the intellectual and the emotional.
They have different roles and directions. The first aims to know the
truth, and to identify what is good and beneficial so as to adopt it. The
other records its feelings of pain and pleasure. A perfect style is that which
satisfies both needs at the same time, giving you intellectual
satisfaction and emotional pleasure…Do we find such perfection in human style? We
have seen the writings of scientists and philosophers, and works of poets and
fine prose [yet they cannot meet this goal]…
The Challenge of the Quran Itself
Scholars have noted many other miraculous aspects of the
Quran, such as its perfect consistency and freedom from contradiction even
though it was revealed over a span of twenty-three years, the effect the
Quran has on the individuals who listen to it
and so. However, what we have discussed here is definitely sufficient for our
purposes, as I have covered the issues that most influenced me on my path to
Islam. Furthermore, I believe that what has already been discussed is sufficient
to demonstrate that the Quran is indeed miraculous.
According to Muslims, the Quran is the speech and word
of God. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is inimitable. However, God
has willed to make this point very clear to all of humankind, leaving them no
room to argue, doubt or excuse themselves. In the Quran, God challenges
humankind to produce anything similar to the Quran. In fact, the challenge
from God goes even further than that: There is a challenge to produce even one
chapter like the chapters of the Quran.
This challenge is still open to humankind today. Anyone
is free to attempt to rebuke the Quran by producing something similar to even a
portion of the Quran. In reality, though, God even makes it clear that all of
humankind will never be able to produce anything comparable to the Quran—anything
amazing prophecy of the Quran.
The challenge from God occurs in five different places
in the Quran. Here are the relevant verses in the order that they were
revealed by God:
“And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt
concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Quran) to Our servant
(Muhammad), then produce a chapter the like thereof and call your witnesses
(supporters and helpers) besides God, if you are truthful. But if you do it
not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is
men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” (Quran 2:23-24, emphasis added)
“Or do they say, ‘He (Muhammad) has forged it?’ Say, ‘Bring
then a chapter like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides God, if
you are truthful!’” (Quran 10:38)
“Or do they say, ‘He (Muhammad) forged it.’ Say, ‘Bring you
then ten forged chapters like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than God
(to your help), if you speak the truth.’” (Quran 11:13)
“Say (to the people), ‘If all of humankind and jinns were
together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like
thereof, even if they helped one another.’” (Quran 17:88)
“Or do they say, ‘He (Muhammad) has forged it?’ Nay! They
believe not! Let them then produce a recital like unto it if they are truthful.”
(Quran 52:33-34)
In sum, if anyone still has any doubt about the Quran,
let him rise to this challenge.
A Very Important Statement of the Prophet and My Decision
It was not an afterthought that this Quran is miraculous.
It was not that scholars after the time of the Prophet, may the mercy and
blessings of God be upon him, looked at it and declared that it was a miracle.
No, indeed, this Book was meant to be the miracle of the Prophet Muhammad and
his greatest sign. The disbelievers at the time of the Prophet were seeking
some other kind of miracle—perhaps more tangible or requiring less thought—but God
made it clear that this Quran should be sufficient as a sign testifying to the
veracity of the Prophet. God says:
“And they say, ‘Why are not signs sent down to him from his
Lord?’ Say, ‘The signs are only with God, and I am only a plain warner.’ Is
it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book which is
recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder for a people who
believe.” (Quran 29:50-51)
Indeed, this Book should be sufficient for any sincere,
truth-seeking individual. There is no need for any other signs or miracles
after this Book. This is the gist of what God has said in this passage and
this is what my heart and mind concluded as I studied the Quran in the face of
all the writers who claimed that it was not a revelation from God.
The Prophet also made a very important statement
concerning this sign and miracle that God had given him. Since he was the
final prophet, the nature of his sign and miracle had to be different from all
that preceded him. It had to be a miracle that could have a lasting affect
until the Day of Judgment. Indeed, it is. Even more so, it is a very
different type of miracle. It is one upon which humans can reflect and be
completely convinced of its truth. Thus, the Prophet said, “There has been no prophet
except that God gave him miracles due to which people believed in him. I have
been given (as my miracle) the revelation which God revealed to me. I hope,
thereby, that I will have the largest number of followers on the Day of
Judgment.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari.) Given the nature of the sign that
the Prophet has received, there is no excuse for people of other times not to
follow the Prophet. Hence, he will, God willing, have the greatest number of
followers on the Day of Judgment.
The Quran demanded a decision on my part—as it actually
demands a decision on everybody’s part. The signs pointing to its miraculous
nature and that it must be a true revelation from God were simply overwhelming
to me. None of the theories opposing the Quran or denying the sincerity of the
Prophet were strong enough or logical enough to convince me otherwise. Hence,
I, via the Quran, embraced Islam and all praise and thanks are due to God.
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