In connection with the greatness of the Noble Quran as an everlasting miracle of the Prophet of Islam, we begin by quoting a few statements from some of the renowned personalities and also from those individuals, who have been accused of standing up to combat the Quran.
1. ‘Abu al-‘Ala Mu’arri (accused of attempting to challenge the Quran) says: “It is a matter of consensus amongst all the people – Muslims and non-Muslims alike – that the book that Muhammad (a.s) has brought, has subjugated the intellects and till today, no one has been able to bring forth the like of it. The style of this book does not tally with any of the styles that have been prevalent amongst the Arabs, such as oratory, ‘rajaz’ (1) poetry, rhymed prose of the clergy etc.
The superiority and the attraction of this book are of such high calibre that if one verse from it is placed amongst the words of others, it would shine out like a radiant star in a pitch-black night!”
2. Walid b. Mughairah al-Makhzumi – He was well known for his prudence and good management amongst the Arabs who used to benefit from his acumen and managerial skills to solve their social problems in the Pre-Islamic era. It was for this reason that he was called: رَيْحاَنَةُ قُرَيْشٍ “…the crème de la crème of the Quraish.”
When he heard the first few verses of Suratul Ghafir from the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a), he appeared in a gathering of the tribe of Bani Makhzum and said: “By Allah! I have heard a speech from Muhammad, which resembles neither the speech of humans nor that of the fairies.” He added:
وَ إِنَّ لَهُ لَحَلاَوَةً وَ إِنَّ عَلَيْهِ لَطَلاَوَةً وَ إِنَّ أَعْلاَهُ لَمُثْمِرٌ وَ إِنَّ أَسْفَلَهُ لَمُغْدِقٌ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَعْلُو وَ لاَ يُعْلَى
“His speech possesses a special sweetness and an exceptional beauty. The top of it (like the fruitful branches of a tree) is full of fruits and the bottom of it is (like the roots of an ancient tree) firm and strong. It is a speech that shall prevail over everything and none shall prevail over it.” (2)
3. Thomas Carlyle, the renowned historian, in respect of the Quran, says:
“If we cast one look at this holy book, we observe that salient realities and characteristics of the secrets of existence have been so nurtured in its contents that its greatness and truthfulness becomes plainly manifest – and this is a great distinction, which is specific only to the Quran and not seen in any other scientific, political or financial work.
Yes, some of the books do tend to deeply affect the mind of the reader – however, this just cannot be compared to the influence and effect of the Quran. As such, it must be said: “The fundamental distinction of the Quran and its basic tenets lies in its truthfulness, pure sentiments, salient topics and the important themes – none of which provide room for any kind of scepticism and uncertainty – and in the fact that it encompasses all the virtues and excellences that bring about human perfection and happiness, and very clearly defines and illustrates them all.” (3)
4. John Davenport – the author of the book, An Apology for Mohammad and the Koran, writes: “So exempt, indeed, is the Koran from these undeniable defects, that it needs not the slightest castigation, and may be read, from beginning to end, without causing a blush to suffuse the cheek of modesty itself.” (4)
He also says: “It is universally allowed to be written with the utmost purity and elegance of language in the dialect of the tribe of the Koreish, the most Noble and polite of all the Arabs, but with some mixture, although very rarely, of other dialects. It is, confessedly, the standard of the Arabian Language, and abounds with splendid imagery and the boldest metaphors … and is generally vigorous and sublime.” (5)
5. Goethe, the German scholar and poet says: “The Quran is a work with whose dullness the reader is at first disgusted, afterwards attracted by its charms, and finally irresistibly ravished by its many beauties.” (6)
On another occasion, he writes: “For years on end priests, lacking cognizance of Allah, had held us back from comprehending the realities of the Noble Quran and the greatness of the person who had brought it – Muhammad (s.a.w) – yet, as we have trodden the path of knowledge and science, curtains of ignorance and baseless prejudice moved aside from before us and very soon this indescribable book (Quran) attracted the world towards itself – profoundly influencing the knowledge and science of the world – eventually becoming the pivot of thoughts and ideas of the people of the world!”
He also says: “Initially we had turned away from the Quran but it was not long before this book attracted our attention towards itself leaving us baffled and amazed in a measure that compelled us to bow our heads in submission before its lofty and scientific laws!”
6. Will Durant – the famous historian says: “The Quran has generated within the Muslims such self-esteem, justice and piety that the like of it has not been witnessed in any region of the world.”
7. Jules La Beaume – the French thinker and writer, in his book “An Explanation of the Signs”, states: “The people of the world came to acquire science and knowledge from the Muslims, who acquired them from the Quran, which is an ocean of knowledge, and caused streams (of knowledge) to flow from it in the world, for mankind…”
8. Another orientalist, writes: “It is mandatory for us to acknowledge that natural, astronomical, philosophical, mathematical sciences, which have seen a boom in Europe, are mainly due to the blessings of the Quranic teachings and as such, we are indebted to the Muslims – in fact, Europe, in this regard, is one of the cities of Islam.”
9. Doctor Laura Veccia Vaglieri – a professor at the University of Naples – in her book The Rapid Growth of Islam, writes: “The divine book of Islam is one example of a miracle. It (Quran) is a book, which cannot be imitated. The style and modes of the Quran do not have any literary precedent. The influence that this style has upon the soul of man is a result of the distinctions and excellences that it possesses. How can this miraculous book be a work of Muhammad (s.a.w), who had been an unschooled Arab?
To be continued!
NOTES:
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1. A particular manner of reciting epic verses.
2. Majma’ al-Bayan, vol. 10, Under Suratul Muddaththir
3. From the introduction of the book Sazmanha-e-tamaddun-e-Imparaturi-e-Islam.
4. An Apology For Mohammad And The Quran
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
