In this part of the article titled “How is the Quran a Miracle”, we shall discuss other aspects of the miraculousness of the Qur’an such as a lack of contradiction or discrepancy in its information.
“In this book, we observe treasures and reservoirs of knowledge which are beyond the ability and capacity of the most intelligent individuals, greatest philosophers and strongest political and legal personalities. And it is because of these aspects that the Quran just cannot be the work of an educated or a learned person” (1) (2)
One of the things which proves the authenticity of the Quran and its revelation by Allah is the fact that there is no contradiction or discrepancy in the entire Quran. To understand this reality, consider the following explanation: The mentality of man is constantly in a state of change. The Law of Development – under normal circumstances – envelopes man, his thoughts and mentality, and with the passage of time, tends to change his ideas and speech.
If we reflect carefully, we shall observe that the works of a writer are never similar and uniform; even in one book, the start and the end are seen to possess variations – especially so if a person finds himself in the midst of great and important events – events, which would establish the foundations of an all-encompassing ideological, social and doctrinal revolution. Such a person, however much he may try to maintain uniformity in his works, would never be successful – especially if he is unschooled and fostered in an environment that is totally backward and undeveloped.
However, the Quran, which has been revealed over a period of 23 years under various conditions, in various environments and in accordance with the corrective and educative needs of man, is a book which deals with a variety of topics. It is unlike other ordinary books that confine themselves to just one topic like politics, society, philosophy, law or history; rather, it is a book that, at times, talks about Unity and the mysteries of creation, at other times about decrees, laws, customs and etiquettes, and on occasions about the past nations and their shocking histories, and about advice, admonitions, worship and man’s relation with Allah – and as Doctor Gustav Lebon puts it: “Quran, the divine book of the Muslims is not restricted to religious teachings only but also contains political and social rulings for the Muslims.
A book possessing such features would normally not be free of contradictions and discrepancies. However, when we witness that despite these aspects all its verses are in complete harmony with each other and without the slightest discrepancy, contradiction or asymmetry, we can safely surmise that this book is not a product of human thoughts, rather it is a book that has been sent down by Allah, a fact which has been emphasized by the Quran itself (3) (4) (5)
The Quran once again stress the miraculous nature of Itself and declares that this is not an ordinary speech and also not a consequence of human thoughts:
[Look out] lest you should disregard aught of what has been revealed to you, and be upset because they say, ‘Why has not a treasure been sent down to him, or [why does] not an angel accompany him?’ You are only a warner, and Allah watches over all things – Do they say, ‘He has fabricated it?’ Say, ‘Then bring ten surahs like it, fabricated, and invoke whomever you can, besides Allah, should you be truthful.’ – But if they do not respond to you, know that it has been sent down by Allah’s knowledge and that there is no god except Him. Will you, then, submit [to Allah]? (6)
The Quran said: it is a divine Revelation, which finds its origin in the Infinite Knowledge and Power of Allah. For this reason, it puts forth a challenge and dares the entire world to pick up the gauntlet and step forward to combat it (by bringing the like of it).
In view of the fact that the contemporaries of the Noble Prophet (PBUHH) and all the communities that have existed, till today, have failed to stand up before this challenge – expressing their willingness to face every other difficulty in trying to put Islam down but shying away from endeavouring to combat the Quran by bringing the like of it – it is plainly evident that basically, such a task was – and is – beyond the ability of man. And is miracle something other than this?
Even today, this call of the Quran still rings in our ears and this eternal miracle still invites the entire world towards itself, challenging all the knowledgeable and scientific circles to combat it, not only with regards to eloquence – beauty and attractiveness of speech – but also with respect to its contents – sciences which, in that period, had been hidden from man; laws and rulings that guarantee prosperity and deliverance for the human species; statements and explanations that are free from contradictions, discrepancies and prevarications; historical accounts that are free from myths, exaggeration and idle talks – and the like. (7)
Sayyid Qutb, in his commentary, In the Light of the Quran, has reported that some materialists, who had presented themselves at a convention of orientalists in Russia in 1954, in a bid to fault the Quran, said: “This book cannot be the outcome of the thoughts and ideas of one man – Muhammad – but it must be the result of the efforts of a large group of individuals! Moreover, it also cannot be believed that all of it had been written in the Arabian Peninsula, rather, it is certain that parts of it have been written outside it!” (8)
They found themselves helpless – since they, on the one hand, on the basis of their reasoning which revolved around the rejection of the existence of Allah and Revelation, always sought a material explanation for everything, whilst on the other hand were unable to accept the Quran to be the product of the thoughts of an individual within the Arabian Peninsula – they had no other option except to come up with this ridiculous theory of ascribing it to a group of individuals from within and outside the Peninsula – a notion which history rejects entirely. (9)
NOTES:
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1. The Rapid Growth of Islam – assistance has been taken from the book, The Quran and the Final Prophet for the above discussion in connection with the miracles of the Qur’an.
2. Tafsir-e-Nemuneh, vol. 1, pg. 135
3. The Quran and the Final Prophet, pg. 309
4. Suratul Nisa, Verse 82 (Tr.)
5. Tafsir-e-Nemuneh, vol. 4, pg. 28
6. The Quran 11:12-14
7. Tafsir-e-Nemuneh, vol. 9, pg. 42
8. In the Light of the Quran, vol. 5, pg. 282
9. Tafsir-e-Nemuneh, vol. 11, pg. 410
