Is The Qur’an Inimitable?

Q: It is said that the Qur’an is inimitable (that no one can produce the like). What does this mean?

At the time the Qur’an was revealed, eloquence, oratory and poetry were held in the highest regard among the Arabs. Everybody, from believers to skeptics and nonbelievers, was amazed at the verbal elegance, totality and flawlessness of the Qur’an, as well as by those features which are beyond human capability of expression. The Qur’an challenged first the literary geniuses of the time and then all of humankind until the Last Day; it has challenged all those who doubt its Divine authorship and its authenticity to compose a similar piece of text. This challenge of the Qur’an can be seen in the following: And yet, now that the truth has come to them from Us (through a Messenger), still they say (by way of an excuse for their denial of it), “Why has he not been granted the like of what Moses was granted (all at once)?” Did they not previously refuse to believe in what had been granted to Moses? They said: “Both are sorcery, each supporting the other.” They also said: “In each we are unbelievers.” Say (to them): “Then bring another Book from God which would offer better guidance than either of these two so that I may follow it, if you are truthful (in your claim that they are both sorcery).” If they cannot respond, then know that they are merely following their whims and caprices. Who can be more astray than he who follows his lusts and fancies deprived of all guidance from God? God surely does not guide people given to wrongdoing and injustice. (Qasas 28:48-50)

Say: “Surely, if humankind and jinn were to come together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they will never be able to produce the like of it, though they backed one another up with help and support. (Isra 17:88)

Or they say (about the Messenger): “He fabricates it (the Qur’an)”? Say (to them): “Then produce ten invented surahs like it (in eloquence, meaningfulness and truth), and call to your aid whomever you can, apart from God, if you are truthful (in your claim, not deluded or just making up excuses to justify your unbelief). “If they (whom you call to your aid) cannot answer your call, then know that it (the Qur’an) is sent down as based on God’s Knowledge, and that there is no deity save Him. Will you, then, submit to God as Muslims?” (Hud 11:13-14)

Here the Qur’an effectively proclaims: “If you are correct in your doubts and allegations that the Prophet invented this Qur’an and then attributed it to God, then put forth at least ten chapters of a thing similar to those in the Qur’an, either by yourselves or seek the help of persons of your choice or the deities you worship.” But, the unbelievers were helpless and incapable to rise to this challenge. Then the Qur’an challenges those who claim that the Qur’an is the speech of the Prophet, saying:

Or do they say: “He forges it (and then attributes the Qur’an to God)?” No indeed. Rather, (they make such claims because) they have no will to believe. (If they really believe such a Book can be forged) then, let them produce a Discourse like it, if they are truthful (in their claims). (Tur 52:33-34)

These verses challenge the unbelievers to bring forth a word that is as beautiful as the Qur’an and which has the same supreme features as it, both in wording and meaning. If the Qur’an was words invented by man, then other men, logically, would be able to create a text similar to it; people who were concerned with oration, speech and poetry, who were experienced in the styles of poetry and prose and who were literate and well-versed in history and phenomena, as they too, like the Prophet, were human.

How could they refuse to believe in what God had sent down and become nonbelievers when they were unable to rise to the challenge?

And this Qur’an is not such that it could possibly be fabricated by one in attribution to God, but it is a (Divine Book) confirming (the Divine origin of and the truths that are still contained by) the Revelations prior to it, and an explanation of the Essence of all Divine Books – wherein there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds. Or do they say that he (the Messenger) has fabricated it? Say: “(If it is possible for a mortal to fabricate it) then produce a surah like it and call for help on anyone you can, apart from God, if you are truthful (in your doubt and the claim you base upon it).” No (they are not truthful in their doubt and claim), but they have denied a thing (the Qur’an) whose knowledge they could not encompass and whose exposition (through the fulfillment of its promises and threats) has not reached them. Even so did those who were before them deny (the Books sent to them). So look! how was the outcome for the wrong-doers (who judged and acted wrongly)? (Yunus 10: 37-39) This is the ultimate challenge to the unbelievers, and they are asked to bring forth a text similar to just one chapter of the Qur’an.

If you are in doubt about the Divine authorship of what We have been sending down on Our servant (Muhammad) (and claim that it is the work of a human being like Muhammad who is illiterate), then produce just a surah like it and call for help to all your supporters, all those (to whom you apply for help apart from God), if you are truthful in your doubt and claim. If you fail to do that – and you will most certainly fail – then guard yourselves against the Fire whose fuel is human beings and stones (that you have shaped into idols to adore), prepared for the unbelievers. (Baqara 2:23-24)

These verses certainly reinforce the Qur’an’s foothold at the peak. With the clear expression of “You will most certainly fail to do so,” the Qur’an not only makes clear their humiliation in this world, but also shows them their place in Hell. When faced by this straightforward challenge by the Qur’an, if they had the ability to respond they never would have remained silent or wait, even for one second. But, they were completely unable to rise to the challenge. Instead they took up arms instead of using words to speak on their behalf; they had totally lost hope and had realized their complete impotence in this regard. War is the final refuge of those who have been defeated and who cannot peacefully defend themselves by pen or through dialogue.

The Qur’an’s open declaration about the absolute inability of the unbelievers in this respect and the fact that this declaration has remained as the truth since this time is just one of the indubitable miracles of the Qur’an. It is completely different from all kinds of human words and this difference is eternal, ensuring that the Word of God will remain the ultimate truth for all times.

 

 

Akgul, Muhittin (2009). The Quran in 99 Questions (Abdullah Erdemli Trans.). New Jersey: Tughra Books. (Originally published in Turkish as Kur’an İklimine Seyahat)