Question:

In the Qur’an , it says that Allah challenges the non-believers to produce a verse such as one in the Qur’an . Although it makes sense that a chapter being reproduced would be difficult, I would think that a verse would not be that hard.
What is the actual meaning of this ayah^[1]?

Answer:

The verses that have generally been construed as a challenge of the Qur’an are:

Al-Baqarah 2: 23
Yunus 10: 38
Hu’d 11: 13
Al-Israa 17: 85 – 88
Al-Toor 52: 33 – 34

A close look at all these verses shall show that, actually, they do not constitute a challenge. On the contrary, these verses actually state that the rejecters of the Prophet (pbuh) say that he (the Prophet) has himself written the book and then has wrongfully ascribed it to God. In the referred verses, God says that if the rejecters are so sure that Mohammad (pbuh) has written this book himself, then why don’t they produce a book like it too (Al-Toor 52: 33 – 34; Al-Israa 17: 85 – 88). If they can’t produce a book like the Qur’an , then they should try and produce ten chapters like the chapters of the Qur’an (Hu’d 11: 13). In case that too is not possible, then they should try to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Qur’an (Al-Baqarah 2: 23; Yunus 10: 38).

A thorough understanding of the context of these verses clearly shows that these verses actually do not constitute a universal challenge; they specifically address the rejecters of Quraish who, not only fully appreciated the quality of the language of the Qur’an but also understood its message directly (in their native language). The tone of these verses actually entails an element of surprise and mock disbelief that how can the people who fully appreciate the standard of the language and the message of the Qur’an write it off as Mohammad (pbuh)’s own production. It is in this context that they are asked to produce one or a few chapters of the same literary quality, which also entails the kind of effect that the Qur’an had on its listeners.

Obviously, even if these verses are construed as a challenge of the Qur’an , they challenge only those Arabs, in whose language the Qur’an was revealed and who were fully aware of the intricacies and the beauty of the classical Arabic language, the effectiveness of the Qur’anic style and the kind of effect that the Qur’an had on its listeners.

Seen in this context, it becomes obvious that these verses actually are a proof – given to the local Arabs of the times of the Prophet (pbuh) – of the Divine origin of the Qur’an . Besides this kind of proof, the Qur’an also gives evidence of Mohammad (pbuh)’s prophethood, which is specifically addressed to the Jews and the Christians of the time. Finally, there is also a third category of proof of Mohammad (pbuh)’s prophethood, which is for mankind, in general.

It is primarily because these statements of the Qur’an have been misconstrued as a universal challenge that questions like “in which of the aspects are people challenged?” asked. The native Arabs during the times of the Prophet (pbuh) never asked such questions. They not only fully understood the message of the Qur’an , but also thoroughly appreciated the implications of this “challenge”.

As far as reproducing a single verse is concerned, the Qur’an never “challenged” the disbelievers regarding that.

UIUK team

3rd August 1999

^[1] Ayah or Ayat is an Arabic word for ‘verse’