The challenge of The Qur'an

Ever since the dawn of human life on this planet, Man has always sought to understand Nature, his own place in the scheme of Creation and the purpose of Life and the reason for which he was brought to Earth.

In the Man's quest for Truth, spanning many centuries and diverse civilizations, Islam has shaped human life and determined to a large extent, the course of history.

The Qur'an in many places challenges the people to produce a Surrah like one of its Surrahs. It appears that the Christian missionaries who call the challenge irrelevant or an utterly subjective criterion are pretty much unaware of how the Arabic poetry and prose compares with the Qur'an. This article is devoted to deal with one aspect of the Qur'anic challenge of produce a Surrah like it. What is meant by Surrah like it with respect to the Arabic prose and poetry?

The verses of the Qur'an dealing with the challenge are given below …

"If the Mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."
(Qur'an 17:88)

“And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed From time to time to Our Servant, then produce a Surrah Like thereunto; And call your witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If your (doubts) are true. But if ye cannot –And of a surely you cannot. Then fear the Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones – Which is prepared for those who reject Faith.”
(Al-Qur’an 2:23-24)
Ever since the Qur'an was revealed, fourteen centuries ago, no one has been able to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Qur'an in their beauty, eloquence, splendor, wise legislation, true information, true prophecy, and other perfect attributes.

Also, note that the smallest chapter in the Qur'an (Chapter 108) is only ten words, yet no one has ever been able to meet this challenge, then or today. Some of the disbelieving Arabs who were enemies of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) tried to meet this challenge to prove that Muhammad (PBUH) was not a true prophet, but they failed to do so.

To further stress this challenge; Surrah Al Kawthar in the Qur'an, it is the smallest Surrah in the Holy Qur'an, and is composed of only ten words, yet no one has ever been able to meet the challenge to produce one Surrah like the chapters of the Holy Qur'an.

"Indeed We have given you Al Kawthar (heavenly fountain), So pray to your Lord (Allah), and sacrifice to Him, Surely the who hates you, is the one cut off.

Another example of the challenge of Qur'an is that Allah (Most Gracious) has foretold in the Qur'an some event that later came to pass, like the victory of the Romans over the Persians within three to nine years after the Romans were defeated by the Persians. God has said in the Qur'an:

" The Romans have been defeated in the nearest land (to the Arabian Peninsula), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious within bedd’ (three to nine) years..."
(Qur'an, 30:2-4)

Thus, the Qur’an is the main source of the Islamic faith and is of a completely Divine origin. It contains guidance for all mankind. And since the message of the Qur’an is for all times, it is relevant to all ages.