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Hashi_Al-Eritre
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The Literal Miracle of the Quran
The miracles that were given to the prophets were chosen so that they would have the greatest impact on that particular nation. Thus, since the people of the time of Moses greatly excelled in the ‘art’ of sorcery and magic, the miracles that were given to Moses were of a similar type, except much stronger and more powerful (for example, the staff, the shining hand, the splitting of the Red Sea, and others). Likewise, the people at the time of Jesus excelled in the art of healing and medicine, and therefore, the miracles that were given to Jesus were of a similar type, except much stronger and more powerful (for example, healing the leper, curing the sick, raising the dead, and others).
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Arabs had reached the peak of eloquence, and this was their most prized art! Poetry was what they valued the most, and each tribe competed with others to see which one could produce the most skilled and eloquent poet. During the annual fair of ‘Ukhaadh, poets from all over Arabia would compete for the honour of having their poem win the highest praise: that of being posted on the door of the Ka’bah (the House in Makkah) until the next fair.
Due to this pride that was prevalent among the Arabs, the miracle that was given to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was of similar nature; Allah revealed the Quran in an Arabic that was so emotive and eloquent that the Arabs could clearly see it was a miracle from their Creator. On top of this, Allah challenged them to bring forth anything similar to the Quran, and told them that such attempts would be futile,
*{And if you are in doubt as to what We have sent down to Our servants, then produce a chapter similar to it…, if you are truthful. But if you do not do it – and of a surety you cannot do it – then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers} * (Quran, 2:23-24)
Till this day, though many have tried, no one has been able to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Quran in their beauty, eloquence, splendor, wise legislation, true information, true prophecy, and other perfect attributes.
Although the literary aspect of the Quran is the strongest and most apparent aspect of its miracle, is the most difficult aspect to discuss in non-Arabic terms. The Quran is in “…clear Arabic” (Quran, 26:195), and in order to understand its miracle in this respect, a thorough understanding of the Arabic language is essential. However, it would be more prudent to give two examples (of the many examples recorded) of the impact that the eloquence of the Quran had on its first listeners.
Perhaps one of the most famous stories is the story of al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah. Al-Waleed was the most eloquent and highly esteemed poet of Makkah at the time of the Prophet. He once passed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and heard him reciting the Quran. This had a visible effect on him, and he went away shaken and startled by what he had heard. The news of this incident spread throughout Makkah. Aboo Jahl, a staunch opponent of Islam who was afraid that the people of Makkah might be affected by this news and convert to Islam, rushed to al-Waleed, and told him, “O my uncle! Say something (against Muhammad (peace be upon him)) so that the people will know that you are against him and hate (his message).”
Al-Waleed replied, “And what can I say? For I swear by Allah (note: the disbelievers like al-Waleed believed in Allah as the Creator, but they were still pagans in worship), there is none amongst you who knows poetry as well as I do, nor can any compete with me in composition or rhetoric – not even in the poetry of jinns (i.e. genies)! And yet, I swear by Allah, Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) speech (meaning the Quran) does not bear any similarity to anything I know, and I swear by Allah, the speech that he says is very sweet, and is adorned with beauty and charm. Its first part is fruitful and its last part is abundant (meaning it is full of deep meanings), and it conquers (all other speech), and remains unconquered! It shatters and destroys all that has come before it (of poetry, because of its eloquence)!” Aboo Jahl responded, “Your people will not be satisfied until you speak against him!” Al-Waleed therefore requested Aboo Jahl, “Leave me for a few days, so that I may think of an appropriate response to give to the (people of) Quraish.”
The miracles that were given to the prophets were chosen so that they would have the greatest impact on that particular nation. Thus, since the people of the time of Moses greatly excelled in the ‘art’ of sorcery and magic, the miracles that were given to Moses were of a similar type, except much stronger and more powerful (for example, the staff, the shining hand, the splitting of the Red Sea, and others). Likewise, the people at the time of Jesus excelled in the art of healing and medicine, and therefore, the miracles that were given to Jesus were of a similar type, except much stronger and more powerful (for example, healing the leper, curing the sick, raising the dead, and others).
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Arabs had reached the peak of eloquence, and this was their most prized art! Poetry was what they valued the most, and each tribe competed with others to see which one could produce the most skilled and eloquent poet. During the annual fair of ‘Ukhaadh, poets from all over Arabia would compete for the honour of having their poem win the highest praise: that of being posted on the door of the Ka’bah (the House in Makkah) until the next fair.
Due to this pride that was prevalent among the Arabs, the miracle that was given to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was of similar nature; Allah revealed the Quran in an Arabic that was so emotive and eloquent that the Arabs could clearly see it was a miracle from their Creator. On top of this, Allah challenged them to bring forth anything similar to the Quran, and told them that such attempts would be futile,
*{And if you are in doubt as to what We have sent down to Our servants, then produce a chapter similar to it…, if you are truthful. But if you do not do it – and of a surety you cannot do it – then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers} * (Quran, 2:23-24)
Till this day, though many have tried, no one has been able to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Quran in their beauty, eloquence, splendor, wise legislation, true information, true prophecy, and other perfect attributes.
Although the literary aspect of the Quran is the strongest and most apparent aspect of its miracle, is the most difficult aspect to discuss in non-Arabic terms. The Quran is in “…clear Arabic” (Quran, 26:195), and in order to understand its miracle in this respect, a thorough understanding of the Arabic language is essential. However, it would be more prudent to give two examples (of the many examples recorded) of the impact that the eloquence of the Quran had on its first listeners.
Perhaps one of the most famous stories is the story of al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah. Al-Waleed was the most eloquent and highly esteemed poet of Makkah at the time of the Prophet. He once passed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and heard him reciting the Quran. This had a visible effect on him, and he went away shaken and startled by what he had heard. The news of this incident spread throughout Makkah. Aboo Jahl, a staunch opponent of Islam who was afraid that the people of Makkah might be affected by this news and convert to Islam, rushed to al-Waleed, and told him, “O my uncle! Say something (against Muhammad (peace be upon him)) so that the people will know that you are against him and hate (his message).”
Al-Waleed replied, “And what can I say? For I swear by Allah (note: the disbelievers like al-Waleed believed in Allah as the Creator, but they were still pagans in worship), there is none amongst you who knows poetry as well as I do, nor can any compete with me in composition or rhetoric – not even in the poetry of jinns (i.e. genies)! And yet, I swear by Allah, Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) speech (meaning the Quran) does not bear any similarity to anything I know, and I swear by Allah, the speech that he says is very sweet, and is adorned with beauty and charm. Its first part is fruitful and its last part is abundant (meaning it is full of deep meanings), and it conquers (all other speech), and remains unconquered! It shatters and destroys all that has come before it (of poetry, because of its eloquence)!” Aboo Jahl responded, “Your people will not be satisfied until you speak against him!” Al-Waleed therefore requested Aboo Jahl, “Leave me for a few days, so that I may think of an appropriate response to give to the (people of) Quraish.”