In the previous episode we briefly talked about the different aspects of the holy Qur’an according to the views of exegeses of this divine book. Today we are going to discuss the authenticity of the final divine revelation. This is a series of programs to make us familiar with the holy Qur’an through the Qur’an itself.

No doubt, all divine books have been sent down by God. Yet, it is a matter of deep regret that the Torah and the Evangel have been distorted. Speaking on the greatness of this book it will suffice to quote God when he says in ayah 166 of surah Nisa’: “But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you – He sent it down with His knowledge – and the angels bear witness, too, and Allah quite suffices as a witness.”

Even if there were no proofs for the authenticity of the holy Qur’an, God’s testimony would be enough as he is “the most truthful in speech” as He introduces himself in the Qur’an.

It is noteworthy that sending down of divine books was carried out by angels and no human being or other form of creation was involved in it. This is mentioned in the Qur’an. For instance, in ayahs 192-196 of surah Shu’ara we read, “This is indeed sent down by the Lord of all the worlds, brought down by the Trustworthy Spirit upon your heart so that you may be one of the warners, in a clear Arabic language. It is indeed foretold in the scriptures of the ancients.”

These ayahs mention two features of the Qur’an. First, it is in Arabic which is the most perfect and comprehensive language according to linguists. Secondly, this book had been foretold in the previous divine books. So, this is not a manmade book and it has a totally divine origin.

In spite of the emphasis put by the Qur’an, some of the opponents of revelation, without raising a single proof or document, would claim that the Prophet of Islam had studied and acquired some sciences before receiving the divine mission; hence the Qur’an is the work of his mind and reasoning. To negate this baseless allegation, God says in ayah 48 of surah Ankabout, “You did not use to recite any scripture before it, nor did you write it with your hand, for then the impugners would have been skeptical.”

Not only the Prophet of Islam, but the previous prophets and messengers would receive the divine laws and get familiar with the secrets of creation. This is mentioned in ayah 52 of surah Shura, “Thus have We revealed to you the Spirit of Our dispensation. You did not know what the Book is, nor what the faith is.”

In order to show that the Qur’an is not the work of human beings, God invites the all human community and the jinn to bring a book like the Qur’an. Addressing the Prophet, God says in ayah 88 of surah Isra’, “Say, Should all humans and jinn rally to bring the like of this Qur’an, they will not bring the like of it, even if they assisted one another.”

In surah Tur, Almighty God asserts this point a little differently, “Do they say, ‘He has improvised it himself?’ Rather they have no faith! Let them bring a discourse like it if they are truthful.”

Undoubtedly, despite all progresses made by humans most of the secrets of creation have yet remained hidden. This is noted in ayah 85 of surah Isra’, “You have not been given of the knowledge except a little.”

Moreover, the Creator of the universe says in ayah 13 of surah Hud, “Do they say, ‘He has fabricated it?’ Say, ‘Then bring ten surahs like it, fabricated, and invoke whomever you can, beside Allah, should you be truthful.”

Elsewhere in the Qur’an, God challenges the deniers and gives them the news of painful punishment. In ayahs 23 and 24 of surah Baqara God says, “And if you are in doubt concerning what We have sent down to Our servant, then bring a surah like it and invoke your helpers besides Allah, should you be truthful. And if you do not – and you will not – then beware the Fire whose fuel will be humans and stones, prepared for the faithless.”

The last resort that the opponents take, in a bid to smear the image of Qur’an and the Prophet, is to attribute the revelation of the ayahs to the creatures and devils rather than the Creator to which God replies firmly. In ayahs 210-212 of surah Shu’ara He says, “It has not been brought down by the devils. Neither does it behoove them, nor are they capable of doing it. Indeed they are kept at bay from hearing it.”

That marks the end of this episode. God bless you.

RM/SS