Qur'an Eternal Challenge

Question 1

According to the study guide's scholarly definition, what is the Qur'an and what key aspect differentiates it from other divine words?

It is the word of God sent down to Muhammad ﷺ, just like all other divine words, and its recitation is similar to reading any other beneficial religious text. It is the word of God, which He has sent down to Muhammad [peace be on him], and the recitation of which is a form of worship. This differentiates it from other divine words because not every word of God has been sent down, and its recitation is specifically mandated as worship, unlike other revelations or sacred hadiths. It is a sacred text respected by Muslims, but its recitation is mainly for reflection and is not specifically considered an act of worship distinct from other divine words. It is any speech about God whose recitation is always a form of worship, whether or not it was sent down to a prophet.

Question 2

How did Muhammad's personal conduct, especially in times of distress or when revelations contradicted his preferences, serve as evidence against his authorship of the Qur'an?

He would quickly produce statements that matched his personal wishes in distressing situations, showing his ability to adapt the Qur'an to his needs. Muhammad's conduct showed he would await divine revelation even in urgent situations, like the accusations against his wife, Aisha, rather than fabricating a defense. Furthermore, the Qur'an sometimes reproached his personal views, which he would not have included if he were its author, demonstrating that it came from an external, higher source. He kept all revelations strictly in line with his preferences and avoided any verses that might criticize or challenge him personally. His behavior in distress led him to suspend revelation completely and rely only on the opinions of his companions, indicating a human source for the Qur'an.

Question 3

Explain the incident of Al-Hudaibiyah and how the Qur'anic revelation concerning it served as evidence of its divine source.

It was a routine pilgrimage with no major obstacles, and the revelation was simply a general encouragement without any reference to future outcomes. At Al-Hudaibiyah, Muhammad and his companions were unexpectedly prevented from entering Mecca and were forced to accept harsh peace terms, causing dismay among Muslims. The subsequent revelation of Surah 48, "Victory," explained the profound, unforeseen wisdom behind the agreement and foretold future victories, which later came to pass. This showed a knowledge of future events beyond human capacity, confirming divine authorship. The incident showed that Muslims should avoid peace treaties, and the revelation criticized the agreement as a purely human mistake. The event’s importance was only in strengthening companionship, and the revelation focused solely on consoling the companions, without linking the treaty to any future victories.

Question 4

How does the Qur'an's accurate historical information about ancient peoples and events, unavailable to the largely illiterate Arabs, support the claim of its divine origin?

It focuses mainly on general moral lessons and avoids specific historical details, so its origin cannot be evaluated through historical accuracy. The Qur'an recounts minute historical details about past nations and prophets, including specific figures and events, that were unknown to the unlettered Arabs of Muhammad's time. This precise knowledge, impossible for an uneducated individual or community to possess, indicates a source of information beyond human access, pointing to divine revelation. It simply repeats stories that were commonly known and widely circulated among all Arab tribes, showing it relied on popular folklore rather than a special source. It presents its narratives as purely symbolic and not connected to any real historical peoples or events, so historical accuracy is irrelevant to its origin.

Question 5

What was the common claim made by Muhammad's opponents regarding his teacher, and how did the Qur'an refute this specific claim?

Muhammad's opponents claimed he was taught by a human being, and the Qur'an accepted this but clarified that the human only assisted with writing, not with the content. Muhammad's opponents claimed he was taught by a human being, eventually pointing to a Greek blacksmith in Mecca. The Qur'an refuted this by highlighting the blacksmith's "outlandish" (foreign) tongue compared to the "clear Arabic speech" of the Qur'an, arguing it was illogical for an uneducated foreigner to teach such profound and eloquent Arabic. His opponents claimed he was entirely self-taught, and the Qur'an refuted this by stating that all true knowledge comes from study and reflection alone. They claimed that angels openly taught him in public gatherings, and the Qur'an refuted this by denying the existence of angels.

Question 6

Describe the physical phenomenon observed in Muhammad when he received Qur'anic revelations, and how it supported the idea of an external source.

He remained completely calm with no physical changes, and this absence of any reaction proved that the revelation was purely a mental experience. He would become extremely ill for days, losing consciousness repeatedly, which showed that the revelation was simply a result of physical weakness and sickness When receiving revelation, Muhammad's face would turn red, he would sweat, become heavy (even causing his riding mount to sit), and babbling noises like buzzing bees would be heard near his face. These involuntary and unique physical reactions, distinct from normal human states or illness, strongly indicated an external, powerful, and non-human source for the revelations. He would publicly announce beforehand that he was about to receive revelation, then recite calmly without any physical signs, showing that the experience was entirely under his control.

Question 7

How does the Qur'an's inimitable literary style, especially its combination of seemingly opposite qualities, support its claim as a miracle?

It focuses only on emotional expression and ignores logical structure, which makes it appealing purely on a sentimental level. It uses very long and detailed passages to ensure that no meaning is ever left out, prioritizing length over style. The Qur'an uniquely combines profound meaning with minimal wording, a feat difficult for human authors who typically sacrifice one for the other. It also seamlessly blends logical conviction with emotional satisfaction, and addresses both general audiences and select groups simultaneously, achieving a perfect balance that transcends typical human literary capabilities. Its style constantly changes without any recognizable pattern, making it impossible to analyze or appreciate in terms of meaning and expression.

Question 8

According to the study guide's analysis, what is the significance of the particle "as" (ka in Arabic) in the Qur'anic statement "Naught is as His likeness" (42:11)?

It simply clarifies that God is greater than His creation, while still allowing for some degree of similarity. It functions as a purely stylistic particle with no real theological impact on the meaning of the verse. The particle "as" is crucial because it negates not just an equal likeness to God, but any conceivable similarity whatsoever, even a lesser degree of comparability. This emphasizes God's absolute uniqueness and perfection, beyond any form of multiplicity or partial resemblance, a deeper theological point that would be lost if the particle were omitted. It is used mainly to compare God with the best of His creation in order to make His attributes easier to understand.

Question 9

How does the arrangement of Qur'anic verses and passages, which were revealed at different times and for various reasons, support the argument for its divine authorship?

It shows that the Qur'an had to be repeatedly edited and rearranged by scholars to make the surahs appear coherent after the Prophet’s death. Despite being revealed piecemeal over 23 years in response to diverse events, the Qur'an's verses and passages form perfectly coherent and unified surahs. This pre-determined, flawless structural integrity, where each part finds its ideal place without needing rearrangement, demonstrates a design far beyond human capacity, indicating a divine architect. It suggests that the Qur'an has no particular structure, and the verses were placed randomly, which proves it is a purely human work. It indicates that only a small portion of the Qur'an was revealed gradually, while most of it was written in one sitting, making its structure easy to plan.

Question 10

How does the "Semantic Design of the Longest Surah" (Al-Baqarah), as presented in the study guide, demonstrate its structural unity through its introduction, purposes, and conclusion?

Surah Al-Baqarah begins with stories of previous prophets, then lists legal rulings without any clear order, and ends abruptly with historical narratives unrelated to its opening. Surah Al-Baqarah exemplifies structural unity by beginning with an introduction that sets the stage for the three types of people responding to the Qur'an, followed by four main "purposes" or themes (Islamic beliefs, address to Jews, Abraham's legacy, Muslim community), and concluding with a reaffirmation of faith and prayer. Each section transitions seamlessly and logically, creating a perfectly coherent whole despite its length and varied content, much like a well-designed building. Surah Al-Baqarah focuses solely on legal rulings throughout, without any clear introduction or conclusion, which shows that its structure is meant to be purely practical rather than unified. D) Surah Al-Baqarah presents random teachings with no connection between its beginning, middle, or end, which demonstrates that its length prevents it from having any structural unity Surah Al-Baqarah focuses solely on legal rulings throughout, without any clear introduction or conclusion, which shows that its structure is meant to be purely practical rather than unified. D) Surah Al-Baqarah presents random teachings with no connection between its beginning, middle, or end, which demonstrates that its length prevents it from having any structural unity.

Question 1: Evaluate the various arguments presented in "The Qur'an: An Eternal Challenge" against human authorship of the Qur'an. Which arguments do you find most compelling, and why?

Answer:

Question 2: Analyze the concept of the Qur'an as a "literary miracle" as discussed in the text. How does its unique style, rhythm, and combination of diverse qualities challenge human literary capabilities?

Answer:

Question 3: How do prophecies in the Qur’an—concerning both historical events and the future of Islam—support the claim of its divine origin? Illustrate your answer with specific examples from the Qur’anic text.

Answer:

Question 4: Examine the detailed analysis of the semantic design and unity of Surah Al-Baqarah. How does the author demonstrate that this longest surah exhibits a profound and pre-planned coherence that defies human composition?

Answer:

Question 5: How does Muhammad Abdullah Draz address and refute the common counter-arguments from atheists and non-believers regarding the source of the Qur'an? Discuss the effectiveness of his rebuttals.

Answer:

Al-Naba' al-Aẓīm

The Arabic title of the book, meaning "The Great News," which the author uses to refer to the Qur'an itself.

Anṣār

"The Helpers," the Muslim inhabitants of Medina who welcomed Muhammad and the Muslim emigrants from Mecca.

Ā’ishah

One of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, whose innocence was divinely revealed in the Qur'an.

Al-Hudaibiyah

The site of a pivotal peace treaty between Muhammad and the Quraysh of Mecca.

Al-Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Ghayb

The unseen or beyond the reach of human perception.

Hadith

Sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, distinct from the Qur'an.

Jāhiliyyah

The pre-Islamic era in Arabia, characterized by ignorance and polytheism.

Musaylamah

An impostor who claimed prophethood and failed to imitate the Qur'an.

Qudsī Hadith

Sacred Hadith, where the meaning is from God but the wording from the Prophet.

Ṣarfah

The theological concept that God diverts people's ability to produce something similar to the Qur'an.

Surah

A chapter of the Qur'an.

Study Guide

Quiz

Essay Questions

Glossary

Interactive Quiz

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Essay Questions

Question 1: Evaluate the various arguments presented in "The Qur'an: An Eternal Challenge" against human authorship of the Qur'an. Which arguments do you find most compelling, and why?

Answer:

Question 2: Analyze the concept of the Qur'an as a "literary miracle" as discussed in the text. How does its unique style, rhythm, and combination of diverse qualities challenge human literary capabilities?

Answer:

Question 3: How do prophecies in the Qur’an—concerning both historical events and the future of Islam—support the claim of its divine origin? Illustrate your answer with specific examples from the Qur’anic text.

Answer:

Question 4: Examine the detailed analysis of the semantic design and unity of Surah Al-Baqarah. How does the author demonstrate that this longest surah exhibits a profound and pre-planned coherence that defies human composition?

Answer:

Question 5: How does Muhammad Abdullah Draz address and refute the common counter-arguments from atheists and non-believers regarding the source of the Qur'an? Discuss the effectiveness of his rebuttals.

Answer:

Evaluating Your Answers...

Glossary

Al-Naba' al-Aẓīm

Anṣār

Ā’ishah

Al-Hudaibiyah

Al-Qur'an

Ghayb

Hadith

Jāhiliyyah

Musaylamah

Qudsī Hadith

Ṣarfah

Surah