Abstract:
In verse 2:23 in the Qur’an, God challenges the unbelievers to bring a book like the Qur’an, or to bring ten chapters or even one chapter like it. This all-inclusive challenge directed to both the layman and elite is not limited to its style and eloquence, but also takes into consideration its morality, spirituality, just legal code, and proof of the unseen. The claim that the Qur’an is a
miracle verifies both the occurrence of miracles, and that the Qur’an is one of those miracles. This article is a synopsis of Allamah Tabatabai’s interpretation of verse 2:23 in his Tafsir al-
Mizn where he focuses on the five qualities that render the Qur’an a miracle: Its a) knowledge, b) unschooled recipient, c) prophecies, d) consistency and e) eloquence. Additionally, Allamah responds toobjections raised about abrogation and the miraculous nature of speech. The Qur’an is a continuation of the teachings of earlier prophets and considers every topic relevant to one’s spiritual and social life – such as morality and jurisprudence – that will remain valid and guide humankind until the end of the world. Prophet Muhammad (s), an untaught person, suddenly conveyed a Book unsurpassed in its eloquence, knowledge, predictions, and knowledge of the unseen. Its superiority in all the above-mentioned aspects astonished the pre-Islamic Arabs who were unrivalled in linguistic excellence by their contemporaries. This led some to
venerate the Qur’an and act upon its teachings, while others who were resentful falsely accused the Prophet of having been educated by third parties. The knowledge it contains is reserved for Allah, and this renders people incapable of producing a piece similar to its
perfectly arranged words that require expertise in eloquence, intelligence, and understanding – all qualities that categorize writers and speakers into different levels.
Machine summary:
"The knowledge it contains is reserved for Allah, and this renders people incapable of producing a piece similar to its perfectly arranged words that require expertise in eloquence, intelligence, and understanding – all qualities that categorize writers and speakers into different levels.
Fundamental teachings based on both monotheism and human nature have been offered for which its details are relevant to one’s life and character, such as moral virtues and religious laws covering worship, social regulations, and penal 1 Qur’an, 6:19 2 Qur’an, 68:52 3 Qur’an, 74:35-36 4 Qur’an, 16:89 5 Qur’an, 6:59 codes taught by the Prophet: "Take whatever the Apostle gives you, and relinquish whatever he forbids you…"6 Moreover, it not only contains the knowledge of previous divine books but also puts the finishing touches on them as it is a continuation of the teachings of earlier prophets: "He has prescribed for you the religion which He had enjoined upon Noah and which we have [also] revealed to you, and which We had enjoined upon Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
The Qur’an is not only a continuation of the wisdoms of earlier prophets; it also includes every important aspect of a person’s social and spiritual life, with its moral and religious laws remaining valid and applicable until the end of time."