In Surah 2, there is no doubt the Quran that it is Allah’s Book.
However, the Atheists and unbelievers are in doubt about it.
Well, if they are in doubt about the Quran, then produce only one Surah like it. If they do not do it, otherwise, this doubt will leads to the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife!
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In the previous articles,
- Allah challenges the entire Humankind to produce a Quran like the one revealed and when they have failed,
- Allah challenged them to produce ten Surah similar to the Quran. When the entire Humankind have failed,
- Allah challenges the entire Humankind to produce only ONE Surah similar to the Quran.
In this article, Surah 2 (chapter 2) of the Noble Quran puts the end of this unique linguistic Challenge
Surah 2 begins with Allah’s affirmation that the Quran is His book without any doubt; in it, there is guidance unto those who ward off Hell. (Verse 2:2)
The Creator, Exalted be He, knows that some of his arrogant creature have doubt about the Quran.
Allah knows that the Atheists and unbelievers claim that Muhammad forged the Quran and they are in doubt about the Quran.
In the verses 2:23-24 we have this strict clear-cut plan that is followed by severe warning
1) If you are in doubt about the Quran, then produce only one Surah like it
2) Seek the help of the entire humankind to help you in your work
3) If you do not do it, and in fact you WILL NEVER Ever DO IT, then guard yourselves against the Hell whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the Atheists and unbelievers.
Hence, the verse 2:23 put the end of the unique linguistic Challenge by stating that the Atheists + the unbelievers + humankind will never ever Challenge the Quran and they are unable to cope with the challenge and emulate even one Surah like it
The Atheists + the unbelievers + humankind cannot produce 15 Arabic words and produce a Surah like that present in the Quran!
This is the summary of the plan that is followed by severe warning
Now, let us discuss this risky issue calmly
“This is the Book; there is no doubt about it a guidance unto those who ward off Hell.” (Verse 2)
The key words in this statement are:
- Doubt
- Guidance
- Hell
Guidance expresses the essence and the nature of the Quran.
But guidance for whom? Who are the people who will find that this Book provides them with light, direction and true counsel?
They are the Allah-fearing.
They fear Allah, submit, obey and Ward off Hell
Once a man’s heart is filled with the fear of Allah, he will benefit by the Quran. Fear and consciousness of Allah is the quality that opens one’s mind to the true guidance contained in the Quran and allows it to have its proper effect on one’s life.
Fear of Allah is the factor that causes one’s heart and mind to become sensitive and receptive to Allah’s guidance and enables one to respond to His call and His instruction.
Anyone seeking the benefit and Allahly wisdom of the Quran must approach it with an open mind and a pure heart. One must also approach it with perception and sensitivity, and with a determination not to fall by the wayside or be tempted away from Allah.
Then, and only then, will the marvels and treasures of the Quran be opened and revealed, and their light and wisdom will pour into this apprehensive, alert and welcoming heart.
Fear of Allah, then, is to have a sensitive conscience, clear feelings, a continuous concern, vigilance and alacrity, and a yearning for the correct path in life. It is a feeling that is ever alive, a feeling of being aware of life’s temptations and pitfalls; and the ambitions and hopes, and the worries and fears that come with it. It is a feeling of being able to discern false hopes and unwarranted fears that one associates with individuals or powers that could neither bring benefit nor cause harm.
A Divine Challenge
Allah puts a scientific plan for the Atheists and unbelievers
The Quran is challenging them all, as indeed it challenges humankind in general, saying:
“If you are in doubt as to what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce one Surah comparable to it and call upon all your witnesses, other than Allah, if what you say is true.” (Verse 23)
The challenge begins with emphasizing an important fact by describing the Prophet Muhammad as Allah’s ‘servant’. This description is significant in a number of ways: it is,
First, an honor to the Prophet himself and an indication that to be a ‘servant’ of Allah is the highest honor a human being can attain.
Second, it affirms the essence of servitude to Allah in the universal human context, calling on all men to submit only to Allah and renounce all partners that may be associated with Him.
The Prophet Muhammad, who attained the highest position of honor as a recipient of Allah’s Revelations, is also honored by being described as a servant of Allah.
The challenge = If they were in any doubt, they were free to produce anything, even one Surah, comparable to it, and they could seek the help of the entire humankind.
This challenge remained open throughout the Prophet’s life, and has done so ever since. The Quranic argument stands just as firmly today as it has through the centuries.
Thus, Allah’s words, and His warning, remain true:
“But if you fail, as you will certainly do, then guard yourselves against the fire, fuelled by men and stones, prepared for the unbelievers.” (Verse 24)
It is a remarkable challenge indeed, but what is even more remarkable is the absolute certainty with which it is made. Were any of the unbelieving Arabs able to take up the challenge, they would not have hesitated for a moment. The Quranic assertion of the futility of their task, and the endurance of that assertion, are in themselves manifest and irrefutable proof of its superior nature.
The opportunity remains wide open for anyone or any group to pick up the gauntlet and try their best to match the Quran and refute its claims of divinity and superiority.
However, this has not happened and, as the Quran clearly states, will never happen. That is the Quran’s final word for posterity.
Anyone with any real knowledge or appreciation of literary styles, or expertise in philosophy, psychology, social science, or any other science at all, will not fail to recognize that whatever the Quran has to say in any field of knowledge is something unique, unlike anything human beings would say. Argument over this fact can only arise from blind ignorance or sheer prejudice.
The stern warning to “guard yourselves against the fire, fuelled by men and stones” comes as no surprise to those who may fail in their challenge to Allah but persist, nevertheless, with their rejection of the truth.
The use of the word ‘stones’ here is fascinating.
This fire is prepared for the Atheists and unbelievers.
They are the ones who have failed to take up Allah’s challenge, and persisted, nevertheless, in their rejection of His message.
They are stone like, although they have a human form. Hence the connection between humans and stones in this verse. The expression amply conveys the horror of the awesome scene in which people and stones are both:
- The fuel of the Fire
- Consumed by Fire
Miserably, this is the doubt that leads to the Eternal Hell in the Afterlife!
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The verse 2:2 in different translations:
QARIB:
That is the (holy) book, where there is no doubt. it is a guidance for the cautious (of evil and hell).
SHAKIR:
This book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil)
PICKTHAL:
This is the scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
YUSUFALI:
This is the book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;
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The verses 2:23-24 in different translations:
QARIB:
23- If you are in doubt of what we have sent down to our worshiper (prophet muhammad), produce a chapter comparable to it. call upon your helpers, other than Allah, to assist you, if you are true.
24- But if you fail, as you are sure to fail, then guard yourselves against the fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the unbelievers.
SHAKIR:
23- And if you are in doubt as to that which we have revealed to our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful
24- But if you do (it) not and never shall you do (it), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers
PICKTHAL:
23- And if ye are in doubt concerning that which we reveal unto our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.
24- And if ye do it not – and ye can never do it – then guard yourselves against the fire prepared for disbelievers, whose fuel is of men and stones.
YUSUFALI:
23- And if ye are in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time to our servant, then produce a sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true.
24- But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared for those who reject faith.
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