Summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah.
Gradual challenge with the miraculous nature of the Noble Qur'an.
The scholars defined the miracle of the Noble Qur'an as:
An extraordinary matter,
coupled with a challenge,
free from contradiction,
which Allah manifests through His messengers.
And all these descriptions apply to the Noble Qur'an.
Its verses confirm this,
and history and reality bear witness to it.
And the challenge was issued to bring forth the like of this Noble Qur'an,
and ten chapters like it,
and one chapter like it.
Regarding the challenge to bring forth the like of the entire Qur'an,
Allah the Almighty said:
"Or do they say, 'He has fabricated it'?"
"Rather, they do not believe."
"So let them bring a hadith like it, if they are truthful."
"if they are truthful."
And Allah the Almighty said:
"Say, 'If mankind and the jinn gathered to produce the like of this Qur'an,
“Say: Verily, though mankind and the jinn should assemble to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof though they were helpers one of another.” (17:88)
they would not produce the like of it,
“Say: Verily, though mankind and the jinn should assemble to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof though they were helpers one of another.” (17:88)
And in this verse,
it is not a challenge to humans alone,
but even if the jinn joined them,
they would not be able to match it.
Then He challenged them to bring ten chapters like it,
Allah the Almighty said:
"Or do they say, 'He has forged it'?"
“Or they say: He hath invented it. Say: Then bring ten surahs, the like thereof, invented, and call on everyone ye can beside Allah, if ye are truthful!” (11:13)
"And call upon whomever you can besides Allah,
if you are truthful."
"But if they do not respond to you,
then know that it was sent down with Allah's knowledge
“And if they answer not your prayer, then know that it is revealed only in the knowledge of Allah; and that there is no Allah save Him. Will ye then be (of) those who surrender?” (11:14)
and that there is no deity except Him.
And the end of the verse clarifies the purpose of this challenge,
which is the affirmation of the Prophet's message, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
the testimony that there is no deity but Allah,
and that he is His messenger.
Then He challenged them to bring a single chapter like it,
Allah the Almighty said:
"Or do they say, 'He has forged it'?"
“Or say they: He hath invented it? Say: Then bring a surah like unto it, and call (for help) on all ye can besides Allah, if ye are truthful.” (10:38)
"And call upon whomever you can besides Allah,
if you are truthful."
“Nay, but they denied that, the knowledge whereof they could not compass, and whereof the interpretation (in events) hath not yet come unto them. Even so did those before them deny. Then see what was the consequence for the wrong-doers!” (10:39)
"And when its interpretation has not yet come to them."
And Allah the Almighty said:
“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.” (2:23)
“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.” (2:23)
"And call your witnesses
besides Allah, if you are truthful."
“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.” (2:24)
“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.” (2:24)
"prepared for the disbelievers."
And this is the final stage to which the challenge settled.
All the preceding verses are Meccan,
unlike the two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah,
which are Medinan.
And at their end, too,
is a clarification of the purpose of this challenge:
urging the fear of Allah,
and warning against disbelieving the Qur'an,
because it causes the disbeliever to commit disbelief
and incur punishment,
by entering the Hellfire prepared for the disbelievers.
Summary of the concepts of Ahl al-Sunnah.