Unlike any other scripture, Allah has promised to preserve His Holy Book until the end of time, and this is yet another of its inimitable qualities.
Allah assures us, "It is We who sent down the Koran, and We watch over it."
And of its purity He tells us, "falsehood does not come to it from before it or from behind it. It is the sending down from the One, the Wise, the Praised." 41:42.
With the exception of the miraculous Koran, all the other miracles ceased to exist after the time of their prophet and only narrations of their wonders remain.
The Glorious Koran contains clear verses and miracles all of which are present in this day and age and will remain so despite the passing of centuries. This miracle is a decisive proof that no truthful person would ever doubt. Those who deviated have been proven ineffective and their opposition flawed, none have been able to produce a valid argument, nor yet compose even a couple of words that would detract an atom's weight from the Koran.
A kaleidoscope of the Koran's inimitability
Scholars and laymen have also drawn attention to various other facets of the inimitability of the Arabic Koran. One such facet is that it has been observed that neither reciter nor listener ever tire of its recital. It has been found that the repeated recitation of the Koran serves only to increase its sweetness which in turn causes a greater love, whereas, other words, even though they may be of the most eloquent lose their attraction and in the long term turn to be tedious.
The Arabic Holy Koran is a delight to recite in times of solitude and an excellent companion during times of crisis – no other book possesses these qualities, and over time reciters have developed a variety of rhythms and methods for its recital that add to its vibrancy.Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, described the Koran saying, "Even when it is recited frequently, it never becomes tedious. Its lessons are never ending and its wonders never fade." Scholars can never satiated by it, nor yet passions misguided, and tongues do not mistake it. It is that which the jinn would not abandon once they heard it.
They said, 'We have indeed heard a wonderful Koran that guides to the Right Path.' 72:1".
Another facet that cannot be imitated is that it draws together knowledge and faith both of which the Arabs, including Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, before his Prophethood, were for the most part, unknown or else their knowledge was very scant consequently little attention was paid to them.As for other nations, they had neither books nor scholarly persons and so they were unable to teach.
Furthermore, the Koran gathers together and clarifies the science of Law, and informs of ways in which intellectual proofs are deduced. Through the use of simple, concise expressions strong arguments posed by deviant sects are disproved. From time to time unsuccessful attempts have been made to establish comparable proofs to those established in the Koran, however, none were able to accomplish their aim.
Take for example the saying of Allah, "Is He who created the heavens and the earth unable to create their like? Yes, indeed." 36:81. Also, "He will quicken them who originated them the first time." 36:79. And, "Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined." 21:22.
One discovers in the Koran the science of prophetic events (seerah), as well as the history of former nations. It warns, displays wisdom, defines ethics and virtues as well as giving information about the life to come in the Hereafter.
Allah informs us, "We have neglected nothing in the Book." 6:38. Also, "And We sent down to you the Remembrance so that you can make clear to people what has been sent down to them." 16:44. And, "In this Koran, We have set forth for mankind all manner of examples." 30:58.
Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, tells us, "The Koran was sent down by Allah as an order, a prevention, a way to be followed and a parable. In it is your history, news about that which came before you and that which will come after you and right judgment between you. Neither its repetition is untiring nor its wonders unending. Indeed, it is the truth and not a jest.Whosoever recites it speaks the truth and whosoever judges by it is just.Whosoever argues with it is the winner, and whosoever divides by it is fair.Whosoever acts by it will be rewarded and whosoever clings to it is guided to the Straight Path, but whosoever seeks guidance from other than it Allah will misguide. Allah will destroy whosoever judges with other than it. It is the Wise Remembrance, the Clear Light, the Straight Path, the Firm rope of Allah, and a beneficial healing. For whosoever clings to it there is protection and rescue for whosoever follows its. It contains no crookedness and puts matters straight. It has no deviation and therefore is not blameworthy.
A similar saying was transmitted by Masood's son with the addition, "It neither differs nor yet loses it freshness, and contains news of the first to the last."
In a Divine Hadith, Allah tells Prophet Muhammad, praise and peace be upon him, "I am sending down a Holy Reading on you. It will open eyes that are blind, ears that are deaf and hearts that are sealed. It contains springs of knowledge and the fountain of wisdom, and it is the pasture of hearts."
Of the Koran, Ka'b Al Ahbar said, "There is no substitute for the Koran, it is the understanding of intellects and the light of wisdom."
Not withstanding the conciseness of its phrases and the concentration of its words, is another facet of the Koran's inimitability, it gathers far more than that contained in the lengthier scriptures. This is on account of the fact that its composition, descriptive beauty and eloquence are used as further proof of its inimitability. In its eloquence lie not only the commands of Allah but His prohibitions as well as His promise and threat.Whosoever is blessed to recite it grasps, at the same time, both the proof and obligation in either a single word or a single chapter.Although the Koran is within the realm of verse composition, it is of the kind unknown anywhere else. It cannot be said that it is in the form of prose because its verses are easier upon the soul and ears, and its understanding sweeter. A listener inclines to it more easily and passions are quickly aroused upon its hearing.
Allah made its memorization easy and says, ”We have madethe Koran easy to remember." 54:17.
Other nations to whom a Book was sent were unable to memorize their Book, whereas Muslim children are blessed by the easement of memorization of the Holy Koran in just a short time.Another facet of its inimitability is that some parts were sent down in resemblance to others. One finds in their different parts an excellence of harmony, as well as harmony in its divisions. Then, there is the beauty of the leading from one story to the next, or one subject to another with different meanings. The same chapter may include both commands, and prohibitions, information and inquiry,
promises or threats, affirmation of the Prophethood, the confirmation of the Oneness of Allah, the arousal of longing and fear as well as other matters. It has been said that Arabic like this can be found elsewhere,however, it is not powerful and the purity of its style is not soft, and its beauty
is inferior, and phrasing inconsistent.
Take for example the beginning of Chapter 38 "Saad". This chapter contains information about those who disbelieve, their division, and the destruction of their previous generations. It also tells of their refusal to accept Prophet Muhammad, raise and peace be upon him, even though they were amazed by what he brought. It tells how their council agreed not to believe and reveals their envy, incapacity and weakness. It informs them of the disgrace that will befall them not only in this life but in the life of the Hereafter. It also speaks of the rejection of previous nations to whom a prophet was sent and their subsequent destruction by Allah, and the warning that the same would happen to them if they persisted in disbelief. It also speaks of the inquiry of the Prophet,praise and peace be upon him, his patience and his solace for all that had happened. The chapter continues and speaks of Prophet David and narrates stories of other prophets, peace be upon all of them. All this was sent down in the best form of composition and with the concise use of words, some of which contain sentences that effectively contain only a few words. What has been brought to your attention is just a sampling of the inimitability of the Holy Koran, there are many more facets some of which have been mentioned in previous sections.You will have snatched a glimpse of the unending special properties and wonders of the Koran by now, and the reality of its
inimitability is found in the first four facets, therefore rely on them. Allah is the granter of success!
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