Chapter I

THE HOLY QUIIAN - ASPECTS OF ITS TEACHINGS

AND LITERARY MERITS

(i) The Holy Quran -- A Book of Revolution

(ii) Authenticity of the Holy Quran

(iii) The religious status of the Holy Quran

(iv) Literary excellence of the Holy Quran ~ with

»—
special reference to "Ijaz al-Quran
(v) Literary attributes of the Holy Quran - its
impact on Arabic language and literature
 30
The Holy Quran ~ A Book of Revolution :

Before the emergence of Islam,the whole world^parti-

cularly, the Arab regions were groping in the darkness of
ignorance, resulting in the spread of all sorts of disorder
and mischief in almost all walks of life. There was no any
line of demarcation among the truth and false, right and
wrong, good and evil and appreciable and depreciable. Poly-
theism, hypocrisy, atheism and irreligiousness were embodying
the human being. Tribal prejudice and mutual hatred were the
order of the day.

Keeping in view the deteriorated condition of the

whole Society, the Almighty has sent the prophet with the
holy Ouran to the human being for their complete emancipation.
The holy Ouran, like the previously revealed Books, is, un-
doubtedly, the revelation of the Almighty to prophet (S.A.w.).
The reality of the religious status of the holy Quran as well
as antagonistic views and imputations against the said can not
be quite clear without bringing out the holy verses regarding
the revelation of Allah alone. The Quran says :

THIS IS A SCRIPTURE WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED UNTO

(MUHAMMAD) THAT THEREBY THOU MAYST BRING FORTH MANKIND FROM
DARKNESS UNTO LIGHT, BY THE PERMISSION. OF THEIR LORD, . UNTO
THE PATH OF THE MIGHTY, THE OWNER OF PRAISE".'^
 31

"THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN KNOWLEDGE SEE THAT WHAT

I S REVEALED UNTO THEE FROM TliY LORD I S THE TRUTH AND LEADETH

UNTO THE PATH OF THE MIGHTY, THE OWNER OF PRAISE".''•

" T H I S I S THE SCRIPTURE WHEREOF. THERE I S NO DOUBT, A

GUIDANCE UNTO THOSE WHO W^RP OFF (EVIL)".^

"A REVELATION FROM HIM WHO CREATED THE B^RTH AND THE

HIGH HEAVENS" .^

"LO I WE, EVEN WE, HAVE REVEALED UNTO THEE THE QURAN^

A REVELATION".^

"AND THIS OURAN HATH BEEN INSPIRED IN ME, THAT I MAY

WARN THEREWITH YOU AND WHOMSOEVER I T MAY REACH".^

"THE REVELATION OF THE SCRIPTURE WHEREOF THERE I S NO

DOUBT I S FROM THE LORD OF THE WORLDS . ^

" I T I S NAUGHT SAVE AN INSPIRATION THAT I S INSPIRED"."^

Besides t h e above m e n t i o n e d v e r s e s of the holy Quran^

t h e r e a r e many i n s t r u c t i o n s manifesting the authenticity of the

Book a s a God r e v e a l e d o n e . Hamilton Gibb, a far-reputed 'English

scholar^ i s true in his sayings -

"To Muslims t h e Quran i s t h e v e r y speech of God,

revealed word f o r word t o h i s piD»phet Muhammed t h r o u g h the

angel Gabriel" .

1 . A l - Q u r a n XXXIV : 6 (2) Al-Quran II : 2 (3) A l - Q u r a h XX: 4

4. Al-Ouran LXXVI : 23 (5) A l - O u r a n VI ;19
6. Al-Quran XXXII : 2 (7) A l - O u r ' a n L I I I -.4
8 . Hamilton Gibb, Arabic L i t e r a t u r e , p . 34
 o
w

Alfered Guillaume, a lover of Muhammed (S.A.w.)

conce des In his book -

"Ihen revelation came fully to the apostle while

he was believing in Him and in the tiruth of his message.
He received it willingly, and took upon a trouble some
burden only strong and resolute messengers can bear it by
God's help and grace, because of the opposition which they
meet from men in conveying God's message. The apostle
carried out God's orders in spite of the opposition and
ill treatment which he met with".

Goldziher is also a very renowne:3 scholar of the

Islamic Studies, Although his partial and prejudlcal
approach puts certain realities of Islam on the wrong,
he on various occasions himself has confessed about so
many realities of Islam. About the holy Quran, he says -

"It is the holy writ of Islam regarded by Muslim

Orthodoxy as the eternal word of God, Kalamullah revealed
2
to the prophet Mohammed for preaching it to all people" .

After revelation of the holy Ouran^basic changes

appeared in the political order of the Arabs in^partlcular^
and the other nations, in general. Social, political and
moral scenes appeared on world wide level.

1. A Guillaume, Life of Mohammed, p. 155.

2. Goldziher, A Short History of Arabic Literature, p. 19.
 33

Indeed the v^ole Arab before the advent of Islam

was in the grip of ignorance. Elements of s e l f i s h n e s s and
prejudice have become deep rooted i n the s o c i e t y . The
t r i b a l system was the governing forpe i n the day to day
life. The Arab brethren were combating with each on
t r i f l i n g m a t t e r s . They were envoived in various bad customs
and r i t u a l s . Superstition was p a r t and parcel of their
living. After the emergence of Islam i n Arabia, the people
began to adopt the teachings of the holy Quran i n order to
r e d r e s s t h e i r social r o t s . This Book/ no doubt opened the
windows of t h e i r minds. Ignorance and prejudice s t a r t e d
loosing i t s force in the s o c i e t y . The bad and a n t i ~ s o c i a l
a c t i v i t i e s were checked. Thus, the holy Book brought them
nearer to the God's i n s t r u c t i o n s and consequently, changes
towards b e t t e r side of the l i f e became q u i t e apparent.
Otherwise, the Arabs were entangled since long with the
marsh of narrow thinking and p a r t i s a n s h i p . They were ready
to die for the same of t h e i r t r i b e . Daring deeds and
i n t e r p r i s e s were incentives for them to quench the t h i r s t
of t h e i r sentiments. Ihey used to feel proud of the person
who performed any outstanding duty of h i s t r i b e .

The b a t t l e s of Dahis, Ghabra and Basus a r e , r e a l l y ,

the examples of t h e i r mean-mindedness and p r e j u d i c e . With
the emergence of Islam, a n t a g o n i s t i c views and aggressive
thoughts were extraminated. Thus, t h e i r s o c i o - p o l i t i c a l
set-up were reformed due to the Ouranlc Injunctions given
by the Almighty,

The t h i r d phase of change due to the inpact of the

holy Ouran took place in t h e i r moral l i f e . We find that
in this f i e l d not a s i n g l e r e l i g i o u s order other than
Islam could reach to such heights of moral excellence.
Modesty, j u s t i c e , remission of s i n s , f u l f i l l i n g promise,
p r o t e c t i o n of deposit^were the highly priced values which
Islam provided to the exemplary human s o c i e t y . An eminent
western scholar of Islamic Studies h i g h l i g h t s the elevated
p o s i t i o n of the b a s i c teachings of the holy Quran with these
ivords :

"For the Mohammadans, the Kuran i s not the secred

Book in the usual sense but something of much g r e a t e r s i g -
nificance. I t i s , as already mentioned/ the f a i t h f u l re-
production of the o r i g i n a l s c r i p t u r e i n Heaven" ,

What was the output in the society a f t e r t h e

appearance of the prophet (S.A.w,), the holy Quran's r e -
v e l a t i o n as well i s b e t t e r i l l u s t r a t e d in the words of an
English scholar -

"with the appearance of the prophet Muhammed(S.A,W.),

a new Era s t a r t e d which revolutionized the l i f e and ideology

1 , H.A.R. Gibb and J.H. Karamers, Shorter Encyclopaedia of

Islam, n oflR
of the Arabs. In Mecca , and later in Madinah, the
prophet received the message of God and the holy Quran
was revealed/ laying the foundation for a new society" .

Purpose of the revelation of the holy Quran was, no

doubt, to erect the human society on the basis of Islamic
conception of social justice on global level^a eradicating
the bad aspects of life, Islam provided a perfect code of
life. Without any illegal compromise, the holy Ouran dis-
couraged the pagan sentiments expressed in the pre-Islamic
poetry as these were not, in general, coinciding with the
true spirit of a balanced human society. The Quran in this
respect proclaims :

"AS FOR POETS, THE ERRING FOLLOW THEM. HAST THOU

NOT SEEN HOW THEY STRAY IN EVERY VALLEY AND HOW THEY SAY
THAT WHICH THEY DO NOT"^.

The Quran is neither a book in the sense that it

might have been revealed and presented In one volume and
not a historical record of events arranged in its historical
sequence. The Quran was revealed in fragments of varying

1, M.H. Bakalla, Arabic Culture (Through its language &

literature) p.
2. Al-Ouran,: XXVI, 224-226.
lengths over a period of twenty three years - a period of
full strife and struggles. The text was not only related
to the overall plan but also to the emerging situation .

The revolution brought forth by Islam through the

Ouranic revelations, can be categorised as under :

(1) Islam's denial of the old customary code of life of the

Jahiliyah period.

(2) Modification of some of the rituals of Jahiliyah period.

(3) Introduction of new codes of life based on Islamic

norms.

The allsified phenomenal change in the society was

indebted, to agreater extent,to the emergence of Islam and
the impact of the teachings of the holy Quran revolutionized
the social, political, intellectual and economic life of
the Arabs as a whole. Islam brought with it a gospal which
in its philosophy and spirits substantially deferred from
2
the philosophy and spirits of Islam .

1. Athar Husain, An approach to the study of Quran,

p. 4.
2, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 95,
 37

THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE HOLY QURAN ; SALIENT FEATURBS

There a r e found d i v e r g e n t and r n u l t i f a c e d theories,

i d e o l o g i c a l h y p o t h e s i s , and d i f f e r e n t r e l i g i o u s o r d e r s of

the world. As f a r as I s l a m i s c o n c e r n e d / i t i s the solitary-

way of l i f e ^ which i s t h e d i r e c t o u t - c o m e of t h e g u i d a n c e o f

t h e O m n i p o t e n t God. I t i s t h e r e l i g i o n of A l l a h i n the

t r u e s e n s e of t h e teirm a s t h e r e v e a l e d Book s a y s :

"SURELY ISLAM IS THE ONLY ^ Y OF LIFE IN THE EYES

OF ALLAH"^.

On t h e o t h e r p l a c e ^ t h e A l m i g h t y A l l a h p r o c l a i m s :

"WHO SO EVER WILL LIKE THE RELIGION OTHER THAN ISLAM,

WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY ALLAH"2.

The h o l y Quran i s the w r i t t e n code e l a b o r a t i n g the

way o f l i f e p r o p o s e d and p r e s c r i b e d by A l l a h , the Nourisher
o f t h e whole u n i v e r s e . T h i s h o l y ftook p r o v i d e s guidance
to all the a f f a i r s of l i f e w h e t h e r t h e s e a r e r e l a t e d to
political, ethical, economic, s p r i t u a l , material, individual,
collective, criminal, judicial and m a t r i m o n i a l affairs etc.
T h i s i s why, t h e h o l y Book provides Instruction for the
t o t a l submission t o Islam :

1 . Al-Ouran, I I I : 1 9 .
2 . Al-Ouran I I I : 85.
 38.

" 0 YE, WHO BELIEVE I ENTER INTO ISIAM, WHOLE

HEARTEDLY""^.

As it is open and above board fact that the prophet

Muhammad (S.A.w.) was not sent for any particular group of
men. He was sent for the whole mankind. There were no
rooms for regional bias. The teachings and admonitions of
the Book revealed to him can not be considered a restricted
guidance for any particular group or region, Thus^the Book
is,no doubt^ a valuable God gift to the human beings so that
one can streamline his affairs of life according to the will
of the Almighty. Moreover, it is also significant to note
that the guidance provided to the mankind>will remain valid
and workable till the doomsday. The world bears the testi-
mony that even after passing about fifteen hundred years,
there is found no antiquity or change in the statements of
the holy Quran, The holy Book faced so many allegations
but remained untarnished^proving its age long authenticity.
How the holy Book can be conceived to have been created
by a human mind ?

The most prominent qualities of the Book are as

under :

1. Al-Ouran II : 208.
 9

(1) Even todays not a single author or prose writer of

exceptional merit>can claim that all his hypothesis will
stand true for all the times and for all the occasions and
the book is free from all sorts of errors. If any of them^
due to their egoistic approach^ would try to make such type
of assertions, their follies will be known within a very
short span of time. Omissions and additions are general
features found in the text of the books which are published
as the next edition; where as the holy Book remained un-
changed since the very appearance. Ihe holy Book proclaims ;

"THIS IS THE SCRIPTURE WHEREOF THERE IS NO DOUBT, A

/
GUIDANCE UNTO THOSE WHO WARD OFF"'-

An eminent western scholar rightly remarks -

"Modern study of the Ouran has not>infact,raised

any serious question of its authenticity. The style varies
but unmistakable : So clearly does the whole bear the stamp
2
of t h e p r o p h e t t h a t doubts of i t s genuiness h e a r d l y a r i s e " .

Ather Husaln, a muslim w r i t e r , i n h i s book r e l a t i n g

t o t h e Curan, says f i r m l y -

1 , Al-Ouran I I : 2
2 , W, Montgomery Watt, B e l l ' s I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e Quran,
p. 51.
 40

"Ouran, the word of God, is not only inimitable in

the profoundity of its contents and message, but also in
the grandeur of its word painting. Its literary form and
style surpasses the powers of man, and defies inimitation" ..

There is no rooms for doubts about the authenticity

of the holy Ouran; for the assertion made by the Quran
has not yet been nullified even after passing the hundreds
of years, Ihisrclearly^ shows that the Book is not a mani-
festation of the human intellect but a real Revelation to
the prophet (S.A.W.) from the Almighty God.

(2) The second argument for its being a revealed Book/

is related to the issue of guarantee for its existence and
preservance till the E^ay of Resurrection without a slight-
est change. No human being is supposed to guarantee the
safety of his work even in his own life time. Even in his
life, the contents of the book need change or modification.
And after the death of the author, who can say that the book
will remain intact as it was before ? The holy Quran is
quite unlike the books which men, generally, write and after
sometimes, make alterations and modifications occurring to
their own choice and will.

1. Ather Husain, An Approach to the Study of Quran,

p. 1.
 41

• The Creator of the universe, the Omnipotent God^ is

aware of all the changing circumstances of the past, present
and future and He knows all the matters concealed in human
hearts, Iherefore, it is quite obvious that the question of
making alterations in the Quranic verses*never arises here.
Keeping in view the antagonistic activities of the di.ibeli-
evers and their injurious conspiracies against the holy Book,
the Almighty Allah had^already/proclaimed about fifteen
hundred years ago, giving assurance that each and every word
of the Quranic verses will remain intact^ till the doomsday.

"LO '. EVEN VJE, REVEAL THE REiVlAINDER, AND LO i WE

VERILY ARE ITS GUARDIAN" "'• .

In fact there appeared, time and again, a constant

struggle and strife between the followers of the right path
and the falsehood. The opposing factors of Islam came forward
to bring down the truth. Many arrogants and traitors — like
Pharoah and Namrud appeared to crush the voice of the truth
and trample the teachings of the holy Quran; but they could
not be successful in their filthy games.

The Quranic verses from the time of its very revela-

tions are kept,originally, intact. John Burton, an English
scholar, truely says -

1. Al-Quran XV : 9
 42

"The Quran, scripture and credentials of the polity

of Islam is ideally identical without addition, without
subtraction whole complete and true record of the Divine
revelation" .

The holy Quran, among the Occidentalist and orien-

talist as well, has remained a subject of debate and dis-
cussion with regard to its compilation. It is an accepted
fact that there was not a compiled Quran at the time of the
prophet Muhammad (S.A.w.). it was due to the oral tradit-
ion of the Arab people and high respect for the sacred
verses that the entire Quran was kept safe in the hearts
of the companions of the prophet better known as Huffaz.
The facts about the above stated issue^ is described in the
Encyclopedia of Islam, with these words -

"For muslims,the Koran is much more than scripture

of sacred literature in the usual Western sense. Its primary
significance for the vast majority through the centuries has
been in its oral form—the form in which it first appeared,
as the "recitation" (Kuran) chanted by Mohammad to his
2
followers over a period of about twenty years" .

1. John Burton, the Collection of The Quran, p. 122.

2. C.E. Bosworth, E, Van Donzel etc.,Encyclopedia of Islam,
Vol. V, p. 426.
 43

The Issue of the safety of the holy Quran,can not

be clearly discussed until! and unless the issue and facts
concerning the compilation of the holy Quran,is brought to
light. There is no two opinion that the Quran was not
compiled during the time of the prophet (S.A.W.), At the same
time, it is also an admitted fact that the holy Quran has
remained unchanged since its appearance. A well known
orientalist>R.A. Nicholson^in this respect says -

"At the time of pretended inspiration and shortly

after each passage was recited by Muhammad before the com-
panions or followers who happened to be present, and was
generally committed to writing by someone amongst them upon
palm, leaves, leather and such other rude material convenien-
tly came to hand" .

The above said quotation of Nicholson indicates that

although, the holy Quran was not existing in the ccmpiled
book form but it was existing in some other forms. The
writer of "The Life of Muhammad", A. Gulllaume^also confirms
the above said factual position,elaborating his own view
points -

The compilation was made with in two or three yejars

of Muhammad's death. We have seen that some of his followers

1, R.A. Nicholson, A literary history of the Arabs, p. 141.

 44

had the entire revelation (excepting perhapse some absolete

fragments) by heart; that every Muslim treasured up portions
in his memory; and that there were official reciters of it,
for public worship and tuition, in all countries to which
Islam extended. These formed a living link between the
revelation fresh from Mohammad's lips, and Zeid's collection"

Carlyle also, besides other English scholars, has

somewhere kept himself away from traditional partiality and
prejudice*while studying the Ouran and the Sunnah. In his
book "Mohammad and Mohammadanism", Carlyle makes a critical
appreciation of the life of the prophet and further, he says
about the authenticity of the holy Quran. -

"If now we ask what guarantee there is that this

revision reproduced the actual revelations delivered by
Mohammad, the answer will depend largely on actual study of
the Quran itself. And on the extent to which what is conta-
ined in It approves Itself to historical criticism as filling
into the prophet's life. But we may stress the fact that
this revision was based on written documents previously
2
existing" ,

1 . A. Guillaume, The Life of Muhammad, pp. 25-26,

2. Carlyle, Mohammad and Mohammadmism, p. 43.
 45

(3) The third distinctive aspect of the holy Ouran Is

its unique expression and style^beyond the reach of the

human mind. Each and every writer and author of a book

has to face some of the shortcomings. He has to take help

from so many agencies while giving a final shape to his

work. This is why, he being indebted to others, is compelled

to say some words of appreciation for them. Moreover> the

scholars and learned bodies will not appreciate the work,

if he would show egotism and self aggrandizement in his book.

On the other hand» we find no traces of humility in the God's

Book. He>neither, expresses his gratitude to others ^nor, he

shows any sign of humility even in a single word in the

whole Book.

There are countless holy verses in the Quran dealing

with the exalted position of the Almighty who remains the
ultimate source of perfect guidance to the human beings. Its
main object is not but to make an impression of the status
of the Rook on readers' mind. This kind of expression en-
larges the importance of consisting matters of the holy
Ouran>contrary to the book written by man. As any kind of
self appreciations in this book makes him contemptible,
whereas the holy Cur'an revealed to the prophet Muhammad(SAw)^
becomes very much revered and respectable in the same
case.
 4o

The words of t h e h o l y Book r e v e a l § t h e s i t u a t i o n :

"THE REVELATION OF THE SCRIPTURE WHEREOF THERE I S

NO DOUBT I S FROM THE LORD OF THE WORLDS" •*•.

"THE REVELATION OF THE SCRIPTURE I S FROM ALLAH, THE

MIGHTY, THE WISE"^.

"LO l WE HAVE REVEALED UNTO THEE (MUHAMMAD) THE

SCRIPTURE FOR MANKIND WITH TRUTH. THEN WHOSOEVER GOETH RIGHT

I T IS FOR HIS SOUL, AND WHO SOEVER STRAYETH, STRAYETH ONLY

TO ITS HURT"^.

(4) The f o u r t h d i s t i n c t i v e f e a t u r e of t h e h o l y Quran is

related to its l a r g e s c a l e r e c i t a t i o n on w o r l d w i d e l e v e l and

a c c e p t a n c e of i t s d i c t a t e s full—heartedly and w i t h utmost
r e s p e c t . A c c o r d i n g t o T.w. A r n o l d —

" T h e r e i s ^ p r o b a b l y , no o t h e r book i n h i s t o r y , including

the Bible, t h a t has been s u b j e c t e d t o s o much s t u d y and

a n a l y s i s commentaries (Tafsir) on i t fill entire libraries" .

M i l l i o n s and M i l l i o n s of p e o p l e i n t h e whole w o r l d

r e c i t e i t s v e r s e s p u n c t u a l l y a t l e a s t f i v e t i m e s a d a y . Keep-

i n g i n view t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e Q u r a n i c v e r s e s ^ i t may a l s o

1 . A l - O u r a n XXXII : 9 2 . (2) A l - Q u r a n XXXIX : i.

3 . A l - O u r a n XXXIX : 4I
4. T.w. Arnold, Preaching of Islam, p . 4 1 .
 47

be said that without having memorized a mentionable portion

of the holy Quran, none can be supposed to be a true Muslim.
Correct understanding of the God's verdicts is a must for the
Muslims as these become a code of conduct for their entire
life. The necessity to understand the textual meaning of the
holy Book, started a compaign for writing explanatory comm-
entaries, and consequently, hundreds and thousands of Quranic
commentaries came in to existence>in different languages,

(5) Ihe fifth distinctive feature of the holy Quran Is

the absence of contradiction in its text as well as the
beauty of diction expressed in a variety of most suited styles,
Human beings are incapable of showing such commands and
varieties of style, A man bowed to commit errors; He is
forced to make omissions and additions time and again in
his previous sayings and modifications in attitude and stands
are distined to occur in his life with the changing situations,
Such type of phenomenon clearly indicates that the holy Quran
is a revealed Book. The Book itself provides the justificat-
ion with these words :

"WILL THEY NOT THEN PONDER ON THE QUi^N ? IF IT HAD

BEEN PROM OTHER THAN ALLAH, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND THERE IN
MUCH INCONGRUITY"^.

1, A1-Quran , xlvii : 2 4
 48

(6) The sixth distinctive feature of the Book is its

presentation of universal truths which have no limitation
of age and area whereas books written by men are found
limited in scope. Even the previously revealed Books were
Sent to the people to meet the challenges of a particular
period and specific place. Moreover, these Gospels were de-
void of teachings or lessons providing guidance in each and
every sphare of life. Contrary to the man written books,
the holy Quran is a revealed Book providing such principles
of life which remain workable for the whole life. Moreover,
its scope is not limited for a certain group of individuals
and for a particular time; but this Revelation provides a
complete guidance in life for the whole mankind of all
ages. A scholar of Islamic learning opines -

"It is the comprehensiveness of the Quran, the need

to make provision for guidance in every respect, for all
peoples for all time, that made it necessary that the guidan-
ce should be conveyed in verbal revelation. The Quran is^
literally^ the word of God and posseses the quality of being
alive, as the universe is alive" .

Mentioning the universal importance of the Quran, a

scholar of Islamic Sciences^ rightly observes -

1. A. Rahman, Introduction to the Quran, p. 7.

 49

"The Quran is not directed towards anyone particular

nation, such as the Arabs, or to a particular sect of
Muslims, but to non Islamic societies as well as the Muslim
nation as a whole. There are numerous references to non
believers and idol worshippers, to the people of the book
namely the Jews or the tribe of Israil and the Christian,
exhorting each one to strive towards a true understanding of
— 1
the Ouran and of Islam" .

In short, it must be born in mind that the validity

and applicability of the Quranic instructions is for all
times Irrespective of particular sections and groups,

(7) The seventh distinctive feature of the holy Quran

is that non can neither dare to present the same diction as
it is in the holy Book itself, nor can claim to have under-
stood the full sense and reached the extreme depth of this
Revelation in any stage of his proficiency and knowledge.
This typical feature of the holy Quran also proves that this
Books is,undoubtedly, a revelation of the Omnipotent and
>—
O m n i p r e s e n t God. The h o l y Quran p r o c l a i m s :

"OF KNOWLEDGE IT IS ONLY A LITTLE THAT I S

COMMUNICATED TO YOU, (0 MEN i ) " ^ .

1 . M.H. Taba T a b a l , I t i e Ouran i n I s l a m , p . 2 5 .

2 . A l - Q u r a n XVII : 8 5 .
 50

THE RELIGIOUS STATUS OF THE HOLY QURAN :

The h o l y Q u r a n i s a w r i t t e n c o d e of c o n d u c t -given to

t h e mankind so t h a t one can lead a b e t t e r life here in this

w o r l d and h e r e a f t e r . It provides guidance t o t h e vitiole man-

k i n d t o p e r s u e a r i g h t path^ l e a r i n g no rooms f o r involvement

in any k i n d of d i f f e r e n c e and d i s p a r i t y on t h e b a s i s of cast

and c o l o u r . Application of t h e Quranic i n j u n c t i o n s , n o doubt^

removes darkness from t h e p a t h of life. The p r o b l e m s of

l i f e , emerging o u t of t h e day t o day a f f a i r s of life^ are

s o l v e d a n d human s o u l remains s a t i s f i e d . The A l m i g h t y Allah

says :

"OF GOD : FOR,WITHOUT DOUBT^ IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF

GOD DO HEARTS FIND SATISFACTION"^.

The r e v e a l e d c h a r a c t e r of t h e holy Quran and its

b e i n g a Book o f guidance i s better illustrated in the

following verses :

"A GUIDE UNTO THOSE WHO WARD OF ( E V I L ) , WHO BELIEVE

IN THE UNSEEN, AND ESTABLISH WORSHIP, AND SPEND OF THAT WE

HAVE BESTOWED UPON TffEM ANi^ WHO BELIEVE IN THAT WHICH IS

REVEALED UNTO THEE (MUHAMMED) AND THAT WHICH WAS REVEALED

BEFORE THEE, AND ARE CERTAIN OP THE HERE AFTER"^

1 , Al-Quran XIII : 28.

2 . Al-Quran I I : 2,3,4,
 51

On t h e o t h e r p l a c e , t h e A l m i g h t y p r o c l a i m s :

"AND WE REVEAL OF THE QURAN THAT WHICH I S A HEALING

AND A MERCY FOR BELIEVERS"^

Certainly,the instructions g i v e n by t h e Almighty in

the holy Ouran,are useful for all the times and for those

persons v ^ o may s e e k the guidance for a b e t t e r lifej If any

one i s not serious and s i n c e r e i n h i s a p p r o a c h of seeking

guidance from the marvellous Book, showing t h e sign of sub-

mission to Allah, the Almighty, the good r e s u l t s can not be

achieved. The f i r m faith in the exalted position to the

Almighty Allah must be kept i n t a c t in t h e minds and hearts

of t h o s e who i n t e n d t o receive the guidance. This i s the

cardinal p o i n t which g i v e s a r e l i g i o u s status to the Quranic

verses. The h o l y Q u r a n e l a b o r a t e s the position with these

words :

" T H I S QURAN GUIDETH UNTO THAT WHICH I S STRAIGHTEST,

AND GIVETH TIDINGS UNTO THE BELIEVERS WHO DO GOOD WORKS THAT

THEIRS WILL BE A GREAT REWARD"^.

"THE MONTH OF RAMADAN IN WHICH Wf\S REVEALED, THE

QUR\N, A GUIDANCE FOR MANKIND, AND CLEAR PROOFS OF THE

GUIDANCE, AND THE CRITERION (OF RIGHT AND WRONG)" "^

1 . A l - Q u r a n XVII : 82

2 . A l - Q u r a n XVII : 9

3. Al-Ouran I I i 185.
 52

"AND VERILY WE HAVE COINED FOR MANKIND IN THIS QURAN

ALL KINPS OF SIMILITUDES, THAT HALPY THEY MAY REFLECT. A

LECTURE IN ARABIC, CONTAINING NO CROOKEDNESS, THAT HAPLY

THEY MAY WARD OFF ( E V I L ) " - ^ ,

"LO 1 THOSE WHO READ THE SCRIPTURE OF ALLAH, AND

ESTABLISH WORSHIP, AND SPEND OF THAT WHICH WE HAVE BESTOWED

ON THEM SECRETLY AND OPENLY, THEY LOOK FOR WARD TO IMPERI-

SfiABLE G A I N " ^ .

Besides these holy verses,there i s a l a r g e number of

traditions which d e p i c t explid-tty t h e r e l i g i o u s a s p e c t of t h e

holy Ouran. Some o f t h e m may b e s e e n h e r e f o r instance*

THE BEST AMONG YOU (MUSLIMS) ARE THOSE WHO' LEARN THE

QURAN AND TEACH I T ' ^ .

ONE WHO I S PROFICIENT IN THE QURAN I S ASSOCIATED WITH

THE NOBLE, UPRIGHT, RECORDING ANGELS AND WHO FLATTERS IN IT

AND FINDS I T DIFFICULT FOR HIM WILL HAVE A DOUE S REWARD^.

Keeping i n view t h e above v e r s i o n s of t h e Quranic

verses and s a y i n g s o f t h e p r o p h e t Muhammad (S.A.W.), one can

1. A l - Q u r a n XXXIX : 2 7 - 2 a . (2) A l - Q u r a n II : 185.

3. S a y i n g s of t h e p r o p h e t Mohammad (S.A.w.)

4. Al-Sahit lial-Bukhari, vol. 2 Kitabo FazaiJa l-'Quran,p,7 52,

5. A l - S a h i h lial-Muslim v o l . 1, K i t a b o F a z a i l a 1 - Q u r a n , p.269.
 53

e a s i l y come to conclusion t h a t the holy Book i s a precious

a s s e t t o the mankind for gaining the merriment of the l i f e
i n t h i s world and Hereafter. Making a l l e g a t i o n s and showing
doubts against the teachings of t h e holy Quran, one may lead
towards darker side of l i f e . A new convert and scholar of
Islamic learnings gives her reirarks on the holy Quran with
these following words -

"The Quran i s the source of a l l knowledge and .to

question any p a r t of i t i s tantamount to r e j e c t i o n of God's
guidance" .

The teachings about the unity of God, f a i t h in t h e

l a s t prophethood of the prophet Muhammad and In t h e Day of
Judgement, play an Important r o l e in making changes in the
view-points and a c t i o n s . The w r i t e r of t h e "Quran" in the
Encyclopaedia of Islam h i g h l i g h t s these facts as under -

"The doctrines of the e t e r n i t y and perfection or

i n i m i t a b i l i t y of the Quran contributed to i ts extensive
influence through Islamic l i f e and c u l t u r e . I t became the
f i r s t "Source" (asl) of Islamic law, the Shariah which also
came to be regarded as e t e r n i t y (of the Torah in Jewish
belief)"^.

1, Maryam Jameelah, Islamic c u l t u r e in theory and p r a c t i c e ,

p . 1 3.
2. The Encyclopaedia of Islam, A r t i c l e "Q.uran", v o l . 5,
pp. 426-427.
 54

Whatsoever Is said in the revealed Book Is for the

benefit of the mankind, in all walks of their life. Even

the verses,dealing with the stories and incidents of different

nations, provide lessons to a great extent. P.K. Hittl, the

reputed Prientallst, while writing about the Arab culture

and civilization looks very impartial in presenting his views

regarding the stories of the nations mentioned in the holy-

Quran -

"All these narratives are used didactically, not for

the object of telling a story but to preach a moral, to teach
that God informer times has always rewarded the righteous and
punished the wicked".

In the light of above mentioned Quranic verses,

traditions of the prophet and remarks on a particular issue;

the religious importance is clearly chalked out. It is not

refutable that even a common muslim,without any hesitation^

is eager to say that this Book is source of salvation from

the torment of the Day of judgement. No doubt this Book being

a written code of life, provides all kinds of guidance for

this world and the world ever—lasting. Only this specific

aspect of this Revelation is enough justification for its

being a most valuable asset to the mankind.

1. P.K. Hittl, History of the Arabs, Ed. 9th, 1968, p. 125.

 55
L i t e r a r y Excellence of The Holy Quran - V/lth Special Refer-
ence To"I1az al-Quran".

The revealed character of the holy Book, i t s

r e l i g i o u s significance, reverence and,above a l l , i t s humane
and r e a l i s t i c approach t o the multifarious problems of life
along with a unique s t y l e of p r e s e n t a t i o n , a r e i t s e l f enough
for i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n . Beside these p e c u l i a r f e a t u r e s , the
l i t e r a r y perfection of the Book enhances i t s importance.
Scholars whether they belong to the Bast or the West, have
admitted the l i t e r a r y excellence of the Ouran which surpasses
a l l the other books written or compilled by human hands. It
makes no difference, if some scholars pass a l l e g a t o r y remarks
against the holy Book due to t h e i r p a r t i s a n s h i p and prejudice.

I t i s a f a c t t h a t the Western Scholars, with a few

exception, have made the holy Ouran,target of t h e i r doubts
regarding i t s a u t h e n t i c i t y . By so doing, f i r s t of a l l ^ t h e y
have t r i e d to n u l l i f y i t s worth and value, saying t h a t t h e r e
i'- .oh ambiguity, due to not being compiled in the l i f e time
£ Muhammad (S.A.W.).

Secondly, they have a l s o , t o a mentionable extent,

famed t h e l i t e r a r y excellence of the Book^ a t t r i b u t i n g
sev >
• false a l l e g a t i o n s . But they conceal the fact t h a t
whenevei. ^ ^ « verses of the sacred Book were revealed to the
prophet, he U3t=^ ""o make them recorded by the w r i t e r s of the
r e v e l a t i o n (The Kuttab).
 55

The memorization of the revealed verses was in vogue

among the majority of the companions of the prophet. The
verses were recited and repeated daily in the five times
prayers. A written record of the holy Quran was a living
fact, Carlyle appears to be impartial in his remarks -

"But we may stress the fact that this revision was

1
based on written documents previously existing" ,

The preservance of the holy Ouran has>already, been

discussed. Here* we will try to examine as to what the real
miraculous character of the holy Curan (Ijaz al-Quran) is,
and what types of opinion have been expressed in this regard.

The holy Quran is a Book of guidance as well as a Book

of revolution. This aspect of the Quran depicts the religi-
ous importance. The literary perfection of the holy Quf'an
besides above mentioned,is very much significant. Ahmad Hasan
Zayyat says in context of Ijazal-Ouran -

"Scholars of all ages unanimously, say that the holy

Ouran is a miracle. FUf ferences are to be happened in dealing
with the exact cause for the same. Some of them attribute
the aggrandizement of the purpose to its mira::ulous character
and some say that the informations with the unseen things are

1. Carlyle - Mohammad and Mohammadanism

 £7

the miracle of the Ouran. Resides t h e s e , there i s also

found an opinion r e l a t e d to the graceful eloquence, obvious
d o c t r i n e and f a n t a s t i c s t y l e " .

The Muslims have a very stounch b e l i e f in the holy

Quran for i t s being an authentic r e l i g i o u s documents as
well as an exemplary l i t e r a r y a s s e t . The Book i t s e l f mira-
culously proves, on firm grounds, the prophethood of Mxihammad
(S.A.w.). The holy Book i s revealed to the prophet and the
prophet i s sent for the good of the whole mankind t i l l the
doom's day. Athar Husain t r u e l y says -

"The Quran - the word of God, i s not only i n e v i t a b l e

i n the profounding of i t s contents and message, but also in
t h e grandeur of i t s d i c t i o n , the v a r i e t y of i t s imagery and
the splendour of i t s word p a i n t i n g . I t s l i t e r a r y from and
2
s t y l e surpasses the human powers and defies innitatlon" ,

He further says, about the constant v a l i d i t y of i t s

miraculous c h a r a c t e r , t h a t the gravity of challenge given by
the holy Ouran can be b e t t e r a p p r e c i a t e d , i f i t i s remembered
t h a t t h e r e are some surahs in the Quran which are even i n one
line. The Quranic challenge was not limited t o those only

1 , Ahmad Hasan al-Zayyat, Tarikh al-Adab al-Arabi, p . 78.

2 . Athar Husain, An Approach to the Study of Quran,
P-1.
 58

who were contemporary to the age of r e v e l a t i o n . I t remained

open for a l l and for a l l the ages.

Mohammad All al-Sabunl I s a well known Muslim scholar

of the Quranic s t u d i e s . He has highlighted the importance of
t h e Quran in hundreds of pages. Dealing with the prophethood
and miracle of the Quran (Ijazal-Ouran), he says t h a t the
Almighty God has revealed the Quran as a code of l i f e for the
Ummah(al-Ummah). Guidance to the mankind, miracle for the
prophethood of Muhammad, open dialogue for the same and
s u b s t a n t i a t e d proof t i l l the Day of Judgement; these all
r e a l i t i e s t e s t i f y t h a t t h i s Is a Revelation of the Almighty
t o the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). Furthermore, i t i s ever
l a s t i n g miracle which challenges a l l the nations and a l l the
groups forever .
c
There are d i f f e r e n t opinions among the Ulama in
determining the miraculous c h a r a c t e r of the holy Quran(Ijez al-
Quran). Baqlllani i s reckoned as one of the Muslim scholars
who wrote elaborating the dynamic significance of the Quranic
l i t e r a t u r e , bringing in to lime l i g h t the scope and c a p a b i l i -
t i e s for meeting the challenges of the time. Some of the
Important aspects discussed by a l - B a q l l l a n l are as under r

1 . Mohammad All al-Sabunl, al-Tlbyan f l ^Olum. al-Quran,

P p . 10-11.
 bS

Ijazal-Ouran I s categorized in to the following three

types•

(1) I n f o r m a t i o n of t h e u n s e e n i s one which h a s b e e n said

•_ c
the ndraculous character of t h e Ouran by a g r o u p of Ulama.

Human b e i n g s ^ d u e t o t h e i r limited faculties^ are not supposed

to possess s u c h t y p e of Ijaz. So many v e r s e s of the holy

Ouran a r e c i t e d ^ e l a b o r a t i n g the position as u n d e r :

"HE IT I S WHO H/\TH SENT HIS MESSENGER WITH THE

GUIDANCE AND THE RELIGION OF TRUTH, THAT HE MAY CAUSE IT TO

PREVAIL OVER ALL RELIGIONS, [lOWEVER MUCH THE IDOLATQRS MAY BE

AVERSE"-^.

"SAY ( 0 MUHAMMAD) UNTO THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE : YE SHALL

BE OVER COMED AND GATHERED UNTO HELL, AN EVIL RESTING PLACE" ^ ,

"AND WHEN ALLAH PROMISED YOU ONE OF THE TWO BANDS

(OF THE ENEMY) THAT I T SHOULD BE YOURS"3.

"THE ROMANS HAVE BEEN DEFEATED IN THE NEARER LAND

/
AND THEY, AFTER DEFEAT WILL BE VICTORIOUS"'*.

These v e r s e s have been p r e s e n t e d a s an a r g u m e n t in

t h e stand—point f o r t h o s e who say that the Information of

1. A l - O u r>a—n IX : 33 ( 3 ) (2) Al-Ouran HI : 12.

3. Al-Curan VIII : 7. (4) A l - Q u r a n XXX : 2 - 3 .

 60

the unseen things and t h e i r confirmation i s not within the

human reach.

The r e t e n t i o n of t h e p u r i t y of the Quranic s t y l e , the

defeat of the Meccans, the f i n a l f a l l of t h e i n f i d e l s , battle
of the Trench, the recovery of Pharaoh's drowned body; all
th s things foretold by the holy Quran may be c i t e d to
strengthen the stand~points of t h e s c h o l a r s ,

(. <• ' -

(2) According to some of the ulama"Ijazal-Ouran" is

related to those verses which manifest the scholarship of the
prophet Muhammad (S.A.w.) in spite of his being illiterate.
It is a fact that the prophet used to give details about the
prece ding messengers of God and demoralized conditions of
the bygone nations. The details from the creation of Adam
(P.B.U.H.) to his death, the story of Noah (P.B.U.H.) related
to his ownself and his nation, the story of Abraham (P.B.U»H.),
nerrations of other prophet's sent by the Almighty and the
other tales related to the things and the rules of divergent
times; all point out that the prophet (S.A.W.) was made
fully acquainted with the ups and downs of incidents,
c
(3) A group of learned ulama,points out t h e charm of
eloquence, marvellous r h e t o r i c a l speech and impressive
<
arguments as the " I j a z al4Duran" .
 61

<

(4) There is also a group of ulama who says that the

holy Quran is miraculous in Sarafah; they say that the
power of eloquence and rhetoric is divested of the Arabs
and others as well, Nazzam is representative of this
school of thinking. He further says that the holy Quran is
not given to the prophet as an evidence of his prophethood
but like all other revealed Books, this is also a B/ook of
codes of life.
(5) Another opinion regarding the miraculous character
of the holy Curan^is attached with the richness of meaning.
The words used in the holy Ouran are highly eloquent har-
(Uy nee(iin(i elaborations. Por instance, the word "Sin" is
manitested in a particular sense in all the religions. But,
the worci "Sin" in Arable (Ism) used to Convey a particular
Sense is more appropriate tlian all the varied significances
in the divergent religions. A scholar of Islamic Studies,
highlighting the sense of the word "Sin"> says -

"All words like Junah, Ism, Isyan, Adwan etc' used

in the Ouran to convey literally mean leaving one's original
position and turning a side from it. Righteousness, as it

1, "Sarafah" literally means to turn away. And conventionally,

according to a group of ulama, the Almighty Allah has
snatched the power or the proficiency from the Arabs and
others as well,so that they in no case may be capable of
imitating the same as the holy Ouran itself depicts.
 62

were, has appointed a certain place where-in we commit

Sin. But when we return to it, we repent. No repentance
is acceptable unless we return to righteousness as the
Ouran says (3 : 9.p,,89). The word used in the Ouran for
repentance is Taubah, which^literally, means 'return* .

Keeping in view the challenges of the Ouran, the

surrendering of the infidels to its literary excellence, the
miracle of the holy Ouran (Ijazal-Ouran) can be easily indi-
cated. The classifications of the miracles makes no diff-
erence. A reality remains alway a reality. But if we analyse
the situation of the gradual process of revelation, it would
be easy to concieve that the real miracle of the Quran
becomes quite evident in its marvellous literary excellence
and perfection. The important subjects dealt with in the
Ouran, the varied discussions and the prophecies, infact,
can not be proclaimed as the real miracles; because the
Arab neither felt proud about philosophical thinkings and
varieties of dialogues and discussions nor they were claiming
to know the unseen things. They_,actually, felt charm in the
verses of the holy Ouran as these were depicting the most
exalted position of Arabic language and literature. They
were, undoubtedly, masters of the craft, s;o far as the
Arabic poetry is concerned. It was on this account that
they neither hesitated even calling others dumb against
 63

their eloquent speech. But it is quite known that after

hearing the charming verses of the Curan, remained stunned
and spell-bound. Their power of speech and expression lost
its vitality after coming across • the marvellous literary
attributes of the holy Curan, This is why, they,, some times
attributed these verses to enchantment. Ihey often called
these Curanic manifestations as dispersed dreams. There is
no room for refutation indeed that they were^remarkably,
1 •'-
affected . The Quranic verses elaborate the situation :

"YET WHEN HE HATH COME UNTO THEM WITH CLEAR PROOFS,

THEY SAY^ : THIS I S MERE MAGIC^'.'

On t h e o t h e r p l a c e , t h e A l m i g h t y h a s q u o t e d their

allegation:

"NAY, SAY THEY, (THESE ARE BUT) MUDDLED DREAMS. NAY,

HE HATH BUT INVENTED I T . NAY, HE I S BUT A POET-^,

The Almighty again c i t e d their sayings about the

prophet :

"ANn SAlr^ : SHALL WE FOR SAKE OUR GOD'S FOR A MAD POET'*"

1. A.A. Badvi, Min B a l a g h a t a l - O u r a n , Ed. II, p. 47.

2. Al-Ouran LXI ; 6 (3) A l - O u r a n XXI : 5

4. A l - O u r a n XXXXVII : 36.
 64

The Arabs were insisting on their assertion that

the Curan is a man made. They left no stone unturned to
assign the creation of this Book to the holy prophet himself,
his companions and some other experts of the poetic art. It
was only for this that their leadership and religion of their
ancestors would have faced dangerous positions after surrender-
ing to the Revelation of the Almighty. Consequently, two ways
for the refutation of the holy Ouran were adopted by the
atheist Arabs. They exerted themselves to defame the person-
ality of the prophet (S.A.w.) and the companions, and tried
much as well to prepare a book resembling the holy Quran, The
Almighty,observing the misbehaviour of the infidels with the
prophet and the holy Ouran, as well as their assertion about
presenting some thing identical to the Quran, challenged
them with these words ;

"OR THEY SAY : HE HATH INVENTED IT SAY THEN BRING TEN

SURAHS, THE LIKE THEREOF, INVENTED, AND CALL ON EVERY ONE YE
CAN BESIPE ALLAH, IF YE ARE TRUTHFUL^".

Instead of giving any positive response to the

Quranic challenge,they kept on silent. The Almighty, being
aware of their inability to do so, gave a chance_,sayisg :

1. Al-Quran XI : 13.
 6b

"AND IF YE ARE INDOUBT CONCERNING THAT WHICH WE

REVEAL UNTO OUR SLAVE (MUHAMMED) , THEN PRODUCE A SURAH OF

THE LIKE THEREOF, AND CALL YOUR WITNESS BESIDE ALLAH IF

YOU ARE TRUTHFUL-^",

Again,In spite of receiving the concession in order

to present the similar book as the Quran, they were in no

way, capable of meeting the challenge of the Quran. The

situation is elaborated by the Almighty as under :.

"SAY : VERILY, THOUGH MANKIND AND THE JINN SHOULD

ASSEMBLE TO PRODUCE THE LIKE OP THIS QURAN, THEY COULD NOT
PRODUCE THE LIKE THEREOF THOUGH THEY WERE HELPERS ONE OF
2
ANOTHER" .

Challenges of the Quran to the d i s b e l i e v e r s of 'Arabia'

were to a greater extent based on the l i t e r a r y s t y l e .
Their i n a b i l i t y regarding t h e i r response i s the r e a l base
which determines the miraculous character of the holy Quran.
The school led by Naz^am^regarding the miraculous character
of the Ouran^is of the opinion t h a t Super-natural a t t r i b u t e s
of the holy Quran i s the basis for i t s miraculous c h a r a c t e r .
If the Arabs were turned away from p r e s e n t a t i o n a thing
resembling the Ouran^it means t h a t they were not capable

1 . Al-Quran II : 23.
2. Al-Quran XVII : 88.
 be

even to present a little fragment resembling the holy Quran.

Here if contemplated, Naz^am;—the representative of the
school of Sarafah is assisting the opinion of the rchool
which knows the firm arrangement of the holy Quran and its
paramount eloquence as the real miracle. Baqillani^ one of
the eminent representative of the said school, says that the
organism of the holy Ouran, in spite of its various styles
of expression, is far-above of the 'Kalam al-Arab. The Arab
had not any compiled work of his language and literature^
_ -t

before the appearance of the holy Quran ,

Abul Kalam Azad, a great theologian, and an eminent

Indian commentator^brings the literary status of the holy
Book under discussion -

"The attitude adopted by the Ouran is the only way-

out on one hand reality is so high that the human intell-
ect feels helpless to scale up to it. On the other, the
restless urge in human nature to have a vision of this reality
2
is genuine enough" .

A leading Orientalist demonstrates his views regarding

the real miraaculous character of the Revelation -

1. A l - H a q i l l a n i , I j a z al-Uuran, p . 52
2 . Abul Kalam Azad, Basic c o n c e p t s of t h e Ouran, p . 8.
 67

"The style of the Koran is God's style. It is diff-

erent, in comparable and inimitable. This is^basically what
constitutes the miraculous character (Ijaz) of the Koran of
all miraculous it is the greatest; if all men and jinn were
I
to collaborate, they could not produce its like (17 ; 90) .

The history of hundreds of years testifies that the

Arab, in no way, were capable to bring any thing^ according to
the challenge of the holy Quran, even the unending series of
wars were going on. Mutual relations were endangered. Means
and sources of earning became hazardous and the most valuable
lives were lost. The fact is that they would have never
agreed for being in a dilapidated situations in their
social, political and economic spheres of life, if they
could have been capable of presenting even a single verse
like the holy Quran.

There are various evidences in the history which

indicates the miraculous character of the holy Quran. The
situation can better be illustrated by an incident which is
related to Abujahl - the well known antagonist to Islam
and the believers. He ordered Walid - a reputed poet, to
say some thing about the Quran, walid remarked "none of you
are well versed in the realm of poetry except myself, I feel

1. P.K. Hitti, Islam - A way of life, p. 26.

 b8

t h a t whatever the Ouran p r e s e n t s , has no simblence in our

p a s t h e r i t a g e . By God I the sayings of the prophet have
vividness of l i f e , decency and elegance. Tjrie e x t e r i o r of
these sayings i s fruit-bearing^whereas the e n t e r i o r one i s
sugar-bearing. There i s no doubt t h a t , the Book will have
i t s upper hand against a l l the l i t e r a r y endeavours of the
Arabs".
c
An other incident i s r e l a t e d to 'Umar bin al-Khattab*.
It is known fact t h a t 'Umar Bin al-Khattab was out spoken
p e r s o n a l i t y in the j a h i l i y a h as well a s , in the Islamic
period. Before embracing Islam, he l e f t no stone unturned
t o enhance the v i t a l i t y of the J a h i l i y a h s p i r i t on one hand,
and destroy the emerging force of Islam, on the o t h e r . Once,
he intented to k i l l the prophet himself* while in the way^
he came to know t h a t h i s s i s t e r and brother in law have also
changed t h e i r religion and embraced Islam. After hearing
t h i s shocking news, 'Umar instead of going to the prophet
(S.A.W.), wentjStraightly, to his s i s t e r ' s residence. The
information regarding the conversion was confirmed a t ' t h a t
time when they were seen busy in r e c i t a t i o n of the Quran.
He beat them very severely. In the mean time, hearing some
verses of the Ouran, he became too much impressed by the
enchanting phraseology of the holy Quran. His h e a r t was
moved and he rushed towards the residence of the prophet
t o embrace Islam .

1. Syed Outub, Al-Taswir al-fanni Fial-Quran, p . 2 .

 63

The third incident is related to 'Hijrat-e-Habsha'

(Migration to Ethiopia). After being inflicted by operations
and inhuman activities, the companions of the prophet ©re-
ferred to migrate to Habsha so that they avail an adequate
opportunity to propagate Islam, The recitation of some
verses of Surah 'Taha* in the Court of king - Najjashi^
impressed him. This typical phase of the incident can hardly
be forgotten from pages of history, bearing testimony for
the ultimate victory of the truth (al-Haq).

Another incident can be cited from the Abbasid

period. Wollaston - an outstanding orientalist narrates ;

"The Mohammad's boast as to the literary excellence

of the Ouran v-as not unfounded is a further evidence by a

circumstance which occured about a century after the establl-

1
shment of Islam" .

The incident is this that when the disbelievers

observed that minds and hearts are being attracted day by

day and beams of the religion are being spread out of the

Arab, they, unanimously^ decided to write down a book in

response to the holy Ouran. So they^attentively,came to

"Abdullah bin al-Muqaffa" - an eminent literateur of the

Abbasid period, as he was supposed to be a scholar of

1. wollaston, Mohammad His Life and doctrine, p. 143.

 n 0

Arabic language and literature. He was self confident to

prepare a book within a certain period, provided all the
needed things were made available. After being equiped with
the desired things^he began to fulfil this task. His
friends and well—wishers, after passing off six months, wished
to know as to what extent, the work has been done. When they
came to him, he was seen fully tired and hopeless. His pen
was in his hand and there was a heap of torn papers before
him. Ibn Muqaffa, the eloquent literateur, exerted his
utmost to write a book, accepting the challenge of the holy
Ouran. But soon, he was forced to confess that he remained
unable to write even a single sentence resembling the Quranic
verses. Even after six months, he was far behind his expect-
ed designs.

The above mentioned details of the concerned

incidents, clearly, indicate that the miraculous character
of the Curanic verses can not be substituted or Imitated by
the human intellect. The masters of eloquence, in spite of
having a command over the language, were having no way
except to surrender before the holy Ouran. So far as its
beauty of speech and expression is concerned^ the Quran
remained a miracle for all and for all the ages to come. The
greatest evidence for the saicj fact, according to a
Muslim scholar, is that the challenge remains Intact and
 71

unshakable and thus, i t s miraculous c h a r a c t e r i s supposed

to be proved .

Another scholar of the Ouranic Sciences opines -

" I t was to the Ouran so considered as a permanent miracle
t h a t Mohammad appealed as the chief confirmation of his
mission, publicly challenging the most eloquent men in
Arabia, then abounding with persons whose s o l e study and
ambition i t was t o excel in elegance of s t y l e and composi-
t i o n , t o provide even one s i n g l e chapter t h a t might compete
therewith"^.

1, Al-Khatabi, Bayan-o-ljazil Quran, p . 32.

2 . Mohammad Amin, Mohammed a n d T e a c h i n g s of Quran,
pp 4 8 - 4 9 .
 72

LITERARY ATTRIBUTES pp >n^£ H O L Y QUFAN ; ITS IMPACT ON

ARABIC L>\NGUAGE AND LITERATURE :

In case of any language of the world, it seems

quite necessary that it should have sweetness of diction,
eloquence and decency to make effectiveness in the expression,
Arabic - the language of the Quran-is a significant langu-
age spoken in so many countries of the world. It has a veiry
long range of service to the Islamic culture particularly
and the world civilization in general. Its past heritage
has been commendably rich and at the same time, its present
workability in all the spheres of human life, is also worth-
while and significant.

It would be correct to say that the real excellence

of the holy Quran is depicted mostly in its unique style.
According to a theologian -

"The beauty of the Quran chiefly lies in the richness

of the language in vrfiich it has been couched. It came in
the language of the Hedjaz and it is admittedly too conserva-
tive to allow of any change in the form or meaning of its
components. The Quranic words are very rich in their signifi-
cations. Even the language, we believe, is a revealed one" .

1, Khawaja Kamaluddin, Introduction to study of the holy

Quran, p. 29.
 73

Mirza Bashiruddin - a leading representative of the

Oadlyanl movement highlights the literary aspect o f the
holy Quran with these words ~

"The Quran sheds light on man's intellectual

evolution also and explains how it is carried out and
teaches that Divine wisdom in judging of a man's actions
takes in to account his intellectual development".

Further he says, "Christian writers have asserted

that . apart from the claim that it is unique in its lan-
guage and its philosophy, the Quran does not prefer any
claim to miracles" ,

A large number of Christian writers,while writing

on Islam, in spite of having very antagonistic views, look
partial to express their remarks about certain realities.
The attitude of such writers in the above quoted lines,
manifests their straight forward approach towards the
evaluation of the literary attributes. But, it appears
suitable to point out the fact that the real miraculous
character of the holy Quran lies in its language and style.
But, so far as other miracles related to its philosophy,
paramount ideology, and prophecy etc, are concerned,these

1. Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud, Introduction to the study of

the holy Quran, pp. 384-38 5.
 74

are also not to be neglected. The truth behind the

literary perfection of the holy Ouran may be visualized
in the comments made by a reputed scholar of Islamic Sciences-

"The Quran also does not conform to the standard set

by other sacred religious Books. Although people familiar
with the style of other revealed Books, particularly, the
Old and the New testament, will find that the Quran does
strike many a familiar chord in their hearts, the over all
style and organization of matter are^basicall^^ different.
The Ouran was not written by different scribes, each dealing
with a certain broad theme at a certain period in history.
The Ouran contains the word of God, pure and simple, with
nothing added by the human mind and nothing lost from the
original Revelation, It is unique, being the Divine word
in a human language" ,

Taking into account, the importance of the holy Quran,

particularly the eternal principles of this mumdane*s life,
can not be meaningful unless and untill the beauty of its
textual texture is explored. It is a peculiar phenomenon
only in the holy Ouran that a Muslim child, first of all,
is persuaded to read the holy Quran as a text Book, Prof.P»K,
Hitti highlights the peculiarity -

1, M. Monazir Ahsan, The Ouran; Basic Teachings, pp. 30-3L

 75

"Though the youngest of the epoch - making books,

the Koran is the most widely read Book ever written, for

besides its use in worship, it is the text Book from which

1
practically every Moslem learns to read Arabic" .

The holy Quran is a perfect code of life. Its

instructions are too clear and practicable to be applied
in any eventuality of life. Even a man having preliminary
knowledge of Arabic is able to imbibe the inspirations from
the holy Quran to a mentionable extent. So far as the
literary aspect of the Book is concerned, it is also obvious
and significant due to its being taught in very commencement
as a text book as Prof. Hitti has already manifested.

No doubt, there are many outward attributes of the

Qu/an, Some of them have already been specified while being

discussedits outstanding features in the preceding pages.

Besides these exterior qualities of the Quran^ there are

certainly, various inward attributes which testify that this

Book is endowed with some supernatural elements. Some of

those attributes are as follows -

1. The clarity of expression found in the holy Quran

is one of the most essential organ of literary excellence.

But the books written by the human beings are never found

1. P.K. Hitti, The History of the Arabs, p. 126.

 76

hundred percent free from ambiguity of expression. The holy

Quran, through its unique style and expression,attains such
striking clarity that even a man of common understanding,
becomes capable of following the dictates without any
difficulty.

2. Books written or compilled by men have, generally,

signs of human weaknesses, vulgarity of expression and
obscurity of words. Readers of the book feel weariness and
thus, loose interest in the study due to his type of short-
comings. The holy Quran being adorned with all the literary
excellence, makes uses of the words which are neither
obscure nor vulgar in expression, with an easy going manner,

3. The most suited words and phraseologies are used in

framing the sentences so as to convey the fullest sense.

4. The form of the entire QursTn represents neither the

manner and style of the Bedouin Arab nor the polished style
of city life, rathet it posseses the cultural polite phra-
seology of a tovxn man as well as vehemence of the latter.

5. The rhythm of the syllables in the Quran is exhibi-

ted more forcefully in the prose order than any particular
endeavour. The pauses come once and again according to the
requirements, but with a different, harmonious and rhythmic
form.
 11

6, The Quranic speeches represent supernatural colours

In Its transcedence of the psychological laws as we see
that the feelings of a man and his intellect remain^
generally^ at opposite directions. ' But the holy Quran
manifests^ at all the occasions^ coordination with each other.
As we find that cotiponents of the Quranj Its narrations,
justifications, arguments and exhortations; these all
appeal our intellect with a sentimental force.

I^en we come across the structure or a set of

sentences dealing with the similar issue and compare it to
the structure of the Quran, as a whole, we will obviously,
find a plan in whole contents. An Arab scholar highlights
the issue. -

"Quranic speech appears to be super-human in its

transcendence of the psychological law that intellect and
feelings are always found inverse proportion to each other.
In the Curan, we find constant cooperation between the two
antaqonistic powers of reason and emotion throughout
the whole Curan the speech maintains a surprising solemnity
1
and powerful majesty which nothlng_{^iL_di^turb" .

.^.^^ NoT:M.C)Q/..

1 . See A r t i c l e , "The Origin O&^Isl'am'V by"* jiJoftCmmad Abdullah

Draz, islam t h e S t r a i g h t p a t h . (Edited) by Kenneth, W.
Morgan, p . 2 8 .
 78

we can cite, the following few verses to examine

the literary excellence of the holy Quran.

^ ^ ^ <r^ ^'^ ^-^ cs>^v ^ ^ ^ , ^

"AND I T W^S SAID : 0 EARTH 1 SWALLOW THY WATER AND,

0 SKY 1 DE CLSAREn OF CLOUDS : AND WATER WAS MADE TO SUBSIDE.

AND THE COMMANDMENT WAS FULFILLED. AND I T (THE SHIP) CAME

rO REST UPON (THE MOUNT) AL JUDI AND IT WAS SAID : A PAR

REMOVAL FOR _WRONG DOING FOLK" ,\, \

AND (REMEMBER) WHEN WE DID DELIVER YOU PROM PHARAOH'S

FOLK, WHO WERE AFFLICTING YOU WITH DREADFUL TORMENT, SLAYING

YOUR SONS AND SPARING YOUR WOMEN : THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS

2
TRIAL FROM YOUR LORD".

I h e misdeeds of t h e p e o p l e of Noah, S c e n e of the

torment, auspiciousness of b e l i e v e r s , submission of earth,

sky and w a t e r to the will of the Almightyj these all

things are mentioned in the First verse. T h e w o r d s (^.^OuV)

Iblai and « . * X » \ »* I ^ l ' ^ i show t h e commanding p o s i t i o n of

God. Al-zamakhshari says - "These words m a n i f e s t the

supreme a u t h o r i t y of the Almighty" . *<Li^2;*S.^'(3^eeza «»<j-;a» «

1. A l - Q u r a n XI : 4 4 . (2) Al-Qur'an I I : 49

3. Al-Zamakhshari, al-Kasshaf, vol. 2, p . 3II.

 73

Ouodheya and'^=-*^.>-***|*'Istaulat - these testify the total

surrending position to God and conformity of the promise

made by Allah to extraminate the nation of Noah . The last

portion of the verse ( <^^^<;'J^^W) shows fully that the

people deviating from the instructions of God are oppressors

of their souls. Because, they, instead of getting the

reward of Allah, make themselves target of annihilation

and wrath of Allah.

The verses of Surah Hud are related to the trans-

gressor; pharaoh and Bani Tsrail. Besides these, other

verses of: the holy Quran specify the humiliation and

subjugation of Bani Israil in the reign of Pharoah. The

word''VJIi.^is used for the liberation from the disgraceful

deeds of Pharoah. The liberation is signified like a

gracious and precious thing by the word *'\jJli.». Slaying

of sons and saving of daughters, indicate the well ordered

plan of Pharaoh. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad says that this

plan was consisting on the

uprooting of the Dynasty and
2
their disgrace by making women^maid servants.

The influence of the holy Quran on Arabic language

and literature can be studied, broudly speaking, in two

1, Al-vamakhshari, al-Kasshaf, vol, 2, p, 311.

2. Abul Kalam Azad, Tarjuman al-Quran, vol, 2, p.
 80

phases.

Firstly, we n o t i c e that Islam, being a revolutionary

religion and t h e h o l y Ouran, being a written revealed code

of life created phenomenal change for eradication of the

evils on , one hand and, highlighted all the virtues, on

the other. The Almighty A l l a h i n His R e v e l a t i o n , gives a

few i n s t r u c t i o n s w i t h t h e s e words :

"HE HAD FORBIDDEN YOU ONLY CARRION, AND BLOOD, AND

SWINE PLSSH, AND THAT WHICH HATH BEEN IMMOLATED TO ( THE

NAME OF) ANY OTHER THAN ALLAH"^.

" 0 MAN KIND ! EAT OF THAT WHICH I S LAWFUL AND

WHOLE SOME IN THE EARTH, AND FOLLOW NOT THE FOOT _ STEPS

OF THE DEVIL. LO i HE I S AN OPEN ENEMY FOR YOU"^,

"AND WHO SO DISOBEYETH ALLAH AND H I S MESSENGER AND

TRANSGRESSETH HIS L I M I T S , HE WILL MAKE HIM ENTER F I R E ,

WHERE SUCH WILL DWELL FOR EVER; H I S WILL BE A SHAMEFUL

DOOM"-^.

"LO : THE NOBLEST OF YOU, IN THE SIGHT OF ALLAH, IS

THE BEST IN CONF^UCT"'^

1. Al-Ouran IT : 173. (2) Al-Ouran II : 168.

3, Al-Our'an IV : 1 4 . (4) Al-Quran LXIX : 13.

 81

These all instructions have played a vital role in

bringing the dynamic changes,in all the spheres of human

life. The Encyclopaedia of J'slam clarifies the position

as under ; -

"It revolutionized the social, political, intellect-

ual and economic life of the Arabs. It brought with it a

gospel which in its philosophy and spirits substantially

differed from the philosophy and spirits of Arab life" .

Preachings, doctrines and exhortations given by the

holy Quran also effectively contributed to the purification

of Arab literature. The poetry, no doubt, was the inseprable

part of identity of the Arab. The Quranic teachings were

not opposed to the poetry which was free from the spirit of

jahiliyah. But, the poetry comprising the characteristics

of Jahiliyal>, were considered, totally, wrong. The holy

verses of Surah Shoara regarding the poets^condemn such

type of poetry :

"AS FOR POETS, THE ERRING FOLLOW THEM. HAST THOU NOT
SEEN HOW THEY STRAY IN EVERY VALLEY, AND HOW THEY SAY THAT
WHICH THEY DO NOT ?"^.

1. The Encyclopaedia of Islam, p. 95.

2. Al-Ouran XXVI : 22 4-22 6.
 82

But in the eye of Allah, the poetry, embodying the

staunch Islamic faith, remembrance of Allah, invitation to
virtuous deeds, is quite permissible. The relevant verse,
of the said Surah^ makes it clear 4

"SAVE THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND DO GOOD WORKS, AND

REMEMi3ER ALLAH MUCH, AND VINDICATE THEMSELVES AFTER THEY

HAVE BEEN WRONGED""^.

Again, we find that the literature based on prose

pieces during the Jahiliyah period, became more elaborative^
due to the impact of the holy Quran. The outstanding orators
of the time were not capable of giving a worthwhile expression
to the prose order of the time. No doubt the horizon of the
literature specially in prose was widened to a significant
length, due to the impact of the holy Quran, The dynamic
changes in the prose as well as in the poetry were supposed
to be possible only due to the Quranic injunctions, elabo-
rating the exact norms for appreciating a literary piece;
whether it is prose or poetry.

There are various incentives which provide a broad

circle to Arabic and make it evergreen among other languages.

The holy Quran is the greatest incentive for promoting and

imparting a worlwide fame to the Arabic language and

1. Al-Quran XXVI : 227.

 83

literature. T am,totally^ agree to the views of Ahmad al-

Hashmi - A literateur - when he says that the language
is too much indebted to the holy Ouran. It affected the
language so much as even any revealed Book did not. It is
the holy Ouran which became a source of infusing a new life
to Arabic language and literature, protecting it from all
inauspicious and injurious factors. It was due to
the holy Ouran that so many offshoots and branches of the
Arabic literature i.e. Syntax, Orthography, Rhetroic and
Prosody etc. came in to existence .

The powerful speech and expression exhibited in the

holy Ouran and the elegant style of the sayings of the
prophet, certainly, raised the value and standard of the
Arabic language and literature, widening its horizon and,
at the same time, gave life and currency due to the expan-
2
sion of Islam in far and wide areas of the world.

It would be fitting to conclude that the Arabic

language created a scope for itself among others. Hasan al-
Zayyat rightly opines -

1, Syed Ahmad Al-Hashmi, Jawahirul Adab fi Adbiyat-e-wa

Insha-e-Loghatil Arab, vol. 1, p. 103.
2, The expansion was a natural process. There was no oppress-
ion and misuse of domination against other nations. The
Quranic teachings about character building politics and
social upliftment were philanthropic. Due to sympathetic
attitude of Islam in all sjiheres of life, the followers
of other religions and inhabitants of other countries
became much impressed,resulting in the broad expansion
of Islam,
 84

The revelation of the Ouran was a significant

cause for the propagation of the language in Basra, Kufa,
Boghdad and Ourtaba besides in Hldjaz. All groups of
individuals took advantage of the language. Due to the
Rhetoric and eloquence of the Curan, the words of language
became decent and its style flourished.

Recitation and learning are also factors for the

development of the language. Almost every Muslim learns
by heart, the mentionable part of the Quran for performance
of the five times prayer; as he can not be a representative
of Islam without It. According to a Western scholar -

"Certainly most educated Muslims will have a working

knowledge of Arabic and even the illiterate are likely to
2
know some words through learning passages by heart" .

The revolutionary contribution of the holy Quran to

nullify the Jahiliyah spirit of the society, its religious
sanctity, authenticity of the Ouran and its literary exce-
llence, the miraculous character of the Book, some outstand-
ing literary attributes of the Ouran and its impact on the

1. Ahmad Hasan Al-Zayyat, Tarikhul Adabil Arabl, p. 76

2. D.S. Roberts, Islam - A Westerner's Guide, p. 40.

 85

language and literature—these all discussions mentioned

in the preceding pages are^quite obvious to know the
holy Quran, as an exemplary ideological, as well as,
literary asset to the mankind, which is.in no case,
surpassed.