Since the Creator has created man, life and the universe (see article ‘Proving the Existence of the Creator’), there must have been a purpose for the creation and a means by which this purpose is to be achieved.

The obvious questions that proceed are: How does man receive the purpose, rules and regulations, if any, given by the Creator, by which he is to govern and understand his life? And in what form are these rules and regulations received by man?

Clearly, either man communicates with the Creator or that the Creator communicates with us to explain our existence. Man, however, is limited and unable to comprehend or perceive the unlimited and as such cannot communicate with the Creator. This obvious fact therefore, means that the communication has to come from the Creator.

Throughout history, there have been messengers and prophets, men sent from the Creator, bringing laws or revelation on how man should conduct his life. They were given miracles (something which goes against the laws of nature) which proved to mankind that they were bringing revelation. Moses (peace be upon him) parted the Red Sea with his staff. Jesus (pbuh) cured the sick and the lepers by simply touching them.

But how do we know if these messengers existed? The miracles performed by the above prophets were only miracles for that specific period of time. How do we know that they were not just legends or fables? They are not proof for us. What miracle do we have right now to convince us and guide us through our lives?

There are many texts available today claiming divine status. But is the guidance contained in them in its original form and is it applicable to all situations at all times? Any text claiming to be divine must not contain contradictions, discrepancies or alterations, since this contradict the perfection of God.

If we apply this acid test to these divine texts, we find that none except the Qur’an fulfills the above criteria. Many religions contain some aspects of the same truth (since messengers have come to teach each nation) but man has tampered with this truth.

The Qur’an is the Word of God. It is complete, i.e. it provides answers for all of life’s affairs and it has kept its authenticity. Nothing has been removed or added to it by any man since it was revealed.

The question which arises at this point is how do we know that the Qur’an is the Word of God? There needs to exist an objective rational proof for the validity of the divine text, not a blind emotional argument or a subjective proof.

THE PROOF

The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad (pbuh). At the time it was revealed, in the 7^th century, the pagan Arabs were masters of the Arab tongue, its prose and poetry. It was an indication of mobility in society. People used to go to the desert for days just to write poetry. The Arabic language has great fluidity and depth of expression, so it was held high in esteem by the Arabs. They were masters of their language.

When considering the possible authorship of the Qur’an, we see that, as a matter of rational possibility, it can only be the work of one of the following:

1. a Non-Arab (individual or group)
2. an Arab (individual or group)
3. Muhammad (pbuh)
4. God

Firstly, it is important to emphasis here that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. Because of the high standard of the Arabic used by the Qur’an, indeed its being at the peak of Arabic expression (something even non-Muslim Arab linguists acknowledge) it cannot from a non-Arab. Note that an Arab here is defined as something who knows the Arabic language.

As for its authorship being of the Arabs, whether an individual or a group thereof, this too can be shown to be an invalid. One of the greatest disbelieving Arab poets of the time, Walid ibn Al-Mughira said after hearing the Qur’an, “None of you is more conversant than I with poetry, melodious hymns and songs, and by God never did I hear anything similar to which he says. It is so sweet and so graceful that it remains at the summit with nothing to surpass it.”

Further, the Qur’an itself challenged the Arabs (and anyone else) who disbelieved the divine authenticity to bring forth any similar writing:

“...They say, ‘He forged it.’ Say, ‘Bring you then ten chapters forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can other than God if ye speak the truth.” [Qur’an, 11:13]

And when the Arabs failed to meet this, the challenge was lightened to not ten but just one chapter:

“And if ye are in doubt as to what we have revealed to our servant, then produce a chapter like there unto, and call to your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides God, if your doubts are true.” [Qur’an, 2:23]

They tried to bring the like of the Qur’an but they failed. And this challenge has remained until this day for everyone, both Muslim and non-Muslim and both the Arab and the non-Arab. Clearly then the Qur’an is not the speech of an Arab.

The Qur’anic challenge is unique because the Creator, God, pushes man to use his ability to undermine the authenticity of the Qur’an. Such a profound yet simple challenge. It is well known that throughout her history Islam has had no shortage of critics, both intellectual and political. All these people needed to do was to meet this challenge to destroy the whole basis of Islam. Yet not one non-Muslim Arab or non-Arab has been able to do this even though all the tools of the Arabic language are at their disposal.

It is also inconceivable that the Qur’an is the speech of Muhammad (pbuh). After all he is one of the Arabs. Whatever level of genius people may assign to him, he is still a human being and one of his nation. Since the Arabs failed to bring the like of the Qur’an, this equally applies to Muhammad. It is important to point out here that none of the Arabs, many of whom initially despised him and were enemies to him, ever claimed that the Qur’an was Muhammad’s speech, or even similar to his speech. Moreover, it is clearly documented that Muhammad was unlettered i.e. he could not read nor write.

Also the sayings of Muhammad (pbuh) which have also been preserved till this day are completely unlike the linguistic style of the Qur’an. This is the case even though he would utter the revealed Qur’anic verse and speak of his own in the one and same sitting. It is inconceivable that a man can maintain a completely different style for 23 years.

Thus, we have established that the Qur’an could not have originated from a non-Arab, Arab or Muhammad (pbuh). This leaves us with the only real source, the Creator, God.

“Do they not ponder about the Qur’an? If it had not come from God they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” [Qur’an, 4:82]

To this day Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have not been able to find any contradiction or mistake in the Qur’an. Moreover, if one was to compare letter-by-letter a copy of the Qur’an published today to one of the first copies of the Qur’an available then one would find that not a single letter has been omitted or added. Copies of the Qur’an dating back to the first century of Islam can be found in Istanbul and Tashkent.

Furthermore, as a complimentary proof, the Qur’an has many accurate scientific points become which have only become known in very recent history and whose verification was impossible 1400 years ago.

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