Translation of the Article: Dr. Shams Ragheb Asks: What is the Secret Behind the Inimitability of the Holy Quran?

By: Dr. Shams Ragheb

Since its revelation to the heart of the trustworthy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and until this very day, the Holy Quran remains a source of inspiration and wonder for minds and hearts. The aspects of its inimitability are numerous, and its rhetorical, spiritual, and scientific dimensions are diverse. So, what is the deep-seated secret behind this timeless uniqueness?

The Vision of Imam Al-Ghazali: The Confluence of Supreme Eloquence and Unique Structure

The esteemed Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy upon him, believed that the secret of the Holy Quran's inimitability lies in the combination of two fundamental qualities rarely found together in human speech. The first is the Quranic style, which combines the power and grandeur of its words on one hand, with the eloquence of its expression and the profundity of its meaning on the other. The second quality is the Quran's wondrous structure and unique methodology, which fundamentally differs from the styles of speech known to the Arabs in their orations, poetry, and other forms of expression. This convergence between the power of the style and the wondrous structure is in itself a miracle that transcends human capacity and ability.

Quranic Allusions Preceding Modern Discoveries: A Look at Means of Transportation

Some may ask about how the Holy Quran addresses modern civilizational advancements. When it spoke of land transportation in the verse: " $A n d [Hecre a t e d] t h e h orses, t h e m u l es, an d t h e d o nk eys f oryo u t or i d e$ ," some might question the absence of mentioning cars and trains, whose amazing development we witness in our era. The Quranic answer comes clearly and sufficiently in the continuation of the verse: " $A n d Hecre a t es w ha t yo u d o n o t kn o w$ ." This verse carries within it a clear indication that Allah's knowledge and power are boundless, and that He will create means of transportation that were unknown at the time of revelation.

Another might object, saying: These machines are made by humans. The Quranic response is decisive in the verse: " $Whi l e A ll ah cre a t e d yo u an d t ha tw hi c h yo u mak e$ ." Indeed, humankind's creation of these machines is a manifestation of Allah's power that He has placed in the human mind and the tools and means He has bestowed. Just as what a computer produces in print is originally the act of the human who designed and programmed it, so too is everything that humans create only by Allah's permission and facilitation.

Linguistic Inimitability Anticipating the Laws of Nature: Implications in the Description of Flight and Navigation

If some wonder about the absence of an explicit reference to flight in the Quran, then contemplating the verse: " $H a v e t h ey n o t see n t h e bi r d s ab o v e t h e m, s p re a d in g t h e i r w in g s an df o l d in g t h e m ? N o n e h o l d s t h e m [a l o f t] e x ce ptt h e M os tC o m p a ss i o na t e$ " reveals another facet of inimitability. In this precise description of the birds and their movement is an implicit reference to the "law of flight" and how these creatures rely in their soaring on precise physical laws created by the Most Compassionate. Even more significant is the use of the feminine plural " صافات ويقبضن " (spreading their wings and folding them) to refer to the bird species, as if it is a linguistic allusion anticipating the discussion of airplanes that will rely on the same principles and laws, but in a comprehensive Quranic language that encompasses the past, present, and future.

In the context of discussing maritime navigation, the verse: " $A n d a s i g n f or t h e mi s t ha t W ec a rr i e d t h e i r d esce n d an t s in t h e l a d e n s hi p$ " invites reflection. The use of the word " ذريتهم " (their descendants) instead of "هم" (them) carries a profound implication about the development of ships and means of sea transport, and that the peak of comfort and ease in them will be felt more by later generations ("their descendants") than by the forefathers who were initially addressed by the Quranic text.

Conclusion:

These examples that have been reviewed are but drops from the vast ocean of the Holy Quran's inimitability, which only increases in clarity and proof with the advancement of science and the growth of knowledge. Glory be to Him Who revealed this wise Book as guidance and mercy for all the worlds. And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

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