The Glorious Qur’an as a Miracle

Muhammad (SA), faced many people in his lifetime who did not believe in him. They challenged him to produce a miracle to match those produced by other prophets in the past. He retorted that it was quite unnecessary, as the Noble Qur’an Itself was the supreme miracle for all times and all places.

Many Muslim and non‑Muslim scholars have proved, in various ways, that the Holy Qur’an is a miracle. This conviction is reflected in many books and articles throughout the history of Islam. They render a variety of sound and just reasons to substantiate this fact. As I have chosen to let the Glorious Qur’an answer most of the questions, I think it would be appro­priate to continue the same technique, and see how the Munificent Qur’an Itself proves Its own miraculous nature.

Let us first define "miracle". The Arabic equivalent of miracle is mujizah, which is a derivative of the root "’A‑J‑Z". This root reflects the idea of being unable to, inability, impossibility. Mu’jizah (or miracle) means something that no one can do except Allah the Exalted (or His Messengers, with His Leave). What is the difference between magic and miracle? The difference is that the former can be done by a talented human being either out of his own creativity or by learning from others. The latter, however, cannot be done by mankind. Humankind is unable (‘ajiz) to do it on its own initiative, without the Will of Allah the Exalted. In order to perform a miracle, one must be empowered by Allah the Omnipotent exclusively.