The Style of the Qur’an

There is a world of difference between the style of the Qur’an and Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) own style as recorded in the books of Ahadeeth. The differences be-tween the two in every respect – style and contents – are immediately evident. The sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Ahadeeth) are conversational, oratorical, and expository, of a kind the Arabs were already familiar with. By contrast, the style of the Qur’an is authoritative:

 “We created the heavens and the earth…” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Hijr, 15:85, Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:38, Surah Al-Ahqaf, 46:3, Surah Qaf, 50:38)

Also, “Say...” [1]

Also, “… Had it (the Qur’an) been from any other than God, they would have found therein much discrepancy.” (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:82)

Also, “… Say then: ‘Bring a chapter like it and call, if you can, on other than God…’” (Qur’an, Surah Yunus, 10:38)

Also, “… then bring a chapter like unto it… and if you cannot — for surely you cannot, then…” (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:23-24)

Which fallible human being would write a book and challenge humanity to find discrepancies in it, as does the author of the Qur’an (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:82)? Would any sensible student after writing an exam paper add a note to the lecturer saying “Read my answers with care and find any discrepancies or mistakes in it if you can!”? The style of the Qur’an is simply that of the All-Knowing Creator.

Furthermore, the Qur’an is a literary masterpiece of Arabic which was and remains unrivaled in its eloquence. Its rhythmic style, rhyme, near-haunting depth of expression, majesty, and “inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy”[2] shook the foundations of a society which had prided itself on its oratory skills.

Contests were held every year in Mecca for who could recite the longest and most eloquent pieces from memory. When the Qur’an was revealed, all such contests were brought to a halt, as there was no more competition.

Like the miracle of Moses’ stick turning into a real snake which outdid the ability of all the Pharaoh’s magicians at a time when the Egyptians were noted for their mastery of sorcery and magic, and the miracle of Jesus’ healing of the blind and bringing the dead back to life which outdid the ability of all the doctors at a time when the Jews were noted for their mastery of medicine, the Qur’an was the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) own miracle.[3] How could such magnificent and unrivaled expressions emanate from a man who, for 40 years, was never known for any such ability?