The Ever-Lasting Challenges of the Holy Qur'an

Kafirin and mushrikin, in whose hearts the superstitious rites of idol-worshipping had taken roots, were never prepared to accept the invitation to accept Islam and to submit themselves to the truth and reality. They did not accept the Holy Prophet (SA) and contradicted him and said that he was a liar and that the Holy Qur'an, which he attributed to Allah, was nothing but composed of his own words.
For remedy of this accusation, the Holy Qur'an challenged them by calling a group of people, who were the forerunners and sole contenders of eloquence, to bring statements similar to those of the Holy Qur'an in case they were truthful in their non-acceptance of the Holy Prophet (SA), thereby proving that the Islamic call was unfounded.
The Almighty Allah states: "Or do they say: 'He has forged it'? Nay! they do not believe. Then let them bring an expression like it if they are truthful (52:33-34)."
The Almighty Allah also states: "Or do they say: 'He has forged it'? Say: 'Then bring a Surah like this and invite whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful (10:38)."
The Kafirin and mushrikin of Arabia , who were the masters of literature and eloquence, refrained from accepting this challenge despite their pride and haughtiness in eloquence and avoided the competition on. Thus, inevitably, they turned the literary contest into a bloody combat. Thus getting killed was easier for them than being disgraced and defeated in literary contest. The Arab litterateurs became helpless against the challenge of the Qur'an. Neither those who lived at the time of the Holy Qur'an's revelation, nor the people born after its divine descension could do anything against this Holy Book in spite of testing of their utmost-strength. They were thus forced to retreat after exerting utmost efforts.
Man's nature always tends to oblige a group of people to imitate or excel other people's masterpieces or crafts which attract the attention, even if, like boxing and tug of war, these might not have the slightest direct impact on their social lives. Thus, it becomes clear that a group of people has always been lurking for the Qur'an and if they had found a way to meet the challenge of this Divine Book, they would not have hesitated for an instant to accept this challenge. These people could not meet the challenge and by offering an excuse of magic and sorcery, they could not say that the Holy Qur'an is a magic and sorcery; for magic is an action which, according to its characteristics, displays the truth as false or the false as truth; that is to say, it displays lies as truth and the truth as lies. The Holy Qur'an captivates the hearts by its graceful tone and eloquent Ayat because of its natural elegance and not as a result of its relation with the world of magic. It invites people towards a series of objectives through its words and introduces them various sciences whose actuality and rightfulness is understood by their commonsense and Allah-given nature. It persuades people to adopt a series of behaviours and deeds such as gratitude, benevolence, justice, and human friendship from which commonsense cannot escape and must accept and praise them. All these facts indicate that the Holy Qur'an is nothing but an expression of truth. Thus the enemies of the Holv Qur'an became helpless and were unable to say that Qur'an is an expression at the climax of human speech and does not have any rival in its beauty, charm, eloquence, and pleasantness. This is the best proof that the Holy Qur'an is the Word of Allah.
In other words, for every attribute and ability, such as bravery, courage, reading, writing, and likewise which could be developed, there will naturally be a genius in man's history who will occupy the first position. What could be the objection if the Holy Prophet (SA) occupies the most leading position of eloquence in Arabic oratory with a particular style? In this case, since his speech is that of a man, it could be challenged. The contemporary orators of the Holy Prophet (SA) did not admit this fact. None of the enemies of the Holy Qur'an could say or substantiate it, because any attribute or ability that reaches the peak of progress by a genius originates from human capability and talent and originates from human nature. It is, therefore, possible for others to pursue the path opened up by the genius. With due effort, people can make achievements similar to those of the genius. They can also make achievements of the same kind by similar and even better methods than those used by the genius, even if such attempts fail to compete with the achievements of the genius. Thus the aforesaid genius who is the first to open this way is regarded only as a pioneer and forerunner. For example, no one can surpass Hatam al-Ta'i in generosity, but might be able to do something similar to what he did. One may not be able to excel Mir in calligraphy or Mani, the painter, in painting; however, after considerable effort and endeavour, one may be able to write a word in the style of Mir or to paint a small portrait in the style of Mani.
According to this general principle, if the Holy Qur'an was the most eloquent work of a man (not Allah's words), it would have been possible for others, specifically for the renowned litterateurs of the world, to prepare a book or at least a Surah similar to and identical with one of the Suwar of the Holy Qur'an by using their expertise in this style. In a challenge, the Holy Qur'an asked the people to produce statements similar to, and not better than those of, the Holy Qur'an.
"Then let them bring an announcement like it...(52:34)."
"...Then bring a chapter like this...(10:38)."
"..Then bring ten forged chapters like it...(11:13)."
"... They could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others (17:88)."
At the end of the discussion, it must be noted that the Holy Qur'an has rendered others ineffective not only by having a remarkable eloquence and order, but also by providing actual answers for man's requirements. By its revelations and the expression of realities and from other aspects manifested in this Divine Book, the Holy Qur'an challenges the enemies and announces to all mankind that they will not be able to produce such a book.