CHAPTER TWO The Quran — The Prophet’s Miracle

55-79 The Quran An Abiding Wonder CHAPTER TWO The Quran­ — The Prophet’s Miracle Every Prophet is given a miracle – a sign. The miracle of the Prophet of Islam is the Quran. The prophethood of Muhammad, on whom be peace, was to be valid until the Last Day. It was imperative, therefore, that his miracle also be one which would last for all time. The Quran was, therefore, assigned to the Prophet as his everlasting miracle. The Prophet’s opponents demanded miracles, such as those performed by previous prophets, but the Quran stated clearly that such miracles would not be forthcoming. (17:59) The Quran even had this to say to the Prophet: If you find their aversion hard to bear (and would like to show them a miracle), seek if you can a burrow in the earth or ladder to the sky by which you may bring them a sign. Had God pleased, He would have given them guidance, one and all. Do not be ignorant then. (6:35) Instead, the revealed Book of God was made into the Prophet’s miracle: They ask: ‘Why has no sign been given him by his Lord?’ Say: ‘Signs are in the hands of God. My mission is only to give plain warning.’ Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which is recited to them? Surely in this there is a blessing and an admonition to true believers. (Quran, 29:50-51) There are many different aspects of the Quran’s miraculous nature. Here we are going to concentrate on just three: 1. The language of the Quran – Arabic – has, unlike other international languages, remained a living form of communication over the ages. 2. The Quran is unique among divine scriptures in that its text has remained intact in the original form. 3. The Quran challenged its doubters to produce a book like it. No one has been able to take up this challenge and produce anything comparable to the Book of God. The languages in which all the ancient scriptures were revealed have been locked in the archives of history. The only exception is Arabic, the language of the Quran, which is still current in the world