Every year during the month of Ramadan, we select a specific topic and deliver a continuous series of lectures throughout the month. In that way, the topic we have selected this year is “The Literary Elegance of the Noble Qur’an.”
Since this is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, this topic is very appropriate. Allahﷻ says that it was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed:
“Shahru Ramadan alladhiunzilafihil Qur’an”
“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.”
Because Allahﷻ chose this month for the revelation of the Qur’an, it will be very beneficial for us to understand an important aspect of the Qur’an, namely its literary excellence.
Why have we chosen the topic “The Literary Excellence of the Holy Qur’an”?
The Qur’an was revealed to ProphetﷺMuhammadﷺ and he conveyed it to the people. But the elevated literary style of the Qur’an has absolutely no connection to the personal literary ability of the Prophetﷺ .
Why?Because, at that time there were great poets and literary masters, and Allahﷻ revealed the Qur’an in a style that surpassed the literary excellence of all of them. It is precisely through this superior literary excellence that the Qur’an itself issues a challenge.
The Qur’an challenges people by saying:
If you doubt that this is from Allahﷻ, then bring something like it.
Bring ten chapters like it, or bring a chapter like it.
These kinds of challenges are present in the Qur’an.Many people misunderstand this challenge. They think the challenge is because the Qur’an contains scientific knowledge, and therefore no one can produce something like it.
But the scientific knowledge in the Qur’an was discovered later. The people at the time of revelation did not know those scientific facts.
If the challenge was based on scientific knowledge, then the people at that time would have needed to understand those scientific facts in order to respond to the challenge. But they did not have that knowledge.
So the challenge was not issued because of scientific knowledge.Yes, scientific truths are present in the Qur’an, but we only discover them later through research and realize that they were already mentioned in the Qur’an. However, the challenge itself was not based on scientific knowledge, because the people at that time could not have understood it.
Similarly, the Qur’an contains many prophecies that were fulfilled later. Many things mentioned in the Qur’an came true after the time of the Prophetﷺ.
But the challenge was not based on prophecy either, because those events happened later. At the time of revelation, those prophecies had not yet occurred.
For example, something may happen 100 years later or 1000 years later, and when it happens, we realize that the Qur’an mentioned it long ago. But at the time of revelation, people could not verify those prophecies immediately.
So if the challenge was not based on scientific knowledge or prophecy, then what was it based on?It was based on the literary excellence of the Qur’an.
An illiterate man—someone who could neither read nor write—was presenting this Qur’an and claiming that it was the word of Allahﷻ.
The language and literary style of the Qur’an was so superior that even the greatest poets and scholars of that time could not produce anything like it.
At that time, although many people were illiterate, there were also many learned scholars and poets. People used to admire their literary abilities.
But the Qur’an surpassed even their level of literary excellence.Now think about this:
The ProphetﷺMuhammadﷺ could neither read nor write. The Qur’an itself mentions this in multiple places.For example, Allahﷻ says that before this, you did not read any scripture, nor did you write with your right hand. If you had done so, people would have doubted.
If the Prophetﷺ had been literate, people would have said that he learned from previous books or composed it himself.
Allahﷻ intentionally kept the Prophetﷺ unlettered so that people would not attribute the Qur’an to his personal ability.Allahﷻ did not want people to think that the Prophetﷺ was simply a talented literary genius. Instead, Allahﷻ wanted people to recognize that the Qur’an came from Allahﷻ.
The Prophetﷺ’s personal speech, which we know as Hadith, is very different from the Qur’an in style.If the Qur’an were from the Prophetﷺ himself, it would have been similar in style to his normal speech. But the Qur’an’s style is far superior.
This shows that the Qur’an did not originate from the Prophetﷺ.Allahﷻ also gave the Prophetﷺ the title “Ummi.”The word “Ummi” means someone who cannot read or write.
The literal meaning of “Ummi” comes from the word “Umm,” which means mother. It refers to someone in their original state, like a newborn child who has not learned reading or writing.So the Prophetﷺ was described as “Ummi,” meaning unlettered.
Allahﷻ says in the Qur’an that the people follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophetﷺ.
This emphasizes that the Prophetﷺ did not acquire this knowledge through reading or writing.The Qur’an also says that Allahﷻ sent a messenger from among an unlettered community.
Most people in that society were illiterate, and the Prophetﷺ was one of them.This makes the literary excellence of the Qur’an even more astonishing.If a highly educated literary genius had presented such a text, people might attribute it to his talent. But when an unlettered person presents such a text, it proves that it must come from Allahﷻ.
Because of this, the disbelievers were shocked by the Qur’an.They could not accept that the Prophetﷺ himself produced it.So they made accusations.They said that a group of people must be helping him secretly.The Qur’an mentions this accusation. They said that others were helping him and teaching him.
They even said that he was learning stories from earlier generations and repeating them.They claimed that someone was teaching him morning and evening.But Allahﷻ responded to this accusation.Allahﷻ said that the person they were referring to did not even speak proper Arabic. His native language was foreign.
How could someone who was not fluent in Arabic produce such a masterpiece of Arabic literature?This shows the weakness of their accusation.The disbelievers themselves admitted that the literary style of the Qur’an was extraordinary.
Their problem was not with the content, but with the literary excellence.They were amazed by the style.They knew that the Prophetﷺ could not have produced it himself.That is why they claimed that others were helping him.
But Allahﷻ made it clear that the Qur’an is from Him alone.The literary excellence of the Qur’an is a miracle.The Qur’an’s literary quality itself is not surprising—but the fact that it came through an unlettered man is what makes it miraculous.
That is what amazed them.And that literary excellence is what astonished them the most.If the issue is how he was able to speak in such a style, then the person whom you claim taught him in that style must have been a scholar, must have been a poet, must have been someone deeply knowledgeable in Arabic grammar and literature, must he not?
However, Allahﷻ says that the one whom they associate with teaching him was a foreign-language speaker. Allahﷻ says: the one whom they claim is teaching him—his language is foreign, whereas this Qur’an is in clear Arabic.
This Qur’an is in pure, clear Arabic. But the person whom they claim taught him does not even know Arabic. He is not an Arab. He is a foreigner. Allahﷻ explains this in Surah 16, verse 103. Allahﷻ clarifies this matter.In the tafsir books, different names are mentioned about who this person was, but those reports do not all have authentic chains.
In a narration found in Hakim, his name is mentioned as Abdibn al-Haramī. They said that Muhammadﷺ learned from Abdibn al-Haramī, who was a person knowledgeable in previous scriptures. He had studied earlier scriptures in their original languages, such as Hebrew and Aramaic. It was in response to such claims that Allahﷻ revealed that verse.
So what do we understand from this?
The Prophetﷺ did not know how to read or write. Yet he conveyed the Qur’an in an extremely elevated literary style. That is the challenge. This must be understood clearly.
Why did the Qur’an issue the challenge to bring something like it?
It was not because of scientific knowledge. It was not because of prophecies. Yes, scientific facts exist in it, and prophecies exist in it, and even today and tomorrow new discoveries may be made and people may find those concepts already in the Qur’an. Those things exist, but they are secondary. The Qur’an did not issue its challenge based on scientific content.
It did not say, “Bring a scientific book like this.”Because, the people at that time did not even know those scientific facts. The scientific discoveries had not yet been made. How could they be challenged based on knowledge they did not have?
If you spoke to them about science, they would reject it. If you told them the Earth rotates, they would say, how can that be? They believed the Earth was flat. So the challenge was not based on science.
The main issue was this:The Prophetﷺ could neither read nor write, yet he conveyed the Qur’an in an extremely high literary style.
First, we must clearly understand without doubt that he could not read or write, and that someone who could not read or write could not produce such a book in such a high literary style.However, some people present certain hadiths to argue that the Prophetﷺ could read or write. So we must understand those hadiths and their explanations so that there is no confusion.
The Qur’an clearly states that he could not read or write. Even if some hadiths appear to suggest otherwise, they must be understood correctly in light of the Qur’an.One hadith in SahihBukhari (2690) speaks about the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
The Prophetﷺ went to perform Umrah. When they reached Hudaybiyyah, the Quraysh stopped them and refused to allow them to enter Makkah.The Muslims said they came only to perform Umrah, but the Quraysh refused.
Negotiations took place. The Quraysh proposed a treaty: the Muslims should return that year and perform Umrah the following year. The Prophetﷺ agreed to avoid conflict, even though some companions like Umar were unhappy.
The treaty was written down. The Prophetﷺ asked Ali to write it.Ali began writing: “This is the agreement between Muhammadﷺ, the Messenger of Allahﷻ, and the leaders of Quraysh.”
The Quraysh objected. They said, “We do not accept you as the Messenger of Allahﷻ. Write instead ‘Muhammadﷺ, son of Abdullah.’’ The Prophetﷺ agreed for the sake of peace and asked Ali to erase the words “Messenger of Allahﷻ.”
Ali refused to erase it out of respect.Then the Prophetﷺ himself erased the words.
Some people use this to argue that the Prophetﷺ could read.Another hadith (Bukhari 4251) mentions that he erased it and wrote “Muhammadﷺ, son of Abdullah.”
Another hadith (Bukhari 2699) also mentions similar details.Based on these hadiths, some claim that the Prophetﷺ could read and write.But there is another hadith in Bukhari (3184) that clarifies everything.
In that hadith, when Ali refused to erase the words, the Prophetﷺ said: “Show me where it is.”Ali pointed to the words “Messenger of Allahﷻ.”
The Prophetﷺ could not identify the words himself. He asked Ali to show him where they were. Then he erased them.This proves that he did not read the words himself. He erased them only after being shown their location.
So the Prophetﷺ did not read or write. He erased the words based on being shown where they were.This confirms the Qur’an’s statement that he was unlettered.
Allahﷻ could have taught him reading and writing easily. It is not difficult to teach someone to read and write. Even today, elderly people can learn literacy. Arabic has only 28 letters. It would have been easy.
But Allahﷻ did not allow him to learn reading or writing, in order to preserve the miracle of the Qur’an.If he had known reading and writing, people could have claimed that he composed it himself.
That is why Allahﷻ kept him unlettered.Now consider previous Prophets.Allahﷻ gave scriptures to earlier Prophets in written form.For example, Allahﷻ gave the Torah to Prophet Musa(AS)(Moses) written on tablets.
In Surah 7, verse 145, Allahﷻ says that He wrote the commandments on tablets for Musa.(AS)Musa was able to read, so the scripture was given in written form.But the Qur’an was not given in written form directly to the ProphetMuhammadﷺ. Instead, it was revealed orally through Angel Jibreel(AS)
Why?Because, the Prophetﷺ could not read.If he had been able to read, Allahﷻ could have given it in written form.But since he could not read, it was revealed orally.This further confirms that he was unlettered.
And this makes the literary excellence of the Qur’an an even greater miracle.They did not know how to read. Likewise, Allahﷻ sent a Prophet named Yahya(AS) (John). Who was Yahya? He was the son of ProphetZakariya (AS) (Zechariah). ProphetZakariya (AS), in his very old age, prayed, “My Lord, I have become very weak. You must grant me an heir.” Allahﷻ, in the end, gave him a child and gave him glad tidings. When giving the glad tidings, Allahﷻ even named the child Himself. He said, “We give you the good news of a son named Yahya. No one before him was given this name.” This name Yahya had never existed in world history before him.
This itself has been studied and examined by scholars. How could anyone declare with certainty that no one before him had this name? Only One who knows everything could say that. If such a statement were false, it would have been exposed somewhere in some village or somewhere in history. But Allahﷻ said it confidently, meaning He alone has full knowledge. No human could say such a thing with absolute certainty. But that is another subject; let us leave that aside.
Allahﷻ gave Zakariya(AS) a son Yahya(AS)and made him a Prophet, just as Zakariya(AS)himself was a Prophet. When Allahﷻ addressed Yahya(AS)after he was born, He said: “O Yahya, hold firmly to the Book.” Allahﷻ gave him the Book in written form. Allahﷻ wrote it and gave it to him. He told him to hold the Book firmly.
When Allahﷻ tells Yahya(AS) to hold the Book firmly, it shows that Yahya(AS) could read. Because Allahﷻ gave it in written form. To those who could read, Allahﷻ gave the revelation in written form.
So if that is the case, could Allahﷻ not have given the Qur’an to the ProphetﷺMuhammadﷺ in written form as well? Would it not have been easier? But Allahﷻ did not give it in written form. Why? Because, he could not read. If Allahﷻ had given it in written form, how would he read it? This is mentioned in Surah 19, verse 12.
Likewise, Allahﷻ gave the Zabur (Psalms) to ProphetDawud(AS)(David). Did Allahﷻ send Jibreel(AS) to recite it to Dawud(AS)orally? No. Allahﷻ says, “We wrote in the Zabur…” meaning it was given in written form. Allahﷻ says in Surah 21, verse 105: “We have already written in the Zabur that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.” Allahﷻ says clearly that He wrote it.
So Allahﷻ wrote the Zabur and gave it. He wrote the Torah and gave it. About the Injil, specific wording is different, but Allahﷻ clearly has the method of giving written revelation.
Yet,Allahﷻ did not give the Qur’an in written form to the ProphetMuhammadﷺ. Why? Because, he could not read or write. So, how should revelation be given to someone who cannot read? It must be given through hearing, not through sight.
Written words enter through the eyes. Spoken words enter through the ears. Since he could not read, revelation was given through recitation.Allahﷻ explains this in Surah 75, verses 16–19. Allahﷻ says that when Jibreel recites it, do not move the tongue to hasten it. Just listen. Allahﷻ says, “It is Our responsibility to collect it and recite it.”
When Jibreel(AS) recited, the Prophetﷺ only needed to listen, and it would be recorded in his heart.Normally, if we hear something, we must repeat it many times to memorize it. If I tell you four lines now, you cannot memorize them immediately. All humans are like that.
But Allahﷻ gave the Prophetﷺ a special ability, like a tape recorder. Whatever Jibreel recited, he could immediately retain it perfectly.Allahﷻ says, do not rush, do not move your tongue in haste to memorize it. It will be recorded in your heart automatically. Allahﷻ guaranteed its preservation.
This is why the Prophetﷺ could recite the Qur’an perfectly without missing even a single word, just like replaying a tape recording.Allahﷻ did not give it in written form because written form could introduce errors if humans copied it incorrectly. Instead, Allahﷻ directly preserved it in the Prophetﷺ’s heart.
Allahﷻ also says in Surah 20 that do not rush to memorize before the revelation is completed. Just listen.Allahﷻ says in Surah 87, verse 6: “We will make you recite, and you will not forget.” Except what Allahﷻ wills to be forgotten, everything would remain perfectly preserved.
So this shows three things clearly:He could not write.He could not read.
And the Qur’an was not given to him in written form, but through recitation.
Even though Allahﷻ gave written scriptures to other Prophetﷺs, He did not give the Qur’an in written form to ProphetﷺMuhammadﷺ, because he could not read.Instead, Allahﷻ preserved it in his heart.
Allahﷻ says in Surah 2, verse 97, that Jibreel brought it down into your heart, not onto paper.Allahﷻ also says in Surah 26 that the trustworthy spirit brought it down into your heart.
If it had been given in book form, the disbelievers still would not have believed. Allahﷻ says even if they touched it physically, they would call it magic.
Allahﷻ also revealed the Qur’an gradually over 23 years, not all at once, so that the Prophetﷺ could recite it to people step by step (Surah 17, verse 106).All of this proves that the Prophetﷺ could not read or write, and that is why the Qur’an was revealed through recitation.
When the Prophetﷺ recited the Qur’an, people were amazed. They had never heard such a style before. It was powerful and captivating.Since they could not deny its beauty, they began giving him labels. They said he was a poet.
Why did they call him a poet?Because, the Qur’an’s language was so elevated, it resembled the highest level of literary expression known to them.But this created a contradiction. He could not read or write. He had never studied poetry. Yet he spoke words superior to poets.
So they called him a poet to avoid admitting it was revelation.Allahﷻ mentions this in Surah 21, verse 5, where they said he was a poet.In Surah 37, verse 36, they said, “Shall we abandon our gods for a mad poet?”They called him both mad and a poet.
Allahﷻ responded in Surah 69, verses 40–41: “This is not the word of a poet. Little do you believe.”Allahﷻ also says in Surah 36 that He did not teach him poetry, nor was it appropriate for him.
So the disbelievers were forced into contradiction. They knew he was unlettered, yet they called him a poet because they could not deny the Qur’an’s literary excellence.They made many accusations:
They said someone taught him.
They said he copied from others.
They said he was a poet.
All because they could not produce anything equal to the Qur’an.They could not match its style. They could not find faults in it.So they resorted to accusations.
This proves that the Qur’an’s literary excellence was beyond human capability, especially from someone who could not read or write.This is why understanding the literary excellence of the Qur’an is important.There are two types of literary excellence in the Qur’an:
One is linguistic literary excellence, which requires knowledge of Arabic to fully appreciate.
The other is conceptual literary excellence, which everyone can understand.The linguistic excellence may seem complex unless you know Arabic, but the conceptual beauty can be understood by anyone.