وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 23
Translations
And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down [i.e., the Qur’ān] upon Our Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)], then produce a sūrah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses [i.e., supporters] other than Allāh, if you should be truthful.
Transliteration
Wa-in kuntum fi raybim mimma nazzalna ala abdina fa-too bi-suratin min mithlihi wad-oo shuhada-akum min duni-Allah in kuntum sadiqin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents the Quranic challenge (al-tahaddi) to those who doubt the divine origin of the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah invites the skeptics to produce even a single chapter (surah) like it and to call upon their witnesses and helpers if they are truthful in their claims that it is not from Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this challenge remains unanswered throughout history, serving as conclusive proof of the Quran's divine authorship and inimitable eloquence (i'jaz al-Quran).
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah (Medinan), revealed in response to the doubts and objections of the Meccan disbelievers and later the People of the Book in Medina who questioned the authenticity of the Quranic revelation. It establishes a fundamental logical challenge to all who deny the Quran's divine origin.
Related Hadiths
The miraculous nature of the Quran's inimitability is referenced in various hadiths; see Sunan Ibn Majah where scholars discuss the Quran's linguistic superiority. Additionally, hadith collections document how the Arabs of Quraysh were unable to meet this challenge despite their renowned eloquence.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the Quran's linguistic and spiritual perfection is tangible proof of its divine source, and encourages us to reflect on the Quran's matchless beauty as confirmation of faith. For those in doubt, it invites rational examination and honest acknowledgment of the truth rather than stubborn rejection.
Related Ayahs
وَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ مِّنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ يَسْتَفْتِحُونَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم مَّا عَرَفُوا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ فَلَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And when there came to them a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] from Allāh confirming that which was with them - although before they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieved - but [then] when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it; so the curse of Allāh will be upon the disbelievers.
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allāh is with the patient.
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَعْرِفُونَهُۥ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Those to whom We gave the Scripture know him [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] as they know their own sons. But indeed, a party of them conceal the truth while they know [it].