Exegesis/Tafsir of Chapter 2 Verse 23
Jalalu’d-din al-Mahalli (1389 – 1459)
If you have doubts about what We have sent down to Our slave, what has
been revealed of the Qur’an by Allah to the Prophet, produce another surah
(chapter) like it, and bring its equal in respect of eloquence and structure and
reporting about the unseen. The minimum amount required for a surah
would be three ayats (verses). And call your witnesses (the gods that you
worship) besides Allah to help you, if you are telling the truth about
Muhammad making this up himself. Do the same thing yourselves; you are
eloquent speakers of Arabic like him.
Ibn Kathir (1301 - 1373)
In this Ayah, Allah (God) said,
And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in Rayb - meaning,
doubt. Concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our
servant - meaning, Muhammad - then produce a Surah (chapter) the like
thereof - meaning, similar to the Qur'an.
This is the Tafsir of Mujahid, Qatadah, Ibn Jarir At-Tabari, Az-Zamakhshari
and Ar-Razi. Ar-Razi said that this is the Tafsir of `Umar, Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn
`Abbas, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and the majority of the scholars. And he gave
preference to this view and mentioned the fact that Allah (God) has
challenged the disbelievers as individuals and as groups, whether literate or
illiterate, thus making the challenge truly complete. This type of challenge is
more daring than simply challenging the disbelievers who might not be
literate or knowledgeable…
Therefore, this is a general challenge to the Arab disbelievers, the most
eloquent among all nations. Allah (God) challenged the Arab disbelievers
both in Makkah and Al-Madinah several times, especially since they had
tremendous hatred and enmity for the Prophet and his religion. Yet, they
were unable to succeed in answering the challenge…
Whoever reads through the Qur'an will realize that it contains various levels
of superiority through both the apparent and hidden meanings that it
mentions. Allah said,
Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book, the verses whereof are perfect (in every sphere
of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is
Wise and well-acquainted (with all things) Qur’an 11:1
So the expressions in the Qur'an are perfect and its meanings are explained.
Further, every word and meaning in the Qur'an is eloquent and cannot be
surpassed. The Qur'an also mentioned the stories of the people of the past;
and these accounts and stories occurred exactly as the Qur'an stated. Also,
the Qur'an commanded every type of righteousness and forbade every type
of evil, just as Allah stated,
And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice Qur’an 6:
115,
meaning, true in the stories it narrates and just in its Laws. The Qur'an is
true, just and full of guidance…
As for the Qur'an, it is entirely eloquent in the most perfect manner, as those
who have knowledge in such matters and understand Arabic methods of
speech and expressions concur. When one reads through the stories in the
Qur'an, he will find them fruitful, whether they were in extended or short
forms, repeated or not. The more these stories are repeated, the more
fruitful and beautiful they become. The Qur'an does not become old when
one repeats reciting it, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it. When the
Qur'an mentions the subject of warning and promises, it presents truths that
would make solid, firm mountains shake, so what about the comprehending,
understanding hearts When the Qur'an promises, it opens the hearts and the
ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace - Paradise - and to be
the neighbours of the Throne of the Most Beneficent. For instance, on the
subject of promises and encouragement, the Qur'an said,
Ibn Abbas (618/619 - 697/688)
Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs
And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We revealed - i.e. through the
Archangel Gabriel - unto Our slave - meaning, Muhammad whom you accuse
of fabrication, - then produce a surah like it - for example produce a surah
like the surah of the Cow (al-Baqarah) - and call your witnesses - meaning,
seek help from the gods that you worship, - apart from Allah - it is said that
this refers to their leaders, - if ye are truthful - in your claim.
Jalalu’d-din al-Mahalli (1389 – 1459)
If you have doubts about what We have sent down to Our slave, what has
been revealed of the Qur’an by Allah to the Prophet, produce another surah
(chapter) like it, and bring its equal in respect of eloquence and structure and
reporting about the unseen. The minimum amount required for a surah
would be three ayats (verses). And call your witnesses (the gods that you
worship) besides Allah to help you, if you are telling the truth about
Muhammad making this up himself. Do the same thing yourselves; you are
eloquent speakers of Arabic like him.
Ibn Kathir (1301 - 1373)
In this Ayah, Allah (God) said,
And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in Rayb - meaning,
doubt. Concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our
servant - meaning, Muhammad - then produce a Surah (chapter) the like
thereof - meaning, similar to the Qur'an.
This is the Tafsir of Mujahid, Qatadah, Ibn Jarir At-Tabari, Az-Zamakhshari
and Ar-Razi. Ar-Razi said that this is the Tafsir of `Umar, Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn
`Abbas, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and the majority of the scholars. And he gave
preference to this view and mentioned the fact that Allah (God) has
challenged the disbelievers as individuals and as groups, whether literate or
illiterate, thus making the challenge truly complete. This type of challenge is
more daring than simply challenging the disbelievers who might not be
literate or knowledgeable…
Therefore, this is a general challenge to the Arab disbelievers, the most
eloquent among all nations. Allah (God) challenged the Arab disbelievers
both in Makkah and Al-Madinah several times, especially since they had
tremendous hatred and enmity for the Prophet and his religion. Yet, they
were unable to succeed in answering the challenge…
Whoever reads through the Qur'an will realize that it contains various levels
of superiority through both the apparent and hidden meanings that it
mentions. Allah said,
Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book, the verses whereof are perfect (in every sphere
of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is
Wise and well-acquainted (with all things) Qur’an 11:1
So the expressions in the Qur'an are perfect and its meanings are explained.
Further, every word and meaning in the Qur'an is eloquent and cannot be
surpassed. The Qur'an also mentioned the stories of the people of the past;
and these accounts and stories occurred exactly as the Qur'an stated. Also,
the Qur'an commanded every type of righteousness and forbade every type
of evil, just as Allah stated,
And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice Qur’an 6:
115,
meaning, true in the stories it narrates and just in its Laws. The Qur'an is
true, just and full of guidance…
As for the Qur'an, it is entirely eloquent in the most perfect manner, as those
who have knowledge in such matters and understand Arabic methods of
speech and expressions concur. When one reads through the stories in the
Qur'an, he will find them fruitful, whether they were in extended or short
forms, repeated or not. The more these stories are repeated, the more
fruitful and beautiful they become. The Qur'an does not become old when
one repeats reciting it, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it. When the
Qur'an mentions the subject of warning and promises, it presents truths that
would make solid, firm mountains shake, so what about the comprehending,
understanding hearts When the Qur'an promises, it opens the hearts and the
ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace - Paradise - and to be
the neighbours of the Throne of the Most Beneficent. For instance, on the
subject of promises and encouragement, the Qur'an said,
Ibn Abbas (618/619 - 697/688)
Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs
And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We revealed - i.e. through the
Archangel Gabriel - unto Our slave - meaning, Muhammad whom you accuse
of fabrication, - then produce a surah like it - for example produce a surah
like the surah of the Cow (al-Baqarah) - and call your witnesses - meaning,
seek help from the gods that you worship, - apart from Allah - it is said that
this refers to their leaders, - if ye are truthful - in your claim.