Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Belief that the Qur’an is the Word of God is not based merely on accepting a claim without evidence. Muslims point to multiple lines of evidence showing that this Book is revelation from Allah Almighty and that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conveyed it to people rather than composing it himself. Among the most important are the following:
First: The Qur’an’s challenge to people to produce something like it
The Qur’an was revealed among a people renowned for eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language. Yet the Qur’an challenged them to produce something like it, then ten chapters like it, and finally even one chapter. They were unable to do so despite their intense opposition to the Prophet ﷺ and their desire to disprove his message.
Allah Almighty says:
“Say, ‘If all humans and jinn were to come together to produce the equivalent of this Qur’an, they could not produce its equal, no matter how they supported each other.’”
[Qur’an 17:88]
He also says:
“And if you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it.”
[Qur’an 2:23]
The continuing nature of this challenge is among the evidences Muslims cite that the Qur’an is not ordinary human speech.
Second: The coherence of the Qur’an and its freedom from contradiction
The Qur’an was revealed gradually over many years and under different circumstances and events. Despite this, it remained consistent in its fundamental beliefs, principles, and laws.
The Qur’an itself calls people to reflect upon it and examine it from this perspective. Allah Almighty says:
“Do they not then reflect on the Qur’an? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.”
[Qur’an 4:82]
Scholars have cited this as evidence regarding the source of the Qur’an, because human speech and writings are subject to mistakes, contradictions, and deficiencies, especially when composed over many years.
Third: The preservation of the Qur’an and its transmission through generations
Another distinctive feature of the Qur’an is the extraordinary care taken in preserving it. Muslims memorized it and recorded it in writing, transmitting it from generation to generation.
Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will preserve it.”
[Qur’an 15:9]
The memorization and transmission of the Qur’an became a distinctive feature of the Muslim community. Its preservation did not depend upon a single copy or one individual; rather, large numbers of Muslims memorized it and transmitted it through successive generations.
Fourth: The beliefs, laws, and guidance contained in the Qur’an
Muslims also point to the Qur’an’s comprehensive system of belief, worship, morality, and legislation, along with its teachings concerning human beings, life, the Hereafter, and the accounts of previous nations.
The Qur’an is not a book dealing with only one aspect of life. Rather, it presents a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between human beings and their Creator, themselves, and the people around them. Scholars have regarded this consistency and comprehensiveness as among the indications that it is not a human composition.
Fifth: Its information about matters the Prophet ﷺ had not learned
The Qur’an contains accounts of previous prophets and nations, as well as information about future events. Scholars have regarded this as another area for researchers to examine when considering the source of the Qur’an and the truthfulness of Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood.
The Qur’an itself draws attention to the fact that the Prophet ﷺ had not previously studied such books and accounts. Allah Almighty says:
“You did not read any scripture before it, nor did you write one with your right hand. Otherwise, the people of falsehood would have had cause for doubt.”
[Qur’an 29:48]
Sixth: The Qur’an contains admonitions directed at the Prophet ﷺ
Among the important evidences that the Qur’an was not authored by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are verses in which Allah corrects or admonishes him concerning certain situations.
Allah Almighty says:
“He frowned and turned away because the blind man came to him.”
[Qur’an 80:1–2]
He also says:
“You concealed within yourself what Allah was going to reveal, and you feared the people, whereas Allah has more right that you should fear Him.”
[Qur’an 33:37]
If the Prophet ﷺ had composed the Qur’an himself, there would have been no reason for him to record such admonitions, recite them publicly, and preserve them in the Qur’an until today. This is therefore cited among the arguments that the Qur’an is revelation rather than the Prophet’s ﷺ own composition.
How can a non-Muslim investigate this evidence?
A non-Muslim should not be expected to believe in the Qur’an before examining its evidence. Rather, they can begin by reading it with an open and impartial mind, reflecting on its message, beliefs, style, and claims, and then studying the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the historical circumstances in which the Qur’an appeared.
For this reason, one useful approach for a sincere seeker of truth is to read a reliable translation of the meanings of the Qur’an and carefully consider the beliefs, laws, and guidance it presents rather than judging it without reading it.
In conclusion: The case that the Qur’an is the Word of God does not depend upon a single argument. Rather, it is based on a combination of evidences, including its challenge to humanity, its coherence, its preservation, the guidance and laws it contains, its accounts and information, and the presence of verses admonishing the Prophet ﷺ himself. Muslims cite these collectively as evidence that Muhammad ﷺ was not the author of the Qur’an, but rather a Messenger who conveyed the revelation sent to him by God.
And Allah knows best.