This is a rather common question. And, its underlying assumption is that either the Qur’an has to be set aside or that some of its “inconvenient” parts have to be amended.
First, we must ask these people whether they believe that Allah revealed the Qur’an as a book of guidance for humanity (Qur’an, 2:2). It should be noted that the Qur’an reveals a number of mathematical and historical miracles, as well as scientific truths that we have discovered only recently. The fact that these scientific truths which could not be known at the time of the Qur’an’s revelation are in complete conformity with it strongly indicates that the Qur’an is the word of Allah. Those who have doubts about the Qur’an, despite these facts, are called out to, as follows:
If you have doubts about what We have sent down to Our servant, produce another sura equal to it, and call your witnesses, besides Allah, if you are telling the truth. If you do not do that—and you will not do it—then fear the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, made ready for the unbelievers. (Qur’an, 2:23-24)
Certainly, those who assert that the Qur’an is written by man are not Muslims, regardless of their professions of faith. What is interesting, however, is that there are also some who claim that “the Qur’an cannot address today’s needs” yet assert that they are Muslims. If they persist in their claim, they can be placed in only two groups: those who are ignorant of religion and know nothing about the Qur’an, or those who hesitate to declare their unbelief openly.
People who are somewhat conversant with the Qur’anic commands can never advocate such a fallacy. However, those who fail to notice that the Qur’an is the just Book revealed by Allah as the only accurate source of guidance applicable to all times and every society often advocate that very fallacy. People who read the Qur’an with an open mind recognize that the kind of people and societies described therein have existed throughout history as well as in our day. The Qur’an gives an account of all of the wrongs, misdeeds, and distortions committed by those societies that are far from religious morality. Their reactions to Allah’s message and the detailed character descriptions instruct us today, which are further indications that the Qur’an addresses all times and all people. Those who are committed to reading the Qur’an and to living by it will witness, with an ever-deepening faith, that it permeates their lives, for the Qur’an gives a detailed account of what events they will face and the ideal behaviors expected of them.
The Qur’an also refers to one unreasonable judgment, “society is an ever-evolving system, and religion, with its static texture, falls short of its needs,” and declares that this view is based upon a lack of comprehension unique to unbelievers. As the Qur’an informs us, unbelievers who lived thousands of years ago also referred to religion as ** “myths and legends of previous peoples”** (Qur’an, 16:24) In the same manner, unbelievers who lived at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), asked him to amend certain parts of the Qur’an. As we read:
When Our Clear Signs are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet Us say: “Bring a Qur’an other than this one or change it.” Say: “It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I follow nothing except what is revealed to me. I fear, were I to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a Dreadful Day.” (Qur’an, 10:15)
The unbelievers to whom the above verse refers were living at the Prophet’s (pbuh) time and actually witnessed the Qur’an’s revelation. They objected only because adhering to the Qur’an’s morality would, in their opinion, harm their interests.
This situation also is true for today. Those who benefit from the established system of ignorance inevitably oppose the morality and the lifestyle introduced by Islam. You frequently hear these people talk about reforming the Qur’an. In actuality, these are nothing but efforts to make the Qur’an conform to their own ignorant order.
However, these are all futile efforts, for in compliance with ** “We have sent down the Reminder, and We will preserve it,”** (Qur’an, 15:9) each letter of the Qur’an is preserved exactly as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Qur’an is Allah’s final message to humanity, and so divine revelation has ceased. Thus, the Qur’an is—and will remain—the only way to salvation for the rest of time.
for putting up the thread MQ. much needed reminder