Muslims are assured for several reasons that the Qur’an is indeed the Word of God. Here are eight reasons :
Physical incapacity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was physically incapable to write the Qur’an. History has him as an unlettered man who could not write anything more than his own name. How could he write a book?
Sincerity.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was morally constrained to tell the truth about the origin of the Qur’an. He was noted to be so honest and trustworthy that even his enemies called him al-Amin (the trustworthy). Moreover, he suffered persecution, refused offers to compromise, and maintained his message for a period of twenty-three years. Historians of religion have to conclude that he was sincere.
Psychology.
The Qur’an speaks to the Prophet, commands him, and even criticizes him. Such contents do not point to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the self-conscious author. On the other hand, the author declares himself to be the creator of the heavens and the earth.
History.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was incapable of writing the Qur’an. The Qur’an details items of history which were not known to the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his contemporaries. And independent studies confirm that the Qur’an was true in what it said.
Prophecy.
The Qur’an speaks prophetically, detailing what the future holds. Then the future unfolds exactly as foretold. Who could author such a book?
Science.
The Qur’an draws attention to a wide range of physical phenomena in order to teach moral lessons. The statements were not meant to teach science. Yet modern scientists are amazed at the accuracy of these statements. For example, the Qur’an said things about the growth and development of the human embryo which could not be studied without the use of a microscope. Dr. Keith Moore was professor and chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Toronto. After reviewing the Qur’anic statements he said: “I am amazed at the accuracy of these statements which were already made in the 7th century AD.” Such knowledge in the Qur’an points to God as its source.
Consistency.
The Qur’an challenges skeptics to find errors in it, which, if found, would disprove its divine claim. But no one has yet been able to point to a real error in it.
Inimitability.
A unique feature of the Qur’an is that no one is able to produce a book that would match its beauty, eloquence and wisdom. The Qur’an itself challenges humankind to produce even a chapter like it. But no one has been able to do it.
These eight reasons together form a strong cumulative case in favor of the Qur’an’s divine origin. Hence Muslims can be confident that the belief of Islam, which is based on the Qur’an, is true.
Re: How can Muslims be assured that the Qur'an is the Word of God?
Physical incapacity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was physically incapable to write the Qur’an. History has him as an unlettered man who could not write anything more than his own name. How could he write a book?
Sincerity.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was morally constrained to tell the truth about the origin of the Qur’an. He was noted to be so honest and trustworthy that even his enemies called him al-Amin (the trustworthy). Moreover, he suffered persecution, refused offers to compromise, and maintained his message for a period of twenty-three years. Historians of religion have to conclude that he was sincere.
Psychology.
The Qur’an speaks to the Prophet, commands him, and even criticizes him. Such contents do not point to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the self-conscious author. On the other hand, the author declares himself to be the creator of the heavens and the earth.
History.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was incapable of writing the Qur’an. The Qur’an details items of history which were not known to the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his contemporaries. And independent studies confirm that the Qur’an was true in what it said.
Prophecy.
The Qur’an speaks prophetically, detailing what the future holds. Then the future unfolds exactly as foretold. Who could author such a book?
Science.
The Qur’an draws attention to a wide range of physical phenomena in order to teach moral lessons. The statements were not meant to teach science. Yet modern scientists are amazed at the accuracy of these statements. For example, the Qur’an said things about the growth and development of the human embryo which could not be studied without the use of a microscope. Dr. Keith Moore was professor and chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Toronto. After reviewing the Qur’anic statements he said: "I am amazed at the accuracy of these statements which were already made in the 7th century AD." Such knowledge in the Qur’an points to God as its source.
Consistency.
The Qur’an challenges skeptics to find errors in it, which, if found, would disprove its divine claim. But no one has yet been able to point to a real error in it.
Inimitability.
A unique feature of the Qur’an is that no one is able to produce a book that would match its beauty, eloquence and wisdom. The Qur’an itself challenges humankind to produce even a chapter like it. But no one has been able to do it.
These eight reasons together form a strong cumulative case in favor of the Qur’an’s divine origin. Hence Muslims can be confident that the belief of Islam, which is based on the Qur’an, is true.
Author : Shabir Ally
Good one.
Dil ko behlane ko Ghalib ye khayaal accha hai.
But there is only one way which can assure muslims and the rest of the world that holy quran is word of ALLAH.
First of all, have faith, follow its laws, Make at least a single society in this big islamic world which is based on the laws and principals of holy quran. There can be no doubt that such society, wh ich is based on the laws and will of ALLAH is bound to be most judicious, most peacefull, and offcource the best society which will work as a mass dawah to the world too.
Rest of all is going to be just lips service just like above nice article......everything which is good for humans and society needs to pass a practical test.........so does holy quran.
Re: How can Muslims be assured that the Qur'an is the Word of God?
Dil ko behlane ko Ghalib ye khayaal accha hai.
But there is only one way which can assure muslims and the rest of the world that holy quran is word of ALLAH.
First of all, have faith, follow its laws, Make at least a single society in this big islamic world which is based on the laws and principals of holy quran. There can be no doubt that such society, wh ich is based on the laws and will of ALLAH is bound to be most judicious, most peacefull, and offcource the best society which will work as a mass dawah to the world too.
Rest of all is going to be just lips service just like above nice article......everything which is good for humans and society needs to pass a practical test.........so does holy quran.
ALLAH knows best.
Thanks
Nice thoughts Sir. However living by it does not prove it to be the word of God. A muslim who does not abide by it his entire life still does not deny the fact they it is from Allah SWT. These are two different things. Our success in this world and the next depends on how much we live by it, it has little to do in proving it to be the word of Allah SWT.
Re: How can Muslims be assured that the Qur'an is the Word of God?
You're entirely correct there, USResident. If an individual adheres to the doctrines expressed (suggested) by a religious text (according to his or her interpretation of the text), that does not provide any evidence for the truth or falsehood of that text.
I notice that Christian fundamentalists use the same 2 lines of reasoning about the Bible that Muslims often expressed re the Quran - that it is the Word of God because (a) it says so, or some representative of the faith has said so (b) it is shown to be true by the conduct of believers.
I child could see through this reasoning, but Fundamentalists cannot.
So USResident, you seem to have accepted the illogic of (b). How about (a) ? Are you happy to swallow the dogma which says that the Quran is the word of Allah because someone said it was? Or do you have a mind of your own? I know that you're a person of some intelligence - so why are you willing to accept a lie that even a little child could see through?
As someone living in a western country, you will be familar with the myth of Santa Claus, associated with the decadent western celebration of Christ's birth.
When my children were little, they accepted the notion that Father Christmas was a reality, and that he was the one who brought them presents at Christmas time. Now that they are older, they realise that in actual fact this is just a charming fable, and that just because daddy said that Father Christmas exists, that doesn't make it true.
You just need to make the same intellectual leap that a six year old can make, and you will have liberated your mind.
Re: How can Muslims be assured that the Qur'an is the Word of God?
I notice that Christian fundamentalists use the same 2 lines of reasoning about the Bible that Muslims often expressed re the Quran - that it is the Word of God because (a) it says so, or some representative of the faith has said so (b) it is shown to be true by the conduct of believers.
I child could see through this reasoning, but Fundamentalists cannot.
So USResident, you seem to have accepted the illogic of (b). How about (a) ? Are you happy to swallow the dogma which says that the Quran is the word of Allah because someone said it was? Or do you have a mind of your own? I know that you're a person of some intelligence - so why are you willing to accept a lie that even a little child could see through?
As someone living in a western country, you will be familar with the myth of Santa Claus, associated with the decadent western celebration of Christ's birth.
When my children were little, they accepted the notion that Father Christmas was a reality, and that he was the one who brought them presents at Christmas time. Now that they are older, they realise that in actual fact this is just a charming fable, and that just because daddy said that Father Christmas exists, that doesn't make it true.
You just need to make the same intellectual leap that a six year old can make, and you will have liberated your mind.
I do not agree with you on (b). To move this discussion forward constructively I would also appreciate if you tell me which faith you follow. Tell me what is your criteria for accepting something as the word of God? For me to state my criteria for accepting Quran as the word of God would be insensible because if you had the same criteria then you would have accepted it as the Message from Allah SWT. So I need to use your criteria and somehow prove that Quran is the word of Allah SWT using that (myself or with help from others should I fall short in some knowledge area). Fair enough.
Re: How can Muslims be assured that the Qur'an is the Word of God?
These are all naive and simplistic. Let me play the devil's advocate.
Physical incapacity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was physically incapable to write the Qur’an. History has him as an unlettered man who could not write anything more than his own name. How could he write a book?
All this shows is that some other power besides the Prophet (pbuh) inspired the words. Doesn't show that they are from God.
Sincerity.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was morally constrained to tell the truth about the origin of the Qur’an. He was noted to be so honest and trustworthy that even his enemies called him al-Amin (the trustworthy). Moreover, he suffered persecution, refused offers to compromise, and maintained his message for a period of twenty-three years. Historians of religion have to conclude that he was sincere.
All this shows is that the Prophet (pbuh) believed that the words from God. Doesn't show that he was correct.
Psychology.
The Qur’an speaks to the Prophet, commands him, and even criticizes him. Such contents do not point to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as the self-conscious author. On the other hand, the author declares himself to be the creator of the heavens and the earth.
All this shows is that the author claims to be God. Why should this claim be accepted.
History.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was incapable of writing the Qur’an. The Qur’an details items of history which were not known to the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his contemporaries. And independent studies confirm that the Qur’an was true in what it said.
This claim is not true. What independent studies?
Prophecy.
The Qur’an speaks prophetically, detailing what the future holds. Then the future unfolds exactly as foretold. Who could author such a book?
This claim is not true. What prophecies?
Science.
The Qur’an draws attention to a wide range of physical phenomena in order to teach moral lessons. The statements were not meant to teach science. Yet modern scientists are amazed at the accuracy of these statements. For example, the Qur’an said things about the growth and development of the human embryo which could not be studied without the use of a microscope. Dr. Keith Moore was professor and chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Toronto. After reviewing the Qur’anic statements he said: "I am amazed at the accuracy of these statements which were already made in the 7th century AD." Such knowledge in the Qur’an points to God as its source.
Again, not true. Quran doesn't have anything that was not general knowledge at the time. This deserves to be a topic by itself. I have seen this claim quite frequently. I am confident I can debunk every specific instance of it. For example above, what Quranic statements about embryo are so amazing?
Consistency.
The Qur’an challenges skeptics to find errors in it, which, if found, would disprove its divine claim. But no one has yet been able to point to a real error in it.
A subjective statement. Ask any non-muslim and they will point plenty of "errors".
Inimitability.
A unique feature of the Qur’an is that no one is able to produce a book that would match its beauty, eloquence and wisdom. The Qur’an itself challenges humankind to produce even a chapter like it. But no one has been able to do it.
A totally subjective criterion. Non-muslims will tell you of other scriptures they find more beautiful and eloquent.