The Quran: Cannot be invented
11. Hud, Mecca 52
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
فَلَعَلَّكَ
تَارِكٌ بَعْضَ
مَا يُوحَى
إِلَيْكَ...
11: 12. Perchance thou mayest (feel the inclination) to give up a part of what is revealed unto thee,
C1509. Every Prophet of Allah, when he not only encounters opposition, but is actually accused of falsehood and those very evils which he is protesting against, may feel inclined, in his human weakness, to ask himself the question.
"Supposing I omit this little point, will Allah's Truth then be accepted more readily?
Or he may think to himself,
"If I had only more money to organize my campaign, or something which will draw people's attention, like the company of an angel, how much better can I push my Message?"
He is told that truth must be delivered as it is revealed, even though portions of it may be unpalatable, and that resources and other means to draw people to him are beside the point. He must use just such resources and opportunities as he has, and leave the rest to Allah.
...وَضَآئِقٌ بِهِ صَدْرُكَ أَن يَقُولُواْ لَوْلاَ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ كَنزٌ أَوْ جَاء مَعَهُ مَلَكٌ...
and thy heart feeleth straitened lest they say,
"Why is not a treasure sent down unto him, or why does not an angel come down with him?
...إِنَّمَا أَنتَ نَذِيرٌ...
But thou art there only to warn!
...وَاللّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ ﴿١٢﴾
It is Allah that arrangeth all affairs!
11: 13. Or they may say, "He forged it."
...قُلْ فَأْتُواْ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِ مُفْتَرَيَاتٍ...
Say, "Bring ye then ten Surahs forged, like unto it,
...وَادْعُواْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ِ ﴿١٣﴾
and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye can, other than Allah! -- if ye speak the truth!
Other versions:
11: 12
Asad Is it, then, conceivable [O Prophet] that you could omit any part of what is being revealed unto you [because the deniers of the truth dislike it, and] because your heart is distressed at their saying [note 20] “Why has not a treasure been bestowed upon his from on high?” – or, “[Why has not] and angel come [visibly] with him?” [note 21]. [They fail to understand] that you are only a warner, whereas God has everything in His care [note 22];
Pickthall A likely thing, that thou wouldst forsake aught of that which hath been revealed unto thee, and that thy breast should be straitened for it, because they say: Why hath not a treasure been sent down for him, or an angel come with him? Thou art but a warner, and Allah is in charge of all things.
Yuksel So perhaps you wish to ignore some of what has been inspired to you, and you are depressed by it, because they say, "If only a treasure was sent down with him, or an angel had come with him!" You are but a warner, and God is caretaker over all things.
Transliteration Fa la'allaka ta_rikum ba'da ma_ yu_hu_ ilaika da_'iqum bihi sadruka ay yaqu_lu_ lau la_ unzila 'alaihi kanzun au ja_'a ma'ahu_ malak(un), innama_ anta nazir(un), walla_hu 'ala_ kulli syai'iw wakil(un).
11: 13
[[The Quran is a Unique Book with Extraordinary Features]]
Asad and so they assert, “[Muhammad himself] has invented this[Quran]”! [note 23]. Say [unto them]: “Produce, then, ten surahs of similar merit, invented [by yourseves], and [to this end] call to your aid whoever you can, other than God, if hwat you say is true! [note 24]
!
Pickthall Or they say: He hath invented it. Say: Then bring ten surahs, the like thereof, invented, and call on everyone ye can beside Allah, if ye are truthful!
Yuksel Or do they say, "He invented it!" Say, "Bring ten invented chapters like it, and call on whom you can besides God if you are truthful."*
Transliteration Am yaqu_lu_na-ftara_h(u), qul fa'tu_ bi 'asyri suwarim mislihi muftaraya_ tiw wa-d'u_ man-istata'tum min du_nilla_hi in kuntum sa_diqin(a).
[[ Yuksel’s note - 011:013 The mathematical structure of the Quran is too intricate to be imitated. ]]
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12. Yusuf (Joseph)
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَقَدْ
كَانَ
فِي قَصَصِهِمْ
عِبْرَةٌ
لِّأُوْلِي
الأَلْبَابِ...
12: 111. There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding.
C1796. Their stories, i.e., the stories of Prophets or of the wicked; for the two threads inter-twine, as in Joseph's story.
...مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَى وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ...
It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it --
C1797. A story like that of Joseph is not a purely imaginary fable. The People of the Book have it in their sacred literature. It is confirmed here in its main outline, but here there is a detailed spiritual exposition that will be found nowhere in earlier literature.
The exposition covers all sides of human life. If properly understood it gives valuable lessons to guide our conduct,-an instance of Allah's grace and mercy to people who will go to Him in faith and put their affairs in His hands.
...وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١١١﴾
a detailed exposition of all things, and a Guide and a Mercy to any such as believe.
Other versions:
The Quran: Cannot be invented
12: 111
Asad Indeed, in the stories of these men there is a lesson for those who are endowed with insight. [As for this revelation ] it could not possibly be a discourse invented: nay indeed, it is confirming the truth whatever there still remains, clearly spelling out everything, and guidance and grace unto people who will believe.
Pickthall In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.