Juz 11: At-Tawbah 93 to Hūd 5
Section 13 of 17 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Challenge of the Quran
A central theme of Surah Yunus is the divine origin and inimitability of the Quran. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala directly addresses the skeptics' accusations that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fabricated the Quran, presenting a decisive challenge that remains unanswered to this day.
In verse 37, Allah affirms the divine source of the Quran:
وَمَا كَانَ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَن يُفْتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“This Quran is not such as could have been brought by someone other than Allah. Rather, it is the confirmation of what was before it, and an elaboration of what is ordained. There is no doubt in it. It is from the Lord of all the worlds." [10:37]”
The Quran's relationship with previous scriptures is twofold: it confirms the authentic teachings found in earlier revelations while providing detailed guidance for humanity's spiritual and worldly affairs. Its coherence, profound wisdom, and internal consistency attest to its divine authorship.
When faced with this claim of divine origin, the disbelievers resorted to dismissive accusations rather than engaging with its content. Allah captures their flippant responses in verse 15:
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ ۙ قَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُ
“When Our verses are recited to them in all their clarity, the disbelievers say about the truth when it comes to them, “This is an open magic.”” (46:7)