The sentence shows that a man who has even a little...

The sentence shows that a man who has even a little knowledge should not ascribe any equal or partner to Allâh; he should know that it is Allâh Who has created him and those before him and arranged and managed this system in the creation for their sustenance and survival. QUR’?N : And if you are in doubt . . . then produce a chapter like it . . . : It is a challenge which human beings and jinn can never meet.

This challenge has been offered to demonstrate the miracle of the Qur’ân, to show that it is a Book sent down by Allâh, there is no doubt in it; that it has been revealed as an ever­lasting miracle that will remain alive till the end of the world. This challenge has repeatedly been given in the Qur' an: Say: "If men and jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Qur’ân, they could not bring the like of it, even though some of them were aiders of the others" (17:88).

Or, do they say: "He has forged it?" Say: "Then bring ten chapters like it forged and call upon whom you can besides Allâh, if you are truthful " (11:13). This context shows that the pronoun "it" in "like it" refers to "that which We have revealed to Our servant", that is, the Qur’ân. It is a challenge to them to bring a like of the Qur’ân in its inimitable style and meaning. The word "min mithlihi" ( = translated here as "like it") may also be rendered as "from like him".

In that case it will be a challenge to bring a like of the Qur’ân written by someone like the Holy Prophet. This Qur’ân has been brought by a person who was never taught by any teacher, who had not learnt these valuable and marvelous truths from any human being, nor had he taken this most eloquent style from any mortal. If the disbelievers thought that such a man can write such a Book, then let them bring its like from some such illiterate man.

In this light, the verse would have the same import as the following one: ­Say: "If Allâh had desired (otherwise) I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have taught it to you; indeed I have lived a lifetime among you before it; do you not then understand?" (10:16) Both explanations have been given in some traditions.

Obviously, this and the other challenging verses dare the antagonists to bring, if they can, like of even the shortest chapter of the Qur’ân - say, the Chapter of al-Kawthar or al- Asr. A strange exegesis has been written by someone that "like it " means like this Chapter, The Cow, in which this verse occurs.