"Say: `If the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather...

"Say: `If the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support."' (18: 88) 131st revelation, 2 years B.H. The challenge continues: "Say: `Then bring you a book from Allah, which is a better Guide than either of them (the Tawrah and the Qur’an) that 1 may follow it! (Do), if you are truthful!"' (28:49) 160th and 161st revelations, in the 4th year A.H.

Now, after 13 years of frequent challenge, Allah the Omnipotent confirms again that people are unable to produce a Book like the Holy Qur'an. He now further reduces the challenge from ten to only one Sarah: "37 ‑ This Qur an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; On the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book ‑wherein there is no doubt‑ from the Lord of the worlds. 38 ‑ Or do they say, `He forged it'?

Say: `Bring them a Sarah like unto it, and call (to your aid) any‑one you can, besides Allah, if you speak the truth."' (10:37 & 38) 164th and 165th revelations, in the 5th year A.H. Again, He confirms the invitation to produce even one surah similar to the Qur'anic surahs.

For those who claim they can produce a similar book but in reality have not been able to do so, He clearly reminds them of the excruciating consequences: "23 ‑ And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to our obedient, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers besides Allah if your (doubts) are true.

24 ‑ But if you cannot ‑and certainly you cannot‑ then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones ‑which is prepared for those who reject Faith." (2:23 & 24) Therefore, the contestation continued for fourteen years during the lifetime of Muhammad (SA), with frequent reminders. Today, after over fourteen centuries, no one has matched even the smallest surah of this Book. I hope that the above passage illustrates how the Noble Qur'an Itself proves its miraculous nature (i.e.

the inability of humankind to produce a similar Writing). Some people have claimed that their writings are Divine or their books are comparable or even superior to the Glorious Qur'an.