Overview (Verses 4 - 6)

Accusations without Basis

Having shown how they fabricate such allegations against God, who is limitless in His glory, the sūrah refers to their impudent claims against God’s Messenger, replying to them in a way that shows how false and absurd it all is.

The unbelievers say: ‘This [Qur’ān] is nothing but a lie which he has devised with the help of other people.’ In truth, it is they who have perpetrated an inequity and a falsehood. And they say: Fables of ancient times which he has caused to be written down, so that they might be read out to him morning and evening.’ Say: ‘This [Qur’ān] is bestowed from on high by Him who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth. He is indeed Much-Forgiving, Merciful.’ (Verses 4-6)

It was a most blatant lie that the unbelievers of the Quraysh said when they knew deep at heart that it had absolutely no basis. Their elders who instructed them to circulate these lies were fully aware that the Qur’ān which Muhammad recited could not have been authored by a human being. They actually knew this given their appreciation of fine poetry. Furthermore, they could not stop themselves from being influenced by the Qur’ān. Moreover, they knew Muhammad long before his prophethood, and they were aware that he was exemplary in his honesty: he never told a lie, broke a promise, or breached a trust. How could he, then, invent a lie against God, attributing to Him words which He did not say?

But they were stubborn, motivated by fear for their social status that relied on religious position. Hence, they resorted to such tactics, making false allegations that could be accepted by ordinary people who might not have similar literary talent. They claimed that the Qur’ān was “nothing but a lie which he has devised with the help of other people.” (Verse 4) It is said that those other people were three foreign slaves, or even more. This is such an absurd allegation. If a man could, with the help of others, devise this Qur’ān, or invent it, what would stop them from producing, with the help of others, a similar Qur’ān to refute Muhammad’s argument? He repeatedly challenged them to do so and they failed to take up the challenge.

Hence why the sūrah does not employ any argument to refute their absurd allegations. Instead, it gives its clear judgement on their statements: “They have perpetrated an inequity and a falsehood.” (Verse 4) It is an act of injustice against the truth, Muhammad and themselves. Moreover, it is a blatant falsehood.

The sūrah gives other examples of their false accusations against the Prophet and the Qur’ān: “And they say: Fables of ancient times which he has caused to be written down, so that they might be read out to him morning and evening.” (Verse 5) The Qur’ān gives accounts of the history of past communities for the dual purpose of serving as lessons and admonition for people, and providing guidance for them. The unbelievers, however, label such true accounts of history as ‘fables of ancient times’, alleging that the Prophet sought such fables to be written down so that they could be read out to him, because he was unlettered, unable to read. When they were read to him every morning and evening, he would then recite them to people claiming that they were revealed to him by God. Such unfounded allegations do not stand up to any examination. We need only look at the logical sequence of the historical accounts given in the Qur’ān, the relevance of each story to the context in which it is placed, and the perfect balance and harmony between the objectives of each story and the sūrah in which it occurs. All this confirms the deliberate choice and meticulous presentation of Qur’ānic historical accounts. Nothing of this is found in legends and fables that are related for entertainment. They hardly ever serve a basic theme or support a particular idea.

Their allegation that these accounts were fables of ancient communities indicates that they were accounts of events that took place much earlier. This means that Muhammad (peace be upon him) could not have known them without being taught by some of those who circulated such fables, generation after generation. Hence, the sūrah replies that the One who revealed them to Muhammad was the One whose knowledge is absolute. It is He who knows all secrets everywhere in the universe. Indeed, no situation, past present or future, is unknown to Him: “Say: This [Qur’ān] is bestowed from on high by Him who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth.” (Verse 6) How could the knowledge of legend reciters be compared with God’s perfect knowledge? How could legends and fables be compared to the secrets of the heavens and the earth, which are perfectly known to God? This is no more than comparing a drop of water to an endless ocean.

When they make such absurd allegations against the Prophet they commit a gross error, which is added to their persistent associating of partners with God, their Creator. Nevertheless, the door to repentance remains open, if they wish to desist from their sinful ways. God, who is fully aware of their fabrications and schemes, will extend mercy and forgiveness to them: “He is indeed Much-Forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 6)