Al-Isra · Ayah 88

قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجْتَمَعَتِ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا 88

Translations

Say, "If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’ān, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants."

Transliteration

Qul la'in ijtama'at al-insu wa-al-jinnu 'ala an ya'tu bi-mithli hadha al-Qur'ani la ya'tuna bi-mithlihi wa-law kana ba'duhum li-ba'din zahira

Tafsir (Explanation)

This ayah presents a definitive challenge (i'jaz) to humanity and jinn combined: even if they united their efforts and resources, they could not produce a chapter similar to the Qur'an. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize this as conclusive proof of the Qur'an's divine origin and miraculous nature (i'jaz al-Qur'an), as it surpasses human linguistic and rhetorical capabilities. The phrase 'even if some of them were allies to others' underscores the impossibility despite collective human and supernatural effort.

Revelation Context

This ayah is part of the Meccan period when the Quraysh and their allies denied the Qur'an's divine origin and challenged the Prophet Muhammad. It appears within the thematic context of Surah Al-Isra, which addresses disbelievers' objections and presents evidence of divine truth. The challenge responds directly to those who rejected the Qur'an as merely human composition.

Related Hadiths

The concept is reinforced in reports about the Prophet's challenge to the disbelievers. While no single hadith directly quotes this ayah's challenge, the broader tradition in Sunan Al-Darimi and other collections documents how scholars used this ayah to demonstrate the Qur'an's inimitability against those claiming human authorship.

Themes

I'jaz al-Qur'an (Qur'anic Inimitability)Divine Proof and EvidenceChallenge to DisbelieversQur'anic SuperiorityUnity of Humans and Jinn in Powerlessness

Key Lesson

This ayah teaches that the Qur'an's eloquence, wisdom, and spiritual depth transcend human capability, serving as an eternal proof of its divine authorship. For believers, it strengthens faith through rational evidence; for skeptics, it presents an open challenge that has remained unanswered throughout history, inviting reflection on truth.

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Related Ayahs

17:10Al-Isra

وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.

17:46Al-Isra

وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا ۚ وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَلَّوْا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَـٰرِهِمْ نُفُورًا

And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’ān, they turn back in aversion.

17:110Al-Isra

قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنَ ۖ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَلَا تَجْهَرْ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَٱبْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيلًا

Say, "Call upon Allāh or call upon the Most Merciful [ar-Raḥmān]. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.

17:93Al-Isra

أَوْ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيْتٌ مِّن زُخْرُفٍ أَوْ تَرْقَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَن نُّؤْمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا كِتَـٰبًا نَّقْرَؤُهُۥ ۗ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّى هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا

Or you have a house of ornament [i.e., gold] or you ascend into the sky. And [even then], we will not believe in your ascension until you bring down to us a book we may read." Say, "Exalted is my Lord! Was I ever but a human messenger?"