will never benefit from any proof at all, even were more to be added. Nevertheless, we challenge them with the very challenge by which Allah, exalted is He, confronted their counterparts among the atheists, and we say: If you claim that this is merely human speech, then produce a single surah like it, if you are truthful.

And if you allege that it is a fabrication devised without Allah, then bring ten fabricated surahs comparable to it, and call upon whomever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.

As for demonstrating their opposition to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the Messenger ﷺ never believed in any Qur’an other than this Qur’an. Had he thought that this was not the Qur’an and that the Qur’an was something else, he would certainly have clarified that to his community, for it is impermissible to delay clarification beyond its proper time. How, then, could he conceal so momentous a matter when Allah, exalted be He, commanded him to deliver the message, saying: “O Messenger, proclaim what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you do not, you have not conveyed His message”1? Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ was keenly concerned for his ummah, compassionate toward them, gentle with the believers, and merciful.