“My miracle is that none of you will be able to speak, eat, or drink at all; for withholding what is ordinary is on a par with bringing about what is extraordinary—and that is among the most striking of wonders.

If, then, they are in fact powerless, it is established that the event breaks the natural order; thus its miraculous character is proven under both opposite assumptions—affirmation and negation. It therefore stands as a marvel that truly overturns custom.

This is the furthest point to which we might concede. In reality, however, the definitive, incontestable truth is that all created beings are incapable of countering it; they simply have no power to do so. Even Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—could not, of his own accord, alter a single surah of the Qur’an. Indeed, anyone who reflects even briefly can see the difference between the Qur’an and the rest of his speech, just as Allah has declared:

“Say, ‘If all mankind and jinn were to band together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce its like, even if they aided one another.’” (al-Isra 17:88)

Moreover, people certainly find within themselves every motive to challenge it, yet they feel their own inability; had they possessed the power, they would surely have done so.”