Thus, the early generations and the imams knew that this revealed Quran, heard from its reciters, is the speech of Allah, as the Exalted says:

“And if any of the polytheists seeks your protection, grant him protection so that he may hear the speech of Allah.”
[al-Tawbah: 6]

It is not the speech of anyone else, whether in wording or meaning. Rather, Gabriel conveyed it from Allah, and Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, conveyed it from Gabriel. Allah therefore attributed it to each of the two messengers because each conveyed and delivered it, not because either originated its wording or meaning. For had either of them originated it, its origination could not rightly be attributed to the other. The Exalted says:

“Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger. It is not the word of a poet—how little you believe! Nor is it the word of a soothsayer—how little you take heed! It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.”
[al-Hāqqah: 40-43]

This refers to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

The Exalted also says:

“Indeed, it is the word of a noble messenger, endowed with power, held in high honour with the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there and trustworthy.”
[al-Mutaffifīn: 19-21]

This refers to Gabriel, peace be upon him.

Allah, the Exalted, has threatened the one who said:

“This is nothing but the speech of a human being.”
[al-Muddaththir: 25]

Whoever says that this Quran is human speech has disbelieved and echoed the words of the solitary one, whom Allah threatened with Saqar (Hellfire). Whoever says that any part of it is human speech has adopted part of what he said. Whoever says that it is not the word of a noble messenger, but rather the word of a poet, a madman, or a fabricator; or says that it is the speech of a devil who brought it down to him, or anything similar, is likewise an accursed disbeliever.