We say in response:

As for the first, it is “a major question” over which there is widespread disagreement. Some groups maintain that certain portions of Allah’s speech are superior to others, as the prophetic texts explicitly state. The Prophet said that nothing like al-Fātihah had been revealed in the three scriptures, and that Sūrat al-Ikhlās is equivalent to one-third of the Quran. Its equivalence to one-third of the Quran precludes its being equal in merit to other passages containing the same number of letters.

He also declared Āyat al-Kursī to be the greatest verse in the Quran, as is established in the Sahīh. It is likewise established in Sahīh Muslim that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to Ubayy ibn Ka‘b:

“Abū al-Mundhir, do you know which of the verses of Allah’s Book that you know is the greatest?”

He said: “I replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘Abū al-Mundhir, do you know which verse in Allah’s Book is the greatest?’ I replied, ‘Allah—there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all.’ He then struck my chest and said, ‘May your knowledge bring you joy, Abū al-Mundhir!’”

Ibn Abī Shaybah also narrated it in his Musnad through Muslim’s chain of transmission, adding:

“By Him in Whose hand is my soul, this verse has a tongue and two lips with which it glorifies the Sovereign at the foot of the Throne.”

It has also been reported that it is “the foremost of the verses of the Quran.” Concerning the two surahs of refuge, he said:

“The like of them has never been seen.”

Allah Most High has said:

“Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or similar to it.”

He thus states that He brings one better than it or similar to it. This is Allah’s declaration that He may sometimes bring a verse similar to that one, and at other times one better than it. This indicates that