and by this they mean (1) that, in this sense, it is not a fabricated lie. For it is said, “He created (2) this report and invented it [when he fabricated it] (3).” Allah, Most High, said concerning Abraham:

“What you worship besides Allah are only idols, and you fabricate falsehood.” [Surah al-‘Ankabūt: 17]

And He related that the people of Hūd said:

“This is nothing but the fabrication of the ancients—and we will not be punished.” [Surah al-Shu‘arā’: 137–138]

It should therefore be said to these people: Anyone who reflects upon the reports transmitted from the early generations and the dispute that arose within the Muslim community over whether the Quran is created or uncreated will know that their dispute was not over whether it was fabricated. No one who acknowledges that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah says that the Quran is fabricated. Rather, the only person who says it is fabricated is one who says (4), “Muhammad is a liar who fabricated the Quran,” as Allah, Most High, said:

“Or do they say, ‘He fabricated it’? Say, ‘Then produce a surah like it.’” [Surah Yūnus: 38]

And He said:

“Or do they say, ‘He fabricated it’? Say, ‘Then produce ten fabricated surahs like it.’” [Surah Hūd: 13]

And Allah, Most High, said:

“Those who disbelieve say, ‘This is nothing but a falsehood he has fabricated, and others have helped him with it.’ They have indeed committed an injustice and uttered a lie.” [Surah al-Furqān: 4]

And He said:

“Or do they say, ‘He fabricated it’? Say, ‘If I have fabricated it, then my crime rests upon me, and I am innocent of the crimes you commit.’” [Surah Hūd: 35]

Those who disputed over whether the Quran is created or uncreated acknowledged that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and that he conveyed the Quran from Allah [Most High] (5) and did not fabricate it