WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE QURAN (PART 2 OF 2)

Dr.  Stiengass, quoted in T.P.  Hughes’ Dictionary of Islam, pp.  526-527:

“A work, then, which calls forth so powerful and seemingly incompatible emotions even in the distant reader – distant as to time, and still more so as a mental development- a work which not only conquers the repugnance which he may begin its perusal, but changes this adverse feeling into astonishment and admiration, such a work must be a wonderful production of the human mind indeed and a problem of the highest interest to every thoughtful observer of the destinies of mankind.”

Maurice Bucaille, The Bible, the Quran and Science, 1978, p.  125:

“The above observation makes the hypothesis advanced by those who see Muhammad as the author of the Quran untenable.  How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merits, in the whole of Arabic literature?  How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?”

Dr.  Steingass, quoted inn Hughes’ Dictionary of Islam, p.  528:

“Here, therefore, its merits as a literary production should perhaps not be measured by some preconceived maxims of subjective and aesthetic taste, but by the effects which it produced in Mohammed’s contemporaries and fellow countrymen.  If it spoke so powerfully and convincingly to the hearts of his hearers as to weld hitherto centrifugal and antagonistic elements into one compact and well organized body, animated by ideas far beyond those which had until now ruled the Arabian mind, then its eloquence was perfect, simply because it created a civilized nation out of savage tribes, and shot afresh woof into the old warp of history.”

Arthur J.  Arberry, The Koran Interpreted, London: Oxford University Press, 1964, p.  x:

“In making the present attempt to improve on the performance of my predecessors, and to produce something which might be accepted as echoing however faintly the sublime rhetoric of the Arabic Koran, I have been at pain to study the intricate and richly varied rhythms which – apart from the message itself – constitute the Koran’s undeniable claim to rank amongst the greatest literary masterpieces of mankind.  This very characteristic feature – ‘that inimitable symphony’, as the believing Pickthall described his Holy Book, ‘the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy’ – has been almost totally ignored by previous translators; it is therefore not surprising that what they have wrought sounds dull and flat indeed in comparison with the splendidly decorated original.”

Quran on the Quran

“Hence, indeed, We made this Quran easy to bear in mind: who, then, is willing to take it to heart.” (Quran 54:17, 22, 32, 40 [self repeating])

“Will they not meditate on the Quran, or are there locks on the hearts?” (Quran 47:24)

“Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do good works that they shall have a great reward.” (Quran 17:9)

“Surely We have revealed the Reminder (Quran) and We will most certainly guard it (from corruption).” (Quran 15:9)

“Praise be to God Who has revealed the Book (Quran) to His slave (Muhammad) and has not placed therein any crookedness.” (Quran 18:1)

“And certainly We have explained in this Quran every kind of example; and man is most of all given to contention.  And nothing prevents men from believing when the guidance comes to him, and asking forgiveness of their Lord, except that what happened to the ancients should overtake them, or that the chastisement should come face to face with them.” (Quran 18:54-55)

“And We reveal (stage by stage) of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for believers and to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.” (Quran 17:82)

“And if you are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad) then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof, and call your witnesses besides God if you are truthful.” (Quran 2:23)

“And this Quran is not such as could be forged by those besides God, but it is a verification ( of revelations) that went before it and a fuller explanation of the Book – there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds.” (Quran 10:37)

“So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in God from Satan the Outcast.” (Quran 16:98)