Quran and Hadith Studies
Analysis of the Arguments for the Challenge (Taḥaddī) in the Independent Passages of the Holy Qur’an
Document Type : Research Article
Author
Assistant Professor of Quran and Hadith Studies, Quranic Sciences and Education University, Maragheh Faculty of Quranic Sciences, Iran.
10.30497/qhs.2025.248408.4152
Abstract
The Holy Qurʾan has challenged its opponents to a contest (muʿāraḍa) to prove its authenticity. The quantity of the Qurʾan's challenge (taḥaddī) varies across different verses, sometimes extending to the entire Qurʾan, ten sūras, or a single sūra. Prominent scholars commonly hold that the minimum unit of challenge is one conventional sūra (bounded by two instances of the basmala). However, some researchers contend that a collection of coherent verses (even less than a sūra) can constitute an instance of taḥaddī. The present study seeks to elucidate the minimum extent of the Qurʾan's challenge. This is accomplished by examining the evidence and proofs for both viewpoints through a critical analysis of the challenge verses (āyāt al-taḥaddī), a review of the opinions of early and contemporary exegetes, a study of historical evidence, an analysis of key terms using literary and lexicographical sources, and a critical evaluation of the arguments from both sides. The research findings indicate that, despite the evidence supporting the majority view—such as the use of the word "sūra" in Q 10:38 and Q 2:23, the counter-challenges (muʿāraḍāt) presented by opponents, and the claim of a scholarly consensus (ijmāʿ) throughout history—the evidence for the minority theory is more robust. According to this group, the meanings of the words "ḥadīth," "Qurʾan," and "sūra" in the challenge verses and their usage in the Qurʾan, certain aspects of inimitability (iʿjāz) such as prophecies of the unseen (iʿjāz ghaybī), the gradual revelation of some sūras, the Qurʾan's challenge to provide guidance, and the absence of contradiction in the Qurʾan's content all demonstrate that the Qurʾan has challenged others to produce a number of consecutive verses with a coherent theme, without the condition of reaching the length of a conventional sūra.
Keywords
Main Subjects
The Holy Qurʾan.
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