Introduction
The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam, revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 1400 years ago. It is not merely a book of prayers or religious stories. For Muslims, the Qur’an is:
The literal word of God — guidance for humanity.
Across the world, the Qur’an is recited daily, memorised by millions, and studied by scholars and ordinary people alike. It has shaped civilisations, transformed hearts, and continues to influence the lives of billions.
But a deeper question remains:
What is the Qur’an truly — and why do Muslims believe it cannot be the product of any human being?
This article explains what the Qur’an is, its core message, and the strongest reasons it is viewed as a miracle.
What Does “Qur’an” Mean?
The word Qur’an comes from Arabic and means:
Recitation or reading aloud.
From the beginning, it was meant to be heard, recited, and memorised — not only written. This is one of the reasons its transmission has been so powerful throughout history.
What Is the Qur’an, Exactly?
Muslims believe the Qur’an is:
- The literal word of God (Allah)
- Revealed to Prophet Muhammad ď·ş
- Through the Angel Gabriel
- Over a period of approximately 23 years
- Preserved and transmitted to humanity
The Qur’an is not a biography of the Prophet, and it is not written like a typical textbook. It is a unique form of revelation: spiritual, moral, legal, and deeply reflective.
It speaks about:
- God and His attributes
- The purpose of life
- The human soul
- Right and wrong
- Prophets and past nations
- The afterlife and accountability
- Justice, mercy, and worship
- Family, society, and ethics
The Core Message of the Qur’an
If you could summarise the Qur’an’s message in one sentence, it would be:
Worship One God alone, live righteously, and prepare to return to Him.
The Qur’an continuously calls the reader to:
- Recognise the Creator
- Reflect on life and death
- Seek truth sincerely
- Purify the heart
- Uphold justice
- Show mercy
- Avoid arrogance and oppression
It does not only provide information — it challenges the human being inwardly.
How Was the Qur’an Revealed?
Prophet Muhammad ď·ş lived in 7th century Arabia. He was known among his people as truthful and trustworthy.
Muslims believe revelation began when he was 40 years old. He would receive verses in different circumstances:
- In moments of solitude
- During conflict
- When questions were asked
- When guidance was needed
- To correct behaviour or clarify principles
The Qur’an was memorised and written down by companions during the Prophet’s lifetime, and it spread rapidly through recitation.
The Qur’an’s Greatest Claim: It Is Not Human Speech
One of the Qur’an’s most striking features is that it openly presents itself as:
- Not poetry
- Not human philosophy
- Not the Prophet’s own words
- Not a product of cultural tradition
Instead, it repeatedly claims divine origin.
And it issues a bold challenge to humanity:
If you doubt it is from God, produce something like it.
This challenge is not presented as a one-time statement — it is repeated in different forms.
For Muslims, the Qur’an’s unmatched nature is not a vague feeling. It is argued through multiple angles.
Why Muslims Believe the Qur’an Is a Miracle
1) Its Linguistic Power and Inimitable Style
The Qur’an came to a people who highly valued language, poetry, and eloquence. Arabic poetry was celebrated, and skilled poets were admired across tribes.
Yet the Qur’an arrived with a style that did not fit any category:
- Not normal prose
- Not poetry
- Not rhythmic poetry
- Not speech patterns of the time
It had its own structure, rhythm, precision, and impact.
Even opponents of the Prophet acknowledged its power, while still refusing to accept its message.
Many scholars argue: if it were merely human eloquence, the best poets and speakers would have replicated it — especially those who were determined to defeat Islam.
Yet the Qur’an’s challenge to “produce something like it” remained unanswered in a meaningful way.
Key point: The Qur’an didn’t simply “sound beautiful.” It produced a new literary reality — while remaining consistent in message across 23 years.
2) The Qur’an Was Revealed Through an Unlettered Man
Prophet Muhammad ď·ş was not known as a poet or a writer. He did not study under scholars of theology or philosophy.
This is crucial:
The Qur’an speaks with authority about:
- Theology
- Ethics
- Law
- History
- Human psychology
- Social reform
- Spiritual purification
It addresses complex questions with clarity and depth — in a way that transformed an entire society.
Muslims argue:
The Qur’an appearing from a man who was not trained in authorship or scholarship is part of the sign.
3) Preservation: A Living Chain of Memorisation
The Qur’an is not only a written text — it is also a memorised scripture.
Across the world today, there are millions who have memorised it word-for-word in the original Arabic.
This is unusual in human history.
Muslims view the preservation of the Qur’an as part of its miracle:
- It was memorised from the beginning
- Recited daily in prayer
- Transmitted publicly, not privately
- Standardised early in Islamic history
- Kept alive through oral and written chains
Even critics of Islam often acknowledge the Qur’an’s remarkable textual stability compared to many ancient works.
4) Consistency Across 23 Years
The Qur’an was revealed gradually — in different contexts, across changing circumstances, over two decades.
Yet it maintains:
- A consistent worldview
- A consistent theology of God
- A consistent moral framework
- A coherent purpose of life
- A steady focus on accountability and the afterlife
Human authors writing over 23 years often show:
- contradictions
- evolving ideology
- shifting tone and objectives
The Qur’an, however, maintains one central thread:
God is One. Life has purpose. The human soul will return to Him.
5) Its Transformative Power
One of the most compelling “evidences” Muslims point to is not only intellectual — it is historical and personal:
The Qur’an transformed:
- Individuals hardened by tribalism into people of prayer and compassion
- Societies built on oppression into communities with law, charity, and accountability
- A civilisation that became a global force of learning, governance, and culture
Even today, many readers describe the Qur’an as:
- deeply confronting
- emotionally precise
- spiritually awakening
- impossible to read “like any other book”
Muslims argue: the Qur’an does not behave like human writing. It challenges the reader as if it knows them.
What Makes the Qur’an Different From Other Religious Books?
It speaks directly
The Qur’an often addresses the reader in the second person:
- “Do you not reflect?”
- “Will you not think?”
- “Have you considered…?”
It combines heart and law
It can speak about forgiveness, tears, prayer, and repentance — then also give laws about justice, marriage, charity, and finance.
It is intensely God-centred
The Qur’an constantly returns to God’s names and attributes:
- mercy
- justice
- knowledge
- power
- wisdom
The Qur’an’s View of Jesus, Moses, and Abraham
The Qur’an teaches continuity:
- God sent prophets throughout history
- They called to worship One God
- People changed or rejected guidance
- The Qur’an comes as final clarification
It speaks about:
- Abraham as a pure monotheist
- Moses as a major messenger
- Jesus as a great prophet and Messiah (but not God)
This is important for readers exploring Islam:
Islam presents itself as a continuation of the same monotheistic tradition, restoring pure worship of One God.
How Muslims Read the Qur’an
Muslims engage with the Qur’an in multiple ways:
- Recitation (daily)
- Memorisation
- Meaning (translation and explanation)
- Reflection (how it applies to life)
- Action (character and worship)
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasises that it is not meant to be a book you “finish” and put away.
It is meant to shape a person.
A Fair Question: “Could Muhammad ﷺ Have Authored It?”
A sceptical reader might ask: Could this be genius? Could it be political strategy? Could it be inspiration?
Muslims respond with a cumulative argument:
- The Qur’an’s literary uniqueness
- The Prophet’s lack of training as an author
- The scale and depth of the message
- The preservation and memorisation phenomenon
- The consistency over 23 years
- The historical transformation
- The Qur’an’s direct challenge to produce its like
They argue: when you combine these factors, the most reasonable conclusion is divine origin.
Not everyone will accept that conclusion immediately — but the Qur’an invites the reader to test it:
- read it
- reflect
- examine its message
- and judge whether it resembles human authorship
Conclusion
The Qur’an is the central miracle of Islam — not only because of what it says, but because of what it is.
It calls the human being to:
- worship One God
- purify the heart
- uphold justice
- live with purpose
- prepare for the afterlife
For Muslims, it is not simply a book of wisdom.
It is the Creator speaking to His creation.
If you are exploring Islam, the most important step is not only reading about the Qur’an — but reading the Qur’an itself with an open heart.
What is the Qur’an in Islam?
The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam and is believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Gabriel over approximately 23 years.
Is the Qur’an the same as the Bible?
Muslims believe the Qur’an continues the monotheistic message of earlier prophets like Moses and Jesus, but it differs in theology and is believed to be the final, preserved revelation.
Why do Muslims believe the Qur’an is a miracle?
Muslims cite its unique language and structure, the Prophet’s lack of authorship training, its consistency over 23 years, its preservation through memorisation and manuscripts, and its transformative impact on individuals and society.
Can the Qur’an be understood in translation?
Translations can help convey meaning, but Muslims believe the full Qur’an is in Arabic. Many readers begin with a translation and then explore explanations (tafsir) for deeper understanding.
What is the main message of the Qur’an?
Its central message is worshipping One God alone, living righteously, and preparing for accountability in the afterlife, with guidance on faith, worship, morality, and justice.