my Muslim friends. My name is Louis, and I am interested in Islam and becoming Muslim. On my journey, I have now bought a Quran and started reading it. I believe, because I am a skeptic, that I will have multiple questions that I will have to ask someone with more knowledge and experience than me.
I have used AI to correct my grammar, but I have written all of this myself.
Please do not take offence, as I am not trying to disrespect anyone or anyone’s faith.
Nonetheless, I will be critical of your answers and I won’t be satisfied by answers that leave doubts unresolved for me.
My first question is: in Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, Verse 23, it is written: “And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful.”
As far as I understand, the poetic power, prose and beauty of the whole Quran in Arabic is one of the main arguments for it being the word of God.
My concerns are the following:
1. That seems a rather subjective measure. I’m sure no Muslim would ever be willing to say that anything anyone ever writes will match the poetic beauty of the Quran, as Muslims already believe it is the word of God. While skeptics might find poems or texts that they will argue match the Quran.
2. I wonder why an almighty God wouldn’t be able to produce something in all languages, to make it accessible for everyone. I like how the Quran, in one of its first surahs, excludes discrimination among humans. But wouldn’t it be fair to enable everyone to experience the wonder of God’s word firsthand?
Imagine someone who just discovered Islam, for reasons out of his control, only one year before he will die of cancer. This person could never learn Arabic quickly enough. Hence, this person will miss out on one of the most cited and pointed-at wonders in the Quran.
And as for me, I’m trying to find my way to God. I would greatly benefit from being able to experience this wonder in my mother tongue.
I understand a few of the main counterarguments to my argument:
One original in one language is easier to preserve.
It is mentioned in the Quran that Allah talks to people in their own language. I’d argue
that it would be fair to send the last book more universally.
The prose is only one of the wonders. Alright, but if it is not necessary for me to believe the Quran is the word of God, why should it be necessary for the Arabic-speaking people?
Allah judges based on our means, not on the outcome. I see that. And maybe if I finish the Quran, I’ll be a believer even without that wonder. Right now, I am not, and I would be thankful for each additional wonder I can get to see or experience.
The challenge in 2:23 was mainly for the enemies of Muhammad at that time. That speaks against the argument of timelessness and universality for me.
Not all proof must be accessible to everyone — very good argument. I studied chemistry; hence, maybe I’ll have more connection with the science side that will eventually come while I’m reading through the whole Quran. Let’s see.
My general point stands. Why should a book that is meant to be an opportunity for all of humanity to find their way to God be limited in such a way that one of its central wonders is not accessible to most of humanity?
Asked by loisen33
(1 rep)
May 8, 2026, 03:06 PM