Throughout history, many critics have risen to challenge the validity of the Quran, questioning its divine origin and suggesting that it is the product of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Among these critics, figures like Sam Shamoun have persistently argued that the Quran is a mere creation of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and not a revelation from God. They assert that the Quran’s teachings, claims, and its preservation are a human endeavor, fabricated by the Prophet.

However, the Quran itself has boldly and unequivocally put forth a challenge to anyone who doubts its divine origin or claims that it is a product of human creation. This challenge is not one of mere rhetorical flourish but a direct invitation to anyone who thinks the Quran is the result of human invention. It presents an open challenge for anyone to match its beauty, coherence, and profundity:

Quranic Challenge:

“Or do they say: ‘He (Muhammad) has forged it (this Qur’an)?’ Nay, but they believe not! Let them then produce a recitation like it if they are truthful.”
— Surah At-Tur 52:33-34

This challenge has stood for over 1,400 years. The Quran does not ask for just any response; it asks for something of the same quality, style, depth, and power as its own. It requires not just a written text, but a recitation—the unique nature of the Quran lies in its eloquence, rhythm, and profound message.

Criteria for the Challenge:

1. Linguistic Mastery:
   The Quran is recognized for its unparalleled mastery of the Arabic language. Its language is so rich in meaning, rhythm, and beauty that it is regarded as the pinnacle of classical Arabic. Any attempt to produce something similar must meet this same high linguistic standard.

2. Cohesion and Consistency:
   The Quran, despite being revealed over 23 years, maintains a perfect sense of cohesion and consistency. Its themes, teachings, and linguistic styles remain unified, with no contradictions. Critics must match this unbroken consistency while addressing theological, ethical, and legal matters.

3. Prophetic Knowledge and the Unlettered Prophet:
   The Quran makes no secret of the fact that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered, meaning he could neither read nor write. This makes the Quran’s miraculous nature even more astounding—how could an illiterate man from 7th-century Arabia produce a literary masterpiece that stands unrivaled to this day? Those who claim that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) authored the Quran must address this glaring discrepancy. If he could not write, then how can they claim he forged such a profound text? And if they suggest that it was indeed humanly possible for him to write such a book, then surely, educated critics like Sam Shamoun—who are well-versed in the intricacies of language, theology, and logic—should have no difficulty in producing a text of similar or superior quality.

4. The Quran’s Prophetic and Scientific Accuracy:
   The Quran contains knowledge that was beyond the reach of 7th-century humanity—prophecies, scientific insights, and details about the natural world that were only verified many centuries later. If the Quran were the product of human ingenuity, how could someone from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) describe these realities so accurately?

5. Miraculous Preservation:
   The Quran has been preserved in its original form for over 1,400 years, without alteration or corruption. It challenges anyone to bring forth a similar book, suggesting that if it were the work of a human, it would have been lost to time like all other works of its kind. How can a simple, unlettered man produce something so meticulously preserved over time? This is an additional aspect of the Quranic challenge.

A Direct Challenge to Sam Shamoun and Other Critics:

Sam Shamoun, along with other critics of Islam and the Quran, frequently claim that the Quran is merely a product of human imagination, perhaps authored by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. They argue that it is a creation of the Prophet, yet they fail to produce any work that comes even close to the literary, theological, and scientific excellence that the Quran embodies.

Now, I challenge Sam Shamoun and all others who hold similar views to take up the Quran’s challenge. You are all seemingly more educated than the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) so this challenge should be an easy one for them.  If they truly believe that the Quran is a forgery, then the task is clear:

Produce a recitation like it.

• You are educated, well-versed in the intricacies of language, theology, history, and literature.
• You have the tools, resources, and skills to craft a text that could rival the Quran.
• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unlettered, yet his message has stood the test of time and remains unrivaled in its eloquence and profundity.

If the Quran is simply a human creation, then you, Sam Shamoun, and others like you, should be able to produce a text that meets these criteria. If you cannot, and we know you cannot, then it is clear that the Quran is not the work of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but rather the divine revelation of God, protected from any human interference.

Conclusion:

It is easy for critics like Sam Shamoun and others to level accusations from a distance. It is much harder to accept the challenge that the Quran itself offers. The challenge is not about producing a piece of writing that looks similar on the surface; it is about capturing the same profound depth, linguistic mastery, thematic cohesion, and miraculous accuracy found in the Quran. So far, no one has succeeded, and history has shown that no one will ever succeed.

Therefore, I call on Sam Shamoun and all critics to rise to the Quran’s challenge if they are truly confident in their claims. If they believe that the Quran is nothing but the product of an illiterate man’s imagination, then they should easily be able to compose something that surpasses it in every way. If you succeed in this challenge then you would have destroyed Islam, which is your very aim, right?

The Quran invites all to test its authenticity, but history has proven time and time again that the Quran stands alone—unrivaled, unmatched, and unchanged. The challenge remains. Will the critics accept it? If they don’t accept it then it is clear that they admit that they cannot do it, rendering all their arguments lies.

We are waiting…