Documents of the Right Word

the âyats declaring: ‘You, too, try and say the like of it,’ or a
similar challenge of Muhammad (’alaihi ’s-salâm). Or, perhaps,
they kept themselves aloof in return for some advantage or for
the realization of some other agreement or goal we do not know
of. For example, they might have fallen for a promise of being
given some privileges in the state he was going to establish. Or, at
the outset they paid little heed to his proclamations and did not
deign to answer him; but later, seeing that he was gaining power
and his followers were increasing in number, they did not dare to
answer him. Or, competent poets might have had problems in
earning their livelihood and they therefore found no time to
answer him. It is also probable that due answers were given, but
their success was forgotten or could not be passed on to later
generations for some reasons. For example, after increasing in
number, getting stronger and spreading over three continents,
Muslims might have annihilated the reports of such
accomplishments. Or, such reports might have been lost, being
forgotten in the long course of time.”
Answer: Answers to these various doubts have been given
briefly in the previous article. I have stated that if the things
created by Allâhu ta’âlâ within His laws [of causation], that is,
some of the teachings acquired through the sense organs and by
experience, are contrary to reason, this does not prevent them
from being taught. I have said that the teachings acquired thru the
sense organs are so. Now we will give answers to each of the
above-quoted doubts separately. First of all, it must be concluded
that the person who said he was a Prophet spoke the truth if he
displayed a mu’jiza demonstrating his prophethood and
challenged others to do the same and no one could stand against
him. That is, it is necessary to believe him. Anything said later
against him is nonsensical, invalid and worthless. It is also
inappropriate to say that they did not respond to him since they
had slighted him at the outset and feared afterwards. Because it
would have been a great honour and a dignifying act of superiority
acceptable to everybody to counter someone’s challenge and
excellent work; everyone would have praised, loved and followed
such a person. Who on earth would not have liked it? If a person
who could do it had not wanted to do it, this would have shown
that his opponent was right and truthful. As for the third doubt, it
is known well that a person who has competence needs not only to
answer him but also to demonstrate it; it is only by demonstration
that the purpose will be attained. Existence of conditions limiting
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