Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV — Page 175
Footnote Number Eleven 175 and the Holy Quran have a magnificent attribute that is unique to this Holy Word, which is that studying it with attention and sincerity puri- fies the heart, dispels layers of darkness, and expands the mind, and, drawing a seeker after truth towards the Holy One, invests him with such light and manifest signs that are characteristic of those who have attained nearness to the Holy One, and which cannot be acquired by man through any other device or plan. I have also furnished evidence of this spiritual effect in this book and, if there is a sincere seeker after truth, I can satisfy him in person and I am ever prepared to furnish fresh and new evidence. Moreover, it needs to be well remembered that the incomparable and unparalleled excellence of the language of the Holy Quran is not confined to rational arguments alone. Rather, valid experience spanning over a lengthy period of time also confirms and substantiates it. For 1,300 years the Holy Quran has been presenting its excellences by beat- ing the drum of ل من معارض ه [‘Is there a challenger?’] and proclaiming loudly to the whole world that it is incomparable and unparalleled in its external form and internal qualities, and that no man, small or great, has the ability to compete with it or counter it, yet no one has even dared to take up its challenge. Indeed, no one has been able to com- pete with even one s u rah, for example S u rah al-F a ti h ah, in its external and internal qualities. Look! What could be a more self-evident and manifest miracle than this: Not only does intellect prove that this Holy Word transcends human capabilities, but experience extending over a lengthy period of time also bears witness to its status as a miracle? Should anyone reject this twofold testimony, proven by intel- lect and experience extending over a lengthy period of time, and take pride in his knowledge and skill, or have faith in someone’s writing ability to produce the like of the Holy Quran, I am setting out below, as promised, some of the verities and subtleties comprised in S u rah al-F a ti h ah by way of illustration, so that such a one may put forward his own composition in an attempt to match the external and internal qualities of S u rah al-F a ti h ah.