The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 427
The Holy Qur'ān 427 fold beyond those that we have set out in the first case, and yet it would be necessary that the beauty of the composition should be matchless and peerless, and that it should not be possible to express the subject matter in more eloquent language. . These are the qualities which are found in the Surah Fātihah and in the Holy Qur'an, which are in accord with the qualities of matchlessness of a rose. But another great quality is found in the Surah Fatihah and the Holy. Qur'an, which is peculiar to them, and that is that to read them with attention and sincerity purifies the heart, and removes the veils of darkness, and expands the mind, and drawing the seeker after truth to God, manifests such lights and effects in him which are found only in those who are close to God and which cannot be acquired by any other means. We have given proof in this book of this spiritual effect, and if a seeker after truth should so desire we can satisfy him and furnish fresh proof. . Internal and External Qualities of Surah Fātiḥah. It should also be remembered that the matchlessness and peerlessness of the Holy Qur'ān has not only arguments of reason to establish it, but is confirmed by experience over a long period. For 1,300 years the Holy Qur'ān has been putting forward its qualities as a challenge to the whole world that in its external and internal qualities it is matchless and peerless and that no man can produce its equal, and yet no one has come forward to take up the challenge, not even with regard to one Surah, for instance the Surah Fatihah. Now what could be a clearer miracle than that not only this Holy Word is beyond the reach of human faculties on the basis of reason, but experience over a long period also testifies to its miraculous nature.