Could You please comment on the claims of Muslims that the Qur'an cannot be adulterated?

[Shri Anil asked: A muslim devotee claimed that it is difficult to produce a chapter or a verse similar to the chapter or verse in the Qur’an by following arguments:

1. The Arabic language used in the Holy Qur’an is the most unique Arabic. Such an Arabic was never spoken or written in any part of the world ever, from time immemorial. However, this Quranic Arabic could be read and understood by all Arabic speakers. Hence, this ensured that the verses in the Holy Qur’an remain tamper proof.
2. The Holy Qur’an though is a book of rules on how to live life, its verses also happen to be written in the form of poems. Hence it turns out to be the world’s largest collection of poems in a single book. Since each verse is a poem, changing the text will not only spoil the rhyme, but also change the entire meaning of the verse.
3. Finally, right from the time the Holy Qur’an has been penned down in the form of a book, many of its readers or learners have taken the responsibility of memorizing it in order to protect it, should anybody try to change its words. Above all, Allah Subhanahuwata’ala has promised mankind that He will protect the Holy Qur’an till the end of the world, from ever kind of damage or tampering.

Swami, please give Your comments.]

Swami replied: Such opinions about one’s own divine scripture are appreciable. Unless you have immense respect for the scripture, you will not have immense respect for God, who is its author. If the scripture is from God, there is no question of doubting even a word of it. But there is no proof of perception, such as an audio-video recording while God dictated the scripture. This doubt will come in the minds of people who follow scientific analysis. Our faith cannot be imposed on them. We have to answer them. Otherwise, it will be like running away from establishing the truth. The only way to establish the truth that a statement in the scripture actually came from the mouth of God is to analyze it through sharp analysis and prove that the statement is logical and justified. No doubt that God is omnipotent and is beyond logic. However, this does not mean that God will speak something unjust and illogical that will spoil humanity.

Even if the statement is from God, what is its correct interpretation? This should also be analysed well. Otherwise, from a single statement, the crooked human intelligence will bring out many misinterpretations. The statement in the scripture is given by God for the welfare of humanity and hence, its interpretation must also be correct. It must be interpreted in the sense that God intended. God will never make any statement that has a harmful meaning for humanity. He never wishes to harm humanity. So, we must analyze the statement in all directions to avoid any misinterpretation, which sinners can make and expect us to follow blindly. At the end of the Gītā, God Krishna told Arjuna not to follow His gospel blindly without analysis. Krishna asked Arjuna to analyze every statement in the Gītā, in all angles and only then accept it, if his conscience is convinced (Vimṛṣyaitadaśeṣeṇa, yathecchcasi tathā kuru).

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| Shri Datta Swami | Could You please comment on the claims of Muslims that the Qur'an cannot be adulterated? | Vimrushyaitadasheshena yathechchcasi tathaa kuru Gita Giita

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