Interpretation of the Holy Quran, Sura al-Baqara, Verses 21-24.

The Present article deals with the interpretation of Sura al-Baqara (II), verses 21-24. These verses are about the Ways of achieving virtue, creation of heavens and earth, unity of God, and proving the inimitability of the Quran. Interpretation of the verses may be summed up as Follows: Verse 21: The way of achieving virtue is divine worship. The creatures of the world worship God creationally while mankind's service is through Knowledge, will, and freedom. Verse 22: The earth is like a comfortable Cradle for the welfare of man, and heaven is like the construction of the universe being the source of water. Water is the main origin of plants and provisions. Drawing the attention of mankind to all these bounties on which his existence and Survival depends, God has prohibited man from associating with him any Partner. Verse 23: Addressing those who oppose and reject the Quran, Allah asks them to ping a Sura similar to its Suras if they have any doubt in the divine origin of the Quran. Calling to ping something Similar, i. e. challenge, the verse implies the inimitability of the Quran. Miracle (Mu ۧdjiza) is an extraordinary) work, independent from natural causes, beyond the capacity of mankind, coupled with the claim of prophethood, and distinguished from other extraordinary phenomena including miraculous acts of Imams and saints, i. e. Karāmat. The prophets are the direct and immediate cause of miracles, God being the indirect one. The Quran is a miracle in terms of its unique harmony and style, lack of discrepancies, illiteracy of its agent, and as to the meanings and contents. Verse 24: Urging its addressees, the phrase "and you will not do" indicates the inimitability of the Quran as to the unseen. Thus it informs that man would not be able at any time to ping a Sura like those of the Quran. Furthermore, threatening those denying the revelation of the Quran, the verse warns of the fire the fuel of which is the men themselves and the stones.