Indistortability of Quran in Surah Fussilat
This is considered a miracle of the Holy Quran as well. This issue has been discussed in Surah Fussilat.
Surah Fussilat is the 41st chapter of the Quran, It has 54 verses and is in the 24th and 25th Juzes of the Quran. It is among Makki Surahs and the 61st chapter revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The word Fussilat is defined as “explained in details”. Some have defined it as having parts or sections. The word comes in verse three of the Surah and that has given the chapter its name.
This Surah is mostly about disbelievers’ denial of the Quran. This issue has been mentioned in different parts of the chapter, including the first verses.
In verse 26, it is mentioned again: “The disbelievers say, ‘Do not listen to this Quran but make a lot of unnecessary noise while it is being read so that perhaps you will defeat it’.”
Also in verse 40, God says: “Those who deviate from Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Is the one who will be thrown into hell fire better than the one who will be brought safely into the presence of God on the Day of Judgment? Act as you wish; God is Well-Aware of whatever you do.”
In the final verses, there is also talk of the divine origin of the Quran: “Say, ‘Think, if the (Quran) is from God and you have rejected it, then who has gone farther astray than the one who has wandered far from the truth?’” (Verse 52)
The fact that the Holy Quran is indistortable is a common belief among Muslims. They believe the Quran they read today is exactly the same as the one revealed to Prophet Muhammad (AS) and there has been not even a word added to it or omitted from it. Quran interpreters and theologians have cited various verses and Hadiths to reject the possibility of distortion of the Quran. They include verses 41 and 42 of Surah Fussilat.
In order to turn away from the Book of God, the disbelievers had to deny the three principles and tenets that constitutes the foundation of Islam’s call, namely the oneness of God, prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) and belief in the Resurrection Day. That is why Surah Fussilat explains about these principles in detail and gives both warning and good news.
Other issues discussed in the Surah include the conditions of the Day of Judgment, features of the Quran and its revelation, the body parts like eyes, ears, skin, etc bearing witness against evil-doers, and also the stories of the people of Aad and Thamud.
