Definition of the « I3Jaz »:
In the language, I3Jaz means not being able to do something extraordinary, it is the opposite of the ability to do a miracle. Yet, the term I3Jaz is associated to extraordinary things, associated to the notion of challenge. Also, the I3Jaz is a way to show the human weaknesses and limits, and it proves that humans can’t create a miracle, no matter how developed the infrastructures and the used techniques. Based on this definition, the scholars believe that miracles in the holy Quranserve to prove the truthfulness of this book and its perfection, and, the inability of the Arabs, and the generations who came after them to criticize the Quran and to bring a similar book.
Proofs of the « I3Jaz » in the holy Quran:
When the prophet Muhammad PBUH called Quraish to the Islamic religion, they disbelieved him and asked him to bring a miracle to prove his call and his message. He told them that the holy Quran is his miracle, and it’s manifested on several levels, as the almighty Allah challenged the non-believers by saying: « Then let them produce a statement like it, if they should be truthful », then he eased the challenge by saying: Or do they say, "He invented it"? Say, "Then bring ten surah like it that have been invented and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allah, if you should be truthful. », then he made it even easier by asking them the following: « Or do they say [about the Prophet], "He invented it?" Say, "Then bring forth a surah like it », and he finally asked them: « Say, "If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants." Then Allah confirmed that they cannot bring like it by saying: « But if you do not - and you will never be able to - then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers. »
Types of the I’Jaz in the Quran:
The types of I’Jaz vary and include multiple topics and areas, including the rhetorical miracles, the scientific miracles, the legislative miracles and the metaphysical miracles. The rhetorical miracle is the ability of the holy Quran to convey its meanings and different messages clearly and with an eloquence that no human can bring. The scientific miracle concerns the realities and the accurate information that the Quran contains, concerning cosmic phenomena, such as the functioning of the space, seas, mountains and others, that couldn’t be explored in the time that the holy Quran descended. The legislative miracle concerns the accuracy of the laws, regulations and principles of the Islamic religion and their superiority from the laws made by humans. Finally, the metaphysical miracles refer to the reference in the holy Quran concerning some matters related to the past, present and future, that are impossible for humans to ever predict.
The wisdom behind the miracles in the Quran:
It is possible to summarize the wisdom behind the existence of the Quranic miracles in the saying of the almighty Allah: « We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth ». The types of miracles that are included in the Holy Quran, including the linguistic fluency, the legislative rules, the scientific truths and the metaphysical facts are all signs and indications to prove the truthfulness of the holy Quran. Also, the Quran helps reassuring the hearts of the Muslims, to help them believe the message, especially those who needs scientific and tangible evidences. Also, it helps Muslims the discover various phenomena and areas.
Examples of the miracles in the Quran:
As an example of the linguistic miracle, what Allah said in Surat Al Anaam: and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them, and Surat Al Israe: And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. The first one addresses the poor and forbids them from killing their children due to poverty, and the second one talks to the rich and forbids them from killing their children due to the fear of the poverty, as Allah said: We provide for them and for you. Also, the scientific miracle in Surat Al Hijr And We have sent the fertilizing winds, which is a proven miracle, as the scientists say that the wind carry the pollen inside it to pollinate the flowers. Moreover, the metaphysical miracle in Surat Al Roum: « In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome », as the Quran tells about the victory of the romans over the Persians, which was realized later and was proved by historical documents.