is: [the Qur’an] is miraculous and true! Thus, your accusing [the Qur’an] of error due to your superficial view is an error and it is not necessary to answer every doubt specifically. You can surely see that a person who [happens upon] a spring and tastes its pure, sweet water does not need to taste all its subsidiary streams and branches.
The [partitive] “min” in “mimmā nazzalnā – as to (lit. a part of) what we have revealed” infers the implied words ‘about a part of what of We have revealed’ (fī shay’in mimmā).
The word(s) “we have revealed (nazzalnā)” indicates that the source of their doubt is [the Qur’an’s] revelation (lit. descent). And the decisive reply proves its revelation.
The choice of [the IInd form] “nazzalnā,” which denotes gradual revelation, instead of [the IVth form] ‘anzalnā,’ which suggests that it was sudden, alludes to the excuses they advanced saying: “Why isn’t it revealed to him all at once?” Indeed, the Qur’an was revealed gradually as events required, according to circumstances, verse by verse, sura by sura.
The choice of the word “servant [or bondsman] (‘abd)” rather than ‘the Messenger’ or ‘Muhammad’ indicates exaltation of the Messenger, and hints at the elevated nature of worship, and corroborates the command “Worship!,” and infers the repulsion of delusions, for the Messenger (Upon whom be peace) performed more worship than anyone and recited more of the Qur’an. So reflect on this!
The phrase “then produce a sura like thereunto (fa-’tū bi-sūratin min mithlihi):” [The purpose of] the command “then produce” is to display their impotence, and it comprises a challenge, and censure, and calls on them to try to dispute it, making clear their inability to do this.
While the word “a sura” indicates [the Qur’an’s] silencing and dumbfounding them utterly, as follows:
The First Level of Challenge: It says: “Produce the like of the whole Qur’an together with its truths, sciences, predictions, and elevated word-order, all from someone illiterate.
The Second Level: It says: “If you can’t do that, fabricate something, but with similarly eloquent word-order.
The Third Level: It says: “If you can’t do that either, produce around ten suras.
The Fourth Level: If you’re not capable of doing that either, just produce [the equivalent of] a long sura.
The Fifth Level: If that’s too difficult for you as well, just bring one sura