These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.
The Quran contains 114 suras, of which 29 are prefixed with initials. In eight of the occurrences of these initials, it follows with some variation of the statement “til’ka āyātu l-kitāb” ( تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰب ) which translates to “this is proofs of the book.” Some misunderstand this verse and think that “ayat” means verses, which is the word’s common use today, but Quranically, the word ayat almost always refers to a sign or miracle rather than verses.
[10:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
[12:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are proofs of this profound scripture.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[13:1] A. L. M. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture. What is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.
(١) الٓمٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
[15:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are proofs of this scripture; a profound Quran.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
[26:1] T. S. M. [26:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.
(١) طسٓمٓ (٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[27:1] T. S. These (letters) constitute proofs of the Quran; a profound scripture.
(١) طسٓ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
[28:1] T. S. M. [28:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this profound book.
(١) طسٓمٓ (٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
[31:1] A. L. M. [31:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓمٓ (٢) تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
The Challenge
Three times in the Quran, it provides the following challenge:
[2:23] If you have any doubt regarding what we revealed to our servant, then produce one sura like these, and call upon your own witnesses against GOD, if you are truthful.
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[10:38] If they say, “He fabricated it,” say, “Then produce one sura like these, and invite whomever you wish, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[11:13] If they say, “He fabricated (the Quran),” tell them, “Then produce ten suras like these, fabricated, and invite whomever you can, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ مُفْتَرَيَـٰتٍ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
It is interesting to note that the three suras that pose the challenge all occur in the initial suras.
[2:1] A. L. M. [2:2] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous;
(١) الٓمٓ (٢) ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
[10:1] A. L. R. These (letters) are the proofs of this book of wisdom.
(١) الٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
[11:1] A. L. R. This is a scripture whose verses have been perfected, then elucidated.* It comes from a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.
(١) الٓر كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ
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