Does the Quran allow humans to criticize revelation?

Answering the question of whether the Quran allows humans to criticize revelation requires a precise distinction and understanding of the term “criticism.” If “criticism” is understood as challenging, questioning the divine authenticity, or attempting to find flaws and errors in the revealed word, then the answer is unequivocally “No.” The Holy Quran presents itself as the flawless and perfect word of God and repeatedly challenges humanity to produce anything similar to it (Takhaddi), thereby demonstrating their inability to match the grandeur of the divine word. This challenge not only serves to prove the miraculous nature of the Quran but also shows that it contains no deficiencies and could not possibly be the work of humans. Verses such as “Say, 'If mankind and the jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another'” (Al-Isra, 17:88) and “Do they not then ponder on the Qur'an? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy” (An-Nisa, 4:82) clearly emphasize that the Quran is a divine discourse, free from any inconsistencies or imperfections. These verses not only prohibit criticism in the sense of fault-finding or disparagement but invite contemplation and reflection so that individuals may, through profound insight, grasp its miraculous nature and perfection, thus strengthening their faith. On the other hand, if “criticism” is understood in its broader sense—meaning reflection, deliberation (tadabbur), inquiry for deeper understanding, deriving legal rulings, and adapting to contemporary requirements—then the answer is “Yes.” The Holy Quran repeatedly calls upon human beings to use their intellect (aql), reflect (tafakkur), ponder over divine verses (tadabbur), and employ their reason to comprehend its concepts and messages. Numerous verses invite reflection with phrases such as “Do they not then use their reason?” (أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ), “Do they not then reflect?” (أَفَلَا يَتَفَكَّرُونَ), “Do they not then ponder?” (أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ). This type of questioning and contemplation is not born out of doubt or disparagement but with the aim of strengthening faith and achieving deeper knowledge. Muslims have always been encouraged to reflect upon the verses of the Quran, understand their meanings, and discover the hidden wisdom within them. This process includes asking questions about details, the rationale behind rulings, and how to implement them in daily life, but always with the initial premise of the truthfulness and correctness of the divine word. In fact, this type of contemplation is a vital process for understanding and living according to the Quran's teachings. Throughout Islamic history, jurists, exegetes (mufassirin), and theologians (mutakallimun) have constantly been engaged in deriving rulings and knowledge from the verses of the Quran. This process of derivation and ijtihad (independent reasoning) is itself a form of “deep and analytical questioning” of the sacred text, with the goal of understanding Quranic concepts in the best possible way and making them applicable to human lives. They have used scholarly and rational tools, within the framework of interpretative principles and Hadith, to unveil the secrets of the verses and guide the lives of believers. This scholarly endeavor takes place within the framework of faith in revelation and reverence for the divine word, and it is never meant to find flaws or reject it. On the contrary, its purpose is to strengthen faith and demonstrate the Quran's boundless richness, which is a fundamental principle in Quranic and Islamic sciences. The Quran itself answers many questions posed by people to the Prophet (PBUH). Phrases like “They ask you concerning wine and gambling” (Al-Baqarah, 2:219) or “They ask you concerning the new moons” (Al-Baqarah, 2:189) bear witness that people had the right to pose their questions, and the Prophet was tasked with conveying the divine answers to them. These questions were not born of denial, but for better understanding and action. This interaction shows that Islam is a religion of intellect and clarification, welcoming constructive and knowledge-enhancing questions. Therefore, Muslims are permitted to ask questions and ponder over the verses for deeper understanding, details of rulings, or adaptation to new circumstances, but this contemplation and questioning must be within the framework of faith in the truthfulness and infallibility of the divine word. In summary, the Quran does not permit “destructive criticism” or “fault-finding” of revelation, as it considers it the complete and perfect word of God, which has challenged humanity and rendered them unable to produce its like. However, it strongly encourages “constructive reflection, deliberation, and inquiry” to achieve deeper understanding, strengthen faith, and derive rulings. The purpose of this contemplation is to gain greater certainty and act upon divine guidance, not to challenge its foundations. This crucial distinction provides a correct understanding of the human relationship with revelation and clarifies the boundary between constructive inquiry and destructive denial. Faith in the Quran means full acceptance of it as the word of God, and contemplating it is for unlocking the treasures of divine wisdom and achieving worldly and eternal success.