Amin Ahsan Islahi

(Extracted from the Tadabbur-e-Quran (Pondering over the Quran)

1. THE LANGUAGE OF THE QUR'AN
The Arabic language in which the Qur'an is revealed is a miracle in its sublime eloquence and no human or jinn is able to compose anything like it. Labid, the great Arabic poet, was the last of the reputed poets of the Seven Odes (al-Mu'allaqat as-Sab ? In recognition of his poetic excellence, all contemporary poets bowed in homage when he recited a couplet in the fair of Ukaz and, according to the prevalent Arab tradition, his ode was duly honoured by having it hung on the Ka'bah. Later on, Labid embraced Islam and stopped composing poetry. People were naturally surprised, for he was their most distinguished poet and publicly honoured by the entire body of poets. He was the master of Arabic poetry and eloquence. When asked why he had not continued composing poetry, he replied, "What! Even after the revelation of the Qur'an?" There was, in the opinion of this poet laureate, no use or need for his poetry after the revelation of Allah's Book, since he could neither produce anything better nor match its sublime beauty.