Hūd 11:12
The verse
A likely thing, that thou wouldst forsake aught of that which hath been revealed unto thee, and that thy breast should be straitened for it, because they say: Why hath not a treasure been sent down for him, or an angel come with him? Thou art but a warner, and Allah is in charge of all things. — Marmaduke Pickthall
The issue
This verse describes Muḥammad’s hesitancy towards his people about dropping parts of the Qur’ān that displease them. It is as if the verse is asking, “Muḥammad, are you thinking about hiding parts of the verses of the Qur’ān? Are you bothered enough by these verses to conceal them from the Quraysh because the Quraysh asked you to present them with tangible miracles, such as discovered treasures or the appearance of an angel?”
Muḥammad’s doubts regarding whether to share his revelations reflect his deep conviction that the Qur’ān had no positive effect on the Quraysh. The Quraysh, a people of verbal eloquence who prized great works of their language, did not highly regard Muḥammad’s recitations.
Despite this low estimation of the Qur’ān by Muḥammad’s own people, Islamic commentators still speak of its linguistic miracle.
Arabic text of this item
تصف الآيةُ ترددَ محمدٍ حَيالَ قومه بشأن ترك بعضِ آياتِ القرآن، وتطرحُ عليه سؤالاً: هل تفكر يا محمد بترك بعض الآيات القرآنية، وتشعر بالضيق منها، فلا تنقلها لقريش، لمجرد أنها سألتك معجزاتٍ حسيةً، مثل اكتشاف كنوزٍ أو ظهور مَلكٍ؟
وهذا الشك من جانب محمد فيما يُوحَى به إليه، يعكس قناعةً كامنةً لديه بأنْ ليس للقرآن تأثيرٌ على قريش، على الرغم مما يقوله المفسرون بأن القرآنَ جاء بمعجزةِ اللغة، لأن العربَ كانوا أهل فصاحة وبيان.
Sources cited
Sources added in review (the original item cited none)
- al-Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān, on Q 11:12 · link checked 2026-10-12