2:23

Salam All,

This is 2:23
2:23
وان كنتم في ريب مما نزلنا علي عبدنا فاتوا بسورة من مثله وادعوا شهداءكم من دون الله ان كنتم صادقين
Wa-in kuntum fee raybin mimma nazzalnaAAala AAabdina fa/too bisooratin min mithlihi waodAAooshuhadaakum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena

Wa-in kuntum: And if you were
fee raybin: in doubt/in suspicion
Note: RAYB means suspicion and doubt probably at the same time. Therefore the meaning here may mean Not only No doubt of the authenticity, but also No suspicion of any bad intention. Mentioned in 2:2

Mimma: In what
Nazzalna: We made arrive
Note: this is the second time that this derivative of the word NZL 2:4. As mentioned earlier, the word means to arrive with the intention to stay (for a short time, long time or even indefinitely)
AAala: on
AAabdina: Our slave/servant
Note: AAaBD means slave or servant. The use of the plural here and in Nazzalna is pointing to GOD. GOD addresses himself as a plural at times in the Qur’an, even though GOD is one. Our Slave/Servant that is talked about here is the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who received the message that (Was made to arrive to him from GOD)
fa/too: Then make come/bring about
Note: The verb A-T-W means to come with a sense of determination, speed and enthusiasm. Therefore the statement says actually make come, which really means bring about. A/TOO is an order form of the verb
Bisooratin: A Sura or chapter/passage
Note: SURA is the feminine of SUR which means Wall that surrounds something. SURA is used for passages of the Qur’an and not only Chapters of the Qur’an. The relationship with WALL is the fact that the SURA is well protected from outside interference.
Min: From
Mithlihi: Something similar to it/Something like it
Note: MITHL is related to the word MATHAL that came about in 2:17. The root of the Word MTHL means similar/looks alike. MATHAL means parable because it is similar to a life situation. MITHL means something similar or something like it.
Wa: And
odAAoo: Call
Note: DAAa is a word that will come often in the Qur’an. It means To call, often with the need for some sort of help but not always. DUAAa is calling to GOD for help or as in prayer. Here, ODAAoo is an order form of the verb to a group of people. It calls upon them to call (for help).
Shuhadaakum: Your witnesses
Note: SHUHADA is the plural for the word SHAHEED and it means witness. At times, the word is used to mean Martyr (It could be because the Martyr will witness the Glory of GOD, but GOD knows best)
Min: from
Dooni: Other/below
Note: The word DOON means other and it also means below. There is a sense of the other being lower in status here
Allahi: The GOD
in kuntum: If you were
sadiqeena: People who say the truth
Note: This is a word whose derivatives will be seen often in the Qur’an. S-D-Q means to say Truth. The derivatives that will come most often are: SADEQ someone who says the truth. SADEEQ and means close friend (because he/she will say the truth always). SADDEEQs are the Saints (because they are truthful in their relation to GOD). SADAQA and it means Charity (This probably shows how Charity is viewed as something Truthful to do, truthful to GOD and to humanity). SADIQEEN is the plural of SADEQ and it means people who say the Truth


Note:
The way I understand this statement is like this “If you were in doubt/suspicion of this message that we have sent to this Servant of ours, then come with a chapter or a passage that looks like this book. Bring your witnesses other than GOD (Who are lower) if you were truthful (in that challenge, or truthful in having genuine doubt/suspicion about this message)”

My personal note:
This AYAH is a challenge to humanity related to the Qur’an. Muslims consider that the Qur’an is the miracle of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). No one was ever able to write something like it until this day. This challenge from GOD still stands.

Salam and have a great day.

Hussein