I remember going once to Baskin Robbins with my dad and being amazed at how many different flavors of ice cream they had. All those colors were so appealing; but when you started reading the labels, only about 5 or 6 of them rang frenzy to my taste buds.

When it comes to the Quran, some verses, signs, examples, stories, laws… ring louder to some than others. And for everyone, it is a different one. So, if Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors to arouse your tongue; the Quran has over 6000 Ayats to awaken the soul.

What is even more amazing, is that when you encounter a specific situation in day-to-day life, and you are used to reading the Quran regularly, you will read a passage that you would swear has been revealed for you at that specific moment, for that exact situation. Why?

And We have certainly presented to the people in this Qur’an from every [kind of] example. But, [O Muhammad], if you should bring them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, “You [believers] are but falsifiers.”

Surah Arrum (30 – 58)

And We have certainly diversified in this Qur’an for the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of anything, [prone to] dispute.

Surah Al-Kahf (18 – 54)

And We have certainly diversified [the contents] in this Qur’an that mankind may be reminded, but it does not increase the disbelievers except in aversion.

Surah Al-Isra (17 – 41)

So, on the subject that the Quran is specific to each person, for me, the following passage strikes me the most and pretty much sums up the way I view the world, life, and faith in general.

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.

Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire – You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.

Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.

Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise.”

Surah Ala-Imran (3 – 190-194)

As for the verse that I love reading the most:

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?

Surah Fussilat (41 – 53)

This is even taken a step further with this passage:

And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]

And in yourselves. Then will you not see?

And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.

Then by the Lord of the heaven and earth, indeed, it is truth – just as [sure as] it is that you are speaking.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51 – 20-23)

As to why it moves me more than other verses might be because of…

And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur’an from every [kind of] example – that they might remember.

Surah Az-Zumar (39 – 27)

So when speaking to people about the Quran, one must know his audience. If you are talking to children, you might want to tell stories; if you are talking to scientists, you might want to talk about science; if you are talking to… you get the idea. Each person has a different perspective, and no one is alike, that is the beauty of the word of Allah; it takes everyone into account. Now, It is up to us to share these jewels with everyone.

When it comes to debating Islam with atheists, it is futile to debate any subjects of Islam like; prophecy, morals, laws, or any other subject of faith if the basis of faith itself is ignored. It is useless to discuss a subject if there is no common ground to start with, i.e. the presence of a Creator.

So getting into morality with an atheist is the worst thing to do because he has no set morality, and no reference. As it goes for laws, the same applies. As it goes for prophecy, the cause is negated (Allah), therefore the reason is refuted by default.

That’s why the only terrain on which one can discuss with an atheist is whether there is, or not, the presence of a Creator. And even on this point, can anyone really doubt the presence of a Creator

… “Is there any doubt about Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth?…

Surah Ibrahim (14 – 10)

For me, believing in the Creator of Heavens and Earth is like saying the sun is there (pointing to the sun). It is the ultimate truth. But for you, it’s not pertinent to know what I think, it’s more important for you to know what you believe in. So instead of debating whether there is a god or not, we shall discover how Allah reveals his word in the Quran as the ultimate truth. And if you accept it as the truth, that the Quran cannot be of a worldly origin, only from an All-Knowing entity, then you have concluded that Allah is true.

Now hold your horses, no one is to believe this claim without evidence. So that is exactly what we are going to do in the following weeks In Sha Allah. Prove beyond any doubt that the Quran comes from the All-Knowing, Allah.

When learning a trade, you normally want to learn from a master tradesman. In discourse, it is no different. As it goes for on who to model your discourse, the best example in the Quran is the prophet Ibrahim (ppuh); he is the ultimate debater. Whether it is with his people or kings, his manner of discussing/debating Islam is like no other.

First of all, he presents the facts, the ultimate truth that Allah is the One Unique Creator of Heavens and Earth who deserves to be adored alone:

˹Remember˺ when he questioned his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are so devoted?”

They replied, “We found our forefathers worshipping them.”

He responded, “Indeed, you and your forefathers have been clearly astray.”

They asked, “Have you come to us with the truth, or is this a joke?”

He replied, “In fact, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them ˹both˺. And to that I bear witness.”

˹Then he said to himself,˺ “By Allah! I will surely plot against your idols after you have turned your backs and gone away.”

So he smashed them into pieces, except the biggest of them, so they might turn to it ˹for answers˺.

They protested, “Who dared do this to our gods? It must be an evildoer!”

Some said, “We heard a young man, called Abraham, speaking ˹ill˺ of them.”

They demanded, “Bring him before the eyes of the people, so that they may witness ˹his trial˺.”

They asked, “Was it you who did this to our gods, O  Abraham?”

He replied ˹sarcastically˺, “No, this one—the biggest of them—did it! So ask them, if they can talk!”

So they came back to their senses, saying ˹to one another˺, “You yourselves are truly the wrongdoers!”

Then they ˹quickly˺ regressed to their ˹original˺ mindset, ˹arguing,˺ “You already know that those ˹idols˺ cannot talk.”

He rebuked ˹them˺, “Do you then worship—instead of Allah—what can neither benefit nor harm you in any way?

Shame on you and whatever you worship instead of Allah! Do you not have any sense?”

They concluded, “Burn him up to avenge your gods, if you must act.”

We ordered, “O fire! Be cool and safe for Abraham!”

Surah Al-Anbiya (21 – 52-69)

What is remarkable, it’s that he is unapologetic for his stance. Without being aggressive, or abusive, he puts forth the illogical assertions that those idols are gods. Then, he does not revert when he is threatened to be burned. Why?

And his people argued with him. He responded, “Are you arguing with me about Allah, while He has guided me? I am not afraid of whatever ˹idols˺ you associate with Him—˹none can harm me,˺ unless my Lord so wills. My Lord encompasses everything in ˹His˺ knowledge. Will you not be mindful?

And how should I fear your associate-gods, while you have no fear in associating ˹others˺ with Allah—a practice He has never authorized? Which side has more right to security? ˹Tell me˺ if you really know!”

Surah Al-Ana’m (6 – 80-81)

This is the same mindset that the prophet Muhammad (ppuh) had towards his people when they stepped up the persecution of Muslims and the prophet himself:

“Indeed, my Protector is Allah Who has revealed this Book. For He ˹alone˺ protects the righteous.

But those ˹false gods˺ you call besides Him can neither help you nor even themselves.”

Surah Al-A’raf (7 – 196-197)

He reiterated his trust in Allah and his disconnect with their threats, while still preaching true Islamic monotheism.

As it goes for winning or losing a debate, one who follows the truth can never be beaten, even if the opposition seems to have more credibility, prestige, or rank. Therefore, there are ways to go about it when discussing/debating Islam. One of these ways is depicted in the Quran between Ibrahim (ppuh) and Namrud (ruler at his time).

Have you not considered the one who argued with Abraham about his Lord [merely] because Allah had given him kingship? When Abraham said, “My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death,” he said, “I give life and cause death.” Abraham said, “Indeed, Allah brings up the sun from the east, so bring it up from the west.” So the disbeliever was overwhelmed [by astonishment], and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

Surah Al-Baqara (2 – 258)

A lot of kings or rulers were considered as living deities or were made to be worshiped by men. Even Namrud, that so-called king, knew that; but then again, every king likes his throne. Therefore, they act as if they are superior… Namrud was no different; he too thought he could give life and death, since he is “divine”. He ordered the release of a prisoner on death row and ordered the beheading of an innocent man. Now, do you think it is possible to reason with that kind of tyrant? Yeah, you just have to confront him with something grander. It’s amazing how tyrants can rationalize this concept; even if they don’t like feeling humbled.

The way Ibrahim (ppuh) went about dealing with this tyrant, wasn’t by blasphemy, nor by raising his voice; but by bringing in someone or something greater than what is at stake. By doing so, if the debate is rational; logic trumps power, and truth trumps logic.

If we simmer down the debaters from a Messenger and a king to a Muslim and non-Muslim; the same applies; it reminds me of when “scientists” or atheists debate about religion. They might be right about some science, but wrong about religion; yet, they seem to take philosophy pretty well. So the previously depicted manner is the right way to go about things in any discussion; especially, when you use their own scientific assertions. On the other hand, one must remember that science covers the tangible aspects of life; a lot of scientists have a hard time understanding that tangible does not cover the non-material (unperceivable in our lifetimes) assertions of religion.

In sum, when you want to discuss or counterargue with someone, you must use his own strength as his own weakness (no, this is not kung-fu). That is why Allah has sent messengers with miracles that overwhelmed their people. Abraham had “discourse”, Moses had “magic”, Jesus had “medicine”, Muhammad had “language”. However, the Quran that was brought down to Muhammad (ppuh) was not just a linguistic miracle, it contains miracles that curtail to every person at any era. The Quran is a timeless gem that transcends all since it is the word of Allah.