If I understand you correctly, you mean that other evidence may also verify divine revelation. Firstly, you point to the outstanding literary quality and content of the Qur’an. You further argue that the fact that many Muslims can recite the whole of the Qur’an from memory is miraculous and therefore signifies its divine origin. Thirdly, you categorically state that the Qur’an has never been tampered with, but has been preserved in every detail as it came from the mouth of the Prophet.
Anyone with some basic knowledge of Arabic will have no problem to appreciate the poetic beauty of at least the early Meccan Suras of the Qur’an. It must be said, however, that grammatically and in the choice of words the Arabic Qur’an is not considered to be perfect. But even if it were, we must realise that it is not unreasonable to assume that even the very best product of man’s ingenuity is still human. Proof of a divine token would be its superiority over what man can produce – like fulfilled prophecy.
Regarding the contents of the Qur’an, Christians obviously compare it with the Gospel. In all honesty, and trying to be as objective and fair as one can be, we will have to confess our preference for the Gospel. It would be beyond the scope of a letter like this to produce the reasons for this assumption right here, but I would like to encourage you to just read in the New Testament – as I also read in the Qur’an. Maybe you should just read, for example, the Gospel according to John from chapter 10 onwards, or in the first letter to the Corinthians chapter 13, etc.
The citation of the Qur’an from memory is a different matter altogether. I remember watching dozens of young men pacing the courtyard of al-Azr University in Cairo, busy memorising the Qur’an. Sharpness of intellect, diligence and, perhaps a photographic memory play a part here. It would have been miraculous if this knowledge had been achieved instantly, without any learning, for example.
But let me return to your main point, the statement that the Qur’an has been preserved in its totality. While it is not possible to substantiate all my statements in a short letter like this, I will gladly do so, should you request it. It is well supported by Islamic tradition that during the lifetime of Muhammad, seven different ‘forms’ of the Qur’an existed:
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