“But it is a set of Clear Signs in the hearts of those who have been endowed with knowledge. None except the utterly unjust will deny Our Signs.”
(Al Qur’ān – 29:49)
The Qur’ān provides clear, luminous Signs to people of knowledge and wisdom in support of the Prophet Muhammad’s Prophethood. The reason was that this wonderful Book, the Qur’ān, had begun to pour forth from the lips of an unlettered person. Furthermore, this person had all of a sudden begun to display astounding qualities and accomplish prodigious achievements even though in the early years of his life there was no evident basis to expect all this from him.
If one examines the biographies of illustrious personalities, one can identify in their milieu factors that contributed to the formation of their characters and which prepared them for their spectacular achievements. This is understandable because there is a clear correspondence between man’s milieu and the main elements of his personality. However, the stark fact in the case of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺis that one cannot find anything in his milieu to explain his marvellous achievements.
There was nothing in the Arabian environment or even in adjoining lands that could have moulded his extraordinary personality. The Qur’ān refers to this truth by asserting that the Prophet’s personality is not simply a Sign but “a set of Clear Signs”. While those who are ignorant may not perceive these Signs, those endowed with knowledge are convinced that his ways are no different from those of a Messenger from God.