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QUR’AAN


Quran is a book revealed by Allah (Glory be to Him). It is a revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and Grant Him peace) for the span of approximately 23 years (13 years in Makkah and 10 years in Madina).

 

Qur’an (Koran) is an Arabic word which comes from four root words

 

1.       “Qiraa’atun”: The most recited

2.       “Qariyatun”:   Things available

3.       “Qarinatun”:  Context and best structure

4.       “Qaranun”:    Joining

 

It is a book which is most widely read in the World. It contains all the information which is necessary for the success in both the worlds. It is structured in such a way that can be understood in the context. It also joins one incident with other, simple information to a detailed one. [1] [2]

 

Table of Contents

 

The Definition of The Qur’an

Scholars define the Qur’an as this: The Arabic speech of Allah that was revealed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) both in word and in meaning. It is collected between the two covers of the mushaaf, was narrated in mutawaatir chains, and is a challenge to humankind.

 

We can learn five important things about the Qur’an from this definition.

 

  1. The Arabic speech of Allah:The Qur’an is the speech of Allah, in Arabic. This means that anything that’s not Arabic isn’t the Qur’an. You can’t pray in English, in French, in Swahili, in Urdu–it has to be in Arabic.
     
  2. Revealed to the Prophet:We know that Allah revealed many revelations–including the Injeel and the Tawrah and the Zabur. Those are also revelation of Allah–but they’re not the Qur’an. Only what Allah revealed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) is Qur’an.
     
  3. Revealed in Word and Meaning:Not Only is the meaning of the Qur’an the same as what Allah meant; but the words themselves are also from Allah. (Unlike Hadith Qudsi, where the meaning is from Allah, and the words are from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم))
     
  4. Collected between Two Covers:Hadith Qudsi is also the speech of Allah, but it’s not Qur’an. Similarly, there are verses that used to be in the Qur’an, but aren’t anymore–even though they were once! These are the abrogated verses, and they’re not considered Qur’an anymore, even though we still know what some of those revelations were.
     
  5. Mutawaatir:The Qur’an was related in a mutawaatir fashion–so many narrators narrated it, at every single step in the chain of narration, that it’s impossible that they all lied or made a mistake.
     
  6. A Challenge to Humankind:The Qur’an is an ongoing challenge to the human race–create a book, a surah, an ayath like it; but nay, we will NEVER be able to. Allah Himself says so. [3]

 

Different Names of Qur’an

There are various names of the Qur’an given in Qur’an itself. For example Allah (Glory be to Him) called this Qur’an as Al-Furqaan (the Criterion between Truth and falsehood) in Qur’an. Surah Furqan 25:1, Surah Baqrah 2:185 and Surah Ale Imran 3:4, Al-Kitaab (the Book) in Qur’an. Surah Baqrah 2:2, Al- Wahi (the revelation) in Qur’an. Surah Anbiya 21:45 etc.  [4]

 

What is the Qur’an?

The word of God

The Qur’an is the literal word of Allah (Glory be to Him), the Almighty (Allah in Arabic), revealed to Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) through the Angel Gabriel. “The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.”  Qur’an.Surah Zumar 39:1.

 

Guidance for Mankind

The Qur’an is “a guidance for mankind… and the distinction (between right and wrong).” Qur’an 2:185 It provides direction to help mankind judge between right and wrong, without which, man would surely be in loss.

 

The Final Revelation

The Qur’an is the last scripture revealed by Almighty Allah (Glory be to Him), confirming what little truth remains in parts of previous scriptures and refuting and correcting fabrications and additions which have crept into current day versions of such scriptures.

 

“O you who have been given the Scripture! Believe in what We have revealed confirming what is (already) with you…” Qur’an.Surah Nisa 4:47. Further Allah (Glory be to Him) says that “..This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion”Qur’an.Surah Maidah 5:3.[5]

 

History

The first few ayaah was revealed when Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) was in Cave of Hira in Makkah. The first ayaat which were revealed was of Surah Surah Alaq.Qur’an Surah Alaq 96:1-5. It was revealed in the span of 22 years (lunar calender). Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) took utmost care in compilation of Qur’an and made his companions to memorize and write it.

 

After the death of Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honour Him and grant Him peace) the companions came together and made it in one material. At the time of Usmaan(R), he ordered to make 7 replicas of the Qur’an and sent to the other part of his territory. Sahih Bhukari Vol 6: 510 and 514 [6]

 

The Qur’an was not sent down as a complete book in one revelation; rather, the revelation spanned over a period of 23 years.

 

For this reason, it is essential to know in what circumstances the aayaath were revealed, in order to have a proper understanding of the Qur’an; otherwise, its teachings could be misunderstood.

 

Preservation

The Qur’an is the only religious sacred text that has been in circulation for a lengthy period, and yet remains as pure as the day it was revealed. Nothing has been added, removed or modified from it, since its revelation over 1400 years ago. 

 

“We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will certainly guard it (from corruption).”Qur’an.Surah Hijr15:9

 

Not only has the Qur’an been preserved in written form, but also in the hearts of men, children and women. Today, millions of people have memorized the Qur’an from cover to cover.

 

Purpose of Revelation

To Believe in One True God

“And your god is One God. There is no god but He, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”Qur’an 2:163

 

The most important topic mentioned throughout the Qur’an is the belief in the One, True God. God informs us that He has no partner, no son, no equal, and that none has the right to be worshipped except Him alone. Nothing is comparable to God and none of His creation resembles Him. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing human qualities and limitations to God.

 

To Reject All False Gods

“And worship Allah and associate none with Him.”Qur’an 4:36

 

Since Allah alone is the only One worthy of worship, false deities and false gods must be rejected. The Qur’an also rejects the notion of attributing divine qualities to anyone or anything other than Allah.

 

To Narrate the Stories from the Past

The Qur’an contains many narratives with beneficial lessons, including the true stories of previous Prophets such as, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jesus and Moses. Of these stories, Allah says, 

“Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.”Qur’an 12:111

 

To Remind us of the Day of Judgement

This Noble Book reminds us that everyone will taste death and will be held accountable for all their actions and sayings: 

“We shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least…”Qur’an 21:47

 

To Fulfil the Intended Way of Life

Importantly, the Qur’an teaches that the purpose of life is to worship God alone, and live one’s life according to the way of life prescribed by Him. In Islam, worship is a comprehensive term that includes all actions and sayings (whether private or public) that Allah loves and is pleased with. Therefore, by doing what Allah commands, a Muslim is worshipping God and fulfilling his purpose in life. [7]

 

Falsification Test

It is the only book which challenges the its reader to prove it wrong

 

There are various falsification test present in the Qur’an:

      a.       Challenge to Produce Surah like it. Qur’an Surah Baqrah 2:23

      b.      Challenge to show a contradiction.Qur’an Surah Nisa 4:82. [8]

 

Prophecies

a.      Abu Lahab will not accept Islam. Qur’an.Surah Lahab 111:1-5.

b.      Rome will win the War.Qur’an Surah Rum 30: 2-4. [9]

 

Conclusion

In summary, the Qur’an teaches mankind how to worship the One True God, hence fulfilling their true purpose in life, and attaining success in both this world and the next. 

 

“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his own self; and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his own loss.”Qur’an.surah Zumar 39:41 [10]

 

References

[1] http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=articles&id=135454,

[2]http://sadisblog.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/the-definition-of-the-holy-quran-3/

[3] http://www.ilmfruits.com/the-definition-of-the-quran

[4] http://www.alquran-network.net/asmaequran.htm

[5] http://www.iisna.com/articles/pamphlets/the-quran-the-final-revelation-to-mankind/

[6] Sunnah.com

[7] http://www.iisna.com/articles/pamphlets/the-quran-the-final-revelation-to-mankind/

[8] http://quran.com/

[9] http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/347/

[10]http://www.iisna.com/articles/pamphlets/the-quran-the-final-revelation-to-mankind/

 

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