Qur’an, Man and a Parable

Dear sisters and brothers, Assalamu Alaikum.

Way back in 1996, I attended a lecture by Prof. U. Muhammad Iqbal. The eminent Islamic scholar of my hometown used a highly meaningful parable while explaining the significance and relevance of Qur’an in human life. Whenever I teach a lesson on Qur’an and Divine Guidance, I narrate this parable almost verbatim to my students. Today I want to share that beautiful parable in the form a short write-up. Read on….

Al Qur’an, which is full of wisdom, is the Divine Guidance for all mankind.

Man must know, realise and understand that the Qur’an is for human welfare.

Let us elucidate this with the help of a parable.

About Qur’an and Sunnah

Note: This is an extremely important article to understand the nature of the Qur’an and Sunnah as the source of Islamic Legislation. Please read on….. Jazakallah Khayr.

The Noble Qur’an is Allah’s Word through which He expressed His commands and teachings. It is raised above any possible description. The Noble Qur’an was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and was accepted by the believers as being the essence of truth. Moreover, the believers maintain that it is the Word of Allah and not the words of any of His creatures. Thus, whosoever claims that it is the words of a human being becomes a disbeliever.

The Book that Shaped the World

By Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari

(This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.) (Al-Baqarah, 2:2)

Has anybody ever come across a book that contains a preface where its author mentions its infallibility from any single error? Has anyone ever heard of any author who talks with such confidence and authority? This is the Qur’an; it was revealed to one human being named Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and its Author is Allah, the Lord and Sustainer of the Universe.

This is the Book – in it is Guidance

By Irshaad Hussain

The first five verses of the second chapter (Sura Baqara) in the Qur’an read as follows:

 

“In the name of Allah, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

1. Alif. Lam. Mim.

2. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

3. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;

4. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.

5. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper.”

The Names and Characteristics of the Qur’aan

To assist you in knowing the true worth of the Qur’aan, you should know that Allaah has named the Qur’an with many names and amongst them are:

• Al-Qur’an (the Recital),

• Al-Furqaan (the Criterion between Truth and falsehood),

• at-Tanzeel (the Revelation),

• Al-Kitaab (the Book).

Qur’an: Matchless Perfection

By Prof Shahul Hameed

The authenticity of any scripture is considered from two significant aspects; the first is its authenticity with regard to its divine origin, and the other is itspreservation in its original form.

Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the word of Almighty Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and that it has retained its purity throughout history. Therefore, today, after centuries of turmoil, it remains the only divine book that has been protected from any form of corruption.

Qur’an: The Eternal Truth

By Waheeduddin Khan

The Prophet Moses, born in Egypt in the 15th century B.C., was chosen by God to be His messenger. In those days, Egypt was under the dynastic rule of the Pharaohs, who were idolaters. The Prophet Moses encountered two of the kings of this dynasty: one was appointed to be his guardian by God, while the other was one with whom he came into confrontation during his missionary struggle.

The Challenge of the Qur’an

Dr. Bilal Philips

The Quran is not only unique in the way in which it presents its subject matter, but it is also unique in that it is a miracle itself. By the term “miracle,” we mean the performance of a supernatural or extraordinary event which cannot be duplicated by humans. It has been documented that Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, challenged the Arabs to produce a literary work of a similar caliber as the Quran, but they were unable to do so in spite of their well-known eloquence and literary powers. The challenge to reproduce the Quran was presented to the Arabs and mankind in three stages:

What Qur’an is!

By Muqeet Mujtaba Ali

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Mercy-giving.

1. The very word with which the Last and Final Divine Book relates itself to inspires one to exclaim:

Subhanallah! This undoubtedly is the Word of Almighty Allah!

When we try to understand the meaning of the word “Qur’aan”, its richness tends to weave a tapestry in the canvas of one’s mind.

Definition of the Qur’an

By Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Diraz

The Arabic word qur’anis a form of the infinitive meaningto read. This term is used as an infinitive in the two following verses:

(Surely on Us (devolves) the collecting of it and the reading of it. Therefore, when We have read it, follow its reading.) (Al-Qiyamah 75:17–18)

The term has later come to acquire a new sense denoting the Glorious Book revealed by Almighty Allah. Today, this is the most common usage of the word. The term with its new sense occurs in another Qur’anic verse in which Allah says:

Do You Know This Book?

Of all the acclaimed masterpieces that the world has seen, nothing can be compared to the book known as the Qur’an. Millions have become Muslims upon simply hearing a verse from this amazing book, yet still the majority knows nothing of it. The Qur’an is the Final Revelation from the Creator to humanity. It was revealed in the year 610 CE to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and completed over a period of 23 years. These 23 years of revelation resulted in a book comprised of 114 chapters and over 6000 verses. All of this was to become the primary source of law for the whole of mankind to live and die by.

The impact of this book is such that Allah says:[Had We revealed this Qur’an upon a mountain, surely you would have seen it humble itself and crumble out of the fear of Allah. Such are the parables We put forward to mankind so that they may reflect.](Al-Hashr: 21)

What the Qur’an is Not!

By Muqeet Mujtaba Ali

• Not a book written by any human being but the Book authored to precision by mankind’s very Creator.

• Not a book only to be read in Ramadhan but the  beacon light & companion from cradle to grave.

• Not a book to be kept in law courts for resorting to oath taking, but The Global Constitution, the code of conduct from the Maker to the made.

• Not a book of history but The Divine Verdict on history.

The Qur’an: The Word of Allah

The Noble Quran is the eternal miracle of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. Every Prophet was supported with a miracle(s) and upon his death it disappeared, except Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, whose miracle remained, preserved and protected, namely the Book of Allaah, His divine revealed Word. Allaah Says (what means): ”Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it.” [Quran 41:42]

Allaah clearly stated that the Quran is His Word, Saying (what means):

The Most Widely Read Book in the World

The Qur’an is the Book of Allah (God) that was revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over a period of twenty-three years. He dictated it to his followers as he received it from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), and they wrote it down on whatever materials were available. The Prophet and many of his followers memorized it as it was revealed.

The Qur’an consists of 114 surahs (sometimes called chapters) of various lengths, from 3 to 286 verses. The verses were revealed a few at a time and not in their present order but were placed in their position by the Prophet in accordance to instructions from the Angel Jibril.

Al Qur’an: The Miracle of the Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم

By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Every Prophet is given a miracle — a sign. The miracle of the Prophet of Islam is the Qur’an. The Prophethood of Muhammad, on whom be peace, was to be valid until the Last Day. It was imperative, therefore, that his miracle also be one which would last for all time. The Qur’an was, therefore, assigned to the Prophet as his everlasting miracle.

The Prophet’s opponents demanded miracles, such as those performed by previous prophets, but the Qur’an stated clearly that such miracles would not be forthcoming. (17:59) The Qur’an even had this to say to the Prophet:

If you find their aversion hard to bear (and would like to show them a miracle), seek if you can a burrow in the earth or ladder
to the sky by which you may bring them a sign. Had God pleased, He would have given them guidance, one and all. Do not be
ignorant then. (6:35)