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What is the Quran
What is the Quran?
The Quran: unique among
Scriptures
The Quran is the most often-read
book in the world. Revealed by God
to the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) in the 7th century, and
revered by Muslims as being God's final Scripture and Testament,
its words have been lovingly recited, memorized, and implemented
by Muslims of every nationality ever since. The faithful are
inspired, consoled often moved to tears by its eloquence and poetic
imagery, especially when recited aloud. And yet, the Quran is
unique in being the only Scripture that is free of scientific
inaccuracies, whose historical authenticity can be verified, and
whose text has been so carefully preserved that just one authorized
version (in Arabic) exists. Approximately the length of the New
Testament, the Quran is also the only holy book that can be memorized in its entirety by people of all ages and intellectual
abilities - including non-Arabic speakers - which Muslims consider
to be one of its miracles. We invite you to take a few minutes to
learn something about a book that is the foundation of the world-
view and culture of almost one-fourth of the people on this planet.
Scriptures
The Quran is the most often-read
book in the world. Revealed by God
to the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) in the 7th century, and
revered by Muslims as being God's final Scripture and Testament,
its words have been lovingly recited, memorized, and implemented
by Muslims of every nationality ever since. The faithful are
inspired, consoled often moved to tears by its eloquence and poetic
imagery, especially when recited aloud. And yet, the Quran is
unique in being the only Scripture that is free of scientific
inaccuracies, whose historical authenticity can be verified, and
whose text has been so carefully preserved that just one authorized
version (in Arabic) exists. Approximately the length of the New
Testament, the Quran is also the only holy book that can be memorized in its entirety by people of all ages and intellectual
abilities - including non-Arabic speakers - which Muslims consider
to be one of its miracles. We invite you to take a few minutes to
learn something about a book that is the foundation of the world-
view and culture of almost one-fourth of the people on this planet.
Muslims believe that the Quran is the very word of God Almighty:
a complete record of the exact words revealed by God through the
Archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and
blessings of God be upon him).
The Quran is the principle source of every Muslim's faith and
practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings,
including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is
the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time,
the Quran provides guidelines for a just society, proper human
conduct and equitable economic principles.
practice. It deals with all subjects that concern us as human beings,
including wisdom, doctrine, worship and law; but its basic theme is
the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time,
the Quran provides guidelines for a just society, proper human
conduct and equitable economic principles.
"He (God) has sent down to you the Book (the Quran) with truth,
confirming what was revealed before; And He sent down the Torah
(of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to
humankind; and He sent down the Criterion (the Quran)." (Quran
3:3-4)
A scientific Scripture for a scientific age
One of the most remarkable things about the Quran is that it
contains many verses which accurately describe natural
phenomenon in various fields such as embryology, meteorology,
astronomy, geology and oceanography. Scientists have found its
descriptions to be inexplicably valid for a book dating from the 6th
century; in fact, many of the processes and functions mentioned in
the Quran have been discovered only recently. This fact alone has
been the cause of a number of distinguished scientists embracing
Islam. It also explains why the conflicts that emerged in Europe
during the Middle Ages between faith and reason, religion and
science, never arose in Islam; the Quran repeatedly encourages
people to reflect and use their intelligence, and most Muslim
scientists and inventors have also been pious believers.
Some of the Quran's 'scientific' verses include an accurate
description of embryonic development during the first forty days of
life; an explanation that the roots of mountains are like pegs which
help to anchor and stabilize the earth's crust; that a natural barrier
exists wherever two seas meet (each maintains its own salinity,
temperature and density); that waves occur in layers in the depths
of the ocean; that the heavens and earth were first joined together
before being split apart; and that the heavens emerged from
'smoke', i.e. the gases and dust that characterize nebulas as stars are
forming.
description of embryonic development during the first forty days of
life; an explanation that the roots of mountains are like pegs which
help to anchor and stabilize the earth's crust; that a natural barrier
exists wherever two seas meet (each maintains its own salinity,
temperature and density); that waves occur in layers in the depths
of the ocean; that the heavens and earth were first joined together
before being split apart; and that the heavens emerged from
'smoke', i.e. the gases and dust that characterize nebulas as stars are
forming.
The Quran was never meant to be a 'science textbook'; whether
highlighting the wonders of nature or the lessons of history, its
verses direct us to reflect on the glory of God. However, no other
ancient book or Scripture is accurate in this way. Muslims believe
that this is one of the Quran's proofs; one of the things that makes it
a credible, 'living revelation' for a modern age, and allows it to
reveal itself afresh with passing time.
The Quran and the development of knowledge
The word 'Quran' means 'recitation', and the
first verse of the Quran to be revealed by the
Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad
was a command to 'Read (or recite)! In the
name of your Lord…' This directive to a man who, like most people
of the time, could neither read nor write, marked the beginning of a
new age in human communication, learning, and development.
Whereas earlier Scriptures had been written and passed down by
elite circles of priests and scribes - usually long after the death of
the religion's founder - the preservation of the Quran was a
community effort from the beginning, and it was completed during
the Prophet Muhammad's own lifetime. The Prophet's early
followers eagerly memorized and recorded each new revelation as
it was revealed; by the time he passed away, thousands had
memorized the entire Quran by heart. Within two years after the
Prophet's death, the first caliph Abu Baker requested the Prophet's
secretary Zayd to collect all existing copies and fragments of the
Quran in one place, in order to compile a standard edition. This
manuscript became the basis for the authorized editions that were
distributed to each Muslim province during the rule of 'Uthman,
third caliph; remarkably, a few of those early manuscripts have
been preserved and can still be viewed in museums today.
Following the example of the beloved Prophet, who encouraged all
Muslims, male and female, to seek beneficial knowledge, mosques
became centers of learning as well as prayer. The concept of
universal, free basic education originated in Islam; children learned
to read, write, memorize the Quran and do basic math at village
mosque schools; bright students were sent to cities to pursue higher
education. The world's first universities, hospitals, and postal
services were established by Muslims. Early caliphs set up
institutions like the 'House of Wisdom' in Baghdad, where scholars
were paid to translate scientific, literary and religious works from
every known language into Arabic. It was this open-mindedness
that inspired Jews and Christians under Muslim rule in Spain to t
ranslate classical Roman and Greek texts from Arabic into
European languages, sparking the European Renaissance.
Muslims, male and female, to seek beneficial knowledge, mosques
became centers of learning as well as prayer. The concept of
universal, free basic education originated in Islam; children learned
to read, write, memorize the Quran and do basic math at village
mosque schools; bright students were sent to cities to pursue higher
education. The world's first universities, hospitals, and postal
services were established by Muslims. Early caliphs set up
institutions like the 'House of Wisdom' in Baghdad, where scholars
were paid to translate scientific, literary and religious works from
every known language into Arabic. It was this open-mindedness
that inspired Jews and Christians under Muslim rule in Spain to t
ranslate classical Roman and Greek texts from Arabic into
European languages, sparking the European Renaissance.
A book with a message and a purpose
Like all books, the Quran is a means to convey a message - in this
case, a very special message from the Creator to all humanity. The
Quran is an 'owner's manual for the human being'; whoever
wonders about the purpose of life and their own existence will find
it to be a guide par excellence. Building on prior revelations, this
Final Testament confirms the age-old truths of previous Scriptures,
but clarifies points of faith where error or confusion have crept into
them over the centuries. Those who have read the Bible will find
much that is familiar: descriptions of God's handiwork; stories of
the Prophets, Satan, angels and the Day of Judgment; moral and
ethical guidelines; and spiritual practices like prayer and fasting.
Yet the Quran is not just a re-hashing of old stories; its perspective
is unique and fresh, and its world view eminently suited to people of today.
To give one example, according to the Quran, God held Adam and
Eve jointly responsible for tasting the forbidden fruit; no special
curse was laid on Eve for leading Adam astray, and no 'original sin'
came into being, to be inherited for all time by innocent children.
Adam and Eve simply sought His forgiveness and were forgiven,
and Adam (peace be upon him) is respected in Islam as the first
Prophet.
Eve jointly responsible for tasting the forbidden fruit; no special
curse was laid on Eve for leading Adam astray, and no 'original sin'
came into being, to be inherited for all time by innocent children.
Adam and Eve simply sought His forgiveness and were forgiven,
and Adam (peace be upon him) is respected in Islam as the first
Prophet.
There are other important distinctions between the Quran and the
Bible; the Quran asserts that much of the original books of the
Bible and other Scriptures have been lost or corrupted over time
(whether through warfare, political intrigue, religious schisms or
other reasons). One only has to consider the number of different
versions of the Bible in use today, the lack of 'first' originals, and
the late discovery of long-lost Scriptures like the Dead Sea Scrolls
to realize that this viewpoint is an objective one.
Bible; the Quran asserts that much of the original books of the
Bible and other Scriptures have been lost or corrupted over time
(whether through warfare, political intrigue, religious schisms or
other reasons). One only has to consider the number of different
versions of the Bible in use today, the lack of 'first' originals, and
the late discovery of long-lost Scriptures like the Dead Sea Scrolls
to realize that this viewpoint is an objective one.
The Quran rejects the concept of salvation or special privilege
based on ethnicity; God does not discriminate on the basis of race
or color. It also denies the need for the sacrifice of innocent life -
animal or human - in order for people to attain salvation. It states
that Jesus (peace be upon him) was not crucified as claimed, but
that God saved him from his enemies, as one would expect of God's
honored and beloved Messenger; his life was meant to be an
inspiring example. Spiritual salvation is to be achieved solely
through humble repentance, coupled by an attempt to make amends
for one's sins, and a sincere intention not to repeat one's mistakes in
the future. There is no official priesthood in Islam, and the Imam is
no more than a knowledgeable prayer-leader and brother in faith;
one's sins need only be confessed directly to the Creator.
based on ethnicity; God does not discriminate on the basis of race
or color. It also denies the need for the sacrifice of innocent life -
animal or human - in order for people to attain salvation. It states
that Jesus (peace be upon him) was not crucified as claimed, but
that God saved him from his enemies, as one would expect of God's
honored and beloved Messenger; his life was meant to be an
inspiring example. Spiritual salvation is to be achieved solely
through humble repentance, coupled by an attempt to make amends
for one's sins, and a sincere intention not to repeat one's mistakes in
the future. There is no official priesthood in Islam, and the Imam is
no more than a knowledgeable prayer-leader and brother in faith;
one's sins need only be confessed directly to the Creator.
The Quran's main message is to call people to turn to the Source of
all being and the Giver of life, and to serve Him with a pure heart,
free of idolatry or superstition. In Islam, 'One God' means just that:
there is no concept of trinity, or anything else to complicate one's
understanding. Like the single nucleus of a cell or an atom, He
Alone is the 'control Center behind it all; anything else would lead
to chaos and confusion. God is Unique and without partner; He was
not born and did not give birth; He is All-Compassionate and
Merciful, Almighty and Just, and the only One we need turn to for
guidance and help. Anything that we allow to come between
ourselves and our Creator - even our own egos - is an idol. Wealth,
fame, physical attraction and all the pleasures of this world will
someday fade, and we will not be able to take them with us when
we die. Only our faith and good deeds will remain, to light our
graves and be a beacon for us on the Day of Judgment.
all being and the Giver of life, and to serve Him with a pure heart,
free of idolatry or superstition. In Islam, 'One God' means just that:
there is no concept of trinity, or anything else to complicate one's
understanding. Like the single nucleus of a cell or an atom, He
Alone is the 'control Center behind it all; anything else would lead
to chaos and confusion. God is Unique and without partner; He was
not born and did not give birth; He is All-Compassionate and
Merciful, Almighty and Just, and the only One we need turn to for
guidance and help. Anything that we allow to come between
ourselves and our Creator - even our own egos - is an idol. Wealth,
fame, physical attraction and all the pleasures of this world will
someday fade, and we will not be able to take them with us when
we die. Only our faith and good deeds will remain, to light our
graves and be a beacon for us on the Day of Judgment.
Although no translation of the Quran can faithfully capture its
Arabic meaning (and all Muslims are encouraged to learn Arabic),
the following excerpt illustrates these points beautifully:
Arabic meaning (and all Muslims are encouraged to learn Arabic),
the following excerpt illustrates these points beautifully:
'Recite to them the story of Abraham,
We worship idols,' they replied, 'and we are ever devoted to them.'When he asked his father and his people, 'What do you worship?'
'
He said, 'Do they hear you when you cry?
Or do they benefit or harm you in any way?'
They said, 'No, but this is what we found our forefathers doing.'
He said, 'Do you see, then, what you and your forefathers have
been worshipping?
Truly, they are all my enemies, except the Lord of the Worlds,
Who created me, and Who guides me,
And Who feeds me and gives me to drink,
And when I am ill, He heals me,
And Who will cause me to die, and give me life again;
And Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my sins on the Day of
Judgment.
O Lord, grant me wisdom, and unite me with the righteous,
And grant that I may be remembered well in future generations,
And make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Delight;
And forgive my father, for he is one of those who is lost;
And do not disgrace me on the Day when all will be resurrected,
The Day that wealth and children will not avail anyone,
Except one who brings to God a clean heart.'
(The Quran 26:69-89)
♥ ♥'» oн allaн, open ғor US тнe doorѕ oғ yoυr мercy. aaмeen
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