بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

The Quran - The Noble book 
 

Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, Who has said in His Noble Book:

There has come to you from Allah Light and a Perspicuous Book. 

And may peace and blessings be upon the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, who has said that:

 The best among you is he who learned the Qur-an and then taught it. 

 May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and all his Companions.

 The Glorious Qur-an is the Book of Allah, the Wise and Worthy of all Praise, Who has promised to safeguard it from any violations in its purity. It becomes incumbent upon cach and every person who seeks the dignity of this world and the bliss of the Hereafter to regulate his life according to it, to implement its commandments and to pay homage to the magnificence of the One Who revealed it. 

This can be an casy task for those favoured with guidance from Allah, especially those blessed by an understanding of Arabic, the language of the divine communication. But for those not acquainted with Arabic, their ignorance is a barrier between them and this source of guidance and illumination. A translation of the message of Allah is thus a task not to be taken lightly or performed superficially.

 The Quran- A Unique Book with a Supreme Author

Before the reader begins to study the Qur-an, he must realise that unlike all other writings, this is a unique book with a supreme author, an eternal message and a universal relevance. Its contents are not confined to a particular theme or style, but contain the foundations for an entire system of life, covering a whole spectrum of issues, which range from specific articles of faith and commandments to general moral teachings, rights and obligations, crime and punishment, personal and public law, and a host of other private and social concerns. 

These issues are discussed in a variety of ways, such as direct stipulations, reminders of Allah's favours on His creation, admonitions and rebukes. Stories of past communities are narrated, followed by the lessons to be learned from their actions and subsequent fates.

 

Characteristics of the Quran 

The Qur-an enjoys a number of characteristics unique to it alone, some of which are as follows:

1. It is the actual Word of Allah; not created but revealed for the benefit of all mankind.

 Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures. 

2. It is complete and comprehensive. The Almighty says: We have omitted nothing from the Book.  

In another place We read, and We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things. 

3. It is a theoretical and a practical Book, not only moralizing but also specifically defining the permissible and the forbidden. The importance of understanding the message of the Qur'an is undeniable, but simply reciting it with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure and reward is also an act of worship and meritorious in itself. Allah Almighty says:

 So take what the Prophet gives you and refrain from what he forbids you. (6)

 4. Allah has perfected His religion for all mankind with the revelation of this Book. He says:

 This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as your religion. 

 5. It is Allah's eternal miracle revealed to the Prophet Muhammad for all succeeding generations. In response to those who doubt the authorship of the Qur'an, Allah Almighty has challenged the most articulate Arabs to produce a whole book, ten chapters, or even one solitary chapter that can be remotely comparable to the Qur'an. But to this day, no one has succeeded in meeting the challenge of the Almighty. The critics of the Qur'an have been struck dumb by its ineffable eloquence and surpassing beauty.

  Say, if the whole of mankind and jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof; even if they backed up each other with help and support. (To your aid) whomever you can besides Allah, if you speak The truth. (9)

 

And again:

Or do they say: He forged it?

 Say: Bring then a chapter like it and call (to your aid) Whoever you can besides Allah, if it be you speak the truth. (10)

 

6. It has been revealed to re-establish the sincere worship of Allah alone, without association of any partners with Him. This is a Book with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning), further explained in detail, from One who is wise and well-aware. (It teaches) that you should worship none but Allah. 

And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith, to establish regular prayer, and to give Zakat; and that is the religion right and straight. 

7. It contains a complete code which provides for all areas of life, whether spiritual, intellectual, political, social, or economic. It is a code which has no boundaries of time, place, or nation.

 Truly, this Qur'an does guide to that which is most right. 

8. Allah Almighty has taken upon Himself the duty of preserving the Qur'an forever in its entirety, as He says:

 We have without doubt sent down the Message, and We will surely guard it (from corruption). 

 So well has it been preserved, both in memory and in writing, that the Arabic text we have today is identical to the text as it was revealed to the Prophet. Not even a single letter has yielded to corruption during the passage of the centuries. And so it will remain forever, by the consent of Allah.