Humanity has received the Divine guidance through two channels: firstly the word of Allah, secondly the Prophets who were chosen by Allah to communicate His will to human beings. These two things have always been going together and attempts to know the will of Allah by neglecting either of these two have always been misleading. The Hindus neglected their prophets and paid all attention to their books that proved only word puzzles, which they ultimately lost. Similarly, the Christians, in total disregard to the Book of Allah, attached all importance to Christ and thus not only elevated him to Divinity, but also lost the very essence of TAWHEED (monotheism) contained in the Bible.
As a matter of fact the main scriptures revealed before the Quran, i.e., the Old Testament and the Gospel, came into book-form long after the days of the Prophets and that too in translation. This was because the followers of Moses and Jesus made no considerable effort to preserve these Revelations during the life of their Prophets. Rather they were written long after their death. Thus what we now have in the form of the Bible (The Old as well as the New Testament) is translations of individuals accounts of the original revelations which contain additions and deletions made by the followers of the said Prophets.
The practicability of the Quranic teachings is established by the examples of Muhammad (PBUH) and the good Muslims throughout the ages. The distinctive approach of the Quran is that its instructions are aimed at the general welfare of man and are based on the possibilities within his reach. In all its dimensions the Quranic wisdom is conclusive. It neither condemns nor tortures the flesh nor does it neglect the soul. It does not humanize God nor does it deify man.
Everything is carefully placed where it belongs in the total scheme of creation.
Actually the scholars who allege that Muhammad (PBUH) was the author of the Quran claim something which is humanly impossible. Could any person of the sixth century C.E. utter such scientific truths as the Quran contains? Could he describe the evolution of the embryo inside the uterus so accurately as we find it in modern science?
Secondly, is it logical to believe that Muhammad (PBUH); who up to the age of forty was marked only for his honesty and integrity; began all of a sudden the authorship of a book matchless in literary merit and the equivalent of which the whole legion of the Arab poets and orators of highest caliber could not produce?
And lastly, is it justified to say that Muhammad (PBUH) who was known as AL-AMEEN (The Trustworthy) in his society and who is still admired by the non-Muslim scholars for his honesty and integrity, came forth with a false claim and on that falsehood could train thousands of men of character, integrity and honesty, who were able to establish the best human society on the surface of the earth?
Surely, any sincere and unbiased searcher of truth will come to believe that the Quran is the revealed Book of Allah.
Without necessarily agreeing with all that they said, we furnish here some opinions of important non-Muslim scholars about the Quran. Readers can easily see how the modern world is coming closer to reality regarding the Quran. We appeal to all open-minded scholars to study the Quran in the light of the aforementioned points. We are sure that any such attempt will convince the reader that the Quran could never be written by any human being.
However often we turn to it [the Quran] at first disgusting us each time afresh, it soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence... Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand, terrible - ever and anon truly sublime. Thus this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence. --Goethe, quoted in T.P. Hughes DICTIONARY OF ISLAM, p. 526.
The Koran admittedly occupies an important position among the great religious books of the world. Though the youngest of the epoch-making works belonging to this class of literature, it yields to hardly any in the wonderful effect, which it has produced on large masses of men. It has created an all but new phase of human thought and a fresh type of character. It first transformed a number of heterogeneous desert tribes of the Arabian peninsula into a nation of heroes, and then proceeded to create the vast politico-religious organizations of the Mohammedan world which are one of the great forces with which Europe and the East have to reckon today. --G. Margoliouth, Introduction to J.M. Rodwells, THE KORAN, New York: Everymans Library, 1977, p. vii.
A work, then, which calls forth so powerful and seemingly incompatible emotions even in the distant reader - distant as to time, and still more so as a mental development - a work which not only conquers the repugnance which he may begin its perusal, but changes this adverse feeling into astonishment and admiration, such a work must be a wonderful production of the human mind indeed and a problem of the highest interest to every thoughtful observer of the destinies of mankind. --Dr. Steingass, quoted in T.P. Hughes DICTIONARY OF ISLAM, pp. 526-527.
The above observation makes the hypothesis advanced by those who see Muhammad as the author of the Quran untenable. How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merits, in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject? --Maurice Bucaille, THE BIBLE, THE QURAN AND SCIENCE, 1978, p. 125.
Here, therefore, its merits as a literary production should perhaps not be measured by some preconceived maxims of subjective and aesthetic taste, but by the effects which it produced in Muhammads contemporaries and fellow countrymen. If it spoke so powerfully and convincingly to the hearts of his hearers as to weld hitherto centrifugal and antagonistic elements into one compact and well-organized body, animated by ideas far beyond those which had until now ruled the Arabian mind, then its eloquence was perfect, simply because it created a civilized nation out of savage tribes, and shot a fresh woof into the old warp of history. --Dr. Steingass, quoted in T.P. Hughes DICTIONARY OF ISLAM, p. 528.
In making the present attempt to improve on the performance of my predecessors, and to produce something which might be accepted as echoing however faintly the sublime rhetoric of the Arabic Koran, I have been at pains to study the intricate and richly varied rhythms which - apart from the message itself - constitute the Korans undeniable claim to rank amongst the greatest literary masterpieces of mankind... This very characteristic feature - that inimitable symphony, as the believing Pickthall described his Holy Book, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy - has been almost totally ignored by previous translators; it is therefore not surprising that what they have wrought sounds dull and flat indeed in comparison with the splendidly decorated original. --Arthur J. Arberry, THE KORAN INTERPRETED, London: Oxford University Press, 1964, p. x.
A totally objective examination of it [the Quran] in the light of modern knowledge, leads us to recognize the agreement between the two, as has been already noted on repeated occasions. It makes us deem it quite unthinkable for a man of Muhammad's time to have been the author of such statements on account of the state of knowledge in his day. Such considerations are part of what gives the Quranic Revelation its unique place, and forces the impartial scientist to admit his inability to provide an explanation which calls solely upon materialistic reasoning. --Maurice Bucaille, THE QURAN AND MODERN SCIENCE, 1981, p. 18.
QURAN ON QURAN
Hence, indeed, We made this Quran easy to bear in mind: who, then is willing to take it to heart? --Chapter 54: Verses 17, 22, 32, 40 (self-repeating)
Will they then not meditate on the Quran, or are there locks on their hearts? --Chapter 47: Verse 24
Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do good works that they shall have a great reward. -- Chapter 17Shak017: Verse 9
Surely We have revealed the reminder (Quran) and We will most certainly guard it (from corruption). --Chapter 15: Verse 9
Praise be to Allah Who has revealed the Book (Quran) to His slave (Muhammad) and has not placed therein any crookedness. --Chapter 18: Verse 1
Will they not then ponder on the Quran? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much discrepancy. Chapter 4: Verse 82
And certainly We have explained in this Quran every kind of example; and man is most of all given to contention. And nothing prevents men from believing when the guidance comes to them, and asking forgiveness of their Lord, except that what happened to the ancients should overtake them, or that the chastisement should come face to face with them. --Chapter 18: Verses 54-55
And We reveal (stage by stage) of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for believers, and to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss. --Chapter 17: Verse 82
And if you are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad) then produce a surah (chapter) of the like thereof, and call your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful. --Chapter 2: Verse 23
And this Quran is not such as could be forged by those besides Allah, but it is a verification (of revelations) that went before it and a fuller explanation of the Book - there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Worlds. - Chapter 10: Verse 37
So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast. --Chapter 16: Verse 98.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Collection of the Quran - Part 3 of 3
The Era of Uthman 644 – 656 C.E
After the death if the second Caliph ‘Umar, a committee made up of six of the most famous companions of the Prophet (pbuh) chose ‘Uthman Ibn Affaan to be the third Caliph.
During the reign of Caliph Umar 634- 644 C.E, the Islamic state expanded beyond the borders of the Arabian Peninsula into Egypt, Syria and Iraq. In the subsequent reign of Caliph Uthman the expansion continued on into Persia, India, Russia, China, Turkey and across North Africa. Many of the people of these regions accepted Islaam and learned the recitation of the Quran from early Muslims. The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) in seven different Arabic dialects, and the early Muslims taught the Quran in its different readings.
The Second Writing
In the Muslim provinces, some Arabs began to boast that their dialect was superior to that of others. Also, when new Muslims made mistakes in their recitation of the Quran, it was sometimes difficult to tell whether it was really an error or whether it was one of the seven readings which were taught by the Prophet (pbuh). These problems eventually became a source of confusion in the Muslim provinces outside of Arabia. One of the Prophet’s companions (Sahaabah) by the name of Huthayfah Ibn al Yamaan noticed the confusion while he was in Iraq, and feared that it might lead to a breakup of the Muslim nation and the changing of the Quran, On his return to the capital, he informed Caliph Uthman of what he had heard and seen. Caliph Uthman realized the seriousness of the situation and called the major Sahaabahs (companions) together in order to find a solution to the problem. They decided to make official copies of the Quran from the one compiled in Caliph Abu Baker’s time and limit the people to its recitation.
Uthman asked Hafsah for the original copy of the Quran and called on Zayd ibn Thabit to head the committee of four Quraanic scholars who would take on the task of making the official copies. When the copies were completed, the original was returned to Hafsah. A total of seven copies were made and one was sent to Makkah, another to Syria, one to Basra, one to Kufah, one to Yemen, one to Bahrain and one was kept in the capital, Al Medina. Caliph Uthman sent official reciters of the Quran with each copy in order to clear up any problems which might later arise. He also ordered that all other copies of the Quran to be destroyed, as people had made notes in their personal copies and some copies were incomplete. All new copies were then made from the official copy called MUSHAF UTHMAN, and in that way the Quran was saved from any kind of change or loss. This process was completed in the year 646 C.E, two years later after Uthman became a Caliph, Quran now exist in one Arabic Dialect which is from Quraysh.
After the death if the second Caliph ‘Umar, a committee made up of six of the most famous companions of the Prophet (pbuh) chose ‘Uthman Ibn Affaan to be the third Caliph.
During the reign of Caliph Umar 634- 644 C.E, the Islamic state expanded beyond the borders of the Arabian Peninsula into Egypt, Syria and Iraq. In the subsequent reign of Caliph Uthman the expansion continued on into Persia, India, Russia, China, Turkey and across North Africa. Many of the people of these regions accepted Islaam and learned the recitation of the Quran from early Muslims. The Quran was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) in seven different Arabic dialects, and the early Muslims taught the Quran in its different readings.
The Second Writing
In the Muslim provinces, some Arabs began to boast that their dialect was superior to that of others. Also, when new Muslims made mistakes in their recitation of the Quran, it was sometimes difficult to tell whether it was really an error or whether it was one of the seven readings which were taught by the Prophet (pbuh). These problems eventually became a source of confusion in the Muslim provinces outside of Arabia. One of the Prophet’s companions (Sahaabah) by the name of Huthayfah Ibn al Yamaan noticed the confusion while he was in Iraq, and feared that it might lead to a breakup of the Muslim nation and the changing of the Quran, On his return to the capital, he informed Caliph Uthman of what he had heard and seen. Caliph Uthman realized the seriousness of the situation and called the major Sahaabahs (companions) together in order to find a solution to the problem. They decided to make official copies of the Quran from the one compiled in Caliph Abu Baker’s time and limit the people to its recitation.
Uthman asked Hafsah for the original copy of the Quran and called on Zayd ibn Thabit to head the committee of four Quraanic scholars who would take on the task of making the official copies. When the copies were completed, the original was returned to Hafsah. A total of seven copies were made and one was sent to Makkah, another to Syria, one to Basra, one to Kufah, one to Yemen, one to Bahrain and one was kept in the capital, Al Medina. Caliph Uthman sent official reciters of the Quran with each copy in order to clear up any problems which might later arise. He also ordered that all other copies of the Quran to be destroyed, as people had made notes in their personal copies and some copies were incomplete. All new copies were then made from the official copy called MUSHAF UTHMAN, and in that way the Quran was saved from any kind of change or loss. This process was completed in the year 646 C.E, two years later after Uthman became a Caliph, Quran now exist in one Arabic Dialect which is from Quraysh.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Collection of the Quran - Part 2 of 3
The Era of Abu Baker 632 – 634 C.E
After the death of the Prophet (pbuh), there arose three main groups opposed to Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.
1. The first group was made up of those who decided that they did not want to pay Islamic tax, Zakaah, to anyone other than the Prophet (pbuh). They did not feel that Zakaah was a pillar of Islam just like Salaah (prayers), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage). They instead looked at Zakaah as a tribute; a kind of tax paid to the one who conquered them. So, when the Prophet (Pbuh) died, they felt that they were no longer required to pay it. When Abu Baker became a leader of the Muslim state, this group refused to pay Zakaah and sent armies to the capital, Medina, in order to topple the Muslim State, They demanded to be excused from paying Zakaah or else they would attack and destroy the centers of Islam.
2. The first group was joined by those who had entered Islam in order to escape defeat, as well as those who simply wanted to be on the winning side. This group did not believe in Allah and His messenger at all. They wanted to destroy Islam so they could be free to do whatever they wanted to do. Since the armies of those who refused to pay Zakaah appeared strong, many of these hypocrites joined them.
3. The Third Group was the false Prophets and Prophetesses. In the Najd, in the region of Yamaamah, an Arab from the tribe of Haneefah called Mysaylima claimed prophet hood. In the southern part of Arabia, another Arab from the tribe of ‘Ans called Al Aswad, claimed prophet hood and took over Najran, To the north of Arabia an Arab woman called Sajaah from the Tameem tribe also claimed the prophet hood and rose in arms against the Muslim State. These false prophets all invited people to leave Islam by claiming that Allah had revealed to them new laws making allowable most of the things which were forbidden by Prophet Muhammad(pbuh).
True Muslims under the leadership of Caliph Abu Baker, were forced to fight these three groups in order to re establish Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
The First Writing:
During these wars known as the Riddah (Apostasy), many of those who had memorized large portions of the Quran were killed. Those Muslims who had a lot of Quran in their hearts knew well the rewards which Allah has promised those who fight for Islam. So, they would always be in the front lines of all the battles.
Umar Ibn Al Khattab realized the danger of what was happening and feared that if something was not done immediately, the Quran would be lost to future generations of Muslims. So he went to Caliph Abu Baker and advised him to have the whole Quran written down in one book in order to preserve it from being lost. Abu Baker at first refused to do so, because the Prophet(Pbuh) had not told men to do it. He was afraid of bringing anything new into religion because the Prophet(pbuh) had warned them about changing the religion. Christians had gone ashtray before them because they changed the religion which Prophet (Isaa) Jesus brought after he left them. So Abu Baker was very much against making any changes in the religion which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had not told him to do so. However, after thinking over the situation very carefully, he came to realize that Umar’s Advice was right and that it was not really a change in the religion. The Prophet (pbuh) had ordered them to write down the various verses and chapters of the Quran, while it was being revealed, in order to help preserve it.
Compiling all of what was written into one complete book was then only the completion of the Prophet (pbuh) had begun.
Caliph Abu Baker asked Zayd Ibn Thaabit to be in charge of collecting and writing down the whole Quran, Zayd at first refused to do it for the same reasons that Abu Baker had, but after sometime he also came to realize that it was right. Zayd was chosen because he was:
*One of the best reciters of the Quran
*One of the few who had memorized the whole Quran during the Prophet’s lifetime
*One of those whom the Prophet(pbuh) asked to write down the Quran
*One of the Few who were present when the Prophet (pbuh) recited the whole Quran during the last Ramadan of his life.
Zayd began the process by collecting all of the material on which the Quran had been written. He then gathered around him all of those who had also memorized all of the Quran or large portions of it. He then compared what was written down with what he and others had memorized, If all agreed, he would then write down on pages of leather. In this way the whole Quran was written down during the reign the first Caliph. On its completion, Zayd turned it over to Caliph Abu Baker who kept it until his death, two years after he had become Caliph. Just before his death, Abu Baker turned over the Quran to Umar whom he had chosen to be the second Caliph. Umar kept this copy of the Quraan with him until his death ten years later at the hand of an assassin named Abu Lulu. The Quran was then turned over to his daughter, Hafsah, who was also one of the Prophet’s wives. Hafsah kept the Quran in her house in medina, but she made it available to anyone to make copies from it, or check the accuracy of what they had memorized.
After the death of the Prophet (pbuh), there arose three main groups opposed to Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.
1. The first group was made up of those who decided that they did not want to pay Islamic tax, Zakaah, to anyone other than the Prophet (pbuh). They did not feel that Zakaah was a pillar of Islam just like Salaah (prayers), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage). They instead looked at Zakaah as a tribute; a kind of tax paid to the one who conquered them. So, when the Prophet (Pbuh) died, they felt that they were no longer required to pay it. When Abu Baker became a leader of the Muslim state, this group refused to pay Zakaah and sent armies to the capital, Medina, in order to topple the Muslim State, They demanded to be excused from paying Zakaah or else they would attack and destroy the centers of Islam.
2. The first group was joined by those who had entered Islam in order to escape defeat, as well as those who simply wanted to be on the winning side. This group did not believe in Allah and His messenger at all. They wanted to destroy Islam so they could be free to do whatever they wanted to do. Since the armies of those who refused to pay Zakaah appeared strong, many of these hypocrites joined them.
3. The Third Group was the false Prophets and Prophetesses. In the Najd, in the region of Yamaamah, an Arab from the tribe of Haneefah called Mysaylima claimed prophet hood. In the southern part of Arabia, another Arab from the tribe of ‘Ans called Al Aswad, claimed prophet hood and took over Najran, To the north of Arabia an Arab woman called Sajaah from the Tameem tribe also claimed the prophet hood and rose in arms against the Muslim State. These false prophets all invited people to leave Islam by claiming that Allah had revealed to them new laws making allowable most of the things which were forbidden by Prophet Muhammad(pbuh).
True Muslims under the leadership of Caliph Abu Baker, were forced to fight these three groups in order to re establish Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
The First Writing:
During these wars known as the Riddah (Apostasy), many of those who had memorized large portions of the Quran were killed. Those Muslims who had a lot of Quran in their hearts knew well the rewards which Allah has promised those who fight for Islam. So, they would always be in the front lines of all the battles.
Umar Ibn Al Khattab realized the danger of what was happening and feared that if something was not done immediately, the Quran would be lost to future generations of Muslims. So he went to Caliph Abu Baker and advised him to have the whole Quran written down in one book in order to preserve it from being lost. Abu Baker at first refused to do so, because the Prophet(Pbuh) had not told men to do it. He was afraid of bringing anything new into religion because the Prophet(pbuh) had warned them about changing the religion. Christians had gone ashtray before them because they changed the religion which Prophet (Isaa) Jesus brought after he left them. So Abu Baker was very much against making any changes in the religion which Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had not told him to do so. However, after thinking over the situation very carefully, he came to realize that Umar’s Advice was right and that it was not really a change in the religion. The Prophet (pbuh) had ordered them to write down the various verses and chapters of the Quran, while it was being revealed, in order to help preserve it.
Compiling all of what was written into one complete book was then only the completion of the Prophet (pbuh) had begun.
Caliph Abu Baker asked Zayd Ibn Thaabit to be in charge of collecting and writing down the whole Quran, Zayd at first refused to do it for the same reasons that Abu Baker had, but after sometime he also came to realize that it was right. Zayd was chosen because he was:
*One of the best reciters of the Quran
*One of the few who had memorized the whole Quran during the Prophet’s lifetime
*One of those whom the Prophet(pbuh) asked to write down the Quran
*One of the Few who were present when the Prophet (pbuh) recited the whole Quran during the last Ramadan of his life.
Zayd began the process by collecting all of the material on which the Quran had been written. He then gathered around him all of those who had also memorized all of the Quran or large portions of it. He then compared what was written down with what he and others had memorized, If all agreed, he would then write down on pages of leather. In this way the whole Quran was written down during the reign the first Caliph. On its completion, Zayd turned it over to Caliph Abu Baker who kept it until his death, two years after he had become Caliph. Just before his death, Abu Baker turned over the Quran to Umar whom he had chosen to be the second Caliph. Umar kept this copy of the Quraan with him until his death ten years later at the hand of an assassin named Abu Lulu. The Quran was then turned over to his daughter, Hafsah, who was also one of the Prophet’s wives. Hafsah kept the Quran in her house in medina, but she made it available to anyone to make copies from it, or check the accuracy of what they had memorized.
The Collection of the Quran - Part 1 of 3
The Era of the Prophet (PBUH) 609 – 632 C.E *
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in sections throughout the 23 years of his Prophet Hood. Whenever a problem arose or whenever Allah wanted to give the Prophet (Pbuh) and his follower’s special advice, Allah would send angel Jibreel (Gabriel) with part of the Quran which he would recite to the Prophet (Pbuh). Thus, the Quran was not revealed all at once in its complete form, like the earlier books of revelation, but in parts over a period of time.
* C.E = Christian Era is used instead of A.D – Anno Domini- in the year of the Lord because Muslims do not recognize Jesus, son of Mary as the Lord but muslims recognize Jesus as a Prophet.
Preservation of the Quran
When Jibreel (Gabriel) first recited a part of the Quran to the Prophet (Pbuh), the Prophet (Pbuh) tried to repeat it after him, word for word. Allah later had Jibreel (Gabriel) tell him not to do so. He was told instead to listen to the Quran carefully, When the Prophet (pbuh) did that Allah caused him to be able to remember everything without any effort on his part.
Allah Said in the Quran:
“Do not move your tongue too hastily (learn) it. Surely we will collect it and recite it. So, when we recite it, follow its recital.”
(Surah Al Qiyamah – Chapter 75 Verses 16, 17, 18)
It was very important that the Prophet (Pbuh) remember all that was revealed to him, because he could neither read nor write.
The Prophet (Pbuh) passed on all of the Quran to his companions before he died. He used a number of different ways to make sure that they memorized and recorded it exactly as he learned it.
1.The Prophet (pbuh) used to recite aloud various parts of the Quran in Salaah (Congregational Prayers). In that way, his followers used to hear parts of the Quran daily.
2.Everyone who entered Islam would be taught parts of the Quran which they would have to use their daily prayers, Thus, Muslims were always learning or teaching various parts of the Quran.
3.The Prophet (pbuh) informed his followers that the best of them were those who learned and taught the Quran. This encouraged them to make even greater efforts to memorize the Quran and teach it to others.
4.Those who were able to read and write were told by the Prophet (pbuh) to write down the various sections of the Quran as they were revealed. The prophet (pbuh) would tell them the order in which they record the verses.
Because there was no paper in Arabia at that time, the Quran was written down on anything which was available. The companions wrote the verses of Quran on date palm leave, flat stones, tree bark, wood, dried animal skins and even shoulder blades of sheep or camels. Thus, the verses of the Quran were preserved in the hearts of the Muslims, as well as written down, during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh). Since people entered Islam at various points during the Prophet’s Mission, only a few of them heard all of the Quran directly from the Prophet (pbuh). Also some companions were able to memorize better than others. So, even though all of them memorized portions of the Quran, only few were able to memorize all of the Quran during the Prophet’s lifetime.
When the Prophet (pbuh) died in the year 632 C.E, the whole of the Quran was not written down one complete book. It was recorded on various pieces of writing material and kept in the possession of different followers of the Prophet (pbuh). Each had sections but none of them hall all. Because of the fact that the verses of the Quran continued to be revealed up until a few months before the Prophet (pbuh)’s death, the companions were more concerned with the recording and memorizing it than putting it all together in one book, Consequently, the gathering of the Quran into one text was not done during the Prophet’s (pbuh) lifetime.
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in sections throughout the 23 years of his Prophet Hood. Whenever a problem arose or whenever Allah wanted to give the Prophet (Pbuh) and his follower’s special advice, Allah would send angel Jibreel (Gabriel) with part of the Quran which he would recite to the Prophet (Pbuh). Thus, the Quran was not revealed all at once in its complete form, like the earlier books of revelation, but in parts over a period of time.
* C.E = Christian Era is used instead of A.D – Anno Domini- in the year of the Lord because Muslims do not recognize Jesus, son of Mary as the Lord but muslims recognize Jesus as a Prophet.
Preservation of the Quran
When Jibreel (Gabriel) first recited a part of the Quran to the Prophet (Pbuh), the Prophet (Pbuh) tried to repeat it after him, word for word. Allah later had Jibreel (Gabriel) tell him not to do so. He was told instead to listen to the Quran carefully, When the Prophet (pbuh) did that Allah caused him to be able to remember everything without any effort on his part.
Allah Said in the Quran:
“Do not move your tongue too hastily (learn) it. Surely we will collect it and recite it. So, when we recite it, follow its recital.”
(Surah Al Qiyamah – Chapter 75 Verses 16, 17, 18)
It was very important that the Prophet (Pbuh) remember all that was revealed to him, because he could neither read nor write.
The Prophet (Pbuh) passed on all of the Quran to his companions before he died. He used a number of different ways to make sure that they memorized and recorded it exactly as he learned it.
1.The Prophet (pbuh) used to recite aloud various parts of the Quran in Salaah (Congregational Prayers). In that way, his followers used to hear parts of the Quran daily.
2.Everyone who entered Islam would be taught parts of the Quran which they would have to use their daily prayers, Thus, Muslims were always learning or teaching various parts of the Quran.
3.The Prophet (pbuh) informed his followers that the best of them were those who learned and taught the Quran. This encouraged them to make even greater efforts to memorize the Quran and teach it to others.
4.Those who were able to read and write were told by the Prophet (pbuh) to write down the various sections of the Quran as they were revealed. The prophet (pbuh) would tell them the order in which they record the verses.
Because there was no paper in Arabia at that time, the Quran was written down on anything which was available. The companions wrote the verses of Quran on date palm leave, flat stones, tree bark, wood, dried animal skins and even shoulder blades of sheep or camels. Thus, the verses of the Quran were preserved in the hearts of the Muslims, as well as written down, during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh). Since people entered Islam at various points during the Prophet’s Mission, only a few of them heard all of the Quran directly from the Prophet (pbuh). Also some companions were able to memorize better than others. So, even though all of them memorized portions of the Quran, only few were able to memorize all of the Quran during the Prophet’s lifetime.
When the Prophet (pbuh) died in the year 632 C.E, the whole of the Quran was not written down one complete book. It was recorded on various pieces of writing material and kept in the possession of different followers of the Prophet (pbuh). Each had sections but none of them hall all. Because of the fact that the verses of the Quran continued to be revealed up until a few months before the Prophet (pbuh)’s death, the companions were more concerned with the recording and memorizing it than putting it all together in one book, Consequently, the gathering of the Quran into one text was not done during the Prophet’s (pbuh) lifetime.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Holy Quran, the Eternal Miracle
Has the time of miracles ended? Will we no longer witness any miracles? Considering the fact that the miracles of the previous prophets were specifically designed for a certain time and place, must we then for the sake of our own faith refer back to the historical accounts on miracles to become a believer?
In quest for finding answers to these questions, we come across the holy book of Islam. The Holy Quran is the only book that clearly and firmly claims to be a living miracle for all humans of any race, in any place, and with any ethnicity they hold.
How the Quran views itself a Miracle?
As we already know, a miracle is an extraordinary act that can not be performed by just any person. One whom claims to be a prophet will then prove his status by presenting a miracle. The message miracles tend to get across to humanity is that since human capacities fail to create miracles, then surely the miracles must be planned and ordered by a power exceeding above human powers: the power of the creator of this world. In other words, by giving the power of miracles to the prophets, His chosen people, Allah (SWT) has confirmed His direct connection with the prophets.
Similarly, to prove that it surely is a miracle from Allah, the Holy Quran challenges the people that doubt the divinity of this book to bring a book similar to the Holy Quran. It then clearly alleges that if all the people unite to bring a complete book like that of the Quran, they will not succeed. To make its point more clear and to further prove the incapability of man in bringing a book like the Quran, the Quran this time challenges the people to then bring only ten chapters like the chapters of the Quran. And just as the answer is obvious to the Quran, it claims that indeed man cannot do such, “Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful; But if they do not answer you, then know that it is revealed by Allah’s knowledge” (Quran 11:13-14). And finally to show the extremity of their weakness, it agrees to continue this challenges with only one chapter, “And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful” (Quran 2:23). And again the Quran alleges that they can not do such, “But if you do (it) not and never shall you do (it), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers” (Quran 2:24).
It is interesting to know what aspect the Quran used for this challenge. Islamic scholars believe that the entire Quran offers many different miracles. However, when the Quran challenges based on each one of its chapters it focuses on the eloquence and fluency of the verses.
The Quran in terms of its’ eloquence and fluency
Eloquence and fluency is meant in this sense that in trying to convey the message, one uses very clear, beautiful, poetic, and meaningful terms. Scholars of Arab literature have noticed these features in all chapters of the Holy Quran.
Looking further into their argument, we have to first see if anyone during the past 1400 years has been able to refute the Quran in bringing even one chapter like that in the Holy Quran? Is it really true that up to this day no one has been able to defeat the Holy Quran? To answer this question, we must refer back to historical accounts. Historians, both Muslim and Non-Muslim, have not recorded any successful accounts of those who tried to defeat the claim of the Holy Quran. This is significant because historical accounts tend to focus greatly on the enemies of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) and on the ones who constantly challenged Islam; thus if they had been successful in such a challenge, historians would have definitely recorded it. Likewise we can see that in the contemporary era, not one has succeeded in challenging the Holy Quran.
Why have others remained silent in answering the challenge of the Holy Quran?
Was the reason for remaining silent against the challenge of the Holy Quran due to the incapability and weakness of human beings? Or does it have other reasons? To answer this question, we can first assume three reasons for why people have remained silent in answering the challenge offered by the Holy Quran:
1. It may be due to the fact that the people of this and the previous eras did not have a motive to answer this challenge of the Holy Quran.
2. There was a motive to answer the challenge, but after the revelation of the Holy Quran, Arab literature became weak and eventually diminished. Similarly non-Muslim Arab scholars of literature do not exist in the present day to answer this challenge.
3. Neither of the previous ideas hold true; rather, no one was able to bring a book like the Quran, and thus abandoned the idea completely.
By studying the earliest situations, it is obvious that the appearance of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was when many nations were living with different beliefs. Some were materialistic and denying the existence of any God. Some were idol worshipers, Zoroastrians, Christians and Jews. Besides these, the emperors of Persia, and Rome had control over the weak nations. During that period of time, the Prophet of Islam raised the divine flag, and invited the world to accept Islam, and submit to one God. This invitation to Monotheism denied duality of Zoroastrians, Trinity of Christianity, and the improper attributes of Judaism to Allah and His prophets, and all the bad habits and traditions from the time of ignorance.
Yet his submission to Allah presented hostility between the emperors of his time. The Prophet of Islam alone faced those nations nonetheless, with the Holy Quran as his proof of prophecy. With the Quran he challenged all the emperors of his time, the religious scholars of Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and idolaters. Up to now, Islam has continued this way of challenging and has more enemies from before trying to destroy it.
However, it is natural for them to focus on what they can do to destroy Islam and stand against it for the fact that Islam is demolishing them.
They have tried and are trying many ways to wipe out Islam, in order to achieve their goals. They put the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions in an economic siege for three years, which was very hard on the Prophet (PBUH) and his people. The big battles of Badr and Ohod which were caused by the non-believers to destroy Islam, were unsuccessful and since they did not accomplish their ambitions the non-believers became united in the battle of Khandaq to get rid of Islam. They did everything they could to destroy Islam, but their energy was worthless. Wouldn't it have been much easier for them to come up with a man made verses instead of wasting their time to fight with Islam in some other ways? And if they had made up such verses which were equivalent to the holy Quran, it would have been their proof that Islam is a false religion!
Of course the simplest way to void the Prophet (PBUH) and his book was to stand up against him which was the case from the very beginning of establishing Islam. Therefore amongst the enemies of Islam who made their best to ruin Islam was enough motives to answer the challenge of the holy Quran.
By over viewing the second condition, we must pay attention to the literary roots of Arabs which was going through a revolution. Although eloquence and fluency was a common technique for the time when the Quran was descended, but later on these techniques expanded and flourished continually up to our time. At his time the Arab literacy is more excellent than before and there many new scopes in the relative techniques. We can find many non-Muslim Arab literalists throughout the world. Therefore there are many non-Muslims who are the professionals of eloquence and fluency from the beginning of Islam to now. Occasionally their expertise was to the extent that they have written important reference book in their special field such as linguistics, history, grammar. Let us imagine these literalists had not motive to answer the challenge of Quran, but couldn’t the enemies of Islam who were severely fighting against Islam, ask them to supply their need.
So now that we cannot accept the first two conditions we should accept the third one. No one has been able to answer the challenge the Quran; the only reason could be that they were unable to do so. Therefore the truth of Quran is being proved to all.
Understanding the miracle of Quran (from the aspect of eloquence and fluency)
A very important fact is that understanding this aspect of miracle of the holy Quran is taken place only by the professional of this aspect (literalists). Basically to compare the quality of different works in specific profession, one must ask the professionals of that field to express their opinions about them. For a better understanding we will refer the below example:
Imagine Dr. “A” claims to the whole wide world that no other Doctor is better than him and he is the best out of all doctors. Now imagine that his argument is against others, and so they want to prove that he is arguing in vain, therefore,
1) If no Doctor claims that he is better than Dr. A then it is clear that Dr. A was right.
2) If Dr. “B” says that what Dr. A has done is wrong and that he will prove that he is better than him, then those who are not familiar with the medical profession cannot judge nor distinguish the two Doctors.
Now about the miraculous character of the holy Quran, we can say that since no one was able to give a proper answer (making a verse) which can be also approved by Arabic literatures, it is proven that the Quran is a miracle even to those people who do not know anything about the Arabic literature. Yet if someone has claimed to challenge the Quran they must have had the approval and confirmation of Arab literalists.
Other aspects of the miraculous character of the Holy Quran
Although the aspect which the Holy Quran has challenged referring to each chapter individually is its fluency and eloquence, totally, it has other aspects of being miracle that are mentioned below. It is noteworthy that these aspects are not specialized; all can understand them.
1-The Holy Quran and the mysteries of nature: Although the Holy Quran is not a science book and has not been descended for such reasons and its aim is to guide mankind to eternal success, it has used such matters in the way of its own special goal .It has referred to them as signs of the immortal power of the Almighty Allah; therefore, it has mentioned many mysteries of nature in several cases. This fact indicates that the Holy Quran has been descended from a person who is completely conversant with the nature, namely the creator of it.
As an instance three of these mysteries, are mentioned briefly:
A. The movement of the earth:
” (The Almighty Allah) who made the earth for you like a cradle.”(The holy Quran, 20:53)
In this verse, the Holy Quran has alluded to the movement of the earth and likened it to a cradle. As we know, a child in the cradle will enjoy comfort if the cradle moves. The reason why it has not stipulated the movement of the earth is that these verses were descended in a time when man thought of nothing except the earth’s repose and the firmaments orbiting it. For instance, when Galileo explained this fact one thousand years later, he was sentenced to death. Hence, if the Holy Quran stipulated the movement of the earth, it would be expelled, so it has alluded to this fact delicately in a way not in explicit disagreement with people’s belief and also expressing the truth.
B. The fertilization done by the wind:
“And we send the winds fertilizing.”(The holy Quran, 15:22)
Centuries had past when Biologists discovered the effect of winds in the fertilization of some plants. This is definitely a miracle.
C. “And we have made the iron, wherein is great violence (power) and advantages to men.” (The holy Quran, 57:25)
Till the 18th century, 12 centuries after the descendent of the Holy Quran, metallic works suffered ultimate weakness and not only their value was unknown, but also they were considered unimportant. Suddenly, iron appealed to man and the scientists competed in its extraction and utilization to the extent that the two previous centuries are called the metal advancement era. Now, man has realized its value, and as a result, the truth of the Holy Quran’s saying. It’s important to notice that among all the metals, the Holy Quran has specified iron. Today it is evident that the efficiency of iron is more than other metals.
2-The Holy Quran’s predictions: The Holy Quran has predicted future events in many cases. This fact shows that it has been descended from a person who knows and can report the unseen, namely the Almighty Allah who is the only absolutely knowing the unseen. Numerous verses of the Holy Quran are related to the prediction of future events which we refer to some.
A. Before Muslims conquering Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dreamed that He shaved his head as a sign of exiting Ihram (finishing Hadj), and because prophets’ dreams are true, he promised his companions to enter the Sacred Mosque(Masjid al-Haram) soon. In 6(A.H), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) left to visit Ka’aba in Mecca with some of his companions. In the way, the pagans (Mushrikin) blocked the way in Hudaybiah and the Hudaybiah treatment took place, in which they agreed that Muslims return and then visit Mecca the two following years. After the agreement, some of the companions objected it and doubted the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) dream. In this situation, the following verse was descended:
“Certainly the Almighty Allah will show the truth of his Prophet’s dream that you shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah pleases, in security, having your heads shaved and your hairs cut. You shall not fear, as He knows what you do not, so He brought about a near victory.”(The holy Quran, 48:27)
In this verse, the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) dream and the conquest of Mecca are promised. In 7(A.H), the dream came true and Muslims visited Mecca and in the next year, the second promise was performed, as Muslims conquered Mecca after the pagans cancelled the agreement.
B. Badr was the first battle of Muslims against the infidels of Quraish. A caravan of the infidels of Mecca with abundant merchandises was passing by Medina. Muslims asked the Prophet (PBUH) to permit them to attack the caravan and take their merchandise in revenge for usurpation of their property in Mecca. The Prophet (PBUH) permitted them and this verse was then descended:
“When God promised to grant you (believers) victory over either one of the two groups, you wished to have control over the unarmed one. God decided to prove (to you) the truth of His promises and to destroy the unbelievers.” (The holy Quran, 8:7)
This verse describes the results of the battle of Badr. Although the number of battlers of the enemy was several times of the number of battlers of Muslims, and Muslims were worried about, but Quran gave Muslims glad tiding. Quran explicitly expressed that either the victory in the battle or the merchandises would be for the Muslims.
C. when the child of the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, a man named as A’as ibn Wabil said:” Indeed Muhammad is childless. He has no son to be his successor and when he dies his remembrance would fade. Then the verses of Surah Kawthar were descended:
“We have granted you Kawthar (abundant virtue). So worship your Lord and make sacrificial offerings. Whoever hates you will himself remain childless.” (The holy Quran, 108:1 to 3)
In these verses it is announced that the one who called the Prophet (PBUH) childless would have no child and the generation of the Prophet (PBUH) will remain.
3- Who has brought the holy Quran?
One of the definite characteristics of the Prophet (PBUH) which no one can deny is that the Prophet (PBUH) was “Ummi” i.e. he had not written, he had not studied nor had he been taught by any teacher. This fact is so definite and clear that famous western orientalists have mentioned it in their books. Therefore stating such words that are in the extreme eloquence and fluency and contains the secrets of the universe by such a person, shows that it is a divine work and this knowledge is gained through revelation. In this regard the holy Quran says:
“You were not able to read or write before the Quran was revealed to you; however, the followers of falsehood would have tried to confuse the matter” (The holy Quran, 29:48)
The final word
Although the holy Quran is a miracle from different aspects, but it should be noted that it is not a literal book, or a book of mysteries of creation. All these specifications are to prove that it is a miracle. Actually it calls itself the book of guidance. So everyone who has perceived that it is a miracle should seek the way of guidance and the correct divine knowledge through it. As an instance by accepting the holy Quran as a miracle, our belief to the previous prophets and their miracles can be based on the occult informing of the holy Quran about them.
Finally to summarize what was mentioned in this article, we would like to refer to these points briefly:
1. The miracles of previous prophets belonged to their own era and today nothing of them is available for us. But now we only find Quran that claims it is a miracle for all time.
2. To prove its claim, the holy Quran calls the entire world to bring words like its verses.
3. Eloquence and fluency is the only aspect of miracle of the holy Quran that it has challenged upon. However different parts of Quran have other aspects of being a miracle.
4. The enemies of Islam and Quran whether in the past or now have applied the hardest and most expensive means to invalidate Islam; on the other hand they have not done any act to apply their simplest mean (i.e. answering the challenge of Quran). They have not brought any significant instance to excel the holy Quran in eloquence and fluency in the eyes of scholars, considering the fact that they had both enough motives to do so and powerful literalists. This is the best reason of their inability against Quran.
5. There are many instances in the holy Quran that refer to secrets of creation, and centuries later the secret has been clarified. This indicates that the holy Quran is descended by the One who is completely aware of the secrets of creation.
6. There are many instances in the holy Quran that predict events and later the event has taken place exactly as Quran had described. This indicates that the holy Quran is descended by the One who has occult knowledge.
7. Quran with all aspects of being a miracle is brought by a prophet who has never studied before. This proves that he himself has not composed Quran, but it is descended from the Lord of the universe.
Deduction
Finally it can be deduced that the holy Quran is a miracle for all eras and for all nations, therefore it is descended from the almighty Allah. When it is proved that Quran is a miracle, the trueness of the claim of the prophecy of the Prophet (PBUH) would be proved. Then all the human beings can now study and research about this book and by perceiving that it is a miracle, can find out the prophecy and trueness of the Prophet’s (PBUH) religion.
In quest for finding answers to these questions, we come across the holy book of Islam. The Holy Quran is the only book that clearly and firmly claims to be a living miracle for all humans of any race, in any place, and with any ethnicity they hold.
How the Quran views itself a Miracle?
As we already know, a miracle is an extraordinary act that can not be performed by just any person. One whom claims to be a prophet will then prove his status by presenting a miracle. The message miracles tend to get across to humanity is that since human capacities fail to create miracles, then surely the miracles must be planned and ordered by a power exceeding above human powers: the power of the creator of this world. In other words, by giving the power of miracles to the prophets, His chosen people, Allah (SWT) has confirmed His direct connection with the prophets.
Similarly, to prove that it surely is a miracle from Allah, the Holy Quran challenges the people that doubt the divinity of this book to bring a book similar to the Holy Quran. It then clearly alleges that if all the people unite to bring a complete book like that of the Quran, they will not succeed. To make its point more clear and to further prove the incapability of man in bringing a book like the Quran, the Quran this time challenges the people to then bring only ten chapters like the chapters of the Quran. And just as the answer is obvious to the Quran, it claims that indeed man cannot do such, “Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if you are truthful; But if they do not answer you, then know that it is revealed by Allah’s knowledge” (Quran 11:13-14). And finally to show the extremity of their weakness, it agrees to continue this challenges with only one chapter, “And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful” (Quran 2:23). And again the Quran alleges that they can not do such, “But if you do (it) not and never shall you do (it), then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers” (Quran 2:24).
It is interesting to know what aspect the Quran used for this challenge. Islamic scholars believe that the entire Quran offers many different miracles. However, when the Quran challenges based on each one of its chapters it focuses on the eloquence and fluency of the verses.
The Quran in terms of its’ eloquence and fluency
Eloquence and fluency is meant in this sense that in trying to convey the message, one uses very clear, beautiful, poetic, and meaningful terms. Scholars of Arab literature have noticed these features in all chapters of the Holy Quran.
Looking further into their argument, we have to first see if anyone during the past 1400 years has been able to refute the Quran in bringing even one chapter like that in the Holy Quran? Is it really true that up to this day no one has been able to defeat the Holy Quran? To answer this question, we must refer back to historical accounts. Historians, both Muslim and Non-Muslim, have not recorded any successful accounts of those who tried to defeat the claim of the Holy Quran. This is significant because historical accounts tend to focus greatly on the enemies of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) and on the ones who constantly challenged Islam; thus if they had been successful in such a challenge, historians would have definitely recorded it. Likewise we can see that in the contemporary era, not one has succeeded in challenging the Holy Quran.
Why have others remained silent in answering the challenge of the Holy Quran?
Was the reason for remaining silent against the challenge of the Holy Quran due to the incapability and weakness of human beings? Or does it have other reasons? To answer this question, we can first assume three reasons for why people have remained silent in answering the challenge offered by the Holy Quran:
1. It may be due to the fact that the people of this and the previous eras did not have a motive to answer this challenge of the Holy Quran.
2. There was a motive to answer the challenge, but after the revelation of the Holy Quran, Arab literature became weak and eventually diminished. Similarly non-Muslim Arab scholars of literature do not exist in the present day to answer this challenge.
3. Neither of the previous ideas hold true; rather, no one was able to bring a book like the Quran, and thus abandoned the idea completely.
By studying the earliest situations, it is obvious that the appearance of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was when many nations were living with different beliefs. Some were materialistic and denying the existence of any God. Some were idol worshipers, Zoroastrians, Christians and Jews. Besides these, the emperors of Persia, and Rome had control over the weak nations. During that period of time, the Prophet of Islam raised the divine flag, and invited the world to accept Islam, and submit to one God. This invitation to Monotheism denied duality of Zoroastrians, Trinity of Christianity, and the improper attributes of Judaism to Allah and His prophets, and all the bad habits and traditions from the time of ignorance.
Yet his submission to Allah presented hostility between the emperors of his time. The Prophet of Islam alone faced those nations nonetheless, with the Holy Quran as his proof of prophecy. With the Quran he challenged all the emperors of his time, the religious scholars of Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and idolaters. Up to now, Islam has continued this way of challenging and has more enemies from before trying to destroy it.
However, it is natural for them to focus on what they can do to destroy Islam and stand against it for the fact that Islam is demolishing them.
They have tried and are trying many ways to wipe out Islam, in order to achieve their goals. They put the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions in an economic siege for three years, which was very hard on the Prophet (PBUH) and his people. The big battles of Badr and Ohod which were caused by the non-believers to destroy Islam, were unsuccessful and since they did not accomplish their ambitions the non-believers became united in the battle of Khandaq to get rid of Islam. They did everything they could to destroy Islam, but their energy was worthless. Wouldn't it have been much easier for them to come up with a man made verses instead of wasting their time to fight with Islam in some other ways? And if they had made up such verses which were equivalent to the holy Quran, it would have been their proof that Islam is a false religion!
Of course the simplest way to void the Prophet (PBUH) and his book was to stand up against him which was the case from the very beginning of establishing Islam. Therefore amongst the enemies of Islam who made their best to ruin Islam was enough motives to answer the challenge of the holy Quran.
By over viewing the second condition, we must pay attention to the literary roots of Arabs which was going through a revolution. Although eloquence and fluency was a common technique for the time when the Quran was descended, but later on these techniques expanded and flourished continually up to our time. At his time the Arab literacy is more excellent than before and there many new scopes in the relative techniques. We can find many non-Muslim Arab literalists throughout the world. Therefore there are many non-Muslims who are the professionals of eloquence and fluency from the beginning of Islam to now. Occasionally their expertise was to the extent that they have written important reference book in their special field such as linguistics, history, grammar. Let us imagine these literalists had not motive to answer the challenge of Quran, but couldn’t the enemies of Islam who were severely fighting against Islam, ask them to supply their need.
So now that we cannot accept the first two conditions we should accept the third one. No one has been able to answer the challenge the Quran; the only reason could be that they were unable to do so. Therefore the truth of Quran is being proved to all.
Understanding the miracle of Quran (from the aspect of eloquence and fluency)
A very important fact is that understanding this aspect of miracle of the holy Quran is taken place only by the professional of this aspect (literalists). Basically to compare the quality of different works in specific profession, one must ask the professionals of that field to express their opinions about them. For a better understanding we will refer the below example:
Imagine Dr. “A” claims to the whole wide world that no other Doctor is better than him and he is the best out of all doctors. Now imagine that his argument is against others, and so they want to prove that he is arguing in vain, therefore,
1) If no Doctor claims that he is better than Dr. A then it is clear that Dr. A was right.
2) If Dr. “B” says that what Dr. A has done is wrong and that he will prove that he is better than him, then those who are not familiar with the medical profession cannot judge nor distinguish the two Doctors.
Now about the miraculous character of the holy Quran, we can say that since no one was able to give a proper answer (making a verse) which can be also approved by Arabic literatures, it is proven that the Quran is a miracle even to those people who do not know anything about the Arabic literature. Yet if someone has claimed to challenge the Quran they must have had the approval and confirmation of Arab literalists.
Other aspects of the miraculous character of the Holy Quran
Although the aspect which the Holy Quran has challenged referring to each chapter individually is its fluency and eloquence, totally, it has other aspects of being miracle that are mentioned below. It is noteworthy that these aspects are not specialized; all can understand them.
1-The Holy Quran and the mysteries of nature: Although the Holy Quran is not a science book and has not been descended for such reasons and its aim is to guide mankind to eternal success, it has used such matters in the way of its own special goal .It has referred to them as signs of the immortal power of the Almighty Allah; therefore, it has mentioned many mysteries of nature in several cases. This fact indicates that the Holy Quran has been descended from a person who is completely conversant with the nature, namely the creator of it.
As an instance three of these mysteries, are mentioned briefly:
A. The movement of the earth:
” (The Almighty Allah) who made the earth for you like a cradle.”(The holy Quran, 20:53)
In this verse, the Holy Quran has alluded to the movement of the earth and likened it to a cradle. As we know, a child in the cradle will enjoy comfort if the cradle moves. The reason why it has not stipulated the movement of the earth is that these verses were descended in a time when man thought of nothing except the earth’s repose and the firmaments orbiting it. For instance, when Galileo explained this fact one thousand years later, he was sentenced to death. Hence, if the Holy Quran stipulated the movement of the earth, it would be expelled, so it has alluded to this fact delicately in a way not in explicit disagreement with people’s belief and also expressing the truth.
B. The fertilization done by the wind:
“And we send the winds fertilizing.”(The holy Quran, 15:22)
Centuries had past when Biologists discovered the effect of winds in the fertilization of some plants. This is definitely a miracle.
C. “And we have made the iron, wherein is great violence (power) and advantages to men.” (The holy Quran, 57:25)
Till the 18th century, 12 centuries after the descendent of the Holy Quran, metallic works suffered ultimate weakness and not only their value was unknown, but also they were considered unimportant. Suddenly, iron appealed to man and the scientists competed in its extraction and utilization to the extent that the two previous centuries are called the metal advancement era. Now, man has realized its value, and as a result, the truth of the Holy Quran’s saying. It’s important to notice that among all the metals, the Holy Quran has specified iron. Today it is evident that the efficiency of iron is more than other metals.
2-The Holy Quran’s predictions: The Holy Quran has predicted future events in many cases. This fact shows that it has been descended from a person who knows and can report the unseen, namely the Almighty Allah who is the only absolutely knowing the unseen. Numerous verses of the Holy Quran are related to the prediction of future events which we refer to some.
A. Before Muslims conquering Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dreamed that He shaved his head as a sign of exiting Ihram (finishing Hadj), and because prophets’ dreams are true, he promised his companions to enter the Sacred Mosque(Masjid al-Haram) soon. In 6(A.H), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) left to visit Ka’aba in Mecca with some of his companions. In the way, the pagans (Mushrikin) blocked the way in Hudaybiah and the Hudaybiah treatment took place, in which they agreed that Muslims return and then visit Mecca the two following years. After the agreement, some of the companions objected it and doubted the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) dream. In this situation, the following verse was descended:
“Certainly the Almighty Allah will show the truth of his Prophet’s dream that you shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah pleases, in security, having your heads shaved and your hairs cut. You shall not fear, as He knows what you do not, so He brought about a near victory.”(The holy Quran, 48:27)
In this verse, the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) dream and the conquest of Mecca are promised. In 7(A.H), the dream came true and Muslims visited Mecca and in the next year, the second promise was performed, as Muslims conquered Mecca after the pagans cancelled the agreement.
B. Badr was the first battle of Muslims against the infidels of Quraish. A caravan of the infidels of Mecca with abundant merchandises was passing by Medina. Muslims asked the Prophet (PBUH) to permit them to attack the caravan and take their merchandise in revenge for usurpation of their property in Mecca. The Prophet (PBUH) permitted them and this verse was then descended:
“When God promised to grant you (believers) victory over either one of the two groups, you wished to have control over the unarmed one. God decided to prove (to you) the truth of His promises and to destroy the unbelievers.” (The holy Quran, 8:7)
This verse describes the results of the battle of Badr. Although the number of battlers of the enemy was several times of the number of battlers of Muslims, and Muslims were worried about, but Quran gave Muslims glad tiding. Quran explicitly expressed that either the victory in the battle or the merchandises would be for the Muslims.
C. when the child of the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, a man named as A’as ibn Wabil said:” Indeed Muhammad is childless. He has no son to be his successor and when he dies his remembrance would fade. Then the verses of Surah Kawthar were descended:
“We have granted you Kawthar (abundant virtue). So worship your Lord and make sacrificial offerings. Whoever hates you will himself remain childless.” (The holy Quran, 108:1 to 3)
In these verses it is announced that the one who called the Prophet (PBUH) childless would have no child and the generation of the Prophet (PBUH) will remain.
3- Who has brought the holy Quran?
One of the definite characteristics of the Prophet (PBUH) which no one can deny is that the Prophet (PBUH) was “Ummi” i.e. he had not written, he had not studied nor had he been taught by any teacher. This fact is so definite and clear that famous western orientalists have mentioned it in their books. Therefore stating such words that are in the extreme eloquence and fluency and contains the secrets of the universe by such a person, shows that it is a divine work and this knowledge is gained through revelation. In this regard the holy Quran says:
“You were not able to read or write before the Quran was revealed to you; however, the followers of falsehood would have tried to confuse the matter” (The holy Quran, 29:48)
The final word
Although the holy Quran is a miracle from different aspects, but it should be noted that it is not a literal book, or a book of mysteries of creation. All these specifications are to prove that it is a miracle. Actually it calls itself the book of guidance. So everyone who has perceived that it is a miracle should seek the way of guidance and the correct divine knowledge through it. As an instance by accepting the holy Quran as a miracle, our belief to the previous prophets and their miracles can be based on the occult informing of the holy Quran about them.
Finally to summarize what was mentioned in this article, we would like to refer to these points briefly:
1. The miracles of previous prophets belonged to their own era and today nothing of them is available for us. But now we only find Quran that claims it is a miracle for all time.
2. To prove its claim, the holy Quran calls the entire world to bring words like its verses.
3. Eloquence and fluency is the only aspect of miracle of the holy Quran that it has challenged upon. However different parts of Quran have other aspects of being a miracle.
4. The enemies of Islam and Quran whether in the past or now have applied the hardest and most expensive means to invalidate Islam; on the other hand they have not done any act to apply their simplest mean (i.e. answering the challenge of Quran). They have not brought any significant instance to excel the holy Quran in eloquence and fluency in the eyes of scholars, considering the fact that they had both enough motives to do so and powerful literalists. This is the best reason of their inability against Quran.
5. There are many instances in the holy Quran that refer to secrets of creation, and centuries later the secret has been clarified. This indicates that the holy Quran is descended by the One who is completely aware of the secrets of creation.
6. There are many instances in the holy Quran that predict events and later the event has taken place exactly as Quran had described. This indicates that the holy Quran is descended by the One who has occult knowledge.
7. Quran with all aspects of being a miracle is brought by a prophet who has never studied before. This proves that he himself has not composed Quran, but it is descended from the Lord of the universe.
Deduction
Finally it can be deduced that the holy Quran is a miracle for all eras and for all nations, therefore it is descended from the almighty Allah. When it is proved that Quran is a miracle, the trueness of the claim of the prophecy of the Prophet (PBUH) would be proved. Then all the human beings can now study and research about this book and by perceiving that it is a miracle, can find out the prophecy and trueness of the Prophet’s (PBUH) religion.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Importance of knowing the difference between Makkan and Madeenan Revelations
What the Importance of knowing the Difference between Makkan and Madeenan Revelations?
There are a number of reasons why distinction needs to be made between Makkan and Madeenan Surahs (Chapters) and Verses. The Following are only the Three most Important Reasons:
Fiqh – Islamic Law
The various laws of Islam were revealed over a period of 23 years, some laws cancelled earlier laws and other laws were revealed bit by bit. Thus, it is necessary to know at which point in time the various laws were revealed in order to apply them properly. The laws of the later Madeenan period sometimes took the place of the earlier laws, For example , alcohol was made forbidden in gradual stages, the first law concerning alcohol was simply a warning of its dangers,
Allah said:
“And, when they ask you about Khamr (Alcohol) and Maysir (Gambling), tell them that they contain benefit for some people, but the sin is greater than the benefit”. (Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 verses 20)
The second law which was revealed warned Muslims away from Salaah (Prayers) when they were intoxicated (Drunk).
Allah Said:
“Do not come to Salaah when you are intoxicated (Drunk), until you know what you are saying.” (Surah an Nisaa Chapter 4 verse 43)
The third Law, however, was a complete prohibition of even coming near any form of alcohol
Allah said:
“Verily, alcohol, gambling and sacrificial altars are filth, as a result of Satan’s work, so stay away from them.” (Surah Al Maa’idah Chapter 5 verse 90)
If one was aware of the order in which these verses were revealed, he or she may mistakenly think that drinking alcohol is allowed as long as one doesn’t get drunk and come to Salaah. Or, it might be thought that benefiting from the sale of alcohol is permitted.
Da’wah
By understanding the order in which the verses of the Quran were revealed, one can learn the best method of teaching Islam. For Example the Quran taught the believers not to curse or make fun of the idols of the disbelievers in order not to drive them away and in order that they do not curse Allah out of ignorance, Instead they were told to reason with the disbelievers and show them logically why the worship of idols was in correct,
Allah said,
“Are you worshipping besides Allah other gods which cannot benefit you at all nor harm you?” (Surah Al Anbiyaa Chapter 21 Verse 66)
Seerah
Many of the important events in the Prophet’s life have been recorded in various verses of the Quran. Thus, by knowing the order in which the verses were revealed, it is possible to piece together a large portion of the biography of the Prophet(PBUH)
There are a number of reasons why distinction needs to be made between Makkan and Madeenan Surahs (Chapters) and Verses. The Following are only the Three most Important Reasons:
Fiqh – Islamic Law
The various laws of Islam were revealed over a period of 23 years, some laws cancelled earlier laws and other laws were revealed bit by bit. Thus, it is necessary to know at which point in time the various laws were revealed in order to apply them properly. The laws of the later Madeenan period sometimes took the place of the earlier laws, For example , alcohol was made forbidden in gradual stages, the first law concerning alcohol was simply a warning of its dangers,
Allah said:
“And, when they ask you about Khamr (Alcohol) and Maysir (Gambling), tell them that they contain benefit for some people, but the sin is greater than the benefit”. (Surah Al Baqarah Chapter 2 verses 20)
The second law which was revealed warned Muslims away from Salaah (Prayers) when they were intoxicated (Drunk).
Allah Said:
“Do not come to Salaah when you are intoxicated (Drunk), until you know what you are saying.” (Surah an Nisaa Chapter 4 verse 43)
The third Law, however, was a complete prohibition of even coming near any form of alcohol
Allah said:
“Verily, alcohol, gambling and sacrificial altars are filth, as a result of Satan’s work, so stay away from them.” (Surah Al Maa’idah Chapter 5 verse 90)
If one was aware of the order in which these verses were revealed, he or she may mistakenly think that drinking alcohol is allowed as long as one doesn’t get drunk and come to Salaah. Or, it might be thought that benefiting from the sale of alcohol is permitted.
Da’wah
By understanding the order in which the verses of the Quran were revealed, one can learn the best method of teaching Islam. For Example the Quran taught the believers not to curse or make fun of the idols of the disbelievers in order not to drive them away and in order that they do not curse Allah out of ignorance, Instead they were told to reason with the disbelievers and show them logically why the worship of idols was in correct,
Allah said,
“Are you worshipping besides Allah other gods which cannot benefit you at all nor harm you?” (Surah Al Anbiyaa Chapter 21 Verse 66)
Seerah
Many of the important events in the Prophet’s life have been recorded in various verses of the Quran. Thus, by knowing the order in which the verses were revealed, it is possible to piece together a large portion of the biography of the Prophet(PBUH)
What areThe Features of the Madeenan Revelations?
Madeenan revelations are all those verses and chapters of the Quran which were revealed after Hijra (Migration of the Prophet to Medina). This includes verses which were revealed in Makkah and Mina during and after the Farewell Pilgrimage, all of these verses are considered Madeenan because they represent the revelations of the second stage of the Islamic Movement in which the consolidation of the Islamic state took place.
The following are the some of the main characteristics of Madeenan verses:
a) Laws
Once Medina had become the new center of the Islamic Movement, the Islamic state was born; the Prophet (PBUH) became a ruler over the Muslims of Medina, as well as Jews and the Arab Idol worshippers who lived there. A constitution was drawn up and a system of justice was established. Thus, the verses during the Madeenan stage contained the social, economic and spiritual law which was necessary for the organization and development of an Islamic state. It was during this period that the last three pillars of Islam: Zakah (Charity), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage) were revealed. Likewise, it was during this period that drinking alcohol, eating swine and gambling were all forbidden.
b)People of the Book (Jews and Christians)
In Medina, Muslims came in contact with Jews for the first time, in order to try to shake beliefs of the Muslims, the Jews used to ask the Prophet (PBUH) various questions about Allah and the earlier Prophets and the unseen. They asked questions about origin of the soul and what it was made of , thus a number of Madeenan verses represented the answers to the many questions raised up by Jews. The Muslims of Medina also came in contact with Christians on a larger scale, as result of that we find a number of Madeenan verses clarifying Christian misconceptions about Prophet Isaa (Jesus) and Allah. They pointed out that Jesus’ birth was not greater than that of Adam who had neither father nor the mother.
Allah Says:
“Surely the likeness of Jesus in Allah’s sight is as the likeness of Adam…He created him from dust, then said to him,”Be!’ And he was “Surah Al Imran (Chapter 3 Verse 59)
They also stressed that the miracles of Jesus, such as bringing up the dead back to life, were only by Allah’s permission. Thus Jesus was not a god not the son of Allah and Allah was not the third of the three.
c)The Munaafiqoon – Hypocrites
For the first time since the beginning of the final message we find people entering Islam, yet not believing in it. In Makkah, Muslims were oppressed and attacked, so no one would enter Islam unless they truly believed. On the other hand, the Muslims of Medina were strong and they ruled the City, thus we find some people entering Islam in order to benefit from its strength and to oppose it from within.” Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Sallol was about to be crowned King of Medina when Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina, Prophet was crowned the Ruler and Ibn Sallol hopes were ruined.
Since the Muslims were strong and he could not openly oppose them, he accepted Islam and worked against it from with in. He eventually became the head of the Munaafiqoon (hypocrites). Thus, the verses of the Madeenan stage warned the Muslims about the dangers of the hypocrites and taught them how to deal effectively with them.
d)Jihad:
The right to fight against the enemy was given for the first time in Medina, during the Makkan period Muslims were forbidden to fight back. This was for two basic reasons; (1) The Muslims were minority and could easily be completely wiped out and (2) only the strong could survive the test. The Makkan period prepared the foundation of the Islamic movement to come. It was during the Madeenan stage that a series of battles were fought against the forces of disbelief until Makkah was finally conquered and the whole of the Arabian Peninsula came under the rule of Islam. Thus, a number of the Madeenan verses taught Muslims the Islamic principles of war. For Example, they taught how to deal with prisoners of war and they forbade retreat during an attack except as a trick to trap the enemy. They also encouraged the Muslims to prepare themselves with the best weapons and battle gear they could find.
e)Long Verses:
The Madeenan verses tended to be longer than those of Makkah, in fact, there are a number of Madeenan verses which are longer than the whole Chapters of the Makkan period. The longest verse of the Quran is the verse on loans in the Madeenan Surah Al Baqarah (verse 292). This verse contains approximately 143 words. The shortest Surah of the Quran is the Makkan Surah Al Khawter Chapter 102, which contains a total of only 11 separate words in its three short verses. The need to catch the attention of unwilling listeners was no longer there because Islaam had become strong and its followers were many. Thus, the Audience at this stage was quite willing to listen attentively to longer verses teaching the vital laws of Islam.
f)Order of Surahs (Chapters)
Although all of the Makkan verses were revealed during the same period, they were neither memorized nor written down in the same order in which they were revealed. Verses from various Surahs were revealed at once, whenever single verses were revealed the Prophet (Pbuh) would tell his companions to write it in the Surah to which it belonged. If a new Surah was revealed, he would recite the Surah in the order it was to be recorded. Once the Madeenan verses and Surahs began to be revealed, the Prophet (PBUH) would tell his companions to place them before or after certain Makkan Surahs and verses. Thus, when the revelation of the Quran was complete, Makkan verses could be found within the Madeenan Surahs and Madeenan verses within the Makkan Surahs. The Prophet(PBUH) reordered the verses and Surahs of the Quran according to Allah’s command, the reasons for that was that the verses were revealed according to the needs of a developing community, whereas the order for reading purposes needed to be varied so as not to make the Quran seem one sided in its presentation. The Mixture of Verses and Chapters from the two stages gives the reader a more balanced picture of the message of Islam.
The following are the some of the main characteristics of Madeenan verses:
a) Laws
Once Medina had become the new center of the Islamic Movement, the Islamic state was born; the Prophet (PBUH) became a ruler over the Muslims of Medina, as well as Jews and the Arab Idol worshippers who lived there. A constitution was drawn up and a system of justice was established. Thus, the verses during the Madeenan stage contained the social, economic and spiritual law which was necessary for the organization and development of an Islamic state. It was during this period that the last three pillars of Islam: Zakah (Charity), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage) were revealed. Likewise, it was during this period that drinking alcohol, eating swine and gambling were all forbidden.
b)People of the Book (Jews and Christians)
In Medina, Muslims came in contact with Jews for the first time, in order to try to shake beliefs of the Muslims, the Jews used to ask the Prophet (PBUH) various questions about Allah and the earlier Prophets and the unseen. They asked questions about origin of the soul and what it was made of , thus a number of Madeenan verses represented the answers to the many questions raised up by Jews. The Muslims of Medina also came in contact with Christians on a larger scale, as result of that we find a number of Madeenan verses clarifying Christian misconceptions about Prophet Isaa (Jesus) and Allah. They pointed out that Jesus’ birth was not greater than that of Adam who had neither father nor the mother.
Allah Says:
“Surely the likeness of Jesus in Allah’s sight is as the likeness of Adam…He created him from dust, then said to him,”Be!’ And he was “Surah Al Imran (Chapter 3 Verse 59)
They also stressed that the miracles of Jesus, such as bringing up the dead back to life, were only by Allah’s permission. Thus Jesus was not a god not the son of Allah and Allah was not the third of the three.
c)The Munaafiqoon – Hypocrites
For the first time since the beginning of the final message we find people entering Islam, yet not believing in it. In Makkah, Muslims were oppressed and attacked, so no one would enter Islam unless they truly believed. On the other hand, the Muslims of Medina were strong and they ruled the City, thus we find some people entering Islam in order to benefit from its strength and to oppose it from within.” Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Sallol was about to be crowned King of Medina when Prophet (PBUH) entered Medina, Prophet was crowned the Ruler and Ibn Sallol hopes were ruined.
Since the Muslims were strong and he could not openly oppose them, he accepted Islam and worked against it from with in. He eventually became the head of the Munaafiqoon (hypocrites). Thus, the verses of the Madeenan stage warned the Muslims about the dangers of the hypocrites and taught them how to deal effectively with them.
d)Jihad:
The right to fight against the enemy was given for the first time in Medina, during the Makkan period Muslims were forbidden to fight back. This was for two basic reasons; (1) The Muslims were minority and could easily be completely wiped out and (2) only the strong could survive the test. The Makkan period prepared the foundation of the Islamic movement to come. It was during the Madeenan stage that a series of battles were fought against the forces of disbelief until Makkah was finally conquered and the whole of the Arabian Peninsula came under the rule of Islam. Thus, a number of the Madeenan verses taught Muslims the Islamic principles of war. For Example, they taught how to deal with prisoners of war and they forbade retreat during an attack except as a trick to trap the enemy. They also encouraged the Muslims to prepare themselves with the best weapons and battle gear they could find.
e)Long Verses:
The Madeenan verses tended to be longer than those of Makkah, in fact, there are a number of Madeenan verses which are longer than the whole Chapters of the Makkan period. The longest verse of the Quran is the verse on loans in the Madeenan Surah Al Baqarah (verse 292). This verse contains approximately 143 words. The shortest Surah of the Quran is the Makkan Surah Al Khawter Chapter 102, which contains a total of only 11 separate words in its three short verses. The need to catch the attention of unwilling listeners was no longer there because Islaam had become strong and its followers were many. Thus, the Audience at this stage was quite willing to listen attentively to longer verses teaching the vital laws of Islam.
f)Order of Surahs (Chapters)
Although all of the Makkan verses were revealed during the same period, they were neither memorized nor written down in the same order in which they were revealed. Verses from various Surahs were revealed at once, whenever single verses were revealed the Prophet (Pbuh) would tell his companions to write it in the Surah to which it belonged. If a new Surah was revealed, he would recite the Surah in the order it was to be recorded. Once the Madeenan verses and Surahs began to be revealed, the Prophet (PBUH) would tell his companions to place them before or after certain Makkan Surahs and verses. Thus, when the revelation of the Quran was complete, Makkan verses could be found within the Madeenan Surahs and Madeenan verses within the Makkan Surahs. The Prophet(PBUH) reordered the verses and Surahs of the Quran according to Allah’s command, the reasons for that was that the verses were revealed according to the needs of a developing community, whereas the order for reading purposes needed to be varied so as not to make the Quran seem one sided in its presentation. The Mixture of Verses and Chapters from the two stages gives the reader a more balanced picture of the message of Islam.
What are The Features of the Makkan Revelations?
Makkan revelations are defined as all verses and chapters of the Quran which were brought by Jibreel (Gabriel) to the Prophet (PBUH) before His migration to Medina (Hijra 622 CE). This includes verses which were revealed in City of Taif as well as those revealed in other areas outside of Makkah. These revelations represent the first stage of the Islamic movement in which its fundamentals were established.
a) Tawheed: Unity of Lordship
When Islam was first presented to the people of Makkah, they were in a state of disbelief. Most of them believed in Allah, but they had put between themselves and Allah many intermediaries. They made idols to represent these intermediaries and worshipped them instead of Allah. Thus, the early revelations taught the people about the Allah’s Unity and power over all things, they told people that Allah was without parents, offspring or any partner who shared His powers. They also pointed out the idols could neither bring good nor hold back evil. And they questioned the logic of worshipping things which could not even see or hear.
b) Salaah: Prayers:
After the first verses of revelation came informing the Prophet (PBUH) that he had been chosen for Prophet Hood, Allah sent Jibreel (Gabriel) to teach him the correct method of prayer. This was necessary because the correct method of prayer could not be arrived by logical reasoning. Therefore, even the Prophet(PBUH) himself had to be taught the correct method of worshipping Allah. Thus, the early verses called upon the Prophet (PBUH) and his early band of followers to make their SALAAH(Prayers) regularly.
Since the Makkans were in the habit of worshipping Idols in the belief that these home made gods would carry their prayers to ALLAH for them, the early verses were also aimed at clarifying this misconception. The verses taught that Salaah(Prayers) should only be made for and to Allah, as He is the only one who can answer them.
Great stress was placed on Salaah(prayers) because of its relationship to Tawheed(Oneness of God).Correct Salaah(Prayers) directed to Allah alone is the most basic way of putting Tawheed into practice.
c) The Unseen:
Since there was no way that human beings could possibly come to know about the unseen world, the early verses taught them about its wonders, its mysteries, and its horrors. The verses described Paradise and its pleasures in order to encourage the believers to continue to do good deeds and to assure them of a reward, they also described the Hell fire and its torment in order to encourage the believers to strive to avoid evil deeds.
Some of the verses also reasoned with those who could not accept the resurrection by giving them examples from the nature, such as rain falling on dead earth bringing back life.
Allah says:
“And it is Allah who sends the winds sturring the clouds and We drive them to the earth after its death. Like wise (Will be) the Resurrection” Surah Faatir( Chapter 35 Verse 9)
Other pointed out logically that the recreation of life would be easier than its creation, although it is all the same to Allah.
Allah says:
“And it is He who originates the creation, then recreates it (after it has perished) which is easier for Him” Surah ar Room (Chapter 30 Verse 27)
d) Allah’s Existence:
There were some individuals among the Makkans who were in doubt about Allah’s very existence. Thus, some of early verses presented logical arguments proving Allah’s existence. Sometimes proofs were taken from nature and the creatures’ common to the society.
Example:
Allah asked the Makkans:
“Why didn’t they look at the camels and how they were created, and the sky and how it was raised, and the mountains and how they are firmly fixed and the Earth and how it was spread out?” Surah Al Ghaashiyah (Chapter 88 verse 17-20)
At other times straight logic was used, Allah asked them if they were created from nothing or it they created themselves:
Allah asks:
“Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators” Surah Al Toor (Chapter 52 Verse 35)
The answer had to be one or the other. Since they know they had not created themselves, they had to realize that they were created. Even if they said that they came from their parents and their parents came from their parents and so on. The numbers eventually decrease to one who came from nothing. Thus, Allah, the Creator, has to be accepted for our existence to make sense.
e) Challenges:
In order to prove to the Quraysh that the Quran was from Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) was a Prophet of Allah, some of the Makkan verses challenged the Arabs to imitate the Quran. Many of the chapters began with individual letters like “Alif, Laam and Meem”,”Saad,” or “Noon” in order to tease the Makkans with the same letters of alphabet that they made their flowery speeches and poetry with. Allah made the Quran with same letters, but they just could not imitate it. Since the Arabs were unable to produce even a chapter resembling the smallest chapter of Quran, the miraculous nature of Quran and its divine origin were clearly proven to the people at that time. However, many of them preferred to look at the Quran as a magical spell, and the Prophet (PBUH) as a master magician.
f) The People of Old:
The Makkan verses often mentioned historical examples of the earlier civilizations, like the Aad and the Thamood”. They were mentioned in order to warn those who had rejected the message of Islam. The verse spoke about the wonders of the ancient civilization; they listed the many blessings which Allah had bestowed on the peoples of those civilizations. Then they recounted how the people disobeyed Allah and denied His blessings, and how Allah’s punishment caught them when they were totally unaware of what would become of them if Allah so willed .
These examples were quite familiar to the Arabs because the ruins of such civilizations could still be seen. For example, the stone tombs of Madaa in Saalih were directly on the trade route to Syria.
g) Eemaan- Faith:
Very few laws were revealed in the Makkan verses, instead the verses concentrated on principles which would build Eemaan (faith) of the early Muslims. These verses spoke of the importance of fearing Allah and being aware of His presence and knowledge of all things. They were often filled with advice about being patient, perseverant, truthful and trustworthy, in order to build the moral spiritual character of the early Muslims who were in a minority and under lot of pressure from Makkan society.
h) Short Verses:
The Makkan Sarah’s usually had short verses, catchy rhymes, and a very strong rhythm; these qualities were meant to catch the attention of listeners who basically opposed to the message of Islam. The verses had to be short because the audience would not be willing to listen to long, drawn out statements, as soon as they heard any of the Quran, they would stick their fingers in their ears and turn away. Thus the verses often had to strike home immediately; they often resembled the chants of the oracles and fortune tellers, but their meanings were very clear, whereas the chants were mostly obscure and vague.
For example, the oracle Zabraa warned her people about a disaster which would soon strike them as follows:
By the fluttering wind, and the falling night
By the shinning morn, and the piercing star
By the rain laden clouds,
Verily, the trees of the valley are really deceptive, and teeth gnash until twisted.
Verily, the boulders of the mountain warn of mourning, that you won’t find any escape from.
a) Tawheed: Unity of Lordship
When Islam was first presented to the people of Makkah, they were in a state of disbelief. Most of them believed in Allah, but they had put between themselves and Allah many intermediaries. They made idols to represent these intermediaries and worshipped them instead of Allah. Thus, the early revelations taught the people about the Allah’s Unity and power over all things, they told people that Allah was without parents, offspring or any partner who shared His powers. They also pointed out the idols could neither bring good nor hold back evil. And they questioned the logic of worshipping things which could not even see or hear.
b) Salaah: Prayers:
After the first verses of revelation came informing the Prophet (PBUH) that he had been chosen for Prophet Hood, Allah sent Jibreel (Gabriel) to teach him the correct method of prayer. This was necessary because the correct method of prayer could not be arrived by logical reasoning. Therefore, even the Prophet(PBUH) himself had to be taught the correct method of worshipping Allah. Thus, the early verses called upon the Prophet (PBUH) and his early band of followers to make their SALAAH(Prayers) regularly.
Since the Makkans were in the habit of worshipping Idols in the belief that these home made gods would carry their prayers to ALLAH for them, the early verses were also aimed at clarifying this misconception. The verses taught that Salaah(Prayers) should only be made for and to Allah, as He is the only one who can answer them.
Great stress was placed on Salaah(prayers) because of its relationship to Tawheed(Oneness of God).Correct Salaah(Prayers) directed to Allah alone is the most basic way of putting Tawheed into practice.
c) The Unseen:
Since there was no way that human beings could possibly come to know about the unseen world, the early verses taught them about its wonders, its mysteries, and its horrors. The verses described Paradise and its pleasures in order to encourage the believers to continue to do good deeds and to assure them of a reward, they also described the Hell fire and its torment in order to encourage the believers to strive to avoid evil deeds.
Some of the verses also reasoned with those who could not accept the resurrection by giving them examples from the nature, such as rain falling on dead earth bringing back life.
Allah says:
“And it is Allah who sends the winds sturring the clouds and We drive them to the earth after its death. Like wise (Will be) the Resurrection” Surah Faatir( Chapter 35 Verse 9)
Other pointed out logically that the recreation of life would be easier than its creation, although it is all the same to Allah.
Allah says:
“And it is He who originates the creation, then recreates it (after it has perished) which is easier for Him” Surah ar Room (Chapter 30 Verse 27)
d) Allah’s Existence:
There were some individuals among the Makkans who were in doubt about Allah’s very existence. Thus, some of early verses presented logical arguments proving Allah’s existence. Sometimes proofs were taken from nature and the creatures’ common to the society.
Example:
Allah asked the Makkans:
“Why didn’t they look at the camels and how they were created, and the sky and how it was raised, and the mountains and how they are firmly fixed and the Earth and how it was spread out?” Surah Al Ghaashiyah (Chapter 88 verse 17-20)
At other times straight logic was used, Allah asked them if they were created from nothing or it they created themselves:
Allah asks:
“Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators” Surah Al Toor (Chapter 52 Verse 35)
The answer had to be one or the other. Since they know they had not created themselves, they had to realize that they were created. Even if they said that they came from their parents and their parents came from their parents and so on. The numbers eventually decrease to one who came from nothing. Thus, Allah, the Creator, has to be accepted for our existence to make sense.
e) Challenges:
In order to prove to the Quraysh that the Quran was from Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) was a Prophet of Allah, some of the Makkan verses challenged the Arabs to imitate the Quran. Many of the chapters began with individual letters like “Alif, Laam and Meem”,”Saad,” or “Noon” in order to tease the Makkans with the same letters of alphabet that they made their flowery speeches and poetry with. Allah made the Quran with same letters, but they just could not imitate it. Since the Arabs were unable to produce even a chapter resembling the smallest chapter of Quran, the miraculous nature of Quran and its divine origin were clearly proven to the people at that time. However, many of them preferred to look at the Quran as a magical spell, and the Prophet (PBUH) as a master magician.
f) The People of Old:
The Makkan verses often mentioned historical examples of the earlier civilizations, like the Aad and the Thamood”. They were mentioned in order to warn those who had rejected the message of Islam. The verse spoke about the wonders of the ancient civilization; they listed the many blessings which Allah had bestowed on the peoples of those civilizations. Then they recounted how the people disobeyed Allah and denied His blessings, and how Allah’s punishment caught them when they were totally unaware of what would become of them if Allah so willed .
These examples were quite familiar to the Arabs because the ruins of such civilizations could still be seen. For example, the stone tombs of Madaa in Saalih were directly on the trade route to Syria.
g) Eemaan- Faith:
Very few laws were revealed in the Makkan verses, instead the verses concentrated on principles which would build Eemaan (faith) of the early Muslims. These verses spoke of the importance of fearing Allah and being aware of His presence and knowledge of all things. They were often filled with advice about being patient, perseverant, truthful and trustworthy, in order to build the moral spiritual character of the early Muslims who were in a minority and under lot of pressure from Makkan society.
h) Short Verses:
The Makkan Sarah’s usually had short verses, catchy rhymes, and a very strong rhythm; these qualities were meant to catch the attention of listeners who basically opposed to the message of Islam. The verses had to be short because the audience would not be willing to listen to long, drawn out statements, as soon as they heard any of the Quran, they would stick their fingers in their ears and turn away. Thus the verses often had to strike home immediately; they often resembled the chants of the oracles and fortune tellers, but their meanings were very clear, whereas the chants were mostly obscure and vague.
For example, the oracle Zabraa warned her people about a disaster which would soon strike them as follows:
By the fluttering wind, and the falling night
By the shinning morn, and the piercing star
By the rain laden clouds,
Verily, the trees of the valley are really deceptive, and teeth gnash until twisted.
Verily, the boulders of the mountain warn of mourning, that you won’t find any escape from.
What are Makkan and Madeenan Revelations?
The Quran was revealed in sections to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) from the beginning of his Prophet Hood until shortly before his death. Thus, the Quran came down continuously over a period of Twenty three years.
Many sections of the Quran were generally revealed to solve the problems which existed among the Muslim communities in both Makkah and Medina. Since the problems and needs of Makkah were different from those of Medina, the revelations of Makkah and Medina have special Characteristics of their own.
It is important to know the difference between the revelations of Makkah and Medina if the Quran itself is to be clearly understood. Because of the great importance of the Quran to Islam, Muslim scholars from time of the Companions of the Prophet have devoted much time and effort in this area of Study
Many sections of the Quran were generally revealed to solve the problems which existed among the Muslim communities in both Makkah and Medina. Since the problems and needs of Makkah were different from those of Medina, the revelations of Makkah and Medina have special Characteristics of their own.
It is important to know the difference between the revelations of Makkah and Medina if the Quran itself is to be clearly understood. Because of the great importance of the Quran to Islam, Muslim scholars from time of the Companions of the Prophet have devoted much time and effort in this area of Study
Monday, February 5, 2007
The Mode of Presentation and The Main Theme of Quran
The Mode of Presentation of Quran
The Quran is Allah’s final communication of His divine will to human kind. It is the Creator speaking to human beings and it takes the form of Human conversation. As Humans change subjects randomly during conversations, the topics of the Quran change in a seemingly random way. Consequently, the format of the Quran is quite unique among books. As a whole it is not a book in a usual sense of the word wherein there is an introduction and explanation if the subject followed by a conclusion.
Neither, it is restricted to only a presentation of historical events, problems of philosophy, facts of science, or social laws, though all may be found woven together in it without any apparent connection and links. Subjects are introduced without background information, historical events are not presented in chronological order, and new topics sometimes crop up in the middle of another for no apparent reason, and the speaker and those spoken to change direction without the slightest forewarning. The reader who is unaware of the Qur’an uniqueness is often puzzled when he finds it contrary to his understanding of a book, especially a “Religious Book”. Hence, the Quran may seem disorganized and haphazard to him. However, to those who understand this subject matter, aim and its central theme, The Qur’an is exactly the opposite.
The Main Theme of Quran
The subject matter of the Qur’an is essentially Man:
Man in relation to his Lord and Creator (Allah), Man in relation to himself, and Man in relation to the rest of the creation.
Main theme for a Man that runs through out the Qur’an is that Allah alone deserves worship and that man should submit to Allah’s laws in his personal life and in his relationship with Allah’s creation in general. In other words, the main theme is a call to belief in Allah and to do the righteous deeds as defined by Allah.
If the reader keeps in mind these basic facts, he or she will find that from the beginning to the end, the Qurans basic topics are all closely connected to its main theme. The Qur’an keeps the same object in view, whether it is describing the creation of man and the universe,or events from human history. Since the aim of the Qur’an is to guide man, it states or discusses things only to the extent relevant to this aim and leaves out unnecessary and irrelevant details. It also repeats its main theme over and over again in the presentation of each topic.
The Four Principles should be kept in mind by the new reader of the Qur’an if he or she is to avoid unnecessary confusion and disorientation:
1.The book is the only one of its type in the World
2.It’s literary style is quite different from all the books
3.It’s theme is unique
4.Pre conceived notions of a book are only a hindrance to the understanding of the Qur’an
The Quran is Allah’s final communication of His divine will to human kind. It is the Creator speaking to human beings and it takes the form of Human conversation. As Humans change subjects randomly during conversations, the topics of the Quran change in a seemingly random way. Consequently, the format of the Quran is quite unique among books. As a whole it is not a book in a usual sense of the word wherein there is an introduction and explanation if the subject followed by a conclusion.
Neither, it is restricted to only a presentation of historical events, problems of philosophy, facts of science, or social laws, though all may be found woven together in it without any apparent connection and links. Subjects are introduced without background information, historical events are not presented in chronological order, and new topics sometimes crop up in the middle of another for no apparent reason, and the speaker and those spoken to change direction without the slightest forewarning. The reader who is unaware of the Qur’an uniqueness is often puzzled when he finds it contrary to his understanding of a book, especially a “Religious Book”. Hence, the Quran may seem disorganized and haphazard to him. However, to those who understand this subject matter, aim and its central theme, The Qur’an is exactly the opposite.
The Main Theme of Quran
The subject matter of the Qur’an is essentially Man:
Man in relation to his Lord and Creator (Allah), Man in relation to himself, and Man in relation to the rest of the creation.
Main theme for a Man that runs through out the Qur’an is that Allah alone deserves worship and that man should submit to Allah’s laws in his personal life and in his relationship with Allah’s creation in general. In other words, the main theme is a call to belief in Allah and to do the righteous deeds as defined by Allah.
If the reader keeps in mind these basic facts, he or she will find that from the beginning to the end, the Qurans basic topics are all closely connected to its main theme. The Qur’an keeps the same object in view, whether it is describing the creation of man and the universe,or events from human history. Since the aim of the Qur’an is to guide man, it states or discusses things only to the extent relevant to this aim and leaves out unnecessary and irrelevant details. It also repeats its main theme over and over again in the presentation of each topic.
The Four Principles should be kept in mind by the new reader of the Qur’an if he or she is to avoid unnecessary confusion and disorientation:
1.The book is the only one of its type in the World
2.It’s literary style is quite different from all the books
3.It’s theme is unique
4.Pre conceived notions of a book are only a hindrance to the understanding of the Qur’an
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The Word "Quran"
The word Quran, a verbal noun, is equivalent in meaning to Qiraa’ah, as both come from the verb Qara’a, which means to read. That is, Quraan literally means a reading or a recitation. However, the term Quran has historically used specifically to refer to the book which was revealed by Allah (SWT) to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Anger Jibreel (Gabriel). The term Quran has been mentioned in a number of places throughout the book in reference to itself.
Allah (Swt) says:
“Verily, this Quran guides (man) to that which is most just”
Surah Al Israa (Chapter17: Verse 9)
The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quraan as a whole as in the previously quoted verse, as well as to each verse or group of verses:
Allah (Swt) says:
“And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it quietly (and be silent).”
Surah Al Aa’raaf (Chapter 7: Verse 204)
The Quran has been also referred by other names by Allah (Swt) Himself: Like Furqaan (the distinction) and Thikr (the reminder)
Allah (Swt) says:
“Blessed is He who revealed the Furqaan (the distinction) to His slaves in order that he may be a Warner to all worlds.”
Surah Al Furqaan (Chapter 24: Verse 1)
Allah (Swt) says:
“Verily, We revealed the Thikr and verily, We will preserve it.”
Surah Al Hijr (Chapter 15: Verse 9)
The Quran itself could be defined as Allah’s Words which were revealed in Arabic in a rhythmical for to the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). Its Recitation is used in acts of worship and even its smallest chapter is of miraculous nature.
Source: The Foundation of Islamic Studies by Dr Bilal Philips
Allah (Swt) says:
“Verily, this Quran guides (man) to that which is most just”
Surah Al Israa (Chapter17: Verse 9)
The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quraan as a whole as in the previously quoted verse, as well as to each verse or group of verses:
Allah (Swt) says:
“And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it quietly (and be silent).”
Surah Al Aa’raaf (Chapter 7: Verse 204)
The Quran has been also referred by other names by Allah (Swt) Himself: Like Furqaan (the distinction) and Thikr (the reminder)
Allah (Swt) says:
“Blessed is He who revealed the Furqaan (the distinction) to His slaves in order that he may be a Warner to all worlds.”
Surah Al Furqaan (Chapter 24: Verse 1)
Allah (Swt) says:
“Verily, We revealed the Thikr and verily, We will preserve it.”
Surah Al Hijr (Chapter 15: Verse 9)
The Quran itself could be defined as Allah’s Words which were revealed in Arabic in a rhythmical for to the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). Its Recitation is used in acts of worship and even its smallest chapter is of miraculous nature.
Source: The Foundation of Islamic Studies by Dr Bilal Philips
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