Allah said:
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (Quran 2:185)
To be sure, Ramadan is the best and most blessed of months; but what is more, Quran was revealed on the most blessed of Ramadan nights:
“We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night {(i.e. night of Qadr, Surah No.97) in the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar}. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of Worship]. Therein (the night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.” (Quran 44:3, 4)
The blessed night referred to in this Verse is the Night of Qadr, regarding which Allah has said:
“Verily! We have sent it (the Quran) down in the night of Al Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of decree is? The night of Al Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. Worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).” (Quran 97:13)
It should be noted that the night of Al Qadr is not special by dint of its timing; after all, every portion of time is the same as that which came before it, and that which comes after it. So the night of Al Qadr is special not because of its timing, but because of what happened during it. The Noble Quran was revealed. This principle is general in its application: no portion of time is special in and of itself; if it is special or superior to other portions of time, it is because of the events that occurred during it. So while it is true that the Quran was given special status because it was revealed on the best of nights, it is equally true that the best of nights, the night of Al Qadr, achieved its special status because of the events that occurred during it, one of them being the revelation of the Noble Quran.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Mankind and Jinns are challenged to Produce Something that is Comparable to the Noble Quran
So as the emphasize the true magnificence of the Noble Quran, Allah challenged all human beings and Jinns to produce something that is comparable to it; or at least to produce ten chapters that are similar to ten of its chapters; or even still to produce something that is comparable to only one of its chapters. To be sure, mankind and Jinns failed to meet that challenge.
Allah said:
“Say: if the mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (Quran 17:88)
In this verse, Allah gave the command, “ Say”, as if to make it clear to Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) that it was not a private challenge, but instead one that the Prophet(pbuh) was to proclaim before all people; the challenge, therefore, was not for a specific tribe or group of people, but for all of mankind.
In chapter Hud, Allah said:
“Or they say, ‘ He(Prophet Muhammad) forged it (the Quran),’ Say: ‘ Bring you then ten forged Surahs (Chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!’ If then they answer you not , know then that the revelation (this Quran) is send down with the knowledge of Allah and that La ilaha illa Huwa: (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! Will you then be Muslims (those who submit to Islam)? (Quran 11:13,14)
Even though the polytheists knew that they could not answer the challenge, and even though they were fully aware of the greatness and magnificence of the Quran, they still did not return to their senses. Allah then gave them a final challenge: That they should produce something that could be deemed comparable to even a single Chapter of the Quran.
Allah said:
“Or do they say: ‘He (Muhammad) has forged it? “ Say: bring then a surah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allah, if you are truthful!” (Quran 10:38)
Not being able to meet even this challenge, the polytheists fell into a state of confusion and disarray; and yet they still refused to submit to the truth. At times, like deranged people, they said mockingly:
“If we which we can say the like of this, this is nothing but the tales of ancient.” (Quran 8:31)
Not to make an exact comparison – since to Allah belongs the highest example – but what they said is akin to a person of average intelligence saying, “If I wanted to, I could have matched Einstein’s achievements in science!” And at other times, they most miserably did.
Allah said:
“Say, “If the mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (Quran 17:88)
Allah said:
“Say: if the mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (Quran 17:88)
In this verse, Allah gave the command, “ Say”, as if to make it clear to Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) that it was not a private challenge, but instead one that the Prophet(pbuh) was to proclaim before all people; the challenge, therefore, was not for a specific tribe or group of people, but for all of mankind.
In chapter Hud, Allah said:
“Or they say, ‘ He(Prophet Muhammad) forged it (the Quran),’ Say: ‘ Bring you then ten forged Surahs (Chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!’ If then they answer you not , know then that the revelation (this Quran) is send down with the knowledge of Allah and that La ilaha illa Huwa: (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! Will you then be Muslims (those who submit to Islam)? (Quran 11:13,14)
Even though the polytheists knew that they could not answer the challenge, and even though they were fully aware of the greatness and magnificence of the Quran, they still did not return to their senses. Allah then gave them a final challenge: That they should produce something that could be deemed comparable to even a single Chapter of the Quran.
Allah said:
“Or do they say: ‘He (Muhammad) has forged it? “ Say: bring then a surah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can, besides Allah, if you are truthful!” (Quran 10:38)
Not being able to meet even this challenge, the polytheists fell into a state of confusion and disarray; and yet they still refused to submit to the truth. At times, like deranged people, they said mockingly:
“If we which we can say the like of this, this is nothing but the tales of ancient.” (Quran 8:31)
Not to make an exact comparison – since to Allah belongs the highest example – but what they said is akin to a person of average intelligence saying, “If I wanted to, I could have matched Einstein’s achievements in science!” And at other times, they most miserably did.
Allah said:
“Say, “If the mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (Quran 17:88)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The Humbling and Fear of Mountains
The Quran is so glorious and its effect is so powerful that, were it to descend upon any mountain, and were that mountain to be given a mind and a soul, it, despite being hard and firm, would have humbled itself and rendered itself asunder because of its fear of Allah.
Allah said:
“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rendering asunder by the fear of Allah.” (Quran 59:21)
When one gives a physical display of humbling oneself, one lowers one’s head and bows down; meaning of a mountain humbling itself in the above mentioned Verse is that its higher parts would fall down to the ground. And “rendering asunder” means to split apart; in the above mentioned Verse, it means that the mountain would shake and split apart as a result of its Fear of Allah.
The moral of the above mentioned Verse is this: If a mountain were to understand the Quran as you do, O people of the world, it would have, in spite of its hardness and firmness, humbled itself and rendered itself asunder as a result of its fear of Allah. So is it not befitting for you, O people of this world, to humble yourself and to make your hearts soft as a result of your fear of Allah, especially considering the fact that you have been blessed with the abilities of understanding Allah’s commands and of contemplating the meanings of His Book?
In short, the above mentioned Verse emphasizes and draws attention to the greatness and magnificence of the Quran; it furthermore encourages us to honor the Quran and contemplate its profound meanings, all the while implying a stern warning for those who neither honor the Quran nor Implement its teachings.
Allah said:
“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rendering asunder by the fear of Allah.” (Quran 59:21)
When one gives a physical display of humbling oneself, one lowers one’s head and bows down; meaning of a mountain humbling itself in the above mentioned Verse is that its higher parts would fall down to the ground. And “rendering asunder” means to split apart; in the above mentioned Verse, it means that the mountain would shake and split apart as a result of its Fear of Allah.
The moral of the above mentioned Verse is this: If a mountain were to understand the Quran as you do, O people of the world, it would have, in spite of its hardness and firmness, humbled itself and rendered itself asunder as a result of its fear of Allah. So is it not befitting for you, O people of this world, to humble yourself and to make your hearts soft as a result of your fear of Allah, especially considering the fact that you have been blessed with the abilities of understanding Allah’s commands and of contemplating the meanings of His Book?
In short, the above mentioned Verse emphasizes and draws attention to the greatness and magnificence of the Quran; it furthermore encourages us to honor the Quran and contemplate its profound meanings, all the while implying a stern warning for those who neither honor the Quran nor Implement its teachings.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Quran is Upright and contains in it no Crookedness
Allah said:
“ All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad) the Book (The Quran), and has not placed therein any crookedness.(He has made it) Straight”. (Quran 18:1, 2)
In this Verse, Allah informs us that one of the reasons why He is deserving of praise is that He has sent down thee Noble Quran- as if to point out that the Quran is the greatest of His blessings to mankind(and to jinns as well).
In the above mentioned verse, Allah said that the Quran contains in it no crookedness. In explaining this Verse, scholars of the Arabic language have pointed out that, although crookedness (iwaj in Arabic) is traditionally meant for tangible things – such as a crooked nose, crooked leg, or crooked lamp stand – it can also be used in a figurative sense. Therefore, the fact that the Quran contains in it no crookedness implies the following qualities: First, there is no contradiction between the various Verses of the Quran.
Allah said:
“Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” (Quran 4:82)
And second, everything that Allah said in the Quran – in regard to Islamic Monotheism, Prophethood, rulings, laws, legislations, morals, history, lessons..etc… is the absolute truth; there is not even an iota of a mistake in any of its Verses.
In another Verse, Allah again mentioned that the Quran contains in it no crookedness, or in other words, it contains no contradiction, errors, or defects:
Allah Says:
“An Arabic Quran, without any crookedness (therein) (Quran 39:28)
“ All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad) the Book (The Quran), and has not placed therein any crookedness.(He has made it) Straight”. (Quran 18:1, 2)
In this Verse, Allah informs us that one of the reasons why He is deserving of praise is that He has sent down thee Noble Quran- as if to point out that the Quran is the greatest of His blessings to mankind(and to jinns as well).
In the above mentioned verse, Allah said that the Quran contains in it no crookedness. In explaining this Verse, scholars of the Arabic language have pointed out that, although crookedness (iwaj in Arabic) is traditionally meant for tangible things – such as a crooked nose, crooked leg, or crooked lamp stand – it can also be used in a figurative sense. Therefore, the fact that the Quran contains in it no crookedness implies the following qualities: First, there is no contradiction between the various Verses of the Quran.
Allah said:
“Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” (Quran 4:82)
And second, everything that Allah said in the Quran – in regard to Islamic Monotheism, Prophethood, rulings, laws, legislations, morals, history, lessons..etc… is the absolute truth; there is not even an iota of a mistake in any of its Verses.
In another Verse, Allah again mentioned that the Quran contains in it no crookedness, or in other words, it contains no contradiction, errors, or defects:
Allah Says:
“An Arabic Quran, without any crookedness (therein) (Quran 39:28)
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Quran is Revelation from the Lord of All that Exists
Allah Said:
“And truly this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Alamin (Mankind, jinn’s and all that exists), which the trustworthy Ruh (Gabriel) has brought down.” (Quran 26:192,193)
Allah has ascribed the revelation of the Quran to Himself in more than 50 Verses of the Quran. This is a clear indication of how the Quran has been especially blessed with divine help and care. As for any person who recites the Quran, awe and veneration of the Quran continues to increase in his heart while he is being constantly reminded that it came from Allah, the Lord of all that exists. After all, the greater author of a work, the better the work will be – and Allah is the Greatest, the All Mighty, the Most Just, the Wise, so consider how great a Book the Quran is.
In another Verse, Allah used the pronoun” We” to ascribe the Quran to Himself:
“Verily! We sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al Qadr (Decree).” (Quran 97:1)
On this note, the Quran has been blessed with six special Qualities:
1.It was revealed from Allah alone, and from no one else, for the purpose of benefiting and guiding mankind.
2.It is the best of all divinely revealed books.
3.It was revealed through the best of angels and the strongest among them, the one who was entrusted with revelation from Allah.
4.It descended upon the best of all created Muhammad (pbuh)
5.It was revealed to the best nation that has ever been sent to mankind.
6.It was revealed in the best, most comprehensive, and most eloquent of all languages: Arabic
“And truly this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Alamin (Mankind, jinn’s and all that exists), which the trustworthy Ruh (Gabriel) has brought down.” (Quran 26:192,193)
Allah has ascribed the revelation of the Quran to Himself in more than 50 Verses of the Quran. This is a clear indication of how the Quran has been especially blessed with divine help and care. As for any person who recites the Quran, awe and veneration of the Quran continues to increase in his heart while he is being constantly reminded that it came from Allah, the Lord of all that exists. After all, the greater author of a work, the better the work will be – and Allah is the Greatest, the All Mighty, the Most Just, the Wise, so consider how great a Book the Quran is.
In another Verse, Allah used the pronoun” We” to ascribe the Quran to Himself:
“Verily! We sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al Qadr (Decree).” (Quran 97:1)
On this note, the Quran has been blessed with six special Qualities:
1.It was revealed from Allah alone, and from no one else, for the purpose of benefiting and guiding mankind.
2.It is the best of all divinely revealed books.
3.It was revealed through the best of angels and the strongest among them, the one who was entrusted with revelation from Allah.
4.It descended upon the best of all created Muhammad (pbuh)
5.It was revealed to the best nation that has ever been sent to mankind.
6.It was revealed in the best, most comprehensive, and most eloquent of all languages: Arabic
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The Superiority of the One Who Descended with the Quran
Within various Verses of the Quran, Allah spoke highly of the one who descended with the Quran to our Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh). I am referring here to none other than Jibreel (Gabriel), the angel that was entrusted with the task of conveying divine revelation to the Prophet (pbuh). Allah praised Jibreel (Gabriel) for this superior qualities in a number of Verses, such as the following Verse from Surah An Nahl :
Allah Says:
“ Say ( O Muhammad ) Ruh ul Qudus (Gabriel) has brought it ( the Quran) down from you Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen ( the faith of) those who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted ( to Allah as Muslims).” (Quran 16:102)
The word Ruh means soul or spirit, but in the context of the above mentioned Verse it refers to Jibreel (Gabriel); And Qudus connotes the meanings of purity and virtue. Allah used the word Ruh to describe Jibreel in another verse as well:
Allah says:
“Then We sent to her Our Ruh (Angel Gabriel).” (Quran 19:17)
And in yet another Verse, Allah said:
“And truly, this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Which the trustworthy Ruh (Gabriel) has brought down. Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners.” (Quran 26:192-194)
We know that Ruh means spirit or soul, so why was Jibreel given the name Ar Ruh? Scholars have answered this question with various explanations, such as these ones:
*Jibreel is in fact a pure and virtuous soul, and so Allah named him thus a way of honoring him and proclaiming his lofty status.
*The religion of Islam is alive through Jibreel, just as a body of a person is alive through his soul.
*This makes sense since Jibreel was charged with the duty of bringing down the revelation not just to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but to previous Prophets as well.
*Spirituality is one of the dominant qualities of all angels, but to a greater degree with Jibreel than with any other angel.
Allah said:
“Verily, this is the Word (this Quran brought by) a most honorable Messenger (Gabriel, from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad).Owner of power, and high rank with (Allah) the Lord of the Throne, Obeyed (by the angels), trustworthy there (in the heavens).” Quran 81:19-21)
In this verse Allah described Jibreel with five Qualities:
He is ‘most honorable.’
He is an’ owner of power’
He enjoys a high ranking with Allah
He is obeyed in the heavens
He is trustworthy.
Upon contemplating this Verse and all of the above mentioned Verses, one is made to appreciate and to stand in awe of the chain of the Noble Quran. “Chain” in this context refers to a chain of a narration; every Hadeeth, for instance, has a chain: so and so related from so and so, who related so and so , who related from such and such Companion that the Messenger of Allah. Upon studying the chains of the most authentic of Ahadeeth, one finds the names of many eminent scholars of Hadeeth from various generations, the likes of Abu Hurairah, Abdullah bin Masood, Sufyaan Ath Thuwree, Maalik Ibn Anas, Saeed, Al Hasan, and so on. Now consider the lofty and awe-inspiring chain of the Noble Quran:
The Messenger of Allah related from the angel Jibreel who related directly from the Lord of all that Exists, Allah.
Allah Says:
“ Say ( O Muhammad ) Ruh ul Qudus (Gabriel) has brought it ( the Quran) down from you Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen ( the faith of) those who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted ( to Allah as Muslims).” (Quran 16:102)
The word Ruh means soul or spirit, but in the context of the above mentioned Verse it refers to Jibreel (Gabriel); And Qudus connotes the meanings of purity and virtue. Allah used the word Ruh to describe Jibreel in another verse as well:
Allah says:
“Then We sent to her Our Ruh (Angel Gabriel).” (Quran 19:17)
And in yet another Verse, Allah said:
“And truly, this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Which the trustworthy Ruh (Gabriel) has brought down. Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners.” (Quran 26:192-194)
We know that Ruh means spirit or soul, so why was Jibreel given the name Ar Ruh? Scholars have answered this question with various explanations, such as these ones:
*Jibreel is in fact a pure and virtuous soul, and so Allah named him thus a way of honoring him and proclaiming his lofty status.
*The religion of Islam is alive through Jibreel, just as a body of a person is alive through his soul.
*This makes sense since Jibreel was charged with the duty of bringing down the revelation not just to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but to previous Prophets as well.
*Spirituality is one of the dominant qualities of all angels, but to a greater degree with Jibreel than with any other angel.
Allah said:
“Verily, this is the Word (this Quran brought by) a most honorable Messenger (Gabriel, from Allah to the Prophet Muhammad).Owner of power, and high rank with (Allah) the Lord of the Throne, Obeyed (by the angels), trustworthy there (in the heavens).” Quran 81:19-21)
In this verse Allah described Jibreel with five Qualities:
He is ‘most honorable.’
He is an’ owner of power’
He enjoys a high ranking with Allah
He is obeyed in the heavens
He is trustworthy.
Upon contemplating this Verse and all of the above mentioned Verses, one is made to appreciate and to stand in awe of the chain of the Noble Quran. “Chain” in this context refers to a chain of a narration; every Hadeeth, for instance, has a chain: so and so related from so and so, who related so and so , who related from such and such Companion that the Messenger of Allah. Upon studying the chains of the most authentic of Ahadeeth, one finds the names of many eminent scholars of Hadeeth from various generations, the likes of Abu Hurairah, Abdullah bin Masood, Sufyaan Ath Thuwree, Maalik Ibn Anas, Saeed, Al Hasan, and so on. Now consider the lofty and awe-inspiring chain of the Noble Quran:
The Messenger of Allah related from the angel Jibreel who related directly from the Lord of all that Exists, Allah.
Allah’s Praise of His Book – The Quran
Allah says:
“And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al Mathani (seven repeatedly recited verses) i.e. Surah Al Fatiha and the Grand Quran.” Quran (15:87)
In another Verse, Allah used the word “perfected” to describe the Quran:
Allah says:
“Alif- Lam- Ra.( These are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah ( Alone) knows their meanings.) (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge etc) and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All Wise and Well Acquainted (with all things).” (Quran 11:1)
And in yet another verse, Allah said that the Quran is a witness over previous scriptures:
Allah says:
“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (Trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (Old Scriptures). (Quran 5:48)
In this Verse, Allah said that the Quran is Mohayminan over previous scriptures. What this means is that it contains in preserved form the aims and teachings of previously revealed books – such as the Torah and Injeel (Gospel); furthermore, it is a witness over them, confirming what is correct in them( for they have been distorted by the hands of men), and correcting the mistakes that they contain( mistakes which of course are not from Allah, but from the people who distorted the books He Revealed).
Also, Allah informs us that, in the Mother of the Book (i.e, the Al Lauh Al Mahfuz), Allah described the Quran as being “Exalted, full of Wisdom.”
Allah Says:
“And Verily, it( this Quran) is in the Mother of the Book (i.e Al Lauh Al Mahfuz), before Us, indeed Exalted, full of Wisdom.” (Quran 43:4)
Without a doubt, the Noble Quran is exalted above all other books that Allah revealed to previous Prophets; it is, after all, a miracle that will remain manifest on earth until the end of time. The Quran is also Hakeem, which is loosely translated as meaning, ‘full wisdom’. Although ‘full of wisdom’ is meant by the word ‘ Hakeem’ in the above mentioned verse, other meanings are implied as well: Such as the fact that the Quran is put together in a perfect manner, or that it is completely free of all defects, or that none of its rulings run contrary to the ideals of wisdom and justice.
And finally, in four separate Verses Allah described the Quran as being the Blessed book. ( Al An’aam : 92, 155 ; Al Anbiyaa: 5; and Saad: 29)
“And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al Mathani (seven repeatedly recited verses) i.e. Surah Al Fatiha and the Grand Quran.” Quran (15:87)
In another Verse, Allah used the word “perfected” to describe the Quran:
Allah says:
“Alif- Lam- Ra.( These are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah ( Alone) knows their meanings.) (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge etc) and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All Wise and Well Acquainted (with all things).” (Quran 11:1)
And in yet another verse, Allah said that the Quran is a witness over previous scriptures:
Allah says:
“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (Trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (Old Scriptures). (Quran 5:48)
In this Verse, Allah said that the Quran is Mohayminan over previous scriptures. What this means is that it contains in preserved form the aims and teachings of previously revealed books – such as the Torah and Injeel (Gospel); furthermore, it is a witness over them, confirming what is correct in them( for they have been distorted by the hands of men), and correcting the mistakes that they contain( mistakes which of course are not from Allah, but from the people who distorted the books He Revealed).
Also, Allah informs us that, in the Mother of the Book (i.e, the Al Lauh Al Mahfuz), Allah described the Quran as being “Exalted, full of Wisdom.”
Allah Says:
“And Verily, it( this Quran) is in the Mother of the Book (i.e Al Lauh Al Mahfuz), before Us, indeed Exalted, full of Wisdom.” (Quran 43:4)
Without a doubt, the Noble Quran is exalted above all other books that Allah revealed to previous Prophets; it is, after all, a miracle that will remain manifest on earth until the end of time. The Quran is also Hakeem, which is loosely translated as meaning, ‘full wisdom’. Although ‘full of wisdom’ is meant by the word ‘ Hakeem’ in the above mentioned verse, other meanings are implied as well: Such as the fact that the Quran is put together in a perfect manner, or that it is completely free of all defects, or that none of its rulings run contrary to the ideals of wisdom and justice.
And finally, in four separate Verses Allah described the Quran as being the Blessed book. ( Al An’aam : 92, 155 ; Al Anbiyaa: 5; and Saad: 29)
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