HARUT AND MARUT

This post is an english translation of the famous book "Qassas Al-Qura'n" compiled by Allama Ismail Ibn Kathir Al Damishqi (RAA), based on true stories cited in the Glorious Qura'n.Insha' Allah, by the grace and mercy of Allah, may we all benefit from this work and help us understand the Qlorious Qura'n, Aa'meen.

Important Note: Many scholars and transmitters narrated various stories and narrations pertaining to the story of Harut and Marut, but all the details they mentioned could be traced down to the narrations made by the Children of Israel. However, there is not a single Hadith or Narration that can be traced down to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the infallible one who says nothing but the truth. In addition, the text of the Glorious Qur'an does not relate this story in details, and thus we believe in what is mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an as it is without any increase or decrease. Finally, Allah knows best!


The following is a summary of the sayings and narrations of the earlier scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of His!



In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Harut and Marut
Allah the Almighty says:
{They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102, 103)

Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah's Statement {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”...}

When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among mankind and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah restored to Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the Straight Path once again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he buried underneath his throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) died. In no time, the men and the Jinn uncovered the buried scriptures and said: This was a book revealed by Allah to Sulaiman who hid it from us. They took it as their religion and Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know!}. (Al-Baqarah, 101) and they followed what the devils gave out, i.e. musical instruments, play and all that blocks the remembrance of Allah.

As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman's death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman's throne and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

Narrated Ar-Rabi' Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them. Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His
Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) isbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under Sulaiman's throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen.

When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying: this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.

Mujahid said pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard two hundred lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.

Sa'id Ibn Jubair said: Sulaiman used to look for and capture the magic of the devils and keep it buried under his throne. The devils could not reach it and thus they inspired to the people that it is the knowledge with which Sulaiman was able to overcome the Jinn, the wind, etc., and that it is buried under his own throne. Afterwards, the people got it out and practiced it. Later, the people of the Hejaz said: Sulaiman used to practice sorcery. Upon this, Allah the Almighty
revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}.

Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Yasar said: when the devils knew of the death of Sulaiman, they wrote down types of sorcery (magic) as thus: to fulfill such and such matters, practice such and such (procedures). They gathered all these in a book and sealed it with a ring bearing the inscription found on Sulaiman's ring and titled it with: This is what was written by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud. Then, they buried it under the throne (of Sulaiman). After some time, the Children of Israel got it out and said: Verily, Sulaiman ruled over us only with this and they diffused sorcery among the people. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned Sulaiman Ibn Dawud as one of the former Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty, the Jews in Madinah said: Amazingly Muhammad claims that Sulaiman Ibn Dawud was a Prophet, by Allah, he was nothing but a sorcerer. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew).


Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after lbn-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying. And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn Bshshar Al-Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al- Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman.

Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e. the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}. It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud (Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of Musa (Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa (Peace be upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al- Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in which, {and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed}. (Al-Baqarah, 251) and, the people of Salih who existed before Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said to their Prophet Salih: {You are only of those bewitched!}. (Ash-Shu'
ara', 153)
Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and Marut.


The Related Hadith (And Comments)


Narrated Imam Ahmed (May Allah rest his soul) in his Musnad: I was told by Yahya Ibn Bakir after Zuhair Ibn Muhammad after Musa Ibn Iubair after Nafi after `Abdullah Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) that he heard Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) as saying: "When Adam (Peace be upon him) was put down on earth, the angels said: 0 Lord! {Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, -while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You}. (Al-Baqarah, 30) They continued: Our Lord! We obey You more than man does. Allah the Almighty said to them: Appoint two angels from amongst you to descend to earth. The angels said: Our Lord! (We chose) Harut and Marut. They went down to earth where the flower appeared to them in the form of the most beautiful woman on earth. They asked her to have sexual intercourse with them. But, she said: only after you disbelieve in Allah. They refused and she went away for a while. Then, she came back holding a child in her arms and they asked her for the second time. She said: first, you must kill this boy. They refused to and she went away for a while and then, came back holding a glass of wine. They asked her for the third time. She said: First, you must drink this glass of wine. They drank the wine, committed adultery with her and finally killed the boy. When they restored their
conscience, the woman said: By Allah! After you had drunk the wine, you committed all that which you refused to do at first. Thereupon, they were given the choice between receiving the torment of this like or that of the Hereafter. They' chose that of the present life."


(Narrated by Imam Ahmed) The same was narrated by Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban in his Sahih after Al-Hasan after Sufyan after Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah after Yahya Ibn Bakir. However, this Hadith is an Unfamiliar one from this Chain of Transmission.


All its narrators are trustworthy but the one named Musa Ibn Iubair.

Allah Almighty says: {But neither of these two taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us) "}, Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to

The Unfamiliar Hadith: That is narrated only by one narrator even if he were in one class. Many scholars name the Unfamiliar Hadith as (the Single). (Translator) him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}, that they knew what is good, bad, belief and disbelief and thus they knew that magic is of disbelief. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) continued: if they could not dissuade him, they told him to go to such and such place. There he could find Satan who teaches him. The same time one is taught magic, his belief (symbolized as light) gets out of his body and he could see it flying away in the sky. Upon this, he would say: woe to me! In addition: Al- Hasan Al-Basri said: the two angels were sent with magic to teach the people as a test for them and Allah took their covenant that they do not teach anybody {till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)"}. (Narrated by Ibn Abu Hatim) Narrated Qatadah: The Covenant was taken from them that they don't teach anyone till they say: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning
this magic from us)}. Moreover, As-Sadiy said: they used to warn anyone who came to them to learn magic and say to him: {We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)}. But, if he insisted, they would say: Go to that pile of ashes and "squeeze the lemon thereon". If the man goes and does what he was ordered, he would see a light coming out of that
ashes and flies till it reaches the sky -verily, this is belief. Instead, there would come a black object that would look like smokes and enters his ears and the whole of his body -verily, this is Allah's Wrath. After that, the man tells them of what happened and they consequently teaches him magic. This is the interpretation of Allah's Saying: {But neither of these two (angels) taught
anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they
sold their own selves, if they but knew}.


In the interpretation of this Qur'anic Verse, Sunaid Ibn Hajjaj narrates after Ibn Juraij his saying: there is no one who practices magic but a disbeliever. As for the word "trial", it means a test and an ordeal. Some scholars found a textual proof in this Verse that whosoever practices magic; he becomes a disbeliever.


This is supported by the Prophetic Hadith that has been narrated by Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bazzar after Muhammad Ibn Al-Muthanna after Mu'awiyah after Al- A'mash after Ibrahim after Hammam on the authority of 'Abdullah as saying: "Whosoever attends himself to (or comes to) a soothsayer or a magician and believes in what he says: he will become a disbeliever in what has been sent to Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ". (An Authentic Hadith)

Allah the Almighty says: {And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife}, i.e. the people learns from Harut and Marut the magic by which they cause separation between man and his wife though they (the man and his wife) have some kind of affinity and passion. This is caused by cunning of the devils as transmitted in Imam
Muslim's Sahih from the Hadith narrated by Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) says: "Iblis places his throne upon water; he then sends detachments (for creating dissension); the nearer to him in rank are those who are most notorious in creating dissension. One of them comes and says: I did so and so. And he says: You have done nothing. Then one amongst them comes and says: I did not spare so and so until I sowed the seed of discord between a husband and a wife. The Satan goes near him and says: 'You have done well.
"Al-A'mash said: "He then embraces him." The dissension between a husband and his wife can be created through magic in that the devil let each one of them imagine something bad -a view, or manner, etc. -about the other. Allah the Almighty says: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, Abu Sufyan Ath-Thawri said: they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Decree. In addition, Muhammad Ibn Ishaq said: they
could not thus harm anyone except in case Allah enables them to do so.


Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: {But they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave}, i.e. whomsoever Allah wants to be affected, he will be affected. And, whomsoever Allah does not want to be affected, he will not be affected. In addition, they cannot harm anyone except by Allah's Leave and Decree. Allah the Almighty says: {And they learn that which harms them and profits them not}, i.e. they learn that which harms their religion and faith and profits them not. Allah says: {And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}, i.e. the Jews who took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) knew that anyone who did as what they have done, he would have not share in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says: {And how bad indeed was that for which
they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed
and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}, that they took magic instead of following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord} , i. e. if they had believed in Allah and His Messengers and did not violate His Boundaries, they would have received a far better reward from Allah Almighty. This is compatible with Allah's Saying that reads: {But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As Sabirun (the patient in following the truth) "}. (Al-Qasas, 80)



Some scholars found textual proof that a magician is a disbeliever in the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah}. Other scholars viewed that a magician is not a disbeliever, but his neck must be cut off. `Amr Ibn Dianr narrated from Bajabla Ibn `Abdah as saying: `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab ordered
every magician and witch to be killed. Thereupon, they killed three witches. In addition, it is true that the Mother of the Faithful, Hafsah was bewitched by a maid. Consequently, Hafsah ordered that she had to be killed. Moreover, Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said: it was transmitted from three of the Prophet's Companions that a magician must be killed. Besides, At-Tirmidhi narrated from Isma'il Ibn Muslim after Al-Hasan after Jundub Al-Azdi as saying: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) says: "The Prescribed Penalty set for a magician is a blow with the sword.”


It was narrated that Al-Walid Ibn 'Uqbah had a magician who used to make shows before him. He used to cut off a man's head, then calls it to get back to its proper place. The people said: Glory be to Allah! The magician revives the dead. However, a man from the pious migrants saw him and intended something. The next day he came and cut the magician's head and said: if he is truthful, he can revive himself! And, he recited Allah's Statement that reads: {Will you submit to magic while you see it}. (Al-Anbiya', 4) Consequently, Al-Walid raged because the migrant did not ask for his permission first (to kill the magician), he imprisoned him for a while, then set him free. Allah knows best! Imam Abu Bakr Al-Khallal said: One of the princes used to have a magician who makes shows of his magic and one day Jundub came and killed him saying:
I believe he was a magician.

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The Quran was revealed during the Best of Times

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.

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)

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.

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)

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

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.