Quran
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The Quran (also spelled Qur'an or Koran) is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe it to be the verbatim word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). It is considered the final revelation in a series of divine messages that began with Adam and includes the Torah (Tawrat), the Psalms (Zabur), and the Gospel (Injil).
Meaning of the Word: The word "Quran" comes from the Arabic root qara'a, which means "to read" or "to recite."
Language: The Quran is written in classical Arabic, which is considered a sacred language by Muslims.
Structure: The Quran is divided into 114 chapters called surahs, which are arranged roughly from longest to shortest (except for the first, introductory chapter). Each surah is further divided into verses called ayahs (literally "signs" or "miracles").
Recitation: The Quran is meant to be recited aloud, and the art of Quranic recitation (tajwid) is a highly developed and respected discipline.
Central Place in Islam: The Quran is the foundation of Islamic faith and practice. It provides guidance on all aspects of life, from theology and law to ethics and personal conduct.
The Quran's message is multifaceted, encompassing theological, ethical, legal, and social dimensions. Here's a detailed outline of its core ideas:
A. Tawhid (Oneness of God):
Strict Monotheism: The Quran's most fundamental teaching is the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God (Allah). This is known as tawhid. It rejects any form of polytheism, idolatry, or associating partners with God.
Attributes of God: The Quran describes God as the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-merciful, and just creator, sustainer, and judge of the universe. He is transcendent (beyond human comprehension) yet immanent (present in the world). God has 99 names in Islam. Each name describes a different attribute.
No Trinity or Incarnation: The Quran explicitly rejects the Christian doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, emphasizing that God is indivisible and has no son or partners.
B. Prophethood (Nubuwwah):
Chain of Prophets: The Quran teaches that God sent numerous prophets throughout history to guide humanity. These prophets include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and many others.
Muhammad as the Final Prophet: Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last and final prophet in this chain, the "Seal of the Prophets." His message is considered universal and for all of humanity until the end of time.
Prophets as Messengers: Prophets are seen as human beings chosen by God to receive and convey His message. They are not divine but are exemplary models of faith and righteousness.
C. Revelation (Wahy):
The Quran as Divine Speech: The Quran is believed to be the literal word of God, revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years.
Preservation of the Revelation: Muslims believe that the Quran has been perfectly preserved in its original Arabic form, without any alteration or corruption.
Other Scriptures: The Quran acknowledges previous scriptures revealed to earlier prophets, such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel, but asserts that they have been altered or misinterpreted over time.
D. Angels (Mala'ika):
Created Beings: Angels are spiritual beings created by God from light. They are obedient servants who carry out God's commands.
Roles of Angels: Angels have various roles, including recording human deeds, delivering revelations, and carrying out divine punishments. Notable angels include Gabriel (revelation), Michael (sustenance), Israfil (blowing the trumpet on the Day of Judgment), and the Angel of Death.
E. The Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah) and the Afterlife (Akhirah):
Resurrection: The Quran teaches that all humans will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment and held accountable for their deeds.
Judgment: God will judge each person based on their faith and actions in this life.
Paradise (Jannah): The righteous will be rewarded with eternal bliss in Paradise, a place of gardens, rivers, and delights.
Hellfire (Jahannam): The unrighteous will be punished in Hellfire, a place of torment and suffering.
Emphasis on Justice: The Quran emphasizes God's perfect justice in the afterlife. Everyone will receive what they deserve based on their deeds.
F. Divine Decree and Free Will (Qadar):
God's Omniscience: The Quran affirms that God is all-knowing and has foreknowledge of all events.
Human Responsibility: However, the Quran also emphasizes that humans have free will and are responsible for their choices.
Balance: The relationship between divine decree and free will is a complex theological issue in Islam, with different interpretations among scholars. The general consensus is that God's knowledge does not negate human responsibility.
G. Ethical and Moral Teachings:
Justice (Adl): The Quran places a strong emphasis on justice in all aspects of life, including social, economic, and legal matters.
Compassion and Mercy (Rahma): God is described as the Most Merciful and Compassionate, and Muslims are encouraged to emulate these qualities in their dealings with others.
Honesty and Truthfulness (Sidq): Honesty, integrity, and truthfulness are highly valued in the Quran.
Charity and Generosity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Giving to the poor and needy is a fundamental obligation in Islam. Zakat is a mandatory annual alms, while Sadaqah refers to voluntary charity.
Forgiveness (Afw): The Quran encourages forgiveness and reconciliation.
Patience (Sabr): Patience, perseverance, and steadfastness in the face of adversity are considered important virtues.
Respect for Parents: The Quran commands Muslims to honor and respect their parents.
Kindness to Others: Muslims are instructed to be kind, compassionate, and just to all people, regardless of their faith or background.
H. Social and Legal Principles:
Family: The Quran provides guidance on family matters, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and the upbringing of children.
Community (Ummah): The concept of the Ummah, the global community of Muslims, is important in the Quran.
Governance: While the Quran does not prescribe a specific political system, it emphasizes principles of justice, consultation (Shura), and the rule of law.
Economic Justice: The Quran prohibits usury (riba) and promotes fair trade practices.
Dietary Laws: The Quran outlines dietary restrictions, such as the prohibition of pork and alcohol.
Modesty: Both men and women are expected to dress modestly.
Jihad: The Quran discusses the concept of Jihad, which is often translated as "struggle" or "striving." It can refer to the internal spiritual struggle against sin or to the external defense of Islam.
7th Century Arabia: The Quran was revealed in a specific historical context: 7th-century Arabia, a tribal society with a mix of polytheistic, Jewish, and Christian influences.
Mecca and Medina: The revelations began in Mecca, a major commercial and religious center, and continued in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad established the first Muslim community.
Social and Political Challenges: The Quran addressed the social and political challenges of the time, including tribal warfare, social injustice, economic inequality, and the oppression of the weak and vulnerable.
Response to Existing Beliefs: The Quran engaged with the existing religious beliefs and practices of the Arabs, Jews, and Christians, affirming some aspects while rejecting others.
Divine Authorship: Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal word of God, not the composition of the Prophet Muhammad or any other human being. God is the author.
Role of the Prophet Muhammad: Muhammad is seen as the recipient and transmitter of the divine message. He received the revelations through the Angel Gabriel and recited them to his followers.
Rejection of Human Authorship: The Quran itself rejects the idea that it is a human creation, challenging those who doubted its divine origin to produce a text of comparable eloquence and literary quality.
Oral Transmission: During the Prophet's lifetime, the Quran was primarily transmitted orally. The Prophet's companions memorized the verses as they were revealed, and some also wrote them down on various materials, such as parchment, bone, and leaves.
Compilation under Abu Bakr (632-634 CE): After the Prophet's death, the first caliph, Abu Bakr, ordered the collection of the Quranic verses into a single volume. This was prompted by the deaths of many Quran memorizers in the Ridda Wars. Zayd ibn Thabit, a former scribe of the Prophet, was entrusted with this task.
Standardization under Uthman (644-656 CE): During the reign of the third caliph, Uthman, variations in the recitation and reading of the Quran began to emerge as Islam spread to different regions. To prevent disunity, Uthman commissioned a committee, again headed by Zayd ibn Thabit, to produce a standardized version of the Quran based on the अबू Bakr's codex and the consensus of the companions who had memorized the text. Copies of this standardized version were sent to major centers of the Islamic empire, and other versions were ordered to be destroyed.
Significance: Uthman's standardization is considered a crucial step in preserving the integrity and uniformity of the Quranic text.
Development of Arabic Script: The early Quranic manuscripts were written in a basic form of the Arabic script without diacritical marks (dots and vowel signs). Over time, these marks were added to ensure accurate pronunciation and reading.
Preservation and Transmission: Muslims throughout history have placed great importance on the accurate preservation and transmission of the Quran. Memorization of the entire Quran (becoming a Hafiz) is still a highly valued practice in many Muslim communities.
Manuscripts and Printing: Numerous ancient manuscripts of the Quran have been preserved in various parts of the world, some dating back to the early centuries of Islam. The first printed edition of the Quran was produced in Venice in the 16th century, but it was not widely accepted by Muslims. Printing of the Quran in the Muslim world began in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the final and complete revelation from God. It provides guidance on all aspects of life and is the foundation of Islamic faith, law, ethics, and spirituality. The Quran's message of monotheism, prophethood, accountability, and social justice has had a profound impact on the lives of billions of people throughout history and continues to shape the world today. Understanding the Quran's core ideas, historical context, and textual history is essential for appreciating its significance in Islam and its influence on human civilization.