Introduction
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Al-Quran, Chapter 14 Ibrahim, Verse 1 |
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Alif Lam Ra. A Book which We have revealed unto thee in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light by the leave of their Lord to the Way of Him Exalted in Power Worthy of all Praise! |
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Quran Links: |
The Qu'ran is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was
transmitted to us in a chain starting from the Almighty
Himself to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammed
. This message was given to
the Prophet in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23
years (610 CE to 622 CE). The Prophet was 40 years old when
the Qu'ran began to be revealed to him, and he was 63 when the
revelation was completed.
The Qu'ran is one leg of two which form the basis of Islam. The second leg is the Sunnah of the Prophet. What makes the Qu'ran different from the Sunnah is primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qu'ran is quite literally the Word of Allah , whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording and actions are the Prophet's. The Qu'ran has not been expressed using any human's words. Its wording is letter for letter fixed by no one but Allah .
Prophet Mohammed was the final Messenger of
Allah to humanity, and therefore
the Qu'ran is the last Message which Allah has sent to us. Its
predecessors such as the Torah, Psalms, the Bible and Gospels
have all been superseded. It is an obligation - and blessing -
for all who hear of the Qu'ran and Islam to investigate it and
evaluate it for themselves. Allah has guaranteed that He will
protect the Qu'ran from human tampering, and today's readers
can find exact copies of it all over the world. The Qu'ran of
today is the same as the Qu'ran revealed to Mohammed.
The Qu'ran is divided into 114 surah's
| 1.Al-Fatiha (The Opening) | 58.Al-Mujadila (She That Disputed) |
| 2.Al-Baqara (The Cow) | 59.Al-Hashr (Exile) |
| 3.Aal-E-Imran (The Family Of 'Imran) | 60.Al-Mumtahina (Examining Her) |
| 4.An-Nisa (Women) | 61.As-Saff (The Ranks) |
| 5.Al-Maeda (The Table) | 62.Al-Jumua (The Congregation) |
| 6.Al-Anaam (Cattle) | 63.Al-Munafiqoon (The Hypocrites) |
| 7.Al-Araf (The heights) | 64.At-Taghabun (Mutual Disillusion) |
| 8.Al-Anfal (Spoils Of War) | 65.At-Talaq (Divorce) |
| 9.At-Tawba (Repentance) | 66.At-Tahrim (Banning) |
| 10.Yunus (Jonah) | 67.Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty) |
| 11.Hud (Hud) | 68.Al-Qalam (The Pen) |
| 12.Yusuf (Joseph) | 69.Al-Haaqqa (The Reality) |
| 13.Ar-Rad (The Thunder) | 70.Al-Maarij (The Ascending Stairways) |
| 14.Ibrahim (Abraham) | 71.Nooh (Nooh) |
| 15.Al-Hijr (Rock City) | 72.Al-Jinn (The Jinn) |
| 16.An-Nahl (The Bee) | 73.Al-Muzzammil (The Enshrouded One) |
| 17.Al-Isra (The Night Journey) | 74.Al-Muddaththir (The Cloaked One) |
| 18.Al-Kahf (The Cave) | 75.Al-Qiyama (The Resurrection) |
| 19.Maryam (Mary) | 76.Al-Insan (Man) |
| 20.Ta-Ha (Ta-Ha) | 77.Al-Mursalat (The Emissaries) |
| 21.Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) | 78.An-Naba (The Tidings) |
| 22.Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) | 79.An-Naziat (Those Who Drag Forth) |
| 23.Al-Mumenoon (The Believers) | 80.Abasa (He Frowned) |
| 24.An-Noor (The Light) | 81.At-Takwir (The Overthrowing) |
| 25.Al-Furqan (The Criterion) | 82.Al-Infitar (The Cleaving) |
| 26.Ash-Shuara (The Poets) | 83.Al-Mutaffifin (Defrauding) |
| 27.An-Naml (The Ant) | 84.Al-Inshiqaq (The Sundering) |
| 28.Al-Qasas (The Story) | 85.Al-Burooj (The Mansions Of The Stars) |
| 29.Al-Ankaboot (The Spider) | 86.At-Tariq (The Morning Star) |
| 30.Ar-Room (The Romans) | 87.Al-Ala (The Most High) |
| 31.Luqman (Luqman) | 88.Al-Ghashiya (The Overwhelming) |
| 32.As-Sajda (The Prostration) | 89.Al-Fajr (The Dawn) |
| 33.Al-Ahzab (The Clans) | 90.Al-Balad (The City) |
| 34.Saba (Saba) | 91.Ash-Shams (The Sun) |
| 35.Fatir (Originator) | 92.Al-Lail (The Night) |
| 36.Ya-Seen (Ya-Seen) | 93.Ad-Dhuha (The Morning Hours) |
| 37.As-Saaffat (Drawn Up In Ranks) | 94.Al-Inshirah (Solace) |
| 38.Sad (The Letter Sad) | 95.At-Tin (The Fig) |
| 39.Az-Zumar (The Troops) | 96.Al-Alaq (The Clot) |
| 40.Al-Ghafir (The Forgiver) | 97.Al-Qadr (Power) |
| 41.Fussilat (Explained In Detail) | 98.Al-Bayyina (The Clear Proof) |
| 42.Ash-Shura (Council) | 99.Az-Zalzala (The Earthquake) |
| 43.Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments Of Gold) | 100.Al-Adiyat (The Courser) |
| 44.Ad-Dukhan (Smoke) | 101.Al-Qaria (The Calamity) |
| 45.Al-Jathiya (Crouching) | 102.At-Takathur (Competition) |
| 46.Al-Ahqaf (The Dunes) | 103.Al-Asr (The Declining Day) |
| 47.Muhammad (Muhammad) | 104.Al-Humaza (The Traducer) |
| 48.Al-Fath (Victory) | 105.Al-Fil (The Elephant) |
| 49.Al-Hujraat (The Private Apartments) | 106.Quraish (Quraysh) |
| 50. Qaf (The Letter Qaf) | 107.Al-Maun (Small Kindnesses) |
| 51.Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds) | 108.Al-Kauther (Abundance) |
| 52 .At-Tur (The Mount) | 109.Al-Kafiroon (The Disbelievers) |
| 53.An-Najm (The Star) | 110.An-Nasr (Divine Support) |
| 54.Al-Qamar (The Moon) | 111.Al-Masadd (Palm Fibre) |
| 55.Ar-Rahman (The Beneficent) | 112.Al-Ikhlas (Sincerity) |
| 56.Al-Waqia (The Event) | 113.Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) |
| 57.Al-Hadid (The Iron) | 114.An-Nas (Mankind) |
The Demands of Qu'ran
The Qu'ran makes five demands of every Muslim. Put in a simple language, these demands are as follows:
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to believe in the Qu'ran.
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to read it.
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to understand it.
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to act upon its teachings.
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to convey its message and teachings to others.
The translations of the Qu'ran
Muslims not speaking Arabic will normally stick to an Arabic version of the Qu'ran. Most of them will learn how to read Arabic text, and learn some Arabic words, and then read the Qu'ran according to the way described above. In general, Muslims will agree that the Qu'ran can never be correctly translated, and that the Arabic original is the only version that is correct. Translations of the Qu'ran are in many cases a fruit of the needs that western scholars and others in the West interested in Islam.
The language of the original message was Arabic, but it has been translated into many other languages. The first translation of the Qu'ran into another language was to Latin in 1143, and this was performed by a monk, in the need of understanding the Crusaders' enemy. From the 18th century and up until now, the Qu'ran has been translated into most western languages, and with a steadily increasing quality, Today most Muslims endorse this effort, with the hope that some misunderstandings on Islam can be refuted, and also that Islam can reach more people in the West.
How to start reading the Qu'ran
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Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Qu'ran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's
was described by his wife as a "walking Qu'ran": in other
words, he didn't just read and recite the Qu'ran, he lived
it.
Do your Wudu. Doing your Wudu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with God, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.
Read only 5 minutes everyday. Too often, we think we should read Qu'ran for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!
Make sure you understand what you've read. Five minutes of reading the Qu'ran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qu'ran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day.
Remember, the Qu'ran is more interactive than a CD. In an age of "interactive" CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qu'ran is not like that. Remember that when you read Qu'ran, you are interacting with Allah
Don't just read, listen too. There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qu'ran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qu'ran reading, not as a replacement for it.
Make Dua (supplication). Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Qu'ran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
The Qu'ran about the Qu'ran
Allah the almighty revealed:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 36 Ya-Seen, Verse 2 |
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By the Qu'ran, full of Wisdom |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 54 Al-Qamar, Verse 17 |
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And We have indeed made the Qu'ran easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition? |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqara, Verse 2-5 |
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This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah; Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them; And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper. |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 7 Al-Araf, Verse 204 |
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When the Qu'ran is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy. |
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Other Revelations
The final revelation of Allah to mankind was the Holy Quran. Apart from the Quran, Allah had revealed 3 other scriptures earlier, namely the Zabur, Injeel and Torah. The Zabur, Torah and Injeel were mainly sent to specific nations and got corrupted over time through the handiwork of power hungry individuals. The final revelation The Quran was sent with divine protection against any corruption and with its revelation Allah perfected the way of life on to the people. The Quran was also for all of humanity. The reason why Muslims only use the Quran and none of the previous scriptures is as follows:
1. The other scriptures were not a complete way of life, but rather parts of the final revelation.
2. The other revelations were sent specifically to certain nations not to all of humanity.
3. The previous scriptures were corrupted over time by the handiwork of power hungry individuals
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Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqarah, Verse 59 |
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But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven for that they infringed our command repeatedly. |
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4. The Quran is the reaffirmation of the previous scriptures and contains all that they contained and more.
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Al-Quran, Chapter 35 Al-Baqarah, Verse 31 |
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That which We have revealed to thee of the Book is the Truth confirming what was revealed before it: for Allah is assuredly with respect to his servants well acquainted and fully-Observant. |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 4 An-Nisaa, Verse 47 |
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O ye people of the Book! believe in what We have now revealed confirming what was already with you before We change the face and fame of some of you beyond all recognition and turn them hindwards or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath-breakers: for the decision of Allah must be carried out. |
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5. The Quran is for all of humanity and was the complete code of life for humanity till end of time.
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Al-Quran, Chapter 5 Al-Maida, Verse 3 |
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...This day have I perfected your religion for you completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion... |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 21 Al-Anbiyaa, Verse 10 |
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We have revealed for you O mankind! a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand? |
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6. The Quran is protected against any corruption by Allah - nothing like the Quran can or has ever been reproduced!
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Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqarah, Verse 23 |
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And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers if there are any besides Allah if your doubts are true. |
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The Hadith & Sunnah as Secondary Source
In the Quran God commands the believers to "Obey Allah and His messenger", therefore the Muslims also follow the advice and way of life of the Prophet Mohammed. The words of the prophet were collected by his companions over time and compiled into volumes of books known as Hadith. Hadith are the sayings of the Prophet while his practices are known as the Sunnah.
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Al-Quran, Chapter 3 Al-Imran, Verse 32 |
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Say: "Obey Allah and His Apostle"; but if they turn back Allah loveth not those who reject Faith. |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 33 Al-Ahzab, Verse 36 |
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It is not fitting for a Believer man or woman when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision: if anyone disobeys Allah and His Apostle he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path. |
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Al-Quran, Chapter 10 Yunus, Verse 15 |
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But when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed unto them those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us say: "Bring us a Reading other than this or change this." Say (O Mohammed): "It is not for me of my own accord to change it: I follow naught but what is revealed unto me: if I were to disobey my Lord I should myself fear the Penalty of a Great Day to come." |
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So the Basic Scripture every Muslim follows is the Holy Quran. Apart from this Muslims gain understanding of the Quran from the Hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (Sa).
Miracle Of The Name: Quran
The word Quran means "Recitation" or "A book which is continuously recited" - The very name of the Book is a miracle because it is a fact about the Quran that it is always being recited somewhere in the world, how? The Muslims are required to pray five times a day at different times during which they recite the Quran :
| Fajr Prayer | - Just before dawn |
| Zuhr Prayer | - After noon |
| Asr Prayer | - Late after noon |
| Maghrib Prayer | - A little before sunset |
| Isha Prayer | - At night time. |
So as the Earth revolves, somewhere on this Earth it is always time for one of the five daily prayers for Muslims of some country. Thus the Quran is recited continuously 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year!!!
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Al-Quran, Chapter 37 As-Saffat, Verse 180 |
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Glory to thy Lord the Lord of Honor and Power! |
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