The holy Qur’an

The Qur’an is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of Allah (God) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 23 years. It is written in Arabic and is considered the ultimate source of guidance for faith, worship, and conduct in Islam.

Key Features of the Qur’an:

  1. Divine Revelation:
    • Muslims believe the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril).
    • The revelations began in 610 CE in the Cave of Hira, near Mecca, and continued until the Prophet’s death in 632 CE.
  2. Structure:
    • The Qur’an contains 114 chapters (called Surahs) and over 6,000 verses (Ayahs).
    • Chapters vary in length, with the longest (Surah Al-Baqarah) having 286 verses and the shortest (Surah Al-Kawthar) having only three.
    • It is traditionally divided into 30 parts (Juz’) for ease of recitation.
  3. Themes:
    • Tawhid (Oneness of God): The central message is the belief in the oneness of Allah.
    • Guidance for Life: Provides ethical guidelines, legal principles, and social justice mandates.
    • Stories of the Prophets: Narratives about earlier prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
    • Afterlife: Details about accountability, Heaven (Jannah), and Hell (Jahannam).
    • Worship and Devotion: Instructions for prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage.
  4. Language and Style:
    • The Qur’an is known for its unparalleled eloquence, rhythm, and poetic beauty, considered a miracle in Arabic literature.
    • Its verses are often chanted in Tajweed, a melodious style of recitation.
  5. Preservation:
    • The Qur’an has been preserved in its original language without alteration since its revelation. It was memorized by many of the Prophet’s companions and compiled into a single book under Caliph Abu Bakr and standardized under Caliph Uthman.
  6. Role in Daily Life:
    • Muslims recite portions of the Qur’an in daily prayers (Salah).
    • It serves as a source of inspiration, law, and moral guidance.
    • It is respected as sacred, and physical copies are often treated with great reverence.

Recitation and Memorization:

The Qur’an is recited by millions of Muslims around the world, and many dedicate their lives to memorizing it in its entirety. A person who has memorized the Qur’an is honored with the title of Hafiz.

Tafsir (Exegesis):

Muslims rely on Tafsir (interpretation) to understand the Qur’an’s meanings and contexts. Renowned scholars, like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, have written comprehensive Tafsir works.