The Qur'an is the very Word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad , brought down by the honourable and noble angel Gabriel. It is not only guidance from God to all of mankind, but it is also the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad . It is the greatest of all miracles and the most sacred and blessed, and the clearest in proof. The very beginning of the Prophethood and mission of Muhammad began with the first few verses of the Qur'an being revealed. Thereafter it was revealed piecemeal over the course of 23 or so years during which the Muslim community grew and flourished. It was preserved both orally and textually since then, and will remain protected by God until the end of time.
The Qur'an is central to the life of every Muslim. It is a living reality. Just as it was for those who heard it for the first time from the lips of the Prophet , it is a communication from God directly addressing every person. Its words are timeless and eternally valid. It transforms events from a particular time and place into a great and complete lesson which is not limited by the specific circumstances in which they were revealed. Every word of it is deeply relevant to our concerns and experiences, and they are to be integrated fully into our lives. Day and night, it is ceaselessly recited. In homes, in mosques and from pulpits. Its recitation forms an integral part of the daily religious practice of each and every muslim in the world. The Imam recites from the Qur'an in the congregational prayers, and during Ramadhan every year the entire Qur'an is recited from cover to cover in most mosques by the Imam from memory.
Whilst the Qur'an outlines the basic tenets of the religion and the principles of ethical behavior, it is not merely a collection of rulings or facts. The Qur'an focuses on building a firm foundation in one's heart, and strengthening and nourishing the faith and spirituality of the reader. Whatever challenge one is facing in life, there is certainty that the Qur'an will provide immense comfort and encouragement, just as it consoled the Prophet in his greatest struggles to convey the religion to his people. We are also connected to the struggles of many of the earlier Prophets, many of which are found in the Bible. So many lessons and morals are derived from their lives that we find their stories woven and repeated uniquely throughout the Qur'an. Thus is ingrained very effectively that the core message to humanity has remained the same since the first man and Prophet on earth until the last.
Among our duties towards the Qur'an is reciting and memorising it, both of which are highly virtuous and rewarding actions. The Qur'an is unique in demanding to be preserved in memory. This is not a mechanical, ritual act; it is an act of high spiritual and devotional importance. It aids a person in pondering over its meaning, it makes the Qur'an flow on one's tongue, reside in one's mind, dwell in one's heart, such that it becomes a constant companion. Muslims everywhere memorise the Qur'an, many millions memorising the entire Qur'an from cover to cover, to the extent that such people have become ubiquitous within the Muslim community. The Qur'an can be recited in almost any place and situation, whether sitting, walking or riding.
Studying and reflecting upon the meanings of the Qur'an is also a highly important matter. Its knowledge is like a sea: the deeper one dives into it, the more pearls he will find. Hence it is no surprise that voluminous exegetical works exist expounding its meaning. With the same diligence and scrupulousness that the Words of the Qur'an were preserved and transmitted from generation to generation, so too were its meanings and explanations. This science of Qur'anic exegesis is considered the most honourable of all sciences, and is like a key unlocking the treasure that is the Qur'an. Words pour out incessantly to explain its teachings and to exhort us to live by it. Our predecessors have set a great precedence in their attachment and reflection upon the Qur'an. Some of them would spend entire nights or mornings reflecting and weeping upon a single verse.
Another unique aspect of the Qur'an is that it is a healing and protection, and part of our duty towards it is seeking cure from it. It is used to treat any form of illness, whether physical, psychological or spiritual. It is also recited to ward off evil and remove its effects. Among the names given to the very first chapter of the Qur'an are Ash-Shifa' (the Cure) and Ar-Ruqyah (remedy), due to its being used for these purposes - there is the narration of a Companion of the Prophet who used it as a remedy for a tribal chief who was poisoned. Also, when the Prophet was in his final illness, he would recite the last two chapters over himself. Muslims are likewise instructed to do the same. In addition, we are taught to recite specific portions of the Qur'an before sleeping, in the morning and the evening, and one can recite it over another who is ill. Similarly, the Qur'an dispels sadness, worry and regret. God tells us in the Qur'an: '...Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.' [13:28].
We see from the above glimpse that the Qur'an is an extraordinary Book that penetrates every aspect of one's life. Its message is for everyone. Its benefits are endless. It just needs an open, sincere heart that is looking for truth.
When first reading the Qur'an, some people are initially confused by the seemingly random order. They may have expected to read a history book in chronological order, with chapters organized around certain themes or time periods. The Qur'an sometimes repeats particular points and recounts particular scenes in different ways throughout the different chapters. Historical accounts are interspersed with the lessons that can be learned from them. Exhortations to be kind and just are intertwined with reminders of the rewards of Paradise for those who are righteous.
Major Themes of the Qur'an
Muslims believe the Qur'an, together with the Hadith, contain all the knowledge and wisdom God gave us to live good lives on earth and to worship Him in the proper way: “And We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things — a guide, a mercy, and glad tidings” (Qur'an 16:89). Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the final revelation to human beings, and as such contains a universal message.
Meccan and Madinian Chapters
During the first ten years of his mission, Muhammad and his small group of followers faced the opposition of the powerful, polytheistic Meccan tribes. The verses of revelation that came to Muhammad during this time mainly focus on matters of faith: they stress the unity of God, denounce idol worship, remind us of the messages of previous prophets, and encourage the believers to persevere in patience and constancy. These chapters of the Qur'an are called the Meccan Chapters.
After the Muslim community migrated to Madinah, the needs of the community changed. For the first time, the Muslims were able to organize a social system based in Islam. Thus, the focus of the revelation also began to shift. The chapters are longer, and they go into more detail about moral and ethical codes, criminal law, economic and state policy, and guidelines for relations with other communities. These chapters of the Qur'an are called the Madinian Chapters.
The Qur'an is composed of 114 chapters of varying lengths. The longest is 286 verses long; the shortest is merely three verses. The Qur'an is also divided into thirty equal sections, called juz (Arabic for “division” or “fraction”). These divisions make it easier for a person to read equal portions during each night of the month of Ramadan.
Overall Message
Throughout the text, the Qur'an tells stories and parables about previous prophets and peoples and the lessons that can be learned from them. It provides clear instructions about what is permitted and forbidden in our daily lives. It gives encouragement, calling upon believers to put their faith and trust in Allah and to be patient. It describes the character of righteous people as opposed to evildoers. It warns of the punishment to come for those who reject faith and wreak havoc on earth and sends messages of glad tidings for “believers, who do deeds of righteousness.” It calls upon people to ponder on the natural world and to wonder about the signs of Allah's creation. Above all, the Qur'an heralds Allah's mercy and perfect justice.
The Qur'an contains stories of past prophets, including many that have been mentioned in the Bible. Rather than focus on genealogies or long narratives, the Qur'an cites examples of righteousness and elaborates on the people's reactions to God's message. The fate of past nations is given as a warning to the believers not to make the same mistakes.
Style
There are various techniques used in the Qur'an to spark interest in the reader and drive points home. One common method is the use of parables. For example, when describing the great reward for people who spend money in charity, the Qur'an uses the corn seed as an example. Each seed of corn grows a plant with several ears, each of which has a hundred more grains (Qur'an 2:261).
More than 200 passages of the Qur'an begin with the Arabic word Qul (Say!), a direct command to the Prophet Muhammad. What follows is usually a legal ruling, a reply to a question, or an explanation of some matter of faith. The word is used to grab attention and highlight the importance of what is to follow.
Finally, the Qur'an uses repetition, one of the most powerful rhetorical techniques of the Arabic language. Repetition also allows the various themes of the Qur'an to wrap back to the common thread: that God is One and that in order for us to succeed in this life and the hereafter, we must follow His guidance. No topic is mentioned without relating it back to this central message.
the Holy Qur'an does not depend on time and place. Its brilliance and authority that illuminated the darkness of Arabia fourteen centuries ago continues unwaveringly to shine with its original splendor. Besides that, the passing of time, the advancement of science and the development of information have made it possible for us to understand it and take its advantages even more than the nations of former ages did. It is evident that what time and place cannot influence will continue to be everywhere in the world for eternity. It is also clear that a world-wide everlasting religion should have a world-wide everlasting document of legitimacy in its possession.
Not only with science. It is a book of history, philosophy, laws and many more. An unique book to guide the humanity.
Then we can discuss the Holy Qur'an :
from the point of modern science;
and the scientific explorations;
and the rotation of the Earth;
and reproduction in the plant kingdom;
and general reproduction in all the particles of the world;
and general gravity;
and the surrendering of the Sun and the Moon;
and the secrets of the creation of mountains;
and the advent of the world;
and the existence of life on other planets;
and the winds, the pollinator of plants;
and the question of the roundness of the Earth; (
And many other scientific facts and knowledge about the world can be found in the Holy Qur'an, too.
FULL - How to Read and Understand the Quran - Dr. Zakir ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etFQ1Iv6J-E
Topic: Scientists and ..........!