Quran is a Divine Revelation and a guide to true life
The Quran is a Divine Revelation, the holy and divine word of Allah Almighty, revealed to the final Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the guidance of humanity, from the time of its revelation until the Day of Judgment.
The Quran is the attribute of Allah and unlike any other book, it is not a creation.
It has always been there in the Lawh-e-Mahfooz (Preserved Tablet) and thus it is not changed or subjected to any corruption and therefore not even under the bad influence of devils.
But we do not know what form or what size the Quran was in its original state but yet we take that sense about it as we hear in the Quran and the Hadith.
Table of Contents
The Meaning of the Quran
Quran is derived through Arabic term Qara a which means the book that is read.
Quran is the read and recited book in the whole world as people read it routinely with millions of people reading the book even with no need of fully deciphering its meaning.
In many places in the Quran Allah himself has referred to his holy word as Quran Kareem (Al-Waqi: 77)
and Quran Majid (Al-Buruj: 21), which are references to the honor and importance of his word.
The Quran's Language and Purpose
The Quran revealed to them is in the Arabic language as Allah says: We have made it an Arabic Quran so that you may understand. (Yusuf: 2).
It is a book guiding all the humankind until the last time, and those who have Allah consciousness (taqwa) can really profit at its teachings.
This is the guidance that Allah gave to the believers in the Surah Al-Baqarah 2 and Surah Al-Imran 3:138 to the ones who will make an effort to present their lives as it is framed by the Quran.
The Revelation of the Quran: Methods of Divine Communication
The Quran is a Divine Revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through several methods, each designed to ensure the accuracy and clarity of Allah’s message:
- The Sound of a Bell: This is the first revelation process, in which a Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would hear a sound, resembling a sound of a bell. All the messages passed through this sound would be stuck in his mind. Such a kind of revelation placed major burdens of body and mind on the Prophet.
- Angel Jibril: Sometimes, angel Jibril (Gabriel), would come in the skin of a human being and pass the message of Allah to the Prophet. This form in many a time was that of Dahiya Kalbi (RA) who is a respected companion of the Prophet.
- Angel Jibril in his Original Form: Sometimes Jibril (AS) would come in his true form, the angel to deliver the revelation to the Prophet (PBUH).
- Speaking directly to Allah: the greatest example of revelation was in the Miraj (Ascension), when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) addressed Allah. This invasion was also the occasion of creating the duty of prayer (Salah).
- Revelation to the Heart: In certain instances the angel Jibril (AS) might communicate the message of Allah to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and he never showed his physical presence to him.
Each of these methods exemplifies that the Quran is a Divine Revelation, delivered in various ways to ensure its preservation and clear transmission to humanity.
History of the Revelation of the Quran: A Divine Guide for Humanity
The Quran is a divine revelation Which was revealed in the blessed night of Laylat al-Qadr in the month of Ramadan, which was sent down by Allah.
It was first brought out to the world through the Preserved Tablet (Lawh-e-Mahfooz), and then it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) slowly over around 23 years.
The earlier parts of the Quran to be made were the verses of Surah Al-Alaq in the cave of Hira at the age of 40, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was.
It was followed by a break of three years when no revelation was provided after the first one. It is after this time that the same angel that visited Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the cave of Hira appeared again and made him reveal the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddathir.
After this, the revelation of the Quran came bit by bit until the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Overall, within the span of a period of nearly 23 years, it was the whole Quran that was revealed as the guidance of humankind.
Protection of the Quran: Safeguarding the Divine Revelation
As explained above the Quran was not revealed in the one go. Rather, verse by verse, it was as it were unveiled according to the condition and requirements of the occasion.
One of the foundations to Live According to Islam is preserving and understanding the Quran, which began with its memorization.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was himself to recite words of revelation continuously to make sure he was not forgetting.
Allah then sent revelation which assures the Prophet that he should not be in a hurry in repeating the verses since Allah would give him strong memory and therefore he would never forget anything in it.
Therefore, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been considered as the first Hafiz of the Quran.
It is recorded each Ramadan the Prophet (PBUH) would review the Quran with Angel Jibril (AS). He re-read it two times in the same year he died.
As part of teaching how to Live According to Islam, the Prophet not only explained the meanings of the Quran to his companions but also ensured they memorized its words.
The companions were so passionate about learning that they would compete in memorizing and recitational recital of Quran especially at the night prayer time.
Preservation of the Quran through Writing
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also wanted to make sure that even the future generations could also understand the Quran in order to Live According to Islam by making the Quran in writing.
He would then issue orders to specific scribes to record the verses and put them in their right order in the surahs after each revelation.
It was at this moment that the unavailability of paper made Quran be written in stones, leather parchments, palm fronds, bamboo, leaves and animal bones.
Other great scribes of revelation were; Zaid bin Thabit (RA), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, Ubay bin Ka’b (RA), Zubair bin Awwam (RA) and Muawiya bin Abi Sufyan (RA).
These manuscripts were distributed in different materials but they were the basis of storing the Quran.
Collection of Quran in Caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA)
When a considerable number of Hafiz of the Quran were killed in the Battle of Yamama Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) encouraged Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) to Safrma Quran into a single book to preserve it as those who wished to Live According to Islam referred to it.
This was critical, and it was left to Zaid bin Thabit (RA), the scribe that the Prophet trusted.
He collected the Quran meticulously with the certified written scraps and read-by-mouth and made it correct over certain generations in the future.
The Standardization of the Quran During the Caliphate of Uthman (RA)
By the time Uthman bin Affan (RA) was made the Caliph, Islam had reached as far to the ends of the earth.
The companions were taught Quran in different Qiraat (recitations), and in a different way taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). When however, the recitations came to be varied, like in different places, there was a question as to how the recitations were to be recited.
To preserve unity in faith and to honor the fact that the Quran is a Divine Revelation, Uthman (RA) ordered all existing written copies of the Quran to be gathered.
He assigned Zaid bin Thabit (RA) and his associates to come up with standardized copies. These were then sent to key areas of the Islamic empire and this made sure that the reciting of these texts remained the same in the Muslim Ummah.
Then, to make it easy on the readers, diacritics (Zabar, Zer, and Pesh) have been introduced, and the Quran was split into 30 Juzs to make recitation without difficulties enjoyable, at least during prayers.
These measures guided toward keeping the Divine Revelation of the Quran as pure as possible.
Rewards of Memorization and Recitation of the Virtues of the Quran
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) remarked that, the one who is a scholar on the Quran, the one who had enough knowledge of the Quran and also recites it frequently will be brought back to life on the Judgment Day along with the angels. (Bukhari)
And he (pbuh) said: On the Day of Judgment the reciter of the Quran will be directed, say: Recite, and go up to a position in Paradise, and recite slowly as you did in the world. A person will be as well up as the last verse they recite. (Muslim)
Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) said: Who hears the Quran and practices it, his parents will be awarded a crown of the Day of Judgment which light will be brighter than even the sun.
Suppose that the sun used to be in your house: how do you suppose the man who followed that up? (Abu Dawood)
These hadiths affirm that the Quran is a Divine Revelation not only to be preserved but to be lived, recited, and acted upon for immense rewards in this life and the next.
Learning the Quran: Reflection and contemplation in the Quran
It is our responsibility to ponder over the Quran but this pondering should be in the context of the preachings of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Allah states in Quran:
This is that Book whereof We have made thee a reader, that thou mayest make known to mankind that which hath been revealed to them, and that owing to that (it may become clear to them). (An-Nahl: 44)
This is a book which WE have sent down to thee, that thou mightest explain to them some of the things wherewith they are at variance. (An-Nahl: 64)
The Allah has clearly mentioned in these verses, that the first person to interpret the Quran was the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The explanation of the laws to the Muslim community and the rulings of the Quran was the task of the Prophet (PBUH). We are very sure that it was prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who discharged this responsibility to the best of his abilities both in words and deeds.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sayings and deeds are the most dependable source of the understanding of the Quran.
This treasure of knowledge that has been transmitted through the generation through the companions (Sahaba), followers (Tabi’in) and the followers of the followers (Taba Tabi in) is a very indispensable and reliable asset of the Muslim Ummah. Thus, it is impossible to interpret Quran without Hadith.
Topics of the Quran: A guide of believing and doing things as well as stories
There are many parts which are classified by the Islamic scholars based on the themes of the Quran. Although the information is quite voluminous, the simplified classification of the Quranic topics is the following:
- Beliefs (Aqeedah)
- Laws (Ahkam)
- Stories (Qasas)
Generally, Quran offers rudimentary tenets of these subjects. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explains the details of the beliefs and laws that can be found in the Hadith of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Subsequently, without the Hadith it is not possible to read the Quranic themes in full, because the Quran complements the Hadith.
The Quran and Our Responsibility
The holy scripture, Quran shall act as a lighthouse since Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH) up to that end of times judgment day.
Allah has created Quran so detailed that it encompasses faith (Imaniyat), worship (Ibadat), social values, economics and rules of the societies. But its specifications are frequently present in the Prophet Hadith (PBUH).
It is sad that the affiliation we have to this book is becoming weaker.
The Quran is now bound to covers of books and shelf-candy in our shelves and mosques which we do not even follow by reciting them regularly or by introspection or practice of whatever it preaches.
The modern Muslim is so much interested in the competition of worldly achievements to the extent that not only do we not understand the Quranic principles but even the customary recitation has become a common phenomenon.
We are so preoccupied with the worldly periods of education of our children, paying our exclusive attention to the modern sciences, and having this time-bound world as the first-order priority, we do not anticipate the eternal life, which is after that.
It is also important that we reconnect ourselves with Quran and Hadith not only in our case but also in the case of our children, family, neighbors as well as our friends.
We should also make sure that we recite the Quran regularly and make an attempt to learn its teachings by consulting with scholars.
We should make it our mission to incorporate ourselves and our families as incorporating the life of the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as we know it.
The contemporary education has become so important today that it is not even teaching the children about basic recitation of the Quran.
They are busy doing school work, projects, and exams among other things in the world but we struggle to have time to study the word of Allah.
It is important that we should not forget that Quran is the word of God, a revelation of Allah, and a guiding message. Allah has promised those who read and understand the Quran to get great rewards.
May Allah help all us in reading, comprehending and performing the Quran and Hadith. Ameen.
conclusion
The Quran is a Divine Revelation, sent by Allah Almighty to guide humanity until the Day of Judgment.
It is a timeless, unaltered, and miraculous message, preserved in the Preserved Tablet and revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through various divine methods.
The Quran covers every aspect of life—faith, worship, laws, and moral guidance—and cannot be fully understood without the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) as explained in Hadith.
While its preservation through memorization and writing has kept it intact for generations, our connection with it has weakened in modern times.
We must return to regular recitation, reflection, and implementation of the Quran in our lives and those of our families.
The Quran is not just to be read, but lived. It is our responsibility to honor this divine gift, seek knowledge from scholars, and ensure the next generations understand its message. May Allah guide us to live by the Quran and Sunnah. Ameen.
