The Characteristics of the Quran

From: http://quranicteachings.co.uk/characteristics.htm

The following characteristics have been mentioned in the Qur'an along with the word 'Qur'an':

1. It is the right guidance or way or course or direction or manner or mode or conduct for the whole mankind [hudan lilnnas]
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
(2:185)

2. It is clear and manifest as far as the guidance is concerned [bayyinatin mina alhuda]
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
(2:185)

3. It makes a separation or distinction between truth and falsity [alfurqan]
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
(2:185)

4. It has no discrepancies or contradictions
أَفَلا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلافًا كَثِيرًا

Will they not then, ponder over the Quran? If it were from other than Allah they would surely have found in it much discrepancies. [4:82]

According to the above verse, if the Quran had been from anyone other than Allah, there would surely have been much discrepancy in it. Since it is from Allah, there cannot be any discrepancy in it. But the condition is TADABBUR which means:

-Pondering over something while giving careful consideration to its consequences.

-Pondering over (a plan) considering the state of affairs that it would achieve.

The verse 4:82 also gives one principle for the understanding of the Quran, i.e. if there seems any apparent contradiction in the interpretation of any two verses, this may be because we have interpreted any one of the verses incorrectly. There should be more pondering over the verses and any other related verses or concepts and the verses should be re-interpreted until there is no discrepancy between the verses and also the interpretation is not against the rules of the Arabic.

5. It has no crookedness, deceit or deviation form rectitude
قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِي عِوَجٍ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ

"(It is) a Qur'an in Arabic, plain and clear, without any crookedness deceit or deviation form rectitude (therein): in order that they may preserve yourself. "[39:28]

6. There is nothing in it that may cause any doubt, suspicion, evil opinion, disquiet, disturbance, or agitation of mind [larayba feehi]
وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
(10:37)

7. It is the Divine Prescript, Appointment, Ordinance, or Judgment that is explained in detail making it clear, plain and manifest [tafseela alkitab]
وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
(10:37)

8. It guides to the way or course or direction or manner or mode or conduct that is the most stable, even, straight, right and direct.

إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ
[17:9]

9. It puts forth examples of every manner or model [of conduct] so that people take admonition and be mindful.
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

"We have put forth for men, in this Qur'an every kind of Parable or similitude or example [of conduct or manner of behavior], in order that they may receive admonition and be mindful. "[39:27]

10. The purpose of its revelation is not to cause hardship or distress of any sort
مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى
[20:2]

11. It is endowed with exhortations and admonitions that give eminence, nobility and honour to its followers
ص وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ
[38:1]

12. It is a decree or ordinance (Faraz)
إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَى مَعَادٍ قُلْ رَبِّي أَعْلَمُ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْهُدَى وَمَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلالٍ مُبِينٍ

"Surely, the One who decreed or ordained the Quran for you will summon you to a predetermined appointment. Say, "My Lord is fully aware of those who uphold the guidance, and those who have gone astray."[28:85]

13. It is a book whose verses provide complete detail, of the clear and plain Arabic Proclamation, to people who have knowledge [41:3]

14. It is from "rabbi alAAalameen" , which means,

it is from the Rabb [who brings things into existence, nourishes, sustains, maintains, regularizes and directs them from their earlier state to that of ultimate completion and perfection] of all the worlds

وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
[10:37]

15. It is from the One who is the Most Wise and the Most Knowledgeable
وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى الْقُرْآنَ مِنْ لَدُنْ حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ
[27:6]

16. It is not such a thing as can be produced by someone other than Allah. If it were the case, it would have been something improper and devoid of good.
وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
[10:37]

17. Allah, Himself, is its Teacher
عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ
[55:2]

18. Allah has made it easy to understand, learn and remember
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ
[54:17, 54:22, 54:32, 54:40]

19. It is a confirmation of the previous Divine Books
وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
[10:37]

20. It gives the Glad Tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness.

إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
[17:9]