What is the Quran (Koran)?

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The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) is the word of the Lord of the Worlds, which Allah revealed to His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), to bring mankind forth from darkness into light:

“It is He Who sends down manifest Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may bring you out from darkness into light

[Surah (Chapter of) al-Hadeed 57:9 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

Allah has told us in the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) the stories of the earlier and later generations and the creation of the heavens and the earth. He has explained in detail what is halaal and what is haraam, the basics of good manners and morals, the rulings of worship and dealings with others, the lives of the Prophets and the righteous, and the reward and punishment of the believers and disbelievers. He has described Paradise, the abode of the believers, and He has described Hell, the abode of the disbelievers. He has made it (the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) an explanation of all things:

“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims)”

[Surah (Chapter of) al-Nahl 16:89 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) explains the names and attributes of Allah and what He has created. It calls us to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day:

“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say,) ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ — and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)’”

The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) describes the Day of Judgement and what will happen after death – the resurrection, the gathering, the judgement and being brought to account. It describes the Cistern, the Siraat (bridge over Hell), the Balance [in which deeds will be weighed], the blessings and torment, and the gathering of mankind on that great Day:

“Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Surely, He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. And who is truer in statement than Allah?
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Nisaa’ 4:87 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) calls us to examine and ponder the signs of Allah in the universe and the verses of the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran):

“Say: ‘Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth’”
[Yoonus 10:101 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

“Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran), or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?”
[Muhammad 47:24 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) is the Book of Allah for all of mankind:

“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself; and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad) are not a Wakeel (trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian) over them”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Zumar 39:41 – English interpretation of the Quranic Verse]

The Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) confirms the Books which came before it, the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel), and it is a witness over them, as Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures)”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Maa'idah 5:48]

After the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) was revealed, it became the Book for all of mankind until the Hour begins. Whoever does not believe in it is a kaafir who will be punished with torment on the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“But those who reject Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), the torment will touch them for their disbelief (and for their belying the Message of Muhammad)”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-An’aam 6:49]

Because of the greatness of the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) and the signs, miracles, parables and lessons contained therein, in addition to its eloquence and beautiful style, Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“Had We sent down this Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Hashr 58:21]

Allah has challenged mankind and the jinn to produce something like it, even one soorah or one aayah, but they could not do that and will never be able to do that, as Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“Say: ‘If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur’aan (Quran / Koran), they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another’”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Israa’ 17:88]

Because the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran) is the greatest of the heavenly Books, the most complete, the most perfect and the last of them, Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to convey it to all of mankind, as He says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“O Messenger (Muhammad)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Maa'idah 5:67]

Because of the importance of this book and the ummah’s need for it, Allah has honoured us with it. He sent it down to us and has guaranteed to preserve it. Allah says (English interpretation of the Quranic Verse):

“Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’aan (Quran / Koran)) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)”
[Surah (Chapter of) al-Hijr 15:9]

From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri (www.islam-qa.com)

Content provided courtesy of Islam Q&A www.islam-qa.com