The Quran:The Quran:

An Introduction to An Introduction to

Islam’s Holy BookIslam’s Holy Book

One of the Divine ScripturesOne of the Divine Scriptures

The Quran mentions several prophets’ holy The Quran mentions several prophets’ holy scriptures, which Muslims acknowledge, respect scriptures, which Muslims acknowledge, respect and accept as truth. However, the complete, and accept as truth. However, the complete, original text of each scripture has been lost, original text of each scripture has been lost, except for the Quran.except for the Quran. Scripture of AbrahamScripture of Abraham Torah – revealed to Moses Torah – revealed to Moses Psalms of DavidPsalms of David Gospel of JesusGospel of Jesus The Quran The Quran

The Quran is considered the “Last Testament”The Quran is considered the “Last Testament”

The RevelationThe Revelation

The Quran is not an “inspiration” that The Quran is not an “inspiration” that prophet Muhammad shared in his own prophet Muhammad shared in his own words, but it is a verbatim message that words, but it is a verbatim message that was conveyed to Muhammad, who was conveyed to Muhammad, who communicated the message to his communicated the message to his community. The exact wording, community. The exact wording, pronunciation, and order of verses are pronunciation, and order of verses are essential elements that comprise – essential elements that comprise – uncompromisingly - the divine message.uncompromisingly - the divine message.

DocumentationDocumentation

During the course of 23 years, prophet During the course of 23 years, prophet Muhammad received Quranic verses as spoken Muhammad received Quranic verses as spoken addresses (“sound files”) from God. Muhammad addresses (“sound files”) from God. Muhammad then recited it so that it could be memorized then recited it so that it could be memorized exactly as he related it, and it was also recorded exactly as he related it, and it was also recorded in writing.in writing.

    Before he died, Prophet Muhammad specified Before he died, Prophet Muhammad specified

the order of verses and the division of chapters.  the order of verses and the division of chapters. 

PreservationPreservation

The original Quran is still The original Quran is still preserved until today, without preserved until today, without alteration. There is only one alteration. There is only one version of the Quran, and version of the Quran, and careful measures are taken careful measures are taken that prints and reprints of the that prints and reprints of the Quran in Arabic are Quran in Arabic are authenticated by authoritative authenticated by authoritative bodies for accuracy. bodies for accuracy.

It is the most widely printed book in the world.

UniquenessUniqueness

The Quran is written in first person from God’s point of The Quran is written in first person from God’s point of view. He relates events from His own personal view. He relates events from His own personal knowledge.knowledge.

Muhammad is addressed with instructions such as Muhammad is addressed with instructions such as “They ask you about… Say [to them]…” Muhammad “They ask you about… Say [to them]…” Muhammad is also encouraged and sometimes gently reproached is also encouraged and sometimes gently reproached in the Quran.in the Quran.

Mankind in general is addressed with invitations to Mankind in general is addressed with invitations to believe in God and mould life around that belief, and believe in God and mould life around that belief, and they are informed of the consequences of accepting or they are informed of the consequences of accepting or rejecting God’s invitation.rejecting God’s invitation.

Believers are addressed with specific instructions on Believers are addressed with specific instructions on how to achieve both temporal and eternal success.how to achieve both temporal and eternal success.

Organization Organization

At first glance, the Quran appears unorganized, At first glance, the Quran appears unorganized, fragmented and unpunctuated.fragmented and unpunctuated.

It is a divine revelation; necessarily it exceeds It is a divine revelation; necessarily it exceeds human conceptions of organization. It begs human conceptions of organization. It begs further study and contemplation.further study and contemplation.

The organization of the Quran develops thought The organization of the Quran develops thought processes of logic, sequencing, deduction, processes of logic, sequencing, deduction, intuition, assimilation and abstraction.intuition, assimilation and abstraction.

Reciting and memorizing it develops memory, Reciting and memorizing it develops memory, enunciation and self-expression.enunciation and self-expression.

PurposePurpose

The Quran’s purpose is to inform people of The Quran’s purpose is to inform people of a reality beyond their five senses and their a reality beyond their five senses and their perceptions of space and time. perceptions of space and time.

With the additional perspective it offers, the With the additional perspective it offers, the Quran also invites people to adopt a Quran also invites people to adopt a lifestyle that ensures ultimate happiness lifestyle that ensures ultimate happiness and success.and success.

Finally, through stories and instruction, it Finally, through stories and instruction, it describes the beliefs and practices that are describes the beliefs and practices that are essential to achieve that state.essential to achieve that state.

ThemesThemes

Verses were revealed to address particular Verses were revealed to address particular situations, to relate historical information and to situations, to relate historical information and to codify Islamic law.  Common subjects are:codify Islamic law.  Common subjects are: Descriptions of GodDescriptions of God Stories of prophetsStories of prophets Descriptions of believers and disbelieversDescriptions of believers and disbelievers Promises of God’s rewards, especially Paradise Promises of God’s rewards, especially Paradise Warnings about consequences for rebellion toward GodWarnings about consequences for rebellion toward God Instructions for personal conductInstructions for personal conduct Guidelines for familial and social relationsGuidelines for familial and social relations Framework for international relations.Framework for international relations.

Status and usageStatus and usage Being an oral revelation first and foremost, the devout Being an oral revelation first and foremost, the devout

Muslim learns how to recite the holy scripture as it was Muslim learns how to recite the holy scripture as it was revealed.  revealed. 

They also study the meaning of the words, verses and They also study the meaning of the words, verses and chapters, and there are encyclopedic works of this chapters, and there are encyclopedic works of this nature.  Arabic is a rich language, and words of the nature.  Arabic is a rich language, and words of the Quran have great depth and breadth. Quran have great depth and breadth. 

Muslims also study the occasions of revelation, the Muslims also study the occasions of revelation, the relation of the holy text to prophetic traditions, the relation of the holy text to prophetic traditions, the application of principles by renowned scholars and application of principles by renowned scholars and rulers, and the general principles that have timeless rulers, and the general principles that have timeless application.application.

The printed Quran is revered as a book and is treated The printed Quran is revered as a book and is treated with respect. It is not considered casual reading or with respect. It is not considered casual reading or handled like an ordinary book.handled like an ordinary book.

TranslationsTranslations There are many translations of the Quran.  In English, There are many translations of the Quran.  In English,

there are probably about 20 in print today and each one there are probably about 20 in print today and each one has its merits and faults.  has its merits and faults. 

We cannot call a translation “the Quran” but only an We cannot call a translation “the Quran” but only an approximation of the meaning of the Quran. The Quran is approximation of the meaning of the Quran. The Quran is an Arabic-language literary masterpiece both technically an Arabic-language literary masterpiece both technically and aesthetically.  It is impossible to portray its rhythm, and aesthetically.  It is impossible to portray its rhythm, rhyme, depth of denotation and subtlety of connotation in rhyme, depth of denotation and subtlety of connotation in another language. another language.

The best English translations have the accompanying The best English translations have the accompanying original text in Arabic so that it can be consulted. original text in Arabic so that it can be consulted. (Unfortunately, the original scripts of the Bible are missing, (Unfortunately, the original scripts of the Bible are missing, which makes authentication and study of the book which makes authentication and study of the book difficult). difficult). 

The Quran and the BibleThe Quran and the BibleMany of the stories of the Bible are related Many of the stories of the Bible are related

in the Quran, but the Quran serves to in the Quran, but the Quran serves to correct information that has been correct information that has been misrepresented in some way, either misrepresented in some way, either through loss, error or intentional alteration through loss, error or intentional alteration of the original scripture.of the original scripture.

Stories of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Stories of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mary, as well as 22 other prophets, occur Mary, as well as 22 other prophets, occur throughout the Quran.throughout the Quran.

SummarySummary

The last divine scripture known to man.The last divine scripture known to man.Recorded and preserved until today in its Recorded and preserved until today in its

original form, which is widely available.original form, which is widely available.From God’s point of view.From God’s point of view.Relates information beyond usual bounds.Relates information beyond usual bounds.Richness and depth makes accurate Richness and depth makes accurate

translations impossible.translations impossible.Relates stories familiar to Biblical texts.Relates stories familiar to Biblical texts.

The Quran:The Quran:

An Introduction to An Introduction to

Islam’s Holy BookIslam’s Holy Book