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The Glorious Quran is the Book of Allah,
the Wise and Worthy of all Praise, Who has promised to safeguard it from any
violations in its purity. It becomes incumbent upon each and every person who
seeks the dignity of this world and the bliss of the Hereafter to regulate his
life according to it, to implement its commandments and to pay homage to the
magnificence of the One Who revealed it. This can be an easy task for those
favoured with guidance from Allah, especially those blessed by an understanding
of Arabic, the language of the divine communication. But for those not
acquainted with Arabic, their ignorance is a barrier between them and this
source of guidance and illumination. A translation of the message of Allah is
thus a task not to be take lightly or performed superficially.
Before the reader begins to study the
Quran, he must realise that unlike all other writings, this is a unique book
with a supreme author, an eternal message and a universal relevance. Its
contents are not confined to a particular theme or style, but contain the
foundations for an entire system of life, covering a whole spectrum of issues,
which range from specific articles of faith and commandments to general moral
teachings, rights, and obligations, crime and punishment, personal and public
law, and a host of other private and social concerns. These issues are discussed
in a variety of ways, such as direct stipulations, reminders of Allah's favours
on His creation, admonitions and rebukes. Stories of past communities are
narrated, followed by the lessons to be learned from their actions and
subsequent fates.
The Quran enjoys a number of
characteristics unique to it alone, some of which are as follows:
1. It is the actual Word of Allah; not
created but revealed for the benefit of all mankind.
Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion
To His servant, that it may be An admonition to all creatures.
2. It is complete and comprehensive. The
Almighty says:
Nothing have We omitted from the Book.
In another place we read,
And We have sent down to thee The Book
explaining all things.
3. It is a theoretical and practical
Book, not only moralising but also defining specifically the permissible and the
forbidden. The importance of understanding the message of the Quran is
undeniable, but simply reciting it with the intention of seeking Allah's
pleasure and reward is also an act of worship and meritorious in itself. Allah
Almighty says:
So take what the Prophet gives you
And refrain from what he prohibits you.
4. Allah has perfected His religion for
all mankind with the revelation of this Book. He says:
This day have I perfected your
religion for you, Completed my favour upon you and have chosen For you Islam as
your religion.
5. It is Allah's eternal miracle
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad for all succeeding generations. In response to
those who doubt the authorship of the Quran, Allah Almighty has challenged the
most articulate Arabs to produce a whole book, ten chapters or even one solitary
chapter which can be remotely comparable to the Quran. But to this day, no one
has succeeded in meeting the challenge of the Almighty. The critics of the Quran
have been struck dumb by its ineffable eloquence and surpassing beauty.
Say, if the whole of mankind and
jinns Were to gather together to produce the Like of this Quran, they
could not Produce the like thereof; even if they Backed up each other with help
and support.
The Almighty also says:
Or they may say: he forged it. Say:
Bring ye then ten chapters Forged, like unto it and call (To your aid)
whomsoever ye can Other than Allah, if ye speak The truth.
And again:
Or do they say: he forged it?
Say: Bring then a chapter like Unto it and call (to your aid) Anyone ye can
besides Allah,If it be ye speak the truth.
6. It has been revealed to revealed to
re-establish the sincere worship of Allah alone, without association of any
partners with Him.
This is a Book with verses basic or
Fundamental (of established meaning), Further explained in detail--
From One who is Wise and Well-Aware. (It teaches) that you should worship
None but Allah.
And they have been commanded no more
Than this: to worship Allah, Offering Him sincere devotion, being true In faith,
to establish regular prayer And to give Zakat, and that is The religion Right
and Straight.
7. It contains a complete code which
provides for all areas of life, whether spiritual, intellectual, political,
social or economic. It is a code which has no boundaries of time, place, or
nation.
Verily this Quran doth guide To
that which is most right.
8. Allah Almighty has taken upon Himself
the duty of preserving the Quran for ever in its entirety, as He says:
We have without doubt sent down
The Message, and We will assuredly Guard it (from corruption).
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