The document discusses the nature and structure of the Holy Quran from the perspective of a new reader. It explains that the Quran is different from other books in that it does not have an organized structure, and deals with topics in a nonlinear way. However, it has an overarching central theme of guiding humanity to the right path. The document also provides context on how the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and compiled into the form it exists in today.
The document discusses the nature and structure of the Holy Quran from the perspective of a new reader. It explains that the Quran is different from other books in that it does not have an organized structure, and deals with topics in a nonlinear way. However, it has an overarching central theme of guiding humanity to the right path. The document also provides context on how the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and compiled into the form it exists in today.
The document discusses the nature and structure of the Holy Quran from the perspective of a new reader. It explains that the Quran is different from other books in that it does not have an organized structure, and deals with topics in a nonlinear way. However, it has an overarching central theme of guiding humanity to the right path. The document also provides context on how the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and compiled into the form it exists in today.
The document discusses the nature and structure of the Holy Quran from the perspective of a new reader. It explains that the Quran is different from other books in that it does not have an organized structure, and deals with topics in a nonlinear way. However, it has an overarching central theme of guiding humanity to the right path. The document also provides context on how the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and compiled into the form it exists in today.
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HOLY QURAN –
A UNIQUE BOOK OF GUIDANCE FOR HUMANITY Problems of New Reader of Holy Quran Problems of new Reader • Holy Quran is a unique book quite different from other books one reads. • Quran does not contain information, ideas and arguments about themes arranged in some order. It has no chapters and sections or sub-sections like a book. • Instead Quran: • Deals with beliefs • Gives moral instructions • Lays down laws • Invites people to Islam …Problems of new Reader • Warns disbelievers and wrong doers • Draws lessons from historical events • Gives good news for future • In Quran, the same subject is repeated in different ways • One topic follows the other without any apparent connection • Sometimes a new topic crops up suddenly in the middle of a topic • The speaker and the addressees; and the direction of the address change without notice • Historical events are presented but not as in history book …Problems of new Reader • Problems of Philosophy and Metaphysics are treated in a manner different from our textbooks • Man and Universe are mentioned in a language different from that of the Natural Sciences • Quran follows its own method of solving cultural, political social and economic problems, which is quite different from the method of our sociologists • It deals with the principles and commands of law in a manner quite different from our lawyers and jurists • Morality is taught in a way which has no parallel in the whole literature …Problems of new Reader • That is why a new Reader of Quran is totally puzzled. He starts feeling that: • All these things are contrary to his pre-conceived concept of a book • This is a book without an order or interconnection • It deals with miscellaneous topics in illogical way • It has been given form of a continuous book though it was not a book • These objections are also raised by Enemies of Islam Understanding Quran Understanding Quran In order to understand Quran thoroughly, it is essential to know: •the Nature of this Book, its style, its terminology, its methodology (of explaining things), and background & circumstances of every passage revealed •its Central Theme, and •its Aim and Object Nature of Quran Quran, which is a Divine Guidance revealed on Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) claims that: • Almighty Allah who is the Lord of the Universe, its Creator, Master and Sovereign created Man • He gave him power of learning, speaking, understanding and distinguishing right from wrong and good from evil • He granted him freedom of choice, freedom of will and freedom of action خ ف • He appointed him as His Vicegerent ( ) ل ي ہon Earth and instructed him to live in accordance with His Guidance …Nature of Quran He also made it clear to Man that: • He should worship and obey Him and none else • He is being sent to Earth for a fixed period for test • After that he will have to return to Him. Then He will judge the deeds he did in the world. • If he works according to His guidance, then he will have peace in this world and will win the home of eternal bliss and joy (in the Hereafter). • And if he follows any other course, he will have His disfavor in this world and eternal sorrow in the Hereafter • After this warning, He sent Adam and Eve to Earth. Brief History of Humanity • After sending Adam and Eve to Earth, Allah gave them Guidance (Islam) according to which they and their descendants (children) were to live. For some time they obeyed Allah’s commands • But after some centuries, by and by, people left this straight path of Islam. They lost the Guidance and adopted crooked ways to make their own laws which suited their prejudices and lusts. Thus they filled Allah’s Earth with evils. • Then Allah sent a series of Prophets for their Guidance in different periods and in various parts of the world. This process continued for quite some time. …Brief History of Humanity • Finally Allah sent His last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) to fulfill the same mission. Like previous Prophets, he also invited the people to follow the right path (Islam). He organized the people in a community which followed Divine Guidance and subsequently reformed the whole world which had gone astray
The Holy Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) contains this Invitation and Divine Guidance Subject and Central Theme of Quran • The subject Quran deals with is HUMAN BEING. • The Central Theme of Quran, which runs throughout this Book is: – Exposition of Reality, and – Invitation to the Right Path based on Reality Central Theme of Quran • According to Quran: All theories contradictory to this Reality, invented by people about Allah, Universe, Man, and his relation with Allah and the rest of His creation are all WRONG and MISLEADING Aim and Object of Quran The aim and object of Quran is to invite MAN to that Right Path and to present clearly the Guidance which he has lost because of his negligence and wickedness Quran – a complete and perfect Book If we keep this aim and object of Quran in mind, we find that: •It is a complete and perfect Book, with no gap in the continuity of its subject. •It is not irrelevant anywhere with regard to its subject, central theme and aim. •The aim of Quran is to guide Man; and not to teach Nature Study, History or Philosophy. Therefore, it does not concern itself with these subjects. Quran – a complete and perfect Book The only thing with which it is concerned is: •To explain Reality •To remove all misunderstandings and misconceptions about Reality •To impress the Truth upon minds •To warn the people of the consequences of wrong attitudes, and •To invite humanity to Right Path. That is why it leaves out unnecessary and irrelevant details and turns over and over to its central theme. How Quran was revealed on Muhammad (S.A.W) • Quran was not revealed as a complete book at the same time. • It was revealed in pieces, in the form of speeches, to suit the guidance of the Islamic Movement that was started by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). • In early phase of Movement, Makki Surahs were revealed. They give basic knowledge of Reality and Morality; and provide answer to common misunderstandings. These Surahs are small in size with short sentences having very fluent and effective language with convincing arguments. …How Quran was revealed on Muhammad (S.A.W) • After 13 years, Islamic Movement entered into a new phase when it found a new center in Madinah Munawwarah. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) along with his fellows migrated to Madinah where he was able to establish an Islamic Welfare State. • In these totally changed conditions, Madani Surahs were revealed. Some of them are warnings to enemies of Islam, while some contain strict laws to be followed by Muslims. …How Quran was revealed on Muhammad (S.A.W) • Main subjects covered by Madani Surahs are: – Principles and methods of organizing a community, building up a state and constructing a good civilization. – Dealing with hypocrites, unbelievers and people of the book تاب ( )اہلك. ِ – Obligations (duties) of Muslims as vicegerent of Allah. – Warning the Muslims of their weaknesses and preparing them to sacrifice their lives in the way of Allah. – Teaching them moral lessons which they needed in • defeat and victory, • prosperity and adversity, and • War and peace …How Quran was revealed on Muhammad (S.A.W) • The revelation of Quran started with the beginning of the Islamic Movement and continued for 23 years. • Different portions of Quran were revealed according to the requirements of the various phases of the Movement. • Hence a book like this cannot have the kind of uniformity of style which is followed in formal books on Religion. • That is why the same things are repeated over and over again as long as the Movement remains in the same phase. • It is, therefore, wrong to seek the style of a formal book or that of college lectures in Quran. Sequence of Quran • The present order and sequence of Surahs and verses was arranged by Holy Prophet himself under the guidance of Allah. • Whenever a Surah or a part of Surah was revealed, Holy Prophet called one of his Writers and dictated the same word by word and asked him to place it in such and such Surah after such and such verse. • Thus the sequence of Quran was completed as soon as the last verse of Quran was revealed on Holy Prophet. • This is wrong to say that this sequence was arranged by Prophet’s successors. Compilation of Quran • During the life of the Prophet, many of his Companions memorized Holy Quran. • After Prophet left this world, many Huffaz were martyred in wars. Hence Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (RA) decided to compile Quran in form of a book. • This work was assigned to Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit, one of the senior and most trustworthy Writer of the Holy Prophet. He performed his duty with extra effort and care. Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar both closely supervised him. • In this way Quran was given the form of a book in the same sequence as finalized by Holy Prophet himself. …Compilation of Quran • Later, Hazrat Usman (RA) sent copies of this script (in standard Quraish dialect) to various libraries. • There is no doubt about the fact that the Quran which is now in use all over the world today is the exact copy of the same Quran which was compiled by Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (RA); and which was circulated by Hazrat Usman (RA) to various libraries of Islamic Centers in different countries of the World. Why different Interpretations of Quran?
A question arises: Why there are so many differences
in various Interpretations ( )ت فاسيرof Quran? The answer is: Quran is not against healthy difference of opinion in its interpretation provided that: a.There is agreement on basic principles of Islam among those who differ, and b.They remain united within the fold of Muslim Community …Why different Interpretations of Quran?
Quran is against those kind of
differences which start with: Self-worship and Crookedness and lead to: Disputes and Sectarianism SOURCE For details, please see:
