The Holy Qur’an

Miracle of Miracles

What is the Qur’an?The Verbatim word of God

ر� ب�ي خ� ر� بي خ ن� د خ� ن� ب� ن� خ� ص� د� خ�� د� د� د� خ�ا �آ ن� خ� ب ن �د ب! خ#ا ب$ % ���

“…(This is) a Book, whose signs (ayaat) are made

decisive, then are they made plain, from the Wise, All-

aware” (11:1)

“…so indeed there has come to you clear proof from your Lord, and guidance and mercy” (6:157)

• Guiding the intellect through logical premises to sound conclusions

• (An example): The Argument for Creationism: “Were they created of nothing, or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create

the heavens and the earth…” (52:35)

A Book of GuidanceGuiding the Intellect

“…these are insights from your Lord and a guidance and a mercy for a people who

believe.” (7:203)

• The intellect acknowledges a realm beyond the material. However, it also acknowledges that it cannot fathom it completely.

A Book of GuidanceBeyond The Limits of the

Intellect

“O mankind! there has come to you indeed an admonition from your Lord and a cure

for what is in the hearts, and guidance and mercy for those who believe…” (10:57)

• The Qur’an argues that the only thing that prevents mankind from following their intellect are spiritual diseases.

• The Qur’an prescribes cures for these spiritual diseases.

A book of GuidanceSpiritual Purification

:) <م> ) ل و>س> BهB آل و> BهF >ي ع>ل IهJ الل ص>ل<ى BهJ الل IولIس ر> قال>Bن< إ و> IيدBح>ـدF ال I >صFد>أ ي >ما ك I >صFد>أ Bت ل FقIلIوب> ال BهBهذ Bن< إ

. BرآنIقF ال Iق>راء>ة >ها ج>الئ

The Messenger of Allah (prayers of Allah be upon him and his family) has said: “These hearts rust just as iron rusts; and indeed they are polished through the recitation of the Qur’an.”

Spiritual Purification

What is the Qur’an?Its Revelation and Compilation

◦The Holy Qur’an was compiled during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

◦ It was written in Arabic as it was revealed, using the exact words uttered by the Prophet, whom he in turn had received from Gabriel.

◦Gabriel would take the Words of God and ‘cast them upon the heart of Prophet Muhammad’

◦Same language, structure and wording maintained up till now

◦Composed of 114 surah (similar to chapters) and over 6000 ayat (literally signs)

The Authenticity of the Qur’anNo likeness to the Qur’an has ever

been produced

Therefore, there is only one version of the Qur’an worldwide today, used by all Muslims.

The Qur’an displays many scientific, numerical and historical miracles

( For more detailed information visit http://ihic.org.au/Book.aspx?id=69)

The Qur’an is Timeless and Universal

“This Qur'an has been revealed to me that I may warn you and whomever it may reach," (6:19)

“It is nothing else but a reminder to the worlds.“ (68:52)

Ayat 6:151-152

The Qur’an has an inner and an outer dimension

"And serve God and ascribe nothing as a partner to Him.”

4:36 

“…he who makes his desire his God.” 45:23

A Comparison with other Holy Books

The Qur’an’s approach is thematic, not chronological.

The role models the Qur’an presents are virtuous.

The Qur’an makes no claims that have been scientifically disproven or are logically impossible.

Clear and ambiguous ayat

General and Specific ayat

Abrogating and Abrogated ayat

Understanding the Qur’an

Clear and Ambiguous

د� خ� �د خ' ب! خ#ا ب ن� � د�) �د خ�� د( ب* خ�ا خ ن+ د� ب* خ�ا �آ د� ن, ب� خ! خ#ا ب ن� � خ- ني خ� خ. خ/ خ0 ن1 �خ ب3ي �� خ � خ4 د(ب5 خ, ن# ب6 ن� � خ7 خ8ا ب# ن9 � د� ن, ب� خ� خ9 خ:ا خ� خ�ا خ� د;4 ب� #� خ خي خ� ب> �ن خ= ن� ب< ب9 د�4 د? ب�ي خ� �ب3 �� خ � ��ا خ خ ا خ� % ب* خ<ا ب9 خ:ا خ# د�خ�,ا خ� �آ خ� د�4 4Bد �خ ب� ن� ب; ن� � ب�ي خ� 4Cد Dب ��� خ ��خ' % د� �� خ �� �Gا خ �Hب د� خ� �ب' ن ا خ� د� خ� ن; �خ خ�ا خ' % ب� ب� �ب' ن ا خ� خ7 خ8ا ب# ن9 �خ'

ب! خ�ا ن� خ ا Gن � د�4 '�د �Gا خ �Hب د� خ�$ خ�3 �خ خ�ا خ' % خ,ا ص9 Iخ ب ن, ب. ن� ب� Jب� د$ ب� ب9

Clear and Ambiguous

"He it is who has revealed to you the Book in which are clear revelations, (that is, verses whose meaning is immediately clear and which Muslims use for guidance). They are the substance of the Book and others which are allegorical. But those in whose heart is doubt indeed follow the allegorical seeking dissension by seeking to explain it. None knowest its explanation except God and those who are of sound instruction say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord.” (3:7)

Clear and Ambiguous

  Kى خ4 خ# Dن � Mب ن� خ; ن� � ى خ� خ. د� ىخ� ن �� خ � �"The Beneficent, One who is established on the throne," (20:5) 

خ- د�9 Iخ خ7 ا Oخ خ'"And your Lord came," (89:22)

  ب7 ني Pخ ب� ب� Qن ب� خ$ Rخ ني خ� "Nothing is as His likeness," (42:11)

General and Specific Ayat

ن� د Sب ىخ� ' �د خ' % ن� د( 4 د� د# ن6 Bب خ� Tد ني خ ن� د( 4 د� د# ن? � خ' ن� د( ' د3 Cد خ�  ا ن, ي ب� د� ا ن1 ا Vخ ن� Dد ن� ب< ني خ� خ. ن� د خ� ا خ, ن� خ; Oخ

“…then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given you a clear authority.” (4:91)

MisconceptionsDoes the Qur’an incite violence?oThe default option in the Qur’an is

always peace.oHowever, failing peace, war is endorsed,

with strict rules of warfare:o Peace treaties should be made if there is an

inclination to peace from the enemyo Peace treaties are absolutely upheldo Enemies who surrender are not to be harmedoMembers of the enemy’s army who decide to

become neutral (i.e. not join either side) are not to be harmed

General and Specific Ayat Bة< Fن FفBت Bل>ىال رIد~واإ م>ا Iل< Iواق>وFم>هIمFك م>ن

F >أ و>ي FمI Iوك م>نF >أ ي Fن< IرBيدIون>أ >جBدIون>آخ>رBين>ي س>ت

FمIوهIذIف>خFمIه< FدBي ي< Iف~واأ >ك و>ي >م> IمIالس<ل Fك >ي Bل FقIواإ Iل و>ي FمI Iوك >زBل >عFت >مFي BنFل ف>إ رFكBسIوافBيه>ا

I %أ  �ا Bين مIب �ا سIلFط>ان FمBهF >ي IمFع>ل >ك >ال Fن ج>ع>ل FمI Bك >�ئ ول

I و>أ FمIوهIمI >قBفFت ث IثF IوهIمFح>ي Iل %و>اقFت

“You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given you a clear authority.” (4:91)

Looking at the Qur’an as a WholeHow does the Qur’an portray

women?oThe story of Adam and Eve in the Qur’an:oEve is not created from Adam’s rib.oAdam and Eve carry an equal share of the

blame for disobeying God.oUpheaval of discrimination against

women in societyoFemale role models in the Qur’an:oMary (peace be upon her) has a revolutionary,

independent role in societyoChastity

Looking at the Qur’an as a Whole

oWomen’s rights:oStrict rules regarding divorce to protect

womenoClear rules of inheritance and rights of

ownership for women, giving women financial independence

oStrict rules on domestic life, including punishments for men who engage in physical and psychological abuse against women

Referring to the Ahlul Bayt

ن�  ب< ني خ� �Hب خ/ ص0 د1 ا خ� Wب ا خ�, � ب� خ� صي خ� د# ب� خ� ن$ ص3 � � خ- ني خ� �Hب ا خ, ن� خ0 ن1 �خ خ'خ� ' د� خ� خ6 خ# �خ ن� د< �� خ خ; خ� خ'

"And we have revealed to you the Remembrance that you may explain to mankind that which has been revealed for them…” 16:44

Reciting the Qur’an

:) ( Iالم الس< BهF >ي ع>ل طالBب� Bي ب< أ IنF اب ع>لBي~ Bين> FمIؤFمBن ال IيرBم< أ قال>

IرI ث Fـ >ك ت BيهBف و<ج>ل< ع>ز< IهJ الل Iر< IذFك ي و> FقIرآن> ال BيهBف I أ IقFر> ي <ذBي ال IتF >ي ب Fـ >ل أ BلFه< أل IيءBضI ي و> ياطBين> الش< Iه IرIجFه< ت و> Iة< Bك Fم>الئ ال Iه IرIضFح< ت و> Iه< >ت ك >ر> ب

. Bض Fر< األ BلFه< أل >واكBب> Fك ال IيءBضI ت >ما ك Bمآء الس<

Imam ‘Ali (as): “The house in which the Qur’an is recited and Allah, The Noble and Grand, is remembered will receive numerous Divine blessings (barakah), the Angels will be present, and the Satans will be distanced from there. In addition, that house will shine for the people of the sky, just like the stars shine for the people on the Earth.”

Reciting the Qur’an

:) Fش> ) ع>ي FمI د>ت ر>< أ Bذا إ <م> ل و>س> BهB آل و> BهF >ي ع>ل IهJ الل ص>ل<ى BهJ الل IولIس ر> قال>

>وFم> ي الظ»ل< و> Bة ر> Fح>سF ال >وFم> ي <جاة> الن و> Bه>داء الش~ م>وFت> و> Bع>داء الس~ Iالم< ك Iه> Bن ف>إ FقIرآن> ال وا Iس IرFد

< ف>أ Bة< الض<الل >وFم> ي FهIدى ال و> Bور IرIحF ال. BزانF FمBي ال فBي جFحان Iر و> BطانF ي الش< مBن> ز FرBح و> BمنFح الر<

Prophet Muhammad (saw): “If you want ease and success in this world, the death of a martyr, to be saved on the Day of Loss, a shade on the Day of heat, and guidance on the Day of straying, then take lessons from the Qur’an. Surely it is the word of the Merciful, a protection from the Satan, and one of the weightiest on the scale of (good) deeds (on the Day of Judgement).”

Reciting the Qur’an :) شاب ) و>هIو> FقIرآن> >ال ق>ر>أ Fم>ن Iالس<المBهF >ي ع>ل IقBادJح>م<د�الصIم IنF اب Iف>رFج>عIمامB قال>اإلو> Bر>ر>ة< Fب Bال FكBرام م>ع>الس<ف>ر>ةBال JهIع>ز<و>ج>ل< >هIالل و>ج>ع>ل BهBو>د>م BهBمFح< Bل ب IرآنIقF >ل>ط>ال BخFت مIؤFمBنإ

. Bيام>ةBقF ال >وFم> FهIي �ع>ن ح>جBيزا IرآنIقF كان>ال

Imam al-Sadiq (as): “One who recites the Qur’an and is a believing youth, the Qur’an becomes mixed with his flesh and blood, and Allah - The Noble and Great - will place him with the noble, devoted Angels. The Qur’an will act as a barrier (between him and all evil) on the Day of Judgement.”

Contemplating/Applying the Qur’an

:) خ���ا ) د خ� �Xب �خ�0 ب� �آ �Bد ن� � د* �ا�آ د) خ�]لا �� ب� ني خ� خ. ب� خ]ي د+ ن� � د� ن9 دي ب� خ. د) بHا�ا G� خ/ ?ا. ب�ي<ا �ا خ� د\ ن, خ� ن� �خ خ- خ� ب8ي خ� ن, �خ خ51 �خ�0 ن� خ+ خ# خ�

Imam al-Sajjad (as): “The verses of the Qur’an are treasures, and every time a treasure is opened up, it is desirable that you look at what is inside it.”

Contemplating/Applying the Qur’an :) ( Iالس<الم BهF >ي ع>ل IقBادJالص مIح>م<د� IنF اب Iف>رFج>ع IمامB اإل قال>فBيها BرآنIقF ال مBن> >ة� Bآي ب م>ر< Bذا إ FقIرآن> ال I أ >قFر> ي Fم>نB ل >غBي Fب >ن يو> جIوا Fر< ي ما Bك> ذل Fد> ن Bع Jه> الل >ل> أ Fس< ي Fن< أ >خFوBيف ت Fو

< أ >ة >ل أ Fم>س. Bع>ذابF ال مBن> و> BارJ الن مBن> Bة< FعافBي ال Iه< ل

< أ Fس< ي

Imam al-Sadiq (as): “It is advisable for the person who is reciting the Qur’an that when he reaches to a verse from the Qur’an in which there is a request for something that he ask Allah for that thing, or when he reaches to a verse of the Qur’an in which there is talk about the punishment, that he ask Allah for protection from the fire of Hell and the punishment.”

Studying the Qur’an :) ( Iس>نFح< <هIأ Bن ف>إ FقIرآن> >مIواال >ع<ل ت Iالس<المBهF >ي ع>ل BيطالBب� ب

< أ IنF Bين>ع>لBي~اب FمIؤFمBن مBيرIال< قال>أ

BورIالص~دIفاءBش Iه> Bن IورBهBف>إ Bن >شFفIواب اسFت و> BوبIلIقF BيعIال ر>ب Iه> Bن >ف>ق<هIوافBيهBف>إ ت و> BيثBح>دF ال. Bق>ص>صF Fف>عIال >ن أ Iه> Bن >هIف>إ Bالو>ت Iوات و>احFسBن

Imam ‘Ali (as): “Learn the Qur’an for it is the best of narrations, and understand it thoroughly for it is the best blossoming of the hearts. Seek cure with its Light for it is the cure of the hearts. Recite it beautifully for it is the most beneficial of narrations.”

Learning the Laws of the Qur’an

The Law of Tests

BسIفF >ن Fو>األBو>الFم< Fن>األBص�مFق< FجIوعBو>ن و>ال BفFخ>وF Bش>يFء�مBن>ال ب FمI <ك Iو>ن Fل >ب >ن و>ل

BرBين> >ش»رBالص<اب و>ب Bم>ر>ات> %و>الث

“And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient.” (2:155)

The Law of Gradual Seizure

>مIون> >عFل ي ال> IثF >دFرBجIهIمFمBنFح>ي >سFت >اس>ن Bن >ات Bآي Iواب >ذ<ب ك <ذBين> و>ال ÀينB FدBيم>ت >ي ك Bن< إ FمIه< مFلBيل

I و>أ

“And (as to) those who reject Our communications, We draw them near (to destruction) by degrees from whence they know not. And I grant them respite; surely My scheme is effective.” (7:182-3)

The Law of Reflection اGخ� �Hب خ� د�' د\ ن, �خ Jن خ< خ� % ب� ب� ن( خ ا ب9 �Gا خ �Hب د[ صي خ�] �� د� ن خ� ن� � د ب+ي �خ خGا خ' % ب[ صي خ�] �� خ� ن خ� خ' ب_ Iن خ ا Gن � ب�ي �Iن خ�ا ن ب# Dن �

نلا �ب4 ن+ خ� ب� �� خ �� ب� ,� خ د] ب� خ ب خ� ن� خ� خ' % نلا � ب ن� خ� ب� �� خ �� ب� ,� خ د] ب� خ ب خ� ن� خ� خ� % خ� ب�ي '� خ خ ا Gن � خ� ,� خ Dد

“(In) behaving proudly in the land and in planning evil; and the evil plans shall not beset any save the authors of it. Then should they wait for aught except the way of the former people? For you shall not find any alteration in the course of Allah; and you shall not find any change in the course of Allah.” (35:43)

The Law of Helping the Believers

>امBن> و >ق>مFن Fت ف>ان Bات< »ن >ي Fب Bال ب FمIوهIف>ج>اءFمBهBمFى�ق>و< Bل إ رIسIال� FلBك> ق>ب FنBام< Fن رFس>ل< أ Fق>د< ل

Bين> FمIؤFمBن >صFرIال >ان Fن >ي ع>ل ح>قÁا >ان> و>ك جFر>مIوا < أ <ذBين> %ال

“And certainly We sent before you messengers to their people, so they came to them with clear arguments, then We gave the punishment to those who were guilty; and helping the believers is ever incumbent on Us.” (30:47)

Helping Oppressors FنBمBه> الل BونIدFنBمFمI >ك و>م>ال Iار> الن IمI >م>س<ك >مIواف>ت ظ>ل <ذBين> Bل>ىال Iواإ >ن >رFك ت و>ال>

Fص>رIون> Iن ت ال> Iم< >اء>ث Bي وFل< أ

“And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the fire touch you, and you have no guardians besides Allah, then you shall not be helped.” (11:113)