The Qur’an is the holy scripture of Islam, it is the final testament and considered the word of God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel.
The Qur’an consists of 114 chapters (surahs) that encompass a wide range of topics, including guidance on faith, worship, morality, law, and personal conduct. All chapters, except one, begin with the phrase: “In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” The Qur’an emphasizes the oneness of God (Allah), as well as the importance of justice, compassion, and charity. It also contains stories of 25 prophets, such as Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Joseph, David, Salomon, and Jesus. Additionally, the Qur’an calls for spiritual reflection, patience, and humility in the face of life’s challenges. It teaches us what God expects of us and what awaits us after death.
The Qur’an is the most preserved book on Earth, remaining in its original form as it was revealed 1,400 years ago, with not a single word or letter added to it in its Arabic version. God promised in the Qur’an, that it will remain unchanged and unaltered by mankind until the end of time, with its preservation ensured through careful memorization and transmission by countless individuals throughout history. During the caliphates of Abu Bakr and Uthman, the Qur’an was compiled into a written text and standardized, and this consistency has been maintained over centuries and confirmed by ancient manuscripts like the Sana’a manuscript. Today, over 10 million Muslims have memorized the entire Qur’an in its original Arabic, word for word (all 77,000 words), earning the title of “hafiz,” and 2 billion Muslims worldwide have committed at least a portion of it to memory, using it in their five daily prayers. It is said that if all physical copies of the Qur’an were destroyed today, it would be restored in its entirety, exactly as it was revealed over 1,400 years ago due to the vast number of people who have memorized the entire Qur’an.
The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years:
The Quran was revealed over 23 years to allow its message to be gradually understood and implemented in the lives of the early Muslims, adapting to changing circumstances and challenges. This gradual revelation allowed for deeper reflection, a more profound impact on people’s hearts, and practical guidance in stages, addressing specific situations as they arose. It also gave time for the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to teach, clarify, and embody the Quranic teaching, making its message more accessible and impactful for the community.
The Arabic language contains over 12 million words:
The Arabs of the 6th and 7th centuries were masters of eloquence and rhetoric, and they were profoundly moved when they first encountered the Qur’an. This highlights that the Qur’an is inherently tied to its original Arabic form, and no translation can truly capture its full depth or convey its exact meaning. For this reason, many believe the Qur’an is, in essence, untranslatable.
The Arabic language contains over 12 million words, while English contains over 1 million words in all its forms, including technical terms, slang, and borrowed words from other languages. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), one of the most authoritative English dictionaries, includes over 600,000 words, and that should give you an idea of the richness of the Arabic Qur’an.
If you have read page 01 – “The Universe: God’s Creation or a Pure Accident? I provided six examples of scientific facts, some of which were only discovered in the 20th century. These examples clearly demonstrate why a man of the 7th century, who could neither read nor write, could never have produced such a work.
How to approach the Qur’an for the first time and what to expect?
Studying the Quran for the first time can be challenging for many, primarily due to the depth and richness of its language (the Arabic language), as well as the importance of understanding the historical context in which some verses were revealed.
For example verse: God does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” Qur’an 2:286. This verse was revealed in the context of the early Muslim community, who were facing great trials and burdens, particularly in relation to the new obligations of prayer, fasting, and other aspects of the faith. There was concern among the Muslims that they might be overwhelmed by the demands of these religious duties. This verse was revealed to reassure them that God would not place upon them anything that was beyond their capacity to handle, giving them comfort and hope.
The Qur’an doesn’t tell a story in order like a timeline. Instead, the verses are grouped by themes or topics. Each verse has a lesson or message, and while it talks about some historical events, it mostly focuses on the lessons we can learn from them, rather than telling the full details of the events in order.
The Qur’an uses repetition, and pictures in words to help teach important lessons. It helps people think deeply and understand things better. Instead of being like a regular storybook, the Qur’an is a guide that shows how to grow spiritually and live a good, moral life.
Seemi Ghazi, at University of B.C. instructor in Islamic literature and arts recommends for the first time reader not to start from the front cover but to rather go to some sections that are more accessible than others, such as passages like chapter 1 titled “The opening;” Chapter 12, titled “Joseph,” or Chapter 19, titled “Marie” or by going to the end of the Qur’an for the smallest chapters.”
Read the Qu’ran:
In my opinion, the best English translation can be found in the version by Wahiduddin Khan, edited by Farida Khanam. You can read and download it by clicking here.
It is said that if all physical copies of the Qur’an were destroyed today, it would be restored in its entirety, exactly as it was revealed over 1,400 years ago.