what is the qur'an
Allāh The Almighty revealed the Noble Qur’ān to our Prophet, and the best example to be followed, Muhammad ﷺ in the best of times and the most honourable of months, the month of Ramadān. Allāh says:
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).
Its revelation was during the greatest night of the nights of Ramadān, the Night of Decree.
“Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." [Al-‘Alaq, 96:1-3]
He sent His Messenger – peace be upon him – with it to convey the message, that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allāh, and spread the religion. He said:
"this Quran has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach."
And to bring people out from the darkness of disbelief, polytheism, and idolatry to the light of Islam and faith. Allah says:
"(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad ﷺ) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of belief in the Oneness of Allah and Islamic Monotheism) by their Lord's Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise."
Allah Almighty has favoured the tremendous Qur’ān over other previous books and made it abrogating (over them), trustworthy in highness and a witness) Allah, the Exalted, says:
"And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur'ān) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures).
From the greatness of its status and majesty, if it had been sent down upon the solid mountains, they would have crumbled.
"Had We sent down this Qur'ān on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect."
And He The Mighty and Majestic challenged both mankind and jinn to produce the like of it, even if they and joined in forces for that purpose.
'Say: "If mankind and the jinns were all together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."
The Noble Qur’an is miraculous in its style and guidance, rich in its meanings and implications, precious in its treasures and truths, alive in its texts and instructions, strong in its aims and purposes. Muslims have embraced it throughout different stages of history, reading and contemplating upon it.
They examined its texts and reflected on them, explained its verses and clarified its laws. They discussed its guidance, extracted its treasures, and harvested its fruits. Scholars, interpreters, and those who reflect on it have taken from it in every century and documented it in every era. And by the grace of Allah, the Qur’an stil remains capable of giving. Its treasures are precious and never-ending, its source is abundant and generous, its shade is expansive and lasting. Its lights continue to shine brightly, even as time passes and years stretch on.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allāh be pleased with him) described the Noble Qur’an:
"It is the Book of Allah. In it is the news of those before you, and the information about what will come after you, and judgment regarding what happens between you. It is decisive and not to be taken lightly. Whoever abandons it out of arrogance, Allah will break him. And whoever seeks guidance elsewhere, Allah will lead him astray. It is the firm rope of Allah, it is the wise reminder, it is the straight path, and it is the one that desires will not deviate by, nor will tongues become confused by it nor do scholars ever have their fill of it. It does not wear out from repeated recitation, and its wonders never cease. When the jinn heard it, they did not stop until they said: 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur'an, which guides to righteousness, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.' Whoever speaks by it speaks the truth, whoever acts upon it will be rewarded, whoever judges by it has judged justly, and whoever calls to it is guided to the straight path."
Imam Al-Ajurri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"Do you not see, may Allah have mercy on you, how your generous Lord encourages His creation to contemplate His words? Whoever reflects on His words comes to know the Lord, the Almighty, and comes to know His immense sovereignty and power, and comes to know His great favor upon the believers. They understand what is required of them in terms of worshipping Him, so they commit to what is obligatory. They heed what their generous Lord has warned them about and seek what He has encouraged them toward. Whoever has this character when reciting the Qur’an or listening to it from others will find it as a healing. They will become self-sufficient without wealth, gain honor without a tribe, and find comfort in what others find discomforting. Their concern when beginning a chapter is: 'When will I take heed of what I am reciting?' Their concern is not: 'When will I finish this chapter?' Rather, it is: 'When will I understand the message from Allah? When will I be admonished? When will I learn a lesson?' This is because reciting the Qur’an is an act of worship, and worship cannot be done in a state of heedlessness."