What is the Holy Quran?

What is the Holy Quran?

The Holy Quran is God’s final message and scripture to mankind through his final messenger, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) in the year 570 C.E. 1400 years ago. The Quran is the exact word of God, as revealed to the Prophet. It was revealed in two forms: 

• Instantaneous Revelation: the essence or spirit of the message of the Quran was revealed to the heart of Muhammad on Laylat al Qadr (Arabic: لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ) – the Night of Destiny 
• Gradual Revelation: scripted over the 23 years of the Holy Messenger’s prophetic mission.

God sent His messengers with clear proofs to affirm their message and claim to prophethood. Earlier prophets were given miracles such as turning a staff into a serpent, curing the blind, or parting the sea. Yet these miracles were bound to their time and place; they can no longer be witnessed today. By contrast, the Holy Quran is not only the final revealed scripture but also an everlasting miracle. It stands as such because of its compelling reasoning, logical proofs, accurate prophecies, and insights into the natural world.

Consider Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp): an orphan who grew up far from centers of knowledge and culture, who never attended a school or penned a line. In such circumstances, he brought forth a text of unmatched eloquence and profound depth. The Quran establishes a complete way of life, addressing matters of faith, law, ethics, history, morality, human rights, family and social relations, and much more. Fourteen centuries later, even after a technological revolution, modern science continues to affirm truths the Quran conveyed—such as the rotation of the earth, the dual nature of plants, the movement of tectonic plates, and the creation of human life from the union of sperm and egg. These and other discoveries continue to be documented in works on the Quran’s scientific miracles.

The Holy Quran remains a living miracle: revealed nearly 1,400 years ago yet enduring in its relevance today. With its blend of spiritual guidance and practical wisdom, it continues to lead humanity toward fulfillment and happiness in this life and the next.

The following are some data points regarding the Holy Quran:

• 114 chapters, each called Surah (Arabic: سورة)
• 6,236 verses, each called Ayah (Arabic: آية)
• 77,439 words, each called Kalimah (Arabic: كلمة)
• 323,071 letters, called harf (Arabic: حَرْف)
• To facilitate reading progress, the Quran has been conveniently divided into 30 parts, each called Juz’ (Arabic: جُزْءْ). Each Juz’ is further divided into 2 sub-parts, called Hizb (Arabic: حزب).

Samples of God sayings:

• (112:1–4): “Say, ‘He is God, the One. God is the All-embracing. He neither begat, nor was begotten, nor has He any equal.” It is all about oneness and monotheism. It is the essence of Islamic creed – belief in one God, without partner or equal.
• (21:107): “We did not send you except as a mercy to all the nations”. It is about Mercy for All Creation. Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy to all humanity, across time and place.
• (2:256): “There is no compulsion in religion: rectitude has become distinct from error. So whoever disavows the Rebel and has faith in God has held fast to the firmest handle, unbreakable. And God is all-hearing, all-knowing”. It is about Freedom of Belief. Faith must be based on choice, not coercion.
• (17:70): “Certainly We have honoured the Children of Adam, and carried them over land and sea, and provided them with all the good things, and given them a marked preference over many of those We created”. It is about human dignity. Every human being is honoured in creation, regardless of race, gender, or faith.
• (16:90): “Indeed God enjoins justice and kindness, and generosity towards relatives, and He forbids indecency, wrongdoing, and aggression. He advises you, so that you may take admonition”. It is about Justice and Kindness. Justice is a central pillar in Islam, with kindness and generosity encouraged beyond justice.
• (49:13): “O mankind! Indeed We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes that you may identify with one another. Indeed the noblest of you in the sight of God is the most Godwary among you. Indeed God is all-knowing, all-aware”. It is about Diversity and Mutual Recognition. Diversity is divinely intended, to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.
• (2:83): “…and speak kindly to people, and maintain the prayer, and give the zakat…”. It is about how to treat people with a high attitude. Islam calls for kindness in words and good conduct toward all people.
• (7:56): “Do not cause corruption on the earth after its reform, and supplicate Him with fear and hope. Indeed God’s mercy is close to the virtuous”. It is about Avoiding Corruption. It is a call to protect the earth, uphold justice, and promote goodness.
• (53:39): “That nothing belongs to man except what he strives for”. It is about Personal Responsibility. Each individual is accountable for their own efforts and actions.
• (5:2): “… Cooperate in piety and Godwariness, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And be wary of God; indeed God is severe in retribution”. It is about Cooperation in Goodness. 
• (9:71): “The believing men and believing women are allies of one another: they bid what is right and forbid what is wrong, and maintain the prayer, give the zakat, and obey God and His Apostle. It is they to whom God will soon grant His mercy. Indeed God is all-mighty, all-wise”. It is about Mutual Support. In Islam, men and women share the same spiritual responsibilities and moral duties.
• (2:228): “…And due to them is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is fair; and the men have a degree over them. And God is all-mighty, all-wise”. It is about Equal Rights and Responsibilities. Women have rights similar to their obligations, and both genders are bound by fairness in their dealings.
• (4:19): “…Consort with them in an honourable manner; and if you dislike them, maybe you dislike something while God invests it with an abundant good”. It is about Kind Treatment. Husbands are commanded to live honourably with their wives and treat them with respect and patience.
• (19:51): “And mention in the Book Moses. Indeed he was exclusively dedicated [to God] and an apostle and a prophet”. And (3:45): “When the angels said, ‘O Mary! God gives you the good news of a Word from Him whose name is Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near [to God]”. It is about honoring other prophets such as Moses and Jesus as a chosen servant of God and a noble prophet.
• (3:42): “And when the angels said, ‘O Mary, God has chosen you and purified you, and He has chosen you above the women of all the nations”. It is about Mary’s Purity. Mary is honoured as one of the most virtuous women in history.
• (60:8): “God does not forbid you in regard to those who did not fight you because of religion and did not expel you from your homes, that you should be kind to them and deal with them justly; indeed God loves the just”. It is about Kindness Toward Peaceful Non-Muslims. Islam encourages fairness and kindness toward those of other faiths who live peacefully with Muslims.

For further reading about the Holy Quran, click here.