The Quran Study

Introduction

What is the Quran?
The most conventional answer is that the Quran is a book, which is not like most books. It is made up of words which contain truth and guidance for every human being, and Muslims believe that these are words revealed directly by God, in the Arabic language, to the last of His prophets and messengers, Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him).The Quran presents itself with several names and descriptions which are worth reflecting on. Here are just a few: Quran and Kitab (Recital & Writ): the first means something recited aloud, and the second means something written down. This describes the two main ways this scripture is experienced and which you can encounter on this website. Kalam Allah (Divine Speech): this means that these words are a direct communication from the Creator and Master of every living being. It occupies the highest level of authority for its believers, and it is clarified and supported by the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. While the language of this particular revelation was Arabic, we also had many translations into different languages, which helped us understand its meanings. Dhikr and Huda (Remembrance & Guidance): the Quran is used as a way to connect with God and keep Him in our hearts and on our tongues. It is also fundamentally a guide for our personal lives and for the life of the community and society. The Quran is the final revealed message which complements and completes earlier revealed scriptures, just as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the same essential message as the many prophets before him, including Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). The Quran clarifies what humanity needs to know from now until the Day of Judgment, and it will remain preserved from loss and distortion which affected previous scriptures in various ways. "This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.

What are some major themes in the Quran?
There are many themes and ideas explored in the Quran, but the major ones include: The Oneness of God The importance of worship and obedience to God The existence of an Afterlife and the Day of Judgment Guidance and wisdom for leading a righteous and moral life The creation of the universe and all living things The role of prophets and revelation in guiding humanity The consequences of good and evil actions The significance of social justice and fairness These themes are interwoven throughout the Quran and serve as a guide for believers on how to live their lives in accordance with the will of God.

How do we know the Quran is authentic?
The Quran does not demand blind belief, but instead it invites all human beings to study, reflect and follow the evidence. These are some of the broad aspects which lead Muslims to be convinced of the truth and accuracy of the Quran as the revealed Word of God:Historical: material and living evidence points to the fact that the Quran has been transmitted both orally and in writing from the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who announced at the age of forty (around 610 CE) that he was receiving revelation of these words from an angel sent by the One God. The content of this message together with the Prophet's impeccable character, integrity and credibility created a believing community, at first in Arabia, which carried the Quran to all parts of the world.Teachings: not only did the Quran create a revolution in the lives of the Arabs when it was revealed, but it continues to effect positive change for individuals and communities who follow its teachings. Together with the practical example and explanations of the Prophet ﷺ, the message is its own strongest proof that it comes from the Creator who knows what is best for creation. Miracles: the Quran declares itself inimitable, and those eloquent Arabs who at first opposed its message found themselves unable to meet the challenge to come up with anything like it. This points to what is known as the literary miracle of the Quran, which means a level of eloquence beyond human ability. However, there are many dimensions to what makes the Quran unique and miraculous, and more is discovered as human knowledge expands.

Can the Quran be translated?
The global Muslim population is vast and diverse, reflecting the richness of the Islamic faith and its adaptability to different cultural contexts. Muslims come from different ethnicities, cultures, and languages, and are spread across every continent in the world. It is estimated that there are around 2 billion Muslims worldwide. The majority of Muslims live in Asia, with Indonesia being the country with the highest number of Muslims, followed by Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. However, there are also significant Muslim populations in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.The Quran has been translated into over 100 different languages, and each translation can be considered its own interpretation of the original Arabic text. It is important to note, however, that the Quran is the word of God and is therefore sacred and unchangeable. As such, translations of the Quran are intended to convey the meaning of the original Arabic text as accurately as possible, but they may differ in their interpretation of certain passages.