This is an introduction to a series of talks focusing on the themes of the different chapters (Surat) in the Quran.  This introduction highlights some attributes of the Quran as Allah’s final message to mankind.

Introduction

The Quran includes 114 chapters that are called Surat (سورة). The term Surat is derived from the word “Sur” (سور) that means “fence”.  This implies that the Surat is like a fence that encircles its content which are called Ayat (أيات).  Ayat which are translated as verses.  An Ayah (verse) (أية) in Arabic means a sign from Allah to mankind.   Since the Arabic words, Surat and Ayah, convey deeper meanings than the words chapter and verse, I plan to mostly use the Arabic words.

Validating the Divinity of the Quran

The Quran is a unique scripture.  Its authenticity and divinity can be examined using scientific approaches including the falsification test. This test implies that anyone who proposes a theory should identify tests to validate it.   The general relativity theory was proposed by Einstein in 1915 but was only accepted by the scientific community when he identified three tests to prove its validity. The three tests were:

1. Planet Mercury does not return to the same spot every time it completes its elliptical orbit.
2. Light rays are bent near a massive body.
3. Time dilates in a gravitational field, meaning that clocks run slower as they approach the mass that is producing the gravity field.

The Quran offered the following falsification tests:

1. You will never find an error or a contradiction in it.
2. You will never find someone who would be able to produce a Surat similar to any of its.

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا

“Do they not ponder on the Quran?  Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found discrepancies in it.” (4:82).

وَإِن ڪُنتُمۡ فِى رَيۡبٍ۬ مِّمَّا نَزَّلۡنَا عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِنَا فَأۡتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ۬ مِّن مِّثۡلِهِۦ وَٱدۡعُواْ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ (٢٣) فَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفۡعَلُواْ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ‌ۖ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ (٢٤)

“If you are in any doubt about what We have revealed to our servant, then produce a Surat (Chapter) like it and call in your supporters other than Allah, if you are so truthful. (23)  But if you do not – and surely you cannot – then heed the fire whose fuel is mankind and stones that has been prepared for the disbelievers ” (Al-Baqara 2:23-24). 

قُل لَّٮِٕنِ ٱجۡتَمَعَتِ ٱلۡإِنسُ وَٱلۡجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتُواْ بِمِثۡلِ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لَا يَأۡتُونَ بِمِثۡلِهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ۬ ظَهِيرً۬ا (٨٨)

“Say.  If the entire mankind and the jinn were to get together to come up with the like of this Qur’an, they would not come up with anything like it, even if they were supporters of one another” (Al-Isra 17:88)

While the style, artistic and aesthetic qualities of the Quran stunned the Arabs during the life of the Prophet, miracles of the Quran are inherent in its content.  The Quran includes Ayat addressing topics in many scientific fields (e.g.  geology, astronomy, botany, biology, anthropology, sociology, meteorology, history, geography, etc.) that were not known during its revelation.

The words used in the Ayat (verses) of the Quran were so carefully selected so that they describe the scientific information very accurately to a specialist in the subject field. Yet, they did not cause any confusion to a layperson.  No other book can be read, understood, and be equally beneficial to laymen and experts. No other book has been read by the same person 100s of times and yet is still exciting to read every time.

The Divine Preservation of the Quran

The Quran is divinely protected and thus no entity in the universe can ever change a single letter in it. The Quran is preserved by several means including:

1. First, in paper and digital forms
2. Second and the most important is in the heart/brain of those who memorize it.

The amazing feature of the Quran is that Allah has facilitated its memorization to many, and this does not exist for any book in the world. Imagine if a natural disaster happens and the entire paper and digital records of all world books are destroyed.  People will never be able to replicate an exact copy of any book but the Quran.  The reason is that the Quran is the only book in the world that is memorized verbatim from its first letter to its last by several millions of Muslims around the world and thus new copies can be easily replicated. This is a fulfillment of Allah’s promise that He will preserve it as He said:

إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ (٩)

Indeed, It is We Who sent down the Dhikr (the Qur’an) and surely, We will preserve it. (Al-Hijr 15:9)

 لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ) سورة فصلت (.

“No falsehood can approach it from its front or from its behind: it is sent down by the All-Wise, the Worthy of all Praise.” (Fusulat 41:42)

 إِنَّهُ ۥ لَقُرۡءَانٌ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬ (٧٧) فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مَّكۡنُونٍ۬ (٧٨) لَّا يَمَسُّهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ (٧٩) تَنزِيلٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

It is indeed a noble Qur’an (77) In a Book kept well protected (78) Which none touches it but the purified ones, (79) A revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. (Al-Waqia 56:77-80)

Why Allah Preserved the Quran

There are many reasons why the Quran was preserved by Allah; these include:

1. Finality

Prophets were sent to specific people for certain time and then be followed by other prophets to renew Allah’s message. But Allah decreed that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will be his last prophet and the Quran will be His last message to mankind.  Allah said:

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا (٤٠)

“Mohammad is not a father of any of your men, but he is a messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets.  And Allah has the knowledge of everything,” (Al-Ahzab 33:40)

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا ڪَآفَّةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا (٢٨)

“And We have not sent you (O Mohammad) but to the entire mankind, as a bearer of good news and as a warner.” (Saba 34:28)

Therefore, Allah’s last message requires special protection which cannot be left to mankind to do it.

2. Universality:

All previous messengers were sent to specific groups and their message was of a local nature and thus its applicability would be limited.  As an example, the messenger who preceded Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was Jesus (PBUH) who clearly stated that he was only sent to Bani Israel, as he said: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  (Matthew 15:24)

 Therefore, the responsibility of preserving such messages were left in the hand of those to whom the message was sent.

But, in the case of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Allah decreed that the message that he will receive will be His last message and it will be universal and directed to all mankind as Allah said and commanded Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) to declare:

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا ڪَآفَّةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا

“And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to the entire mankind, as a bearer of good news and as a warner.” (Saba 34:28)

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيۡڪُمۡ جَمِيعًا

“Say: O Mankind I am a messenger from Allah to all of you. ” (Al-Araf 7:158)

Therefore, it is logical that Allah would decree that this universal and final message will be protected by Him.

3. The integration of the miracle and the message

 All Allah’s Messengers preceding Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) were provided with messages and were supported with physical miracles to convince their people that they were messengers from Allah.  In the case of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) the message (the Quran) that he received was the miracle to prove his truthfulness as Allah’s messenger.  Therefore, the preservation of the Quran is critical not only to ensure the accuracy of Allah’s final message but also to prove to all people the truthfulness of Prophet Mohmmad as Allah’s messenger. This responsibility of preserving the message and the miracle cannot be ensured except by Allah.

4. Comprehensiveness

Unlike the previous divine messages that were revealed to specific people, the Quran is revealed for all people until the end of time.  Therefore, it is a comprehensive message that is independent of time, place, and culture.   Allah says regarding the Quran:

وَنَزَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ تِبۡيَـٰنً۬ا لِّكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُدً۬ى وَرَحۡمَةً۬ وَبُشۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (٨٩)

“And We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy and Glad Tidings for the Muslims.” (Al-Nahl 16:89)

أَفَغَيۡرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبۡتَغِى حَكَمً۬ا وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ إِلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مُفَصَّلاً۬‌ۚ (١١٤)

[Say] “Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while it is He Who has sent down to you the Book (the Quran) with detailed explanations.  (Al-Anaam 6:114)

Since the true understanding of many of the knowledge in the Quran will be discovered by people at different times, its text must remain intact to allow reaffirming its miracle as people advance in knowledge.  The preservation of the text can only be assured by Allah because if it was left for people, they would have adulterated it whether intentionally or unintentionally, as was done in all previous revelations to incorporate their selfish interest and/or to reflect their understanding at that time, as Allah informed about what happened to previous revelations.

وَإِنَّ مِنۡهُمۡ لَفَرِيقً۬ا يَلۡوُ ۥنَ أَلۡسِنَتَهُم بِٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ لِتَحۡسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ (٧٨)

“And verily, among them (the people of the book) is a group who distort the book by twisting their tongues, so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: “This is from Allah,” but it is not from Allah; and they tell lies about Allah knowingly.” (Al-Emran 3:78)

مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلۡكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ

“Among the Jews there are those who distort the words from their contexts. ” (Al-Nisa 4:46)

5. Reference for all past revelations

Realizing that past revelations have been adulterated by people, the last message from Allah to mankind is intended to serve as the reference and the criterion to verify the divinely revealed text from the humanly falsified text in in past revelations.    Allah says:

 وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقً۬ا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَمُهَيۡمِنًا عَلَيۡهِ‌ۖ ۚ (٤٨)

We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them. [Al-Maeda 5:48]

تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا (١)

Blessed is He Who sent down the criterion (this Qur’an) to His slave that he may be a warner to the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinn). (Al-Furqan 25:1)

 إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ

Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most straightforward. [Al-Isra 17:9]

The Quran serves as the standard to validate the accuracy of any information in past revelations.  Therefore, it must be preserved by Allah who can assure its absolute preservation.

6. Preservation of the Quran cannot be trusted to any group including Muslims

Allah entrusted the preservation of previous revelations to their followers, and they have failed.  Could Muslims been able to preserve the Quran?  My answer is absolutely not.  The number of fabricated hadith that creeped into the Islamic references supports my answer.  If the Quran was left to them, there would no assurance against the deletion of some verses and the inclusion of fabricated ones.

Despite that no one could have added or removed any verse from the Quran, some have propagated a devious plan to create doubt about the Quran as eternal document whose teachings are valid for all times and places.  This has been the idea behind the existence of abrogation in the Quran.  This is no more than an unholy plan to create suspicion about the Quran’s completeness and the finality of its rules by suggesting that there are three types of abrogation in the rules of the Quran:

1. Abrogation of the ruling but preserving the divine text (نسخ الحكم و بقاء التلاوة)
2. Abrogation of the divine text and preserving the ruling (نسخ التلاوة و بقاء الحكم)
3. Abrogation of the ruling and abrogation of the divine text (نسخ الحكم ونسخ التلاوة)

The issue of abrogation in Quran is totally rejected on the basis of the falsification test that was previously mentioned:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا

“Do they not ponder on the Quran?  Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found discrepancies in it.” (Al-Nisa 4:82).

The abrogation supporters claim that some verses are abrogated to eliminate what appears to be contradictions and conflicts in the rulings and instructions in the Quran. Certainly, there are no contradictions or conflicts in the Quran. The verses they reference are there to cover special cases or certain occasions.

If Allah did not guarantee the preservation of the Quran, it would have been feasible for Muslims to modify the original text of the Quran to satisfy their erroneous concept of abrogation.   But because this could not be done, some have introduced another devious idea, proposing that the hadith can abrogate the Qur’an.  Since the hadith can be fabricated, this would allow changing the divine rules in the Quran without physically modifying its verses.

Why the Quran is Revealed in the Arabic Language

Obviously, the message that any of Allah’s messengers received needs to be in the language that is spoken by the Messenger and his people and in case of Prophet Mohammad he spoke Arabic.  Allah says:

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوۡمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمۡ‌ۖ

“We did not send any messenger but (to teach) in the language of his people, in order to make (things) clear to them.” (Ibrahim 14:4)

But the Question that is often raised is why Allah chose Arabic to be the language of His final message to mankind while most of the people do not speak Arabic.  In order for Allah’s final message to be universal, the vehicle for it must be in a language that have special attributes.  Some of the unique attributes of the Arabic language include:

1. The Arabic language allows for the brevity of the text and allows for expanding the message in each verse as people advance in maturity and knowledge. The Arabic language packs a number of ideas in the least number of words. A single statement can have many messages embedded in it. This way, the Quran will continue to reveal new meanings/interpretations over time in order to accommodate mankind progress and the continuous change human needs across the globe.
2. The Arabic language has the largest number of roots compared to any other language. The Arabic language has 16,000 roots while the Hebrew language has 2,500 and the English language has 1,000.
3. The Arabic language is the clearest in pronunciation because every letter in a word is pronounced. One can slowly read a word by sounding every letter separately without creating discomfort to the listener.
4. The Arabic language is an original language that has not been derived from other languages. The Aramaic and Canaanite languages (اللغة الارامية و اللغة الكنعانية) that were the basis for the Hebrew language were derived from the Arabic language.
5. The vocabulary of the Arabic language is extremely rich and so also the number of derivatives from the same root. A word can have many meanings and an object can have many names. As an example, the word (عين) has over 50 meanings (e.g., eye, spring, spy, chief, value, etc.) and the object (أسد) (lion) has over 300 names with every name presenting a different condition for the lion such that one name cannot replace another without changing the message about the lion.
6. While the vocabulary of the Arabic language is extremely rich, it has no synonyms, and this makes it impossible to fabricate the Quran because you cannot replace a word with a similar one without changing the meaning.
7. Some of the scientific miracles in the Quran are related to differentiating between the male and female and the Arabic verbs allow for such differentiation. As an example, Allah uses the feminine verb when speaking in Surat Al-Nahl (16:67-68) about the bees that make the honey. The discovery that honey is only made by the female bees was made in 1,737 which is over 1,000 years after the Quran made this assertion.
8. No other language was provided with the atmosphere and conditions to grow and develop like the Arabic Language. The greatest intellectual accomplishment of the Arabs was their poetry. Despite pre-Islamic Arabs being highly skilled in Arabic, the most eloquent Arabs found the Qur’anic diction unmatched.
9. There is a speculative unique advantage of the Arabic language that may be proven essential for translating the Quran to other languages and this is related to the nature of the acoustic signal created when reciting the Quran properly. Could this signal be converted to an electrical signal as is done by the ear for the brain to interpret.  Could this electrical signal be translated to other languages to provide an exact translation of the Quran.

The Approach of Studying the Quran

1. The Methodology

The Quran is a message from Allah to mankind.  Its purpose is to communicate with everyone on a personal level.   Understanding the Quran requires that one ponders, deliberates, contemplates, and analyzes its Ayat (verses).  Allah says:

 كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ)  ص(

“(This is) a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they should ponder over its Verses, and those endowed with understanding may remember. “   (Sad 38:29)

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا )محمد(

Will they not ponder over the Quran or are there locks on the hearts.” (Mohammad 47:24)

It is really encouraging to know that Allah has promised to teach and make the Quran clear to us if we are truthful about our serious commitment to study it.  Allah said:

وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ۬

“Have Taqwa and Allah will teach you and Allah is all knowing of all things.” (Al-Baqara 2:282)

 Allah promised to help anyone who struggles to study the Quran, as He said:

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (سورة العنكبوت(

“Those who struggle to reach Us, We will guide them to Our ways and surely, Allah is with those who excels.” (Al-Ankabout 29:69)

2. The Quran includes many books

In Surat Al-Bayinah, Allah points out that the Quran includes many valuable books:

لَمۡ يَكُنِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأۡتِيَہُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَةُ (١) رسُولٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ يَتۡلُواْ صُحُفً۬ا مُّطَهَّرَةً۬ (٢) فِيہَا كُتُبٌ۬ قَيِّمَةٌ۬ (٣)

Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) and the polytheist were not about to change (from their wrong belief) until there comes to them clear evidence (1) A Messenger from Allah, reciting (the Qur’an) purified scrolls (2) Containing valuable books. (Al-Bayinah 98:1-3)

This means that the Quran is an assembly of many books.  To learn a topic from the Quran, you must assemble all the verses related to the topic to establish a coherent picture on the subject.  Therefore, one should never use one verse, without assembling all the verses related to it and harmonizing them to ensure unity.  It is helpful in this integration to consider the context of the events at the time of revelation.  Without knowing the unified message and the context, misunderstanding of the proper meaning can result.

Allah warns those who fragment the comprehensive message of the Quran by saying:

وَقُلۡ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلنَّذِيرُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ (٨٩) كَمَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡمُقۡتَسِمِينَ (٩٠) ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُواْ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ عِضِينَ (٩١) فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسۡـَٔلَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ (٩٢) عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ (٩٣

And say: “I am indeed a plain warner.” (89) Such as We send down for those who make division, (90) Those who break the Qur’an into parts. (91) So, by your Lord, We shall question all of them, (92) Of what they used to do. (Al-Hijr 15:89-93)

3. The Two types of verses

The Quran contains two types of verses: Mohkamat (Concise) and Motashabihat (Ambiguous and open for interpretation). The Mohkamat are the foundation for the articles of belief and the basis for Jurisprudence.   The Motashabihat are allegorical in nature and their meanings and interpretations are affected by culture and human development.   Allah says in Surat Al-Imran:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ۬ مُّحۡكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ۬‌ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٌ۬ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦ‌ۗ وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ وَٱلرَّٲسِخُونَ فِى ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَا‌ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ (٧)

 “He is the One Who sent down the Book to you, wherein are clear unambiguous verses (ayat) that are the essence (Literally: the mother) of the Book, and others ambiguous (multiple-meaning, allegorical). So, as for those in whose hearts is swerving, they follow the ambiguous parts seeking confusion and seeking their interpretations. But none knows their (ultimate) interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; all of it is from our Lord.” And none is truly mindful but those who are endowed with intellects.” (Al-Imran 3:7)

4. Definition of Quranic Terms

Meanings and definitions of words/terms in the Quran are best interpreted by their use in the Quran.   Arabic Lexicon should be used when a term has been used in the Quran only once. The Quran includes 77,449 words, only 1620 words came only once in the Quran.  When interpreting these unique words using the Arabic Lexicon, one needs to differentiate between the common meaning (الراجح) and uncommon meaning (المرجوح). The interpreter cannot use the uncommon meaning unless there is a major justification for it such as avoiding attributing to Allah something that is not proper if one uses the common meaning.

5. The Need for Additional Knowledge

Verses that are related to natural sciences are best understood by experts in the related subjects.  Major injustice occurs when some Islamic scholars insist on freezing the interpretation of verses referring to natural sciences to those made by early scholars when the scientific knowledge was still in its infancy.  This is a misguided approach as stated by the great Maliki jurist Imam Al-Qarafi who said: “The stagnation in interpreting the meanings of the text is misguided and leads to misguidance”.

6. The Character of the Student of the Quran

Only those who have pure heart and are conscious of Allah will be able to benefit from the Quran.  The Quran highlights this important requirement in its beginning as Allah says:

ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَ‌ۛ فِيهِ‌ۛ هُدً۬ى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ

This is the book (the Quran) , in it a sure guidance for those who are God Conscious. (Al-Baqara 2:2)

The purification of the soul of the student of the Quran is a prerequisite to ensure a level of honesty and sincerity that inhibits the person from manipulating the revelation for self-interest. This prerequisite is very clear in the Quran, as Allah made it a required step before gaining knowledge and wisdom, as Allah says:

كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

“Even as We have sent unto you a messenger from among yourselves, who 1) rehearse for you His signs, 2) purifies you, and 3) teaches you the Book and wisdom and teaches you that which you did not know”. (Al-Baqara 2: 151)

Value of group study of the Quran

The Prophet (PBUH) Said:

إذا مررتم برياض الجنة فارتعوا، قالوا: وما رياض الجنة؟ قال: حلق الذكر. ] أحمد و الترمذي والبيهقي [

If you pass by gardens of paradise avail yourselves of them.  

The companions asked: What are the gardens of paradise?

He (PBUH) said: The circles of Dhikr (Studying the Quran and expressing gratitude to Allah).  (Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhi and others)

عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : (… وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِى بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ) رواه مسلم

Any people who gather in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those who are with Him” (Muslim)

عن أنس بن مالك –رضي الله عنه- عن رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- قال: «ما من قومٍ يذكرون الله -عز وجل- لا يُريدون بذلك إلا وجه الله؛ إلا ناداهم مناد من السماء: قوموا مغفورا لكم قد بدلت سيئاتكم حسنات»( أخرجه أحمد) .

Whenever people gather remembering Allah-the Almighty while needing nothing from Him but His pleasure, a caller will call them from Heaven saying: “depart with forgiveness and with your sins have been converted to good deeds.  (Ahmad)

عن أنس رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من صلى الفجر في جماعة، ثم قعد يذكر الله تعالى حتى تطلع الشمس، ثم صلى ركعتين، كانت له كأجر حجة وعمرة تامة تامة تامة . ) سنن الترمذي بإسناد صحيح (

“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then stays in remembrance of Allah until the Sunrise and then pray two rakka, he will have the reward of Hajj and Ummrah, complete, complete, complete.  (Al-Tirmidhi)