The Quran – the Spoken Word of God

  

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

The Quran - the Spoken Word of God

 

When we come to accept the existence of God, the next most important question to arise in the minds of many people is, what is our place in His grand plan?  Is there a message that He wants to convey to us?  Does He care about us or the world He created for us?  What is the point of life and the tragedies and misfortunes we see and experience?  

 

The good news though, is that God has indeed revealed a message to all of humanity to answer these questions, and other questions besides them; and that message is the Quran.  God, addressing His Prophet pbuh, states in the Quran:

 

We have revealed to you, as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes (of Israel), Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book of Psalms. And We sent messengers about whom We have related their stories to you before and messengers about whom We have not related to you. And God spoke to Moses with [direct] speech. We sent messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against God after the messengers. And ever is God Exalted in Might and Wise. {4:163-165}

 

But what is the Quran?

The Quran is the most widely, and most frequently, read book in the world both today* , and over the last millennium. *McAteer, O. (2015, July 15). The most popular book of all time isn’t Harry Potter, it’s the Koran. Retrieved from: https://metro.co.uk/2015/07/15/themost-popular-book-of-all-time-isnt-harry-potter-5297319

 

Its slow, rhythmic recitation, with simultaneous reflection upon its profound meanings, is considered an act of worship in Islam. It is a book that has from its very inception changed the hearts and minds of many who have heard its magnificent verses as it forces you to think, forces you to choose.  It is a book that is so miraculous, so venerated, that thousands of men, women, and children learn the entire book by heart—word by word, vowel by vowel.  Each line is called “a sign” (ayah), instead of a verse, for every line is a miracle and filled with guidance and wonder. Additionally, the Quran holds the distinction of being the most authenticated book in the world. Kamsin, Amirrudin, et al. (2015). Developing the novel Quran and Hadith authentication system. 10.1109/ICT4M.2014.7020640. 

 

Yet, the Quran is also among the most attacked books in history. Since its initial revelation to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, many have sought to prevent others from hearing it or reading it. Some governments have even attempted to ban it from circulation in more recent times.*

* Parfitt, T. (2016, Aug 27). Favourite to be next Dutch PM vows to BAN the Koran and CLOSE all mosques. Retrieved from: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/704172/Geert-Wilders-Islamreligion-Muslim-Koran-PVV-Dutch-Freedom-Party Heffron, C. (2017, Sept 28).Chinese police order Muslims to hand in all copies of the Koran and prayer mats or face 'harsh punishment'. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/china/article-4929064/Chinesepolice-ask-Muslims-hand-copies-Koran.html

 

Why though has it invoked such a response, such vehement opposition?

Although a complete or in-depth study of the Quran is well beyond the scope of this introductory work, adequate answers to these questions will be provided to give the reader a good understanding from where they can then pursue further study.   The word Quran, or more properly, al-Quran, is an Arabic word which means, “the Recitation”.  It is God’s message and His prescribed code of life to all of humanity from the time of Muhammad pbuh, till the end of the world.  Its most distinguishing feature is its purity; every word of it is the word of God, the Exalted. Although many people think that it was written by Muhammad pbuh, this couldn’t be further from the truth.  The Quran is not a book written by Muhammad pbuh, or any other human being.  No, it is a collection of divine revelations—the spoken word of God exactly as it was revealed to Muhammad pbuh by the Archangel Gabriel.  Indeed, God has described His Messenger Muhammad pbuh as being neither able to read or write, in the following passage:

 

And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt. {29:48}

 And

 Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet... {7:157}

 

As such, this was one of the first miracles of the Quran, moreover a miracle given to the Prophet, that although he was known to be unable to read or write, that he brought forth verses from a Book whose eloquence and majesty were immediately acknowledged.  Had he been a poet, or a scribe, prior to the revelation, then people could wonder if he wrote it himself.

 

The Prophet Muhammad’s role, similar to that of the other prophets of God before him, was to be the "medium" through which the words were passed on to mankind. He also served as a role model to illustrate their meanings and to demonstrate their applications—all through the divine inspiration.   

 

As such, the Quran is known to be the miracle given to Muhammad pbuh; a miracle that was not only meant for the people of his era, but for all the generations to come.  Indeed, it is well known to the Jews and Christians that whenever God sent a Messenger to the world in the past, He would aid that Messenger with various miracles to further validate that the message they carried was indeed from God, the Master of the Universe.  For example, during the time of Moses pbuh, the people of Pharaoh were steeped in magic and felt they had reached the pinnacle of this dark art.  Hence, the miracles of Moses pbuh—changing his wooden staff into a real snake, turning the river Nile to blood and parting the Red Sea (amongst other signs)—were meant to humble the people and to remind them that the power, control and might of God are true and not just sleight of hand tricks or optical illusions.  

 

Similarly, Jesus was sent at a time when the Children of Israel and the Romans felt that they had uncovered all there was to know of medicine.  Yet, when confronted with conditions like leprosy and blindness, their “knowledge” was truly powerless in comparison with the power and ability of God. It was God who not only provided Jesus the ability to heal the leper and give sight to the blind, but to even raise the dead!  And again, all of these miracles were performed only by God’s permission.  And so it became clear to those with perceptive minds and humble hearts that truly, God is the All-Powerful and the All-Mighty; anything and everything else only has power and ability by His permission and not in of itself.     

 

So with this understanding, the coming of Muhammad pbuh confronted people with a similar situation.  By the beginning of the seventh century of the Common Era (CE), the Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula had believed themselves to have reached the peak of eloquence in their linguistic ability, exemplified mainly in their poetry.  A study of Arabic poetry from this time yields a treasure of magnificent poetry demonstrating a profound understanding and skillful manipulation of Arabic grammar and linguistics.  And then the Quran was revealed.  

 

Countless men and women, even children, upon hearing its powerful and grand verses became Muslims immediately.  They realized that these were not the words of any human.  It was different.  Stronger, more magnificent, more profound, and it made an enormous impact on their minds, as well as their hearts. It spoke to their very souls, appealing to them, challenging them, and transforming them.  But the miracle didn’t stop there.

 

As Islam spread from the Arabian Peninsula into non-Arab territories, a different miracle soon impressed itself upon these new towns and societies.  The effect of those words upon those who accepted Islam was unique.  It produced a loyalty and level of adherence that people had not observed in other religions or ideologies.  It also offered proofs and challenges that were absent in other books alleging to be from the One God.  It reasoned with their hearts, answering their questions, as opposed to simply demanding “blind faith”.  For example, after a long passage about the true nature of Jesus (specifically that he is among the noble and honored Messengers of God and that he is not in any way part of the essence of God), God states:

 

This is indeed the truth from your Lord, so be not of those who doubt.  And whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of sure knowledge, then say to them, “Come let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then let us sincerely pray, and invoke the curse of God upon those who lie!”  {3:60-61} 

 

This very challenge was indeed put forth to a delegation of Christians from the north Yemeni town of Najran by the Prophet Muhammad pbuh himself, as commanded by God, and they declined after a long night wrought with consideration.  Once again, this is a challenge—a proof of sorts—as to who is in doubt concerning their belief. If someone truly believes that Jesus is either God, or the begotten son of God, then surely they would accept this challenge and call the curse of God down upon themselves and their family or people if they are wrong.  Such challenges are indeed unique in books of religion, and a number of other challenges and ultimatums can also be found in the Quran.  But the miracle didn’t stop there.

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Monotheism—the Bedrock of Islam

  

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Monotheism - the Bedrock of Islamic Belief

 

Building upon the evidences and arguments presented in the previous chapter, we shall now move unto the ultimate foundation of the Islamic faith, and that is monotheism.  The best definition of monotheism from the Islamic perspective is the practice of devoting all of your worship to the One and Only God, Allah.  It is to know that God is One, without partner in His dominion and His decisions; One who has no comparison in regards to His essence and traits; and One without equal in His divinity and in worship.  Abraham summarized these points the best when he said (as God recorded in the Quran):

 

 "Truly my prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for God, the Master and Sustainer of the Universe." {6:162}

 

Although many people may think of themselves as followers of monotheism, the worship of God as One has many dimensions that most non-Muslims have never considered in their daily lives.  The primary source of this problem is that although most people truly believe that God is the Creator, they still direct their worship, either partly or entirely, to other created beings. A careful study of the Quran though, clearly explains and calls the reader’s attention to many of these dimensions.  

 

The first fundamental concept in regards to His Oneness is that He is the Master and Sustainer of all of the creation.  God alone caused all things to come into existence.  He maintains and provides for His creation although He has no need from them, or for them.  He is the Master of the Universe and everything in it, and no one is able to contend with Him in His authority and supremacy.  Nothing can happen except what He permits. When confronted by difficulty, many Muslims (in following the practice of the beloved Messenger of God) frequently remember this reality by saying, "La hawla wa laa quwwata ilaa billaah," which means: “there is neither ability, nor power, except by the will of God”.  The following verses from the Quran bear out this dimension of God’s Oneness:

 

"God created all things and He is the One upon which all things depend."  {39:62}

 

 "And no calamity strikes except by God's permission." {64:11}

 

In the hadith of the Prophet pbuh, we also see a basis for this concept. For example, the Prophet pbuh taught his followers, "Know for sure that if the whole world came together in order to do something to help you, they would only be able to help you with that which God had already determined for you. Likewise, if the whole world came together to harm you, they would only be able to harm you with that which God had already determined would happen to you." [recorded by Tirmithi and Ahmad]

 

Translating these points into practical understanding, we begin to see that our ability to direct our own lives or the lives of others around us is limited, since all we can do is make the most of what we are given.  Even in that attempt, the results are still dependent upon the will and permission of God to either allow our efforts to succeed, or to prevent them from attaining their intended effect.  What may otherwise seem like "good luck" and "bad luck" is in fact the will of God and is not at all influenced by supposed “good-luck charms” such as horseshoes, rabbit's feet, four-leaf clovers, or lucky numbers.  In the same way, bad luck superstitions like breaking a mirror, seeing a black cat, or walking under a ladder are equally ineffective. Indeed in Islam, the belief that charms or omens have any power in and of themselves is considered to be a way of associating partners with God in His dominion, and this is the only unforgivable sin in Islam, since it implies a denial of the Oneness of God.  

 

Also, the Oneness of God can be seen in His traits and names as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith.  Amongst the numerous verses of the Quran concerning His attributes, we read the following:

 

“The Most Beautiful names belong to God, so call on Him by them.”  {7:180} 

 

“God; there is none worthy of worship except Him! And to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.”  {20:8}

 

Yet in regards to His names and attributes, there exist rules and parameters that the worshipper must take care not to exceed. 

 

Firstly, we can only know of God that which He and His Prophet have described to us concerning His names and attributes, and furthermore we cannot take any license in explaining those traits, except by that which He and His Messenger have stated concerning them.  For example, when God states in the Quran:

 

 "And truly, your only Master and Sustainer is God who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He exalted (or established) Himself over the Throne." {7:54}

 

Many of the noble scholars of the past have commented on this statement of God, but all made sure to avoid trying to explain the meaning of His statement that He “exalted (or established) Himself over the Throne,” since God did not explain it further Himself.  

 

When asked to interpret the meaning of this phrase, one of the great scholars of Islam, Imam Malik inclined his head and was silent until sweat covered his brow, upon which he looked up and said, "Al-Istiwa' (the concept of establishing or exalting oneself over something) is linguistically understood, the ‘how’ of it is inconceivable in the mind, but the belief in it is obligatory, and inquiring about it is a heretical innovation.”  And thus we stop at where God and His Messenger stop when it comes to interpreting the attributes of the All-Mighty.

 

Now, in other parts of the Quran, God describes Himself with qualities that are known and seen in His creation like: Love, Mercy, Generosity, Anger, and Strength.  Although these traits are indeed found in His creation, the similarity stops there.  The rule is that any perceived similarity between God’s attributes and those of mankind is only in name and not in degree or perfection. When God refers to Himself with these attributes, they are to be taken in the absolute sense, free from human shortcomings.

 

Additionally, there are certain attributes of the creation that cannot be applied to God because of the imperfection, weakness and deficiency they entail. For example, it is claimed in the Bible and Torah that God spent six days creating the universe then rested on the seventh.  For this reason, Jews and Christians take Saturday or Sunday, respectively, as a day of rest in which work is viewed as sinful. Such a claim assigns to God the attributes of His creation. Yet, it is man who tires after heavy work and needs sleep to recuperate, not God.  And furthermore, in our current modern societies many people regularly work two, three and sometimes four weeks straight without taking a day off.  Are these people then superior to the Lord and Creator of the Universe?  Exalted is He above all the imperfection they seek to attribute to Him!

 

In general, the key formula that is used Islamically when dealing with God's attributes is the Quranic verse,

 

"There is nothing like Him and He is Hearer and Seer of all." {42:11}

 

From this verse, we gather that man can only know about the Creator what He has revealed to him through His Prophets and revealed books. Therefore, we must stay within these limits, for if we don’t we are liable to fall into misguidance and even possibly disbelief and heresy by assigning to God the limited attributes of His creation.

 

Although the dimensions of monotheism mentioned above are essential to the belief of a Muslim, they in and of themselves are incomplete and useless without the final dimension of Islamic monotheism – submission to the Oneness of God in worship and deed.  God clearly states this point when He records the responses of the Arabian idol worshippers during the time of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh when they were asked a series of questions:

 

"Say, 'Who is it that gives you sustenance from the sky and earth, governs sight and hearing, brings forth life from dead (matter) and death from the living, and plans the affairs of man?' They will all say, 'God.'" {10:31}

 

The pagan Arabs all knew that God was their Creator, Provider, their Lord and Master, yet that knowledge was not enough to qualify them as believers according to God. In fact, God said:

 

"Most of them do not believe in God, except while joining partners to Him." {12:106}

 

So, the idol worshippers and pagans of that era knew and acknowledged that it is God who created them, provides for them, and responds to them in their time of distress.  But that knowledge did not stop them from giving elements of their worship to others or from calling upon others for their needs. Indeed, they even tried to cover up their associating of partners with God, the worst sin, by saying: "We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to God." {39:3}

 

Thus, the most important element of Islamic monotheism is that of directing all of your worship to God alone. He alone is deserving of worship, and it is only God that can ever benefit you as a result of your humility and devotion to Him. Indeed, this is the purpose for which He created mankind:

 

"I did not create the Jinn and Mankind, except to worship Me." {51:56}

 

Moreover, every Muslim recites in their daily prayer, several times a day, the following verse to remind them of this elemental understanding and practice of the Oneness of the AlMighty:

 

"You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help."  {1:4}

 

This simple, yet profound, verse plainly demonstrates that all forms of worship should only be directed to God, the only One capable of responding.  And God also reminds His beloved worshippers that He is not a distant God who is unconcerned about their needs and worries, but instead, that He is close to them and pleased when they turn to Him: 

 

"And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad) about Me, tell them that I am near to them. I hear the prayer of every one who calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me, and believe in Me properly, in order that they may be guided aright."  {2:186}

 

“Who listens to the distressed soul when it cries out to Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you the inheritors of the earth? Can there be another god besides God?  Little do they reflect.”  {27:62}

 

The Prophet Muhammad pbuh further established this understanding of Islamic monotheism when he taught his Companions, "If you ask in prayer, ask only from God, and if you seek help, seek it only from God." [Tirmithi] And the Prophet was also reported to have said, “Nothing is nobler to your Lord than calling upon Him for your needs.” [Tirmithi]

 

Turning now to the subject of worship, we observe that in the Islamic view, this word is very comprehensive and includes more than just fasting, paying charity, and praying. It includes emotions like love, trust, and fear; all of which should only be directed to God at that level. God mentioned these emotions and warned against excesses in them, or misdirection of them, when He stated:

 

"There are among men those who take for worship others besides God as equals to Him. They love them as they should only love God. But those who believe have a much greater love of God..."  {2:165}

 

"So put your trust in God if you are truly believers." {5:23}

 

And lastly, the concept of worship in Islam also involves total obedience to God’s commands and considers God to be the ultimate Legislator.  Thus, the rejection of His divinely revealed laws and the implementation of secular (man-made) legal systems – especially if one believes that such secular laws are superior to God’s law – can be viewed as an act of disbelief.   It can also be one of the forms of associating partners with God.  God said in the Quran:

 

 "Those who do not rule by what God has revealed are disbelievers (deniers of the Supremacy and Authority of God)."  {5:44}

 

On one occasion, the Prophet's companion 'Adee ibn Haatim, who was a convert from Christianity, heard the Prophet pbuh recite the Qur'anic verse, "They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides God." {9:31} So he said, “Surely we did not worship them,” The Prophet then turned to him and said “Did they not make forbidden what God had made permissible, and as such you obeyed them and made those actions forbidden?  And did they not make permissible what God made forbidden and you again obeyed them and declared those actions to be permissible?” He replied, “We certainly did.” The Prophet then said, “That was how you worshipped them.” [Tirmithi]  So we understand from the above-mentioned Quranic verses and hadith that obeying the creation in disobedience to the Creator is equal to worshipping them and taking them as gods besides the true God.  

 

These multidimensional concepts should cause many of us to stop and re-examine our actions, beliefs and emotions in the light of Islamic revelation.  Does it truly make sense to say that we love and worship God alone when we turn to others as intermediates?  Or when we set aside His divine injunctions for constitutions and laws which represent the opinions and desires of men who themselves are subject to misguidance, temptation and corruption?

 

So in summary, we need only turn back to the glorious words of God in His book, the Quran, to best understand Him and the concept of Islamic monotheism through His own description of Himself:

 

“Say, ‘He is God; the One, Indivisible. God, the Self-Sufficient. He gives birth to none, nor was He begotten; and nothing is comparable to Him.’”  {112:1-4}

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