LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLY QURAN

1. When the moral deterioration of mankind assumed serious proportions and the people started killing one another everywhere, Allah (S.W.T) revealed the Holy book for the welfare of mankind, called "The Quran". It contains solutions to all kind of human problems. (We will deal with the Quranic solution to these problems in subsequent lessons Insha - Allah)

Allah, The Almighty, says in Surah Younus / 57 :

O mankind! there has come to you a direction from your Lord and healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy. (10:57)

2. The Holy Quran was revealed to a pious man, named Muhammed (Peace be upon him) who was held in high esteem because of his unquestionable truthfulness and integrity.

Allah (S.W.T) says about him in Surah Al-Qalam / 4 :



And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.

Allah (S.W.T) says further in Surah Muhammed / 2 :



But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness and believe in the (Revelation) sent down to Muhammad-for it is the Truth from their Lord; He will remove from them their ills and improve their condition.

3. Allah revealed this book to Muhammed (peace be upon him) through the Archangel Gabriel (Blessings be upon him) by means of inspiration.

4. Allah, The Greatest, says in Surah al-Shuara / 192-195 :



Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: With it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth to thy heart and mind that thou mayest admonish in the perspicuous Arabic tongue.

5. The Quran confirms all the Books previously revealed by Allah (S.W.T) and enjoins upon the muslims to believe in all of them as books of Allah. This shows that the Torah, The Gospel, The Psalms of David, The Quran and all the Scriptures imparted to the Messengers are the various reflections of the same Light, i.e. they are all divine revelations.

Allah (S.W.T) says in Surah Aal-e-Imran / 1-4 :



A.L.M! Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming What went before it; and He sent down Law (Of Moses) and the Gospel (Of Jesus) Before this, as a guide to mankind, and he sent down the Criterion (Of Judgment between right and wrong. Then those who reject the faith in the Signs of Allah, will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah is Exalted in Might, Lord of Retribution.

6. There is a number of rational proofs of fact that the Quran is a Scripture revealed by Allah (S.W.T). Some of them are as follows :-

A) The Quran was revealed in Arabic, but its style is quite different from that of the common of the Arabs.

B) The Quran is not a Book written by Muhammed (peace be upon him) for he was un-lettered. More over, his own speech and style was quite different from the style of the Holy Quran.

C) The Quran contains some scientific truths which have been discovered by the Scientist 14 centuries after its revelation. As a matter of fact, new truths are still coming to light as the result of scientific research. These were mentioned in the Holy Quran 1400 years ago e.g. the theory of embroyology which has astonished Canadian doctors recently when their research was exactly the same as explained in the Holy Quran in surah Al Mominoon 23:12 to 14 and Surah Hajj 22:5.

Hence, the Quran is not a man-written book but has been imparted by Allah (S.W.T), Who is All-knowing. It is, therefore, evident that the contents of The Quran are True.

Allah (S.W.T) says in Surah Al – Zumar / 27


We have put forth for men, in this Quran every kind of Parable, in order that they may receive admonition. (39:27)

References
For more information on this topic please study the following holy verses:

1 Al-Baqrah 2 : verse 164

2 Ibraheem 14 : verse 1 and 52

3 Al-Fatah 48 : verse 48
 

Questions

Having read the “Introduction to the Holy Quran” in lesson 1, answer the following questions:
Q.1 Why did Allah reveal His Book, the Holy Quran? Check the correct answer.

(a) To misguide mankind ( )

(b) For the Welfare of mankind ( )

(c ) For the oppression of mankind ( )


Q.2 Read the Quranic verse (Surah Al-Qalam/4) given in para 2 and fill in the blank :-

"And thou (standest) ____________________________ of character."

In another verse quoted in the same para, a Scripture revealed to Muhammed (peace be upon him) is referred to :

(a) The Torah ( )

(b) The Gospel ( )

(c ) The Quran ( )

(d) The Psalms of David ( )


Q.3 Re-read the verse quoted in para (3) and fill in the blank :-

"Verily this is a Revelation __________________________ with it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth to thy heart and mind that thou mayest admonish in the perspicuous Arabic tongue."


Q.4 Re-read para (4) and check the correct answer :

(i) The Holy Quran confirms all the Books previously revealed by Allah (S.W.T) Yes / No

(ii) The Holy Quran belies the Books revealed by Allah (S.W.T) previously. Yes / No


Q.5 There are many proofs that the Holy Quran is a genuine Scripture revealed by Allah (S.W.T).

Re-read para (5) and state any one proof here.

Answers

1. (b)

2. On an exalted standard …. and (c)

3 From the Lord of the worlds

4 (I) — Yes.

5 –A– The Quran was revealed in Arabic but its style is quite different from that of the common speech of the Arabs.