The Qur’an

There is no doubt that God revealed His word to a number of prophets in the form of scriptures. However, the books of revelation have not remained in their original form. In the last century, Jewish and Christian Bible scholars have extensively documented many of the changes that took place in the Bible over thousands of years since its original writings. The Qur’an addresses the issue of authentic scripture in its stern warnings to those who deliberately made changes to revealed texts. In doing so, it also warns the believer against relying on the existing text attributed to earlier prophets.

“Woe to those write the Book with their own hands and say: ‘This is from God’!” [Qur’an Surah Al-Baqarah (2):79]

Regarding itself, the Qur’an reassures its readers that it is a reliable book of revealed guidance.

“This is the book in which no doubt exists. It is guidance for those who fear God...and believe in what was revealed to you [Muhammad] and revealed before you, and who are certain about the Hereafter.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2):2, 4-5]

One can be certain that the Qur’an has not suffered the fate of earlier revealed books because it was written down and memorized, from beginning to end, during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)  himself. Within a year of his death, the first standard written was produced[1].

And within 14 years of his death, authorised copies made from the standard codex[2] were sent to the capital of the Muslim state.[3]

Since the Prophets death in 632, an increasing number of people in each successive generation have memorized the complete text of the Qur’an from beginning to end. Today there exists tens of thousands of people around the world who recite the whole text, from memory during the month of Ramadan every year, as well as on other occasions.

One of the leading orientalists, Kenneth Cragg, said the following regarding memorisation and preservation of the Qur’anic text: “This phenomenon of Qur’anic recital means that the text has traversed the centuries in an unbroken living sequence of devotion. It cannot, therefore, be handled as an antiquarian thing, nor as a historical document out of distant past.”[4] Another orientalist, John Burton, stated: “The method of transmitting the Qur’an from one generation to the next by having the young memorise the oral tradition of their elders had mitigated somewhat from the beginning the worst perils of relying on written records...”[5]

The same principle of analysis which were applied to Bible manuscripts by Bible scholars and which exposed the many flaws and changes, have been applied to the Qur’anic manuscripts gathered from around the world. The results of all such studies confirm that there have not been any changes in the text from its original writing.[6]

One of the signs that revelation has been tampered with by human is the existence of numerous contradictions. The fact that the Qur’an is free from any contradictions is among the evidences that it is from God.

“Will they not reflect on the Qur’an? If it were from other than Allah, they would certainly have found in it many contradictions.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’ (4):82]

As further proof that the Qur’an is from God, readers are challenged to reproduce even a single chapter like one of its chapters. Of course this challenge refers to producing an Arabic chapter of its like, since this was the language in which it was revealed.

“If you doubt what I have revealed to my slave, then produce a chapter like it and call your supporters besides Allah, if you are truthful. But, if you do not do it, and you can never do it, then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” [Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (2):23-24]

During the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) , the pagans were unable to meet this challenge, despite their well-known mastery of the Arabic language and ability to produce the most eloquent poetry.

There are many people who believe (out of ignorance or otherwise) that the Qur’an was authored by Muhammad (Peace be upon him) just as the Bible was compiled by humans. This accusation is indignantly refuted in the Qur’an itself.

“Or do they say that he has forged it? Say: Produce a single chapter like it and call to your aid whosoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.” [Qur’an, Surah Yunus (10):37-38]

What these verses explain, is that if Muhammad (Peace be upon him) wrote the Qur’an, then any human could write a book similar to it. Allah did not retract His challenge. It still stands but none have met it. Besides this, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was known to be illiterate. He was taught the Qur’an by revelation from God, brought by Angel Gabriel.

The Qur’an refers to Muslims as:

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own scriptures, in the Torah and Gospel...” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, (2):157]

Consequently, the Qur'an should not be considered a discourse that was written by Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Furthermore, if the linguistic style of the Qur’an is compared with the language used by Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in his explanations and teachings of the revelation, the difference in quality between the two is enormous. The beauty and the subtlety of the Qur’anic verses cannot be matched by Muhammad (Peace be upon him) or any other man.

The Qur’an is of a calibre such that Allah Himself says about it:

 “And if there had been a Qur’an with which mountains could be moved, the earth could be split or the dead could be made to speak [it would have been none other than this Qur’an].” [Qur’an, Surah Ar-Ra’d (13):31]

But at the same time, the Qur’an should not be viewed merely as a literary classic of a fiction novel. The purpose of its revelation is clearly stated in the Qur’an itself.

“I have not instructed the Prophet in poetry, nor is it suitable for him. This Qur’an is no less than a message and a recitation making things clear.” [Qur’an, Surah Ya-Sin (36):69]

However, those who reject the Qur’an as one of God’s sign are unable to benefit from the wisdom and clarity of its message. This rejection of the Qur’an applies as much to people today as it did in the era of Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

“When you [Muhammad] recite the Qur’an, I put between you and those who disbelieve in the hereafter an invisible screen. And I have put a covering over their hearts and deafness in their ears so they cannot understand it. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’an, they turn away and flee in extreme dislike.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra’ (17):45-6]

But to those who believe in God, and wish to submit their lives to Him, this Qur’an is a gift and a blessing from Allah, freeing then from the oppression of their own desires and ignorance.

“And it [the Qur’an] is a guide and mercy to those who believe.” [Qur’an, Surah An-Naml (27):77]

 “I gradually revealed the Qur’an [verses of] healing and mercy for the believers. But for the unjust, they only cause continual loss.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra’ (17):82]