ULOOM Al Qur'an  (The Sciences of The Qur'an)

Contents

INTRODUCTION
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE QUR'AN
THE WAHY (REVELATIONS)
MEANINGS OF WAHY IN THE QUR'AN
ALLAH'S REVEALED BOOKS
BEGINNING OF THE REVELATIONS OF THE QUR'AN
THE LAST REVELATIONS
REASONS WHY QUR'AN WAS SENT DOWN IN STAGES
COLLECTION OF THE QUR'AN
QUR'ANIC TERMS
TAFSEER (INTERPRETATION OF THE QUR'AN)
TRANSLATIONS OF THE QUR'AN
THE QUR'AN AS A MIRACLE

INTRODUCTION

“Read in the name of your Lord who creates Creates man from a clot Read for your lord is the most Generous (It is He) Who teaches by means of the pen Teaches man what he does not know”         (96:1-8)

Some 14 centuries ago, these 5 verses were revealed unto Mohammad. They were to inaugurate his mission as a messenger of Allah to Mankind.

The revelation of the Qur'an was a turning point in the history of man on this Earth. The Mission of the Messenger (Mercy to the Worlds) accompanied by the Qur'an (Guides to that which is most right) has made a unique difference to the life of man. It transformed him from an ignorant being to a learned one.

Mohammad (PBUH) was an illiterate man amongst an illiterate nation. Unexpectedly an angle (Gabriel) appeared to him and asked him to start reading, upon which Mohammad (PBUH) replied that he was not one of those who can read. The angle repeated the request again and Mohammad (PBUH) repeated his claim. For the third time the Angle insisted: Read! Mohammad (PBUH) realized that the Angel was not going to give up, so he asked,' what shall I read?' to which the Angel responded by reciting the following 5 verses:

“Read in the name of your Lord who creates Creates man from a clot Read for your lord is the most Generous (It is He) Who teaches by means of the pen Teaches man what he does not know”         (96:1-8)

The question that begs itself is, did the Angel not know that Mohammad was an illiterate? Inevitably he knew, otherwise he would have understood and believed Mohammad from the first time. The significance of this is that Allah was giving the first message with His first revelation that "O mankind you must read the Qur'an whether you are literate or illiterate, Arab or non Arab, young or old". This is a unique book that has no barriers between it and mankind. It is the only book in the world that is read by illiterate Arabs and non-speakers of Arabic all over the world. A miracle in it's own right.

As well as this, the first five short lines of revelations gave many directions:

A Divine order was sent to the Earth. You must read and write. From the time Adam on Earth up to the time of Mohammad the whole world was illiterate. No prior civilisation whether Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Indian or Chinese ever thought of making schools of knowledge public. At the time of the messenger's mission those who could read and write were less than 10 years of age in Makkah.

At the time of the Prophet's death, 23 years later, hundreds of thousands could read the Qur'an. There were hundreds who could write as well as read. 20 years after the Prophet's death there were 3000 Madrassaat (Public Schools). Mosques were and still are used to encourage literacy.

Within 200 years Arabia and the new Muslim land was filled with libraries and reference books. While the rest of the world was still living in the same darkness as it did since time immemorial.

When the savage Crusades invaded Jerusalem and the surrounding land (900-1100AD) and were driven back later on, they took back to Europe some aspects of the Islamic culture, like education and administrations.

At the end of this session we shall see that the Qur'an introduced many other benefits to mankind that are unique in solving the self inflicted sufferings that man causes.

The Qur'an is Allah's words, which were revealed to Mohammad over 23 years through the Angle Gabriel. We shall learn many aspects of the Qur'an (What is called the Sciences of the Qur'an) that will make us more familiar with the Qur'an, the Book of Allah.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE QUR'AN

THE WAHY (REVELATIONS)

When Allah ordered Adam to descend from Heaven to Earth, He promised to guide him and his descendants to make their way back to heaven.

The journey back to heaven is a hazardous one. Temptations, weaknesses, satanic misguidance, ignorance, etc. are but some of the obstacles on the road to paradise. In return these obstacles are counter balanced by Allah's guidance through His Books and His Messengers.

"Get you down all from here and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me, Whosoever follows My Guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve."    (2:38)

So, when Allah wants to guide certain people, He sends them a messenger from Among them. The appointed messenger receives the message from Allah through the angel Gabriel. This means of transmitting the message through the angle is called Wahy. Only the messenger can see and hear the angle talking to him.

Revelations through the Angel Gabriel comes in two forms:

Allah also guides the Prophets directly through inspirations. Examples of this are the Prophets' predictions, or description of the heavens, and hell and so forth.

The Prophet's traditions (Sunna) are also Allah's inspiration to him. We define Sunna as the traditions of the Prophet (PBUH) being his sayings, his actions or his approval of actions by others.

MEANINGS OF WAHY IN THE QUR'AN

ALLAH'S REVEALED BOOKS

Allah revealed 5 books in total to five of His messengers. These Books were:

With the exception of the Qur'an, none of other books exist today in their true and original form. Parts of the truth are found, but corrupted with peoples' edition and interference.

BEGINNING OF THE REVELATIONS OF THE QUR'AN

THE LAST REVELATIONS

"And fear the day when ye shall be brought back to God. Then every soul shall What it earned and none shall be dealt with unjustly"    (2:281)

This verse was revealed 9 days before the prophet (PBUH) passed away.

Contrary to the widely used opinion that the verse "…This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my Favours upon you and have chosen Islam as your religion..."     (5:3) was the last of the revelations. As a matter of fact this verses 5:3 was revealed at Hujat Al-Wada year 10, some 90 days before the death of the prophet (PBUH).

REASONS WHY QUR'AN WAS SENT DOWN IN STAGES

Transmission of the Qur'an:

For the first few years of revelations, the Prophet and the new converts committed the parts that were revealed to memory. Then the Prophet (PBUH) asked those who could write from amongst his companions to write down the revealed parts of the Qur'an. Once the Muslims moved to Medina, learning to read and write was encouraged. It was not long before the prophet had up to 40 scribers who were writing down the Qur'an for him. By the time the Prophet (PBUH) died, the companions who kept the written material with them wrote down the whole Qur'an. The companions used to learn the Qur'an and memorise it as soon as it was revealed. One companion said, "we used to attend the Prophet's (PBUH) mosque and learn the newly revealed verses, and we would not return to learn more till we have memorised the last revelations."

The Prophet (PBUH) himself said "The Angel Gabriel used to review the Qur'an with me every year during the month of Ramadan. However this year he reviewed the Qur'an during the month of Ramadan twice" and when the Prophet (PBUH) was asked to explain the change of the angle's practice the Prophet (PBUH) Replied "it could be my final year on this earth", and it was.

Although writing the Qur'an was restricted to the few who could write, memorising the Qur'an was and still is the main method of transmitting it. As the number of the converts grew (from around 2000 in the first year in Medina to over one million 10 years after) all the new Muslims had to learn the Qur'an in order to recite it during prayers as well as to learn Allah's commands.

Many thousands of companions knew the whole Qur'an by heart. Others like Abdullah Ibn Abbas said "By Allah I know the whole Qur'an by heart, as well as I know when and were every verse was revealed". The Prophet (PBUH) used to commend his companions for their knowledge of the Qur'an. He once said to one of them "O Abu-Munther, congratulations on your (Qur'an) knowledge" and to another "one should learn the Qur'an from Abdullah Ibn Massod".

A new class of learned men and women sprung up. There were the Qaris, who read the Qur'an well The Hafiz, who knew the Qur'an by heart the Mufaseroon, who could interpret the Qur'an and the Kataba, who used to write the Qur'an. Since its revelations, people young and old have been going to the mosques to read, memorise and understand the Qur'an. It is not uncommon to find children and adults of various nationalities who are Hafiz. So before writing down on papers, the Qur'an is inscribed in people's memory. For Muslims, it's almost like the Qur'an has been coded down in their DNA tapes.

COLLECTION OF THE QUR'AN

During the Khilafa of Abu Bakr 11-13H

As mentioned above, the Qur'an was committed to the memory of thousands of companions and written down on pieces of bone slabs, parchments of papers and dried skin. At the time of the death of the Prophet (PBUH), the Qur'an was not collected and compiled together in one place. The events that followed the death of the Prophet (PBUH) necessitated collecting the Qur'an.

Soon after the death of the Prophet (PBUH), many new Muslims throughout Arabia revolted against the new ruler of the Muslims, Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) who had the title the Khalifa of Rasool-u Allah (the successor of the messenger of Allah) reacted to the common spread revolt with decisiveness. He sent the great warrior of Islam Khaid Ib Al-Waleed to put down the revolt. The confrontation was severe and bloody. Thousands died on both sides, but it ended within six months with the total victory to the Khalifa's army and submission of all Arabs to the new order in Medina.

Omar Ibn Al-Khatab, who was a close companion to the Prophet (PBUH) and a trusted councillor to Abu Bakr, once suggested to Abu Bakr that the Qur'an should be compiled to gather. Abu Bakr's first reaction was that since it was not the tradition (Sunna) of the Prophet (PBUH), it should not be compiled. Omar argued that many Hafiz had died due to the war of the renegades and so it was important to have a copy of the whole Qur'an existing in Medina as a reference. Abu Bakr sought the opinion of Zaid Ibn Thabit, who was one of the main scribes of the Qur'an during the Prophet (PBUH) time. Zaid listened to both men and took the opinion of Abu Bakr.

As a last try Omar said "Although it was not done during the Prophet's (PBUH) time what is wrong with doing it now?" Abu Bakr suddenly had a change of heart and replied "I can't see anything wrong with it, and so Zaid also agreed. So due to the initiative of Omar, the Khalifa ordered Zaid to compile the Qur'an.

Zaid set out in his task by collecting from other scribes and checking the various pieces of written Qur'an. Each single verse was only accepted in Zaid's collection if it was written under the supervision of the Prophet and at least two people (besides himself) had learnt directly from the Prophet.

Eventually it was completed, reviewed and presented to Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr in turn asked for the collected copy of the Qur'an to be kept with one of the Prophet's wives, Hafsa. So it happened that in less than two years after the death of the Prophet (PBUH), the Muslim state had a reference to the Qur'an. A sign of civilization not seen in human history until some thirteen centuries later, when civilised nations made books of reference to their discoveries, but not to their value.

During the Khalifa Othman 24-35H

The conquests that were initiated by the Khalifa Abu Bakr and continued during the periods of Omar and Othman, resulted in a rapid expansion of the Islamic state. The new Islamic territories stretched across North Africa, all of the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Afghanistan and much of central Asia.

Most of the people of the conquered areas embraced Islam. The mass conversion necessitated learning the Arabic in order to practice the religion and especially to read the Qur'an.

It was inevitable that new dialects and accents sprung up everywhere. News reached Medina, the Islamic state capital of various pronunciations of the Qur'an are to be found in the new territories. New Muslims were also writing the Qur'an for their own use. One could imagine the confusion and potential problems that would follow if the matter of numerous versions of the Qur'an were not checked out at its infancy. The farsighted Khalifa Othman took a bold and far reaching decision. He called the chief scriber Zaid and ordered him to write the Qur'an in a book form. Again Zaid was given the task of compiling the Qur'an into a book, "Mushaf". Zaid was asked to lead a committee of four people, namely Zaid ibn Thabit, Abdullah ibn az-zubair, Saeed ibn Al-Aas and Abul-Rahman ibn al-Harith. All of these four men were known for their excellent knowledge of the Qur'an. Othman ordered Zaid to write more copies of the Qur'an and sent a copy to each provincial capital with his strict order that this copy of the Qur'an was to be used as a standard reference of the Qur'an and ALL other existing copies of the Qur'an to be burnt.

A major catastrophe was averted. The Muslims are indebted to Othman for saving them form the confusion that has pillaged the Jews and the Christians with regard to the multiple versions of their "holy" books that lead to endless disputes and even wars. Since then the Muslims have been calling the compiled copy of the Qur'an "Mushaf Othman" which means the book that was published by Othman. Many orientalists and jealous non-Muslims criticised Othman for burning the other copies of the Qur'an. Their lamentation is not due to the love of the Qur'an but rather to the missed opportunity of dividing the Muslims as regards to the integrity of the Holy Book Qur'an. So, while the Muslims are enjoying the privileges of having one authentic version of their Holy Book, the Christians as an example, have had endless wars and divisions in support of their unreliable, multi-versions of their (holy) Book.

It's interesting to notice here that while the enemies of Islam regretted the action of Othman, the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslims in general have condoned Othman's action.

QUR'ANIC TERMS

Mushaf: Collected sheets into a fixed order (Qur'an in a book form).

Surah: Chapter, the Qur'an is divided into 114 Suras. Suras vary in sizes. Some chapters consist of many pages, while others are only few lines.

Ayat: The Chapters or Suras are subdivided into verses. The Qur'anic term used for verse is Ayat. The word Ayat in the Qur'an has the following meanings:

1. A sign or indication "And in this there is a sign for those who give thought"     (16:11)

2. A miracle 2:37

3. A verse or sentence 3:164

Muhkamat (Clear) & Mutashbihat (Unclear) Verses

"He (Allah) is the One who Has sent down to you the Book. In it are verses that are Mukam - they are the foundation of the book - and others are Mutashabih. So as for those who have deviation in their hearts, they follow that which are Mutashaih, seeking to cause confusion and chaos, and seeking for it's ta'weel (interpretations). But non knows it's ta'weel except Allah, and those well grounded in knowledge, they say, "We believe in it, all of it, is from our Lord, and none receive admonition except those of understanding"    (3:7)

From the above verses, we understand that there are two types of verses in the Qur'an.

(1) Well defined verses e.g. The Halal, Haram, the laws of punishments, the Oneness of Allah, etc. These verses form the majority of the Qur'an. They are self-explanatory and have only one meaning.

(2) Verses which are unclear in their exact meaning, but never the less bring to us news of or information that Allah wants us to know without details.

Examples of the Mutashabih verses are: Some attributes of Allah (His hands, His face), the birth of Isa, the creation of Hawa, the shape of Angels, etc. Allah tells us that only those who have disease in their hearts would seek out these verses and try to explain them.

Al Muqatta'at (The Disjointed Letters)

There are twenty-nine Suras in the Qur'an that start with disjointed letters, known in Arabic as Al-Maqataat. These letters on their own have no obvious meaning. There are numerous interpretations to the meaning and purpose of these letters.

The most valid ones are two explanations:

Makkee and Madanee Verses

The parts of Qur'an, which were revealed in the Makkan period, i.e. from the time of the beginning of the revelations till the time of migration to medina, are called the Makee verses. The themes of Makkan revelations covered topics such as the Oneness of Allah, The creation of the universe and mankind, heavens and the day of judgement, the purpose of existence of man on this world, the previous Prophets: their peoples and the consequences of those who rejected the faith. In short the Makkan revelation answered a vital question for mankind where he came from and what is his future.

The Makkan verses were strong and direct in delivering a very clear message: O mankind you either belief in and follow the messenger or expect a terrible punishment in this life and hell in the hereafter.

The themes of Madanee revelations are of social and legal implications. In Medina the Muslims were in charge of their society, they were not a persecuted minority any longer. As a matter of fact they started expanding and promoting the call to Islam throughout Arabia and beyond. While in Makkah they were the Muslim minority confronting a disbelieving Majority, in Medina the Muslims were the Majority with a small number of disbelievers and similar number of Hypocrites.

There were the Jews who lived in and around Medina and never gave the new state peace, in addition to the hostilities from the Makkan and their allies. The small state of Medina had all the ingredients of a typical large powerful state. It was meant to be an example for mankind till the Day of Judgment. Allah revealed verses to guide us how to deal with the enemy's from within and from outside. The people of the Book (the Christians and the Jews) were singled out with great detail since our confrontation with them seems to be eternal.

Social order was established in a unique way, it was Justice in it's supreme. Men, women, children, the orphans, the widows, the weak, the poor, the rich, public order, laws of governance were laid down to mankind by the Creator of Mankind.

Perfect model was moulded for humanity at large to see for themselves the advantages of applying Allah's law compared with the misery and the blood shed that manmade laws entail. Laws of engagements and peace treaties were formulated. Wars without genocides were conducted to the letter. The innocent was spared and treaties were honoured not due to weakness, but in all cases.

The combination of the Makee and Madanee Verses (which is the total Qur'an) are enough guidance to everybody no matter what situation they find themselves in. So, when the Qur'an was complied it was not arranged chronologically. For Muslims may or may not go through the same phases, as did the early Muslims. It was arranged by Allah to make the Book an individual and collective life long constitution.

The Qur'an as a book starts with a short Chapter, Sura Al-Fatiha, which means the opening. Seven verses of supplications, praising Allah and seeking His guidance. A very appropriate introduction to the Qur'an.

Then the second Sura starts with Alif Lam Meem (Muqattaat). In this book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who love and fear Allah.

Asbab Al-Nuzul

Many revelations came down to sort of 'reveal' solutions and guide the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions at various occasions. Hence the reason of revelations or Asbab Al-Nuzul in Arabic is important factors in the explanation of the Qur'an.

For example, the following ayah talks about the direction of prayers. Allah says:

"To Allah belongs the East and the West where ever you turn, there lies the presence of Allah, for Allah is all-pervading all-knowing"     (2:15)

This verse was revealed after Allah ordered the believers to change directions during praying from facing Jerusalem to facing Makkah. The Hypocrites wondered how Muslims could change directions so easily. Allah replied to them by stating that they the hypocrites were silly, to start with, then ordered the believers to turn towards the Sacred Mosque in Makkah and reminded everybody that whichever way they turn they will be facing Allah.

Without knowing Asbab Al-Nuzul one might easily conclude that it is permitted to turn in any direction for prayers, while it is a fact that facing the Qibla is one of the conditions without which prayers becomes invalid.

Al-Nasikh Wal-Mansukh (Abrogating and Abrogated)

While the fundamental message of Islam (Al-Aqeeda) remains always the same, the legal rulings have varied throughout the ages. Examples of abolished, withdrawn, or abrogated verses:

Why abrogating verses of the Qur'an?

TAFSEER (INTERPRETATION OF THE QUR'AN)

Since the Qur'an is word of Allah, it has it's own majestic style and un-rivalled level of language.

The Qur'an covers numerous topics as a matter of fact it covers all what man needs to know in this life and beyond.

Allah says:

"And We have sent down the book to you as an explanation for everything, a guidance, a mercy and a glad tidings for Muslims."     (16:89)

"And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Remembrance (The Qur'an) so that you may clearly explain to mankind what has been revealed to them, and so that they may give thought"    (16.44)

It's quite clear from the above verses, that the explanation and the application of the Quran by the Prophet (PBUH) are essential in understanding the Qur'an.

Explanation of the Qur'an (Tafseer in Arabic) became a science in it's own right. Tafseer of Qur'an has a perquisite of the following conditions:

Some Important Books of Tafseers

TRANSLATIONS OF THE QUR'AN

It is impossible to translate the Qur'an to another language. As a matter of fact it's equally impossible to rewrite the Qur'an in Arabic. This due to the fact that although the Qur'an is in perfect Arabic, the style of the writing is majestic and cannot be matched. Hence the Tafseer as well as the translations are attempts to convey the message of the Qur'an, rather than rewriting in any language.

As there are conditions for Tafseer there must be similar ones for translation as well as the expected proficiency in the translated language. A word of caution here, there has been many translations of the Qur'an by Orientals, Jews and secular individuals. Those people are not doing Islam a favour, rather trying in vain to distort the message.

THE QUR'AN AS A MIRACLE

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "There has not been a single Prophet except that Allah gave him miracles because of which people believed in him. As for me, I have been given (as a miracle) the inspiration (i.e. the Qur'an), which Allah revealed to me. I hope therefore that I will have the largest number of followers on the day of judgement."

At the beginning of this chapter, I mentioned one aspect of the Quran, the introduction of literacy to mankind. A miracle that seems so straightforward and simple, yet no individual or civilisation ever contemplated it before. That was not the only miracle of the Qur'an.

Shaykh al- Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d728H) wrote:
"The greatest of all miracles is the Qur'an that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came with. For it is the religion of Allah and His speech, and it is the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). Its very revelation is one of the most supernatural and extraordinary of acts. For it's the call to the worship of Allah, and the proof of the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) and the miracle, all in one."

Being the word of Allah and guidance from Him, it has the following unmatched qualities:

For Muslims are known throughout the world as being Muslims first then by nationality, while others are known in the reveres order.

A Muslim is sympathetic to all Muslim causes and known to be generous, courageous, hospitable, honourable, shy, non-racists, merciful, etc.

Although Muslims may have these qualities in various degrees, but when compared with non- Muslims, Muslims always come on top. All this is due to the Guidance from Allah through the Qur'an and through His messenger Muhammad (PBUH).