Abu Umama said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Recite the Qur'an. It will appear on the Day of Rising as an intercessor for its people.'" [Muslim]

How Is The Quran Organized?

The Quran is composed of 114 parts or chapters of unequal length. Each chapter is called a surah in Arabic and each sentence or phrase of the Quran is called an aaya, literally ‘a sign.’ Like the Bible, the Quran is divided into discrete units, referred to as verses in English. These verses are not standard in length or meter, and where each begins and ends was not decided by human beings, but dictated by God. Each one is a discrete act of locution of closed signification, or ‘sign’, denoted by the word aayah in Arabic. The shortest of the surahs has ten words, and the longest surah, which is placed second in the text, has 6,100 words. The first surah, the Fatihah (“The Opening”), is relatively short (twenty-five words). From the second surah onward, the surahs gradually decrease in length, although this is not a hard and fast rule. The last sixty surahs take up about as much space as the second. Some of the longer aayahs are much longer than the shortest surahs. All surahs, except one, begin with Bimillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim, ‘In the Name of God, the Most-Merciful, the Compassionate.’ Each surah has a name that is usually mentions a key motto within it. For example, the longest surah, Surah al-Baqara, or “The Cow”, is named after the story of Moses commanding the Jews to offer a sacrifice of a cow, which begins by God saying:

“And remember Moses said to his people: ‘God commands that you sacrifice a cow.’” (Quran 2:67)

Since the various chapters are of various lengths, the Quran was divided by scholars of the first century after the death of the Prophet into thirty roughly equal parts, each part is called a juz’ in Arabic. This division of the Quran was done by in order for people to memorize or read it in a more organized fashion, and it has no influence on the original structure, as they are mere marks on the sides of the pages denoting the part. In the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, one juz’ is usually recited every night, and the entire Quran is completed in the thirty days of the month.

Translations of Quran
A beginner should know a few points about Quran translations.

First, there is a distinction between the Quran and its translation. In Christian view, the Bible is the Bible, no matter what language it may be in. But a translation of the Quran is not the word of God, for the Quran is the exact Arabic words spoken by God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad by Gabriel. The word of God is only the Arabic Quran as God says:

“Indeed, I revealed it as an Arabic Quran.” (Quran 12:2)

A translation is simply an explanation of the meanings of the Quran. That is why one modern English translation has been titled “The Meaning of the Glorious Quran”: it strives only to give the meaning, but falls short, as any translation must, of reproducing the form of the Holy Book. The translated text loses the inimitable quality of the original, so be aware that the degree to which a translation reflects the original message at every level of meaning will probably not match it.. In addition, this is one of the important reasons why in the salah, the daily ritual prayer, the Quran is recited only in Arabic.

Second, there is no perfect translation of the Quran, and, being human works, they always have errors. Some translations are better in their linguistic quality, while others are noted for their exactness in portraying the meaning. Many inaccurate, and sometimes misleading, translations that are generally not accepted as reliable renditions of the Quran by mainstream Muslims are sold in the market.

Third, while a review of all the English translations is out of the scope of this article, some translations are recommended over others. The most widely read English translation is by Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali, followed by that of Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, the first translation by an English Muslim. Yusuf ‘Ali’s translation is generally acceptable, but his footnote commentary, useful at times, can be odd and unacceptable. Another widespread translation is done by Dr. Hilali and Muhsin Khan called ‘Interpretation of the Meaning of The Noble Quran.’ Perhaps more accurate than the other two, many untranslated Arabic terms and endless parentheses makes it hard to follow and confusing for a beginner. A newer version with more flowing text has been published by Saheeh International, and this is probably the best translation, as it combines both exactness in translation and readability.

18 - The Cave

54. We have explained in detail in this Quran, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but man is, in most things, contentious.

55. And what is there to keep back men from believing, now that Guidance has come to them, nor from praying for forgiveness from their Lord, but that (they wait for) the ways of the ancients to overtake them, or the Wrath be brought to them face to face?

Will they not ponder over the Qur'an ? If it had been from other than Allah they would have therein much incongruity

[Qur'an 4:82]


The revelation of the Qur'an was a momentous event in human history. The Qur'an - the final, literal word of God to all of mankind - is the most recited book on Earth, a book of unsurpassed wisdom, exquisite beauty and astounding comprehensiveness. The Qur'an addresses every aspect of life, from the ultimate questions of existence to the foundations of establishing a just social order.

The Qur'an is the greatest of the miracles bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad . In contrast to previously revealed scriptures, the Qur'an has been perfectly preserved since its revelation, and is free of both internal and external contradictions.

This section examines the the evidence for the Qur'an's miraculous nature and it's authenticity in the light of history, archaeology, anthropology and linguistics. It also casts light on some of the remarkable statements in the Qur'an which have foreshadowed modern scientific discoveries - a further indication of it's divine origin.

MAKING THE HOLY QUR'AN A SOURCE

OF LIVELIHOOD


Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) as saying : "Recite the Holy Qur'an to seek the pleasure of Allah before a people will come into existence who will observe formalities in the recitation of Qur'an, make haste and do not recite properly with a pause." Abu Dawud transmitted it.


A similar tradition is reported on the authority Sahl bin Sa'd in Sunan of Abu Dawud. He (Sahl Sa'd) said : Once 'Imran (Allah be pleased with him) happened to pass by a preacher who recited the Holy Qur'an and then begged of the people. 'Imran (Allah be pleased with him) grieved to see this painful sight and recited Inna lillahe wa inna alaihe 'Raji'un (verily we belong to Allah and to Him do we return) and then told that he had heard Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying, "When anyone recite the Holy Qur'an let him ask a reward for it from Allah, for shortly a people will arise who will recite the Qur'an and ask a reward for it from men." Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

FAITHLESSNESS TO THE HOLY QUR'AN


A lengthy and marfu' hadith is reported on the authority of Samura b. Jundub (Allah be pleased with him). He reported Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying: Last night I saw two men who came to me, took me by the hand and brought me out to a holy land. So we went on till we came to a man who was lying on his back over whom a man was standing with a stone of the size of his hand, or a rock, with which he was pounding his head. When he struck him the stone rolled away and he went after it to get it, and did not return to this man till his head was healed and restored to its former position. He then went back to him and struck him. I asked what this was and they told me that this was a man whom Allah had taught the Holy Qur'an but who had slept at night and neglected it and had not acted according to its teachings in the daytime, so what I had seen would be done to him till the Day of Resurrection.


In another version it is reported: One who obtains the knowledge of the Qur'an and afterwards neglects it; one who passes away the timings of obligatory Prayers in sleep, he will meet the same fate. Bukhari transmitted if.


In Sahih Muslim a tradition is reported on the authority of Abu Musa Ash'ari (Allah be pleased with him) who said to the learned men of Basra: Recite the Holy Qur'an but do not expect too much of it otherwise your hearts will become rusty like the rusty hearts of your predecessors.


'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Bani Isra'il began to make great expectations, their hearts became rusty. They invented themselves an agreeable book. The truth became a bone of contention between them and their desires. At last they neglected the Book of Allah.

THE FATE OF THOSE WHO SEEK

GUIDANCE FROM OTHER THAN THE HOLY QUR'AN


The Holy Qur'an says :


"And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil." (43 :36)


In another Verse the Almighty Allah says:


"And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things." (16 : 89)


Zaid b. Arqam (Allah be pleased with him) told that Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) got up among them one day at a watering-place called Khumm to address them. He (the Holy Prophet) praised and extolled Allah, gave a warning and a reminder, and then said, "To proceed: You people must understand that I am just human. My Lord's messenger will soon come for me and I shall answer his summons, but I am leaving among you the two important things, the first of which is Allah's Book which contains guidance and light, so study it and follow its commands closely. Then when he had urged attention to Allah Book and commended it he said, "Also my family. I remind you of your duty to Allah to care for my family."


In another version the words are: Allah's Book is Allah's rope; he who follows it has guidance and he who abandons it is in error." Muslim transmitted it.


Sahih Muslim transmitted a tradition on the Authority of Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) who said: Whenever Allah's Apostle used to deliver a sermon he always started it with the following words :


"The best book is Allah's Book and the beat practice is the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah he upon him). The worst affairs are innovations and every innovation is misleading."


Sa'id Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he (the Holy Prophet) recited it regularly for a long time. The Companions requested Allah's Apostle (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to tell them about it whereupon the Almighty Allah revealed the following Verse :


"Alif Lam Ra. These are Verses of the Scripture that maketh plain." (12: 1)


Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) recited it for a period.


Ibn Abi Hatim reported on the authority of Mas'udi who on the authority of Qasim reported: When the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) felt boredom they requested the Apostle of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to say something. Whereupon the following Verse was revealed :


"Allah hath (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent." (39 : 23)


When the Companions again felt weariness they made a similar request to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Almighty Allah revealed the following verse :


"Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to Allah's reminder." (57:16)


'Ubaid transmitted it on the authority of certain Tabi'in (the followers of the Companions of the Holy Prophet). It proves that whenever the Companions (Allah be pleased with them) sought guidance from Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) through his tradition, he (the Holy Prophet) guided them by the Verses of the Holy Qur'an.


Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (Allah be pleased with him) used to tell the people sharing his company daily: Allah is the Best Judge. The incredulous people were destroyed. Many mischiefs will arise after you. Wealth will be in affluence. The Holy Qur'an will be opened. Believers, hypocrites, women and children will recite It. It is just possible that someone of them might say : "I read the Holy Qur'an." I think that they will not believe me unless and until I innovate a new thing. Avoid innovations because every innovation is misleading. Protect ourselves from the erroneous attitude of the wise. Sometimes even a hypocrite speaks the truth. Accept the right thing wherever you find it. The truth is a beacon light. Abu Dawud transmitted it.


Baihaqi reported on the authority of 'Urwa Ibn Zubair that Hadrat 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) decided to record ahadith. The Companions (Allah be pleased With them) objected to it because it was a period of revelation of the Qur'an. Then Hadrat 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) observed Istikhara for a month and afterwards said : "I remember a people before you who wrote books and depended upon them. They neglected the Book of Allah. I will not intermingle Allah's Book with any thing."