Gems from the treasures of the Qur’an

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The best amongst you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” [Al-Bukhari]What is the Qur’an?The Qur’an is the Book of Allah, which He chose to be the Final of the Heavenly Books. He, the Merciful and Most High, revealed it to Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as the source for the Last Religion and a guidance for mankind. Its revelation was a turning point for humanity; it was the power that changed the world, shifted the flow of history, saved and reformed humanity, so much so that the entire existence appeared as if it had been recreated anew.The Qur’an is the strongest evidence in support of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and his greatest sign. It is the proof of his prophethood and trustworthiness. Allah, the Most Exalted, Says in the Qur’an (what means): “They (unbelievers) want to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths. But Allah will perfect His light, even though the unbelievers may detest it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth, so that he may exalt it over all religions, much as the pagans may dislike it.” [Qur’an 61:8-9]The Qur’an is the guidance that mankind needs to achieve freedom, happiness and success, in this life and the next.The Qur’an is a complete and comprehensive Book.  It deals with the issues man needs, not only for salvation in the Hereafter, but also to achieve peace, justice and prosperity in this world.  These issues are discussed in the Qur’an in three main categories: Theology, Fables and Wisdom, Islamic Law (or Shari’ah).  Thus, it provides the basic principles, vision and knowledge necessary for planning and leading a good life. All this is packaged in a very comprehensive approach to living that combines the pursuit of worldly affairs as well as those of the Hereafter. Allah Almighty Says in the Qur’an (what means):  “And seek by the wealth provided for you by Allah the eternal abode (the Hereafter) but do not forget and (and forsake) your share of this world.  Be kind and good (to others) just as Allah was kind and good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” [Qur’an 28:77]The Qur’an has an inimitable style and format that has never been seen or experienced in any other book or methodology. The richness of its text and the discourse it offers are unprecedented and unmatched in their eloquence, proficiency, fluency, conformance and harmony. Not only is the Qur’an a linguistic masterpiece and magnum opus par excellence, it is indeed a miracle in the fullest sense of the word. Those reciting it never become weary of it and those who ponder upon its meanings do not doubt it; rather, they always discover fresh insights and knowledge. It guides those seeking guidance and increases those who believe in it in faith. Its first parts resemble its latter parts and it can only be likened to itself in its unparalleled beauty. The Qur’an is free from contradictions and those who understand the Arabic language and contemplate upon its chapters and verses will find harmony between its various parts.  Allah, the Most High, Says (what means): “Why do not they contemplate the Qur’an?  And if it were from other than Allah, they would have found in it numerous discrepancies.” [Qur’an 4:82] Indeed, every time the disbelievers tried to raise issues of contradictions in the Qur’an, Muslim scholars proved beyond doubt that no part of the Qur’an belies or contradicts another. The reason is that what may appear as a ‘contradiction’ in the Qur’an is actually what the Qur’an calls Muhkam (clear) and Mutashabih (unclear) verse. This is actually a part of the Qur’an’s textual strength and miraculous composition.  The Qur’an restores soul calmnessThe Islamic Medical Sciences Organization declared the striking results of a study conducted by Dr. Ahmad Al-Qadhi over a group of volunteers from USA who were subject to a recitation of the Holy Qur’an. A trace of a tranquilizing effect was recorded at a whole rate of 97%. Although many of these volunteers do not know Arabic, yet involuntary physiological changes that led notably to alleviate the acuity of tension they had before were observed in their nervous systems. Furthermore, an experiment of EEG during Qur’an rehearsal revealed that while listening to Qur’an, the encephalic waves moved from the fast pattern of vigilance (12-13) wave/ second to the slow pattern (8-18) wave/ second; indicating the state of deep calmness. Non-Arabic speaking persons felt reassured, quiet, and complacent during the process of listening to Qur’anic verses, in spite of their inability to understand the meanings. This is one of the miracles of the Holy Qur’an. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, revealed that miracle when saying; “No people assembled in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), and recite and study the Book of Allah (among themselves), except that tranquility would prevail over them, mercy would encompass them, the angels would surround them, and Allah would make a mention of them in the presence of those near Him (angels).” [Muslim]Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/The Qur’an is the Speech of AllahThe Noble Qur’an is the eternal miracle of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, because all the miracles of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, ended with their death, except our Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whose miracle is still preserved. This everlasting miracle is The Book of Allah and His Revealed Speech that {Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it} [Qur’an 41:42]Allah, The Almighty, confirms this fact, when He Says (what means):l{And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the Words of Allah.} [Qur’an 9:6]l{Those who remained behind will say when you set out toward the war booty to take it, Let us follow you. They wish to change the Words of Allah.} [Qur’an 48:15]Those two verses prove that the Qur’an is the Words and Speech of Allah, The Almighty, that He has revealed to His Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to invite people to Islam during the Haj season and would say, “Who are willing to give me asylum so that I can convey the Speech of my Lord, for the Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Speech of my Lord.” [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]Hence, the Qur’an is the Speech of Allah as unanimously agreed upon by all Muslims.This fact is supported by several logical and tangible pieces of evidence including the following:lThe polytheists failed to produce a single verse, let alone a single Chapter, or a whole book like the Qur’an despite the fact that they were utterly determined and extremely motivated to oppose and falsify the call of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Furthermore, we must remember that they were the masters of the Arabic language, in which the Qur’an was revealed. Certainly, this constitutes a definitive proof that the Qur’an is the Speech of Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, not that of humans.lThe Qur’an foretold many matters of the unseen and made several prophecies that were all fulfilled exactly as they were foretold. For example, the Persians defeated the Romans in one of their battles and the Qur’an recorded this defeat foretelling that the Romans would defeat the Persians within three to nine years and this is what actually happened. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {The Romans have been have been defeated, In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within three to nine years...} [Qur’an 30: 2-4]lThe Qur’an includes many miraculous scientific facts that were only discovered fourteen centuries later. For example, the Qur’an told us about a barrier separating the salty water from the fresh water and they do not mix with each other. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {He has let loose the two seas (the salt and fresh water) meeting together [side by side]; Between them is a barrier which none  of them can transgress.} [Qur’an 55:19,20]After about fourteen centuries, modern science confirmed this scientific fact.lWhen one reads the Book of Allah, he goes into a state of peace and tranquility unlike the human speeches or writings. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {Those who believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”} [Qur’an 13:28]lThe Qur’an is also a cure and it expels the devils when it is recited. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy for those who believe...} [Qur’an 17:82]Of course, it is almost impossible to list all the evidences that prove that the Qur’an is the Speech of Allah in this article; however, we will conclude with the words of Al-Waleed ibn Al-Mugheerah, who was one of the senior leaders of the polytheists of Quraysh, about the Qur’an. He said, “What can I say? Whether it is about prose or poetry, or the poems of the Jinns, I possess greater knowledge than any other man. By God! The words spoken by this man cannot be compared with any of the others. By God, his words possess a charming sweetness and a particular beauty. The branches of his speech are laden with fruit while its roots are firmly entrenched in the soil from whence it proceeds. It is superior to all other discourses, and it is not possible for any other discourse to show it in poor light. For a surety it will conquer anything that comes under its own influence!” [Al-Haakim and Al-Bayhaqi]This is the Qur’an, the Speech of Allah that has been challenging humankind and proving its inability to produce something to its effect as to its eloquence, wise judgments, and authentic news. The challenge is still valid, and the inability of mankind to face that challenge remains. Thus, the Qur’an will remain the everlasting Argument of Allah, The Almighty, against all opponents and disbelievers.Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/