1- What is the Quran?
The Arabic word, ‘Quran, means ‘recitation’ and ‘reading’.
The Holy Quran which is the sacred scripture of Islam was orally revealed in the Arabic language, upon the prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) by Allah through the angel Gabriel during the years 609-632 CE
The Quran is a complete and comprehensive book of reference and a system of life, via Allah’s straight path.
The first word revealed to the prophet was (Iqraa) which means read, educate yourself.
The Quran covers multiple themes in the material and spiritual worlds. Themes range from articles of faith, life and death, personal and public law, and a host of moral, social, material, and spiritual subjects.
“We have dispensed for the people in this Quran from every example, but indeed human was the most thing, argumentative”
(Quran 18-54)
The Quran has been preserved unchanged since it was first revealed year 609 CE to the prophet Muhammed (Pbuh).
“(Quran) Was never a forged narration, but a confirmation of that before His (Allah) hands (God’s holy books; Abraham's scrolls, Moses' Torah, David’s Psalms, Jesus' Gospel)
and detailing everything, and guidance, and mercy, for people who believe.”
(Quran 12-111)
The Quran is a personal letter from God to you, a book of persuasion and guidance to Allah’s straight path that promotes critical and faithful thinking. It outlines the values and beliefs that we and our ancestors had to be reminded of over and over, that can make you the best person you can be. It teaches a way of life that is positive, progressive, and peacefully balanced, through reason and faith, it's like a parent or a close friend, appealing to your reason and innate primordial senses. Stories and events are given only to prove a point. Laws, are few about 4% of the entire Quran, and are connected with trying to make you and humanity better.
The Quran is not a linear storybook, you can open the Quran on any page, and start reading.
The Quran contains paired synonyms and reiterations of poetic phrases that become beautiful ways to remember sound advice and good teachings.
2- What is the Quran book style?
The Arabic Quran is not a linear storybook, it is a circular multidimensional nonchronological oral text. The Quran was not meant to tell a chronological story, and thus, the Quran should not be viewed as a sequential narrative like a linear storybook.
3- How Is The Quran Organized?
Except for the first chapter, the Quran chapters are arranged roughly in order of descending size of chapters
4- How Is The Quran Divided?
The Quran is divided into 114 chapters,
of which 86 were revealed in Mecca,
and 28 were revealed in Medina.
Those chapters revealed in Mecca deal primarily with the "Islamic Creed" including Belief in Allah the Omnipresent and Eternal, His angels, His books, His messengers,
Resurrection and Judgment Day, and the divine preordination of good and evil.
Those chapters revealed in Medina deal mainly with moral principles, legislation, community development, and warfare.
Also, Medina as a city included a wider and more sophisticated savvy audience and opposition to Islam than Mecca’s pagans. e.g. The Jews, The Christians, Hypocrites, etc.
5- How does The Quran style itself?
The Quran generally styles itself as divine speech by employing the first person singular or plural (“I” or “We”) in statements that refer to Allah.
However, this divine narration alternates with third-person statements about Allah. Utterances by Muhammed are normally introduced by the command “Say:…,” thus emphasizing that the Prophet is speaking on divine injunction only.
6- Causes of Quran Revelations?
A large portion of the Quran is devoted to answers given to questions posed by the people, and other portions deal with the details of particular events.
Verses of the Quran are mainly of two types:
The first type of verses:
Comprises those that Allah sent down on His own and that were not caused by some particular event nor prompted by a question.
The second type of verses:
Comprises those verses that were revealed about some incident or inquiry. These events or inquiries are often termed the “background” or “causes” of these verses.
Therefore, the revelation of those verses was appropriate at the time when those questions were asked or when those events came to pass
Accordingly, it is important to read the Summary background of the Chapter revelation
7- What are The Quran's main themes?
Oneness of Allah: Islam is a purely monotheistic faith, and the Quran is the holy book that teaches us about God, who has no partners, no sons, or companions. The Quran teaches us that Allah is One, All-Powerful, and Merciful. He is eternal, and there is no deity worthy of worship besides Him. God is that dimension that makes other dimensions possible; He gives meaning and life to everything. He is all-enveloping, literally infinite, and He alone is infinite.
Belief system: Faith in Allah, Messengers, and Hereafter, Angels, Predestination ease and hardship, and the day of Resurrection and Judgment day.
Commitment to Islam: Voluntarily Submission and Allah-consciousness, piousness, fear of disobeying God, love for God, and self-restraint.
Challenging idolatry and materialism: Idolatry to worship someone or something other than God as though it were God.
The pillars of Islam: Witness to Islam, Daily prayers, charity, fasting, and Pilgrimage.
The Divine laws: What is allowed and what is forbidden, marriage and divorce, inheritance, penal laws, vows and contracts, Alcohol and drugs: Forbidden, tools of Satan to create conflict, Sexuality: inner-human energy to be controlled, modesty, gender equality.
Spiritual values: Mindfulness and alertness, reliance on Allah, commitment and submission, repentance and seeking Divine forgiveness, supplication and private prayer, Jihad for self-improvement and justice, prayers of the Prophets, sacrifice, spiritual growth, worship, Divine remembrance.
Moral virtues: Truthfulness, Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, forgiveness, patience, gratitude, Modesty, Humility, and courage.
The condemnation of moral vices: Falsehood, arrogance, anger, greed, and jealousy.
Fulfilling social obligations: Caring for parents, kindness to relatives, and neighbors, loyalty to friends and country, leadership, peace and reconciliation, the family: marriage, motherhood, family feuds.
Guidelines on earning and spending wealth: A test, hoarding, cheating, squandering, and miserliness
Coping with sufferings and difficulties: Coping with the challenges of life, sickness, stress, anxiety, natural disasters, war, etc...
Stories of the Prophets: They include Prophet Muhammed, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, Nuh, and 19 other prophets.
Judgment day heaven and hell: Judgment of each individual based on his or her deeds and belief.
8- How to Approach the Quran?
“Do they not contemplate the Quran? And if it was from someone other than Allah, they would have found in it many contradictions.”
(Quran Chapter 4-82)
Reason under the guidance of Revelation will guide you to the true path to Allah
" A guess can never take the place of truth"
(Quran Chapter 53: 28).
While Reason is considered to be the doorway to revelation,
Reason is to be used to apprehend revelation, considering reason has its limits e.g. We can not apprehend the ultimate reality or God.
Still, people are urged in the Quran to use reason as a major tool to achieve certainty about the truth and value of the Quran.
e.g. to test in the light of reason the Quran’s call to believe in God, follow His laws, live in a virtuous manner, and prepare for the Hereafter.
Also, to judge the message of the Quran in the light of history and ponder the rise and fall of nations.
“The blind man is not equal with the seeing, nor is darkness equal to light, nor is the shadow equal with the sun's refulgence; nor are the living equal with the dead (Quran Chapter 3:19-22)”.
Also In Islam, miracles or supernatural spirituals are not mere superstitions.
The Quran directs our attention to the phenomena of nature and the facts of history, as they reveal the power of God and His wisdom.
“For those who do not use their intellect, the matter remains confused to them (Quran Chapter 10: 100)”
No one can claim to comprehend the entire Quran, most of the Quran verses are entirely clear plain, and decisive, they are the basis of the Quran, and some other verses are allegorical as they have several related meanings that can evolve and get clearer over time.
“Allah knows best”
“He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity, they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it [their own] interpretation. But none knows its interpretation except Allah and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: we believe in it, it is all from our God and none do mind except those having understanding.”
(Quran 3-7)
9- Message of The Quran:
One of the main messages of the Quran is to bring to our attention that we were not created in vain and that we will be held responsible for our conduct on this earth.
Allah indicates that He created humans as new intellectual, learning, evolving, worshipers beings with free will to choose to do good and evil and with the purpose of them being trustees on earth. This is an honor Allah has given only to humans.
“As your God said to the angels, I am making in the earth a successor, they said, you will make in it who will commit corruption in it and shed blood while we glorify your praises, and sanctify you. Allah said, “I know what you do not know”. (Quran 2-30)
“And We said, “O Adam dwell (temporarily, until your duty as viceroy starts on earth) you and your couple in paradise and eat both of you from it delightful wherever you want, and do not approach this tree then you will be of the unjust.” (Quran 2-35)
Allah made himself directly available at all times to all who seek Him for guidance, with no intermediate, He also as He will help us to grow and cope through his guidance with what is called “Fitna” injecting ease and hardship in our lives to polish humans and help them grow and move towards His path, sent human messengers over time to remind us of our purpose in life, so it is to our benefit to worship Allah alone get closer to Him by obeying his commands doing what we have in common with Allah e.g. Mercy, forgiveness, trust etc. and follow His guidance.
10- How to understand the Quran?
The Quran generally gives broader guidance in most aspects, with some details, but normally to the broader guidance so as to conduct our lives according to the will of Allah. And the Quran finally indicates that since a human being is a free-willed agent, he or she can choose to obey or disobey Allah.
The Quran is a book to be practiced, to guide people to the truth, educate them both intellectually and spiritually, and govern their life in both the individual and social realms. Therefore, one way to understand it is by practicing it in daily life.
As almost every verse of the Quran has an independent existence, it also has an intrinsic relation with every other verse and with the totality of the Quran.
Therefore, understanding a verse requires complete knowledge of the Quran and considering its totality, which requires sincere Quran readers to read the entire Quran.
Finally, the main interpreter of the Quran is the Quran itself; as verses interpret one another, the Quran as a whole also interprets each of them.
11- How to read the Quran?
Start with the short Chapters e.g. Chapter 1 The opening Al-Fatiha.
Read slowly in-depth be patient and humble, contemplate and inquire.
Quran is the best explanation for itself.
Note down all the questions raised in your mind.
Let the Quran answer the questions you have in your mind.
Read the entire Quran two to three times
It would be worthwhile to read a book on the life of the Prophet
12- Who is Allah?
Allah is the personal name of God who has no gender and nothing like him.
He is A unique, omnipotent creator and sustainer of everything.
If He wants something He just says to it “Be” so it Becomes.
Allah is that dimension that makes other dimensions possible; He gives meaning and life to everything. He is all-enveloping, literally infinite, and He alone is infinite.
For simplicity, we can extract 99 attributes for Allah from the Quran (e.g. Omnipotent, Omniscient, The Creator, The Grantor, The Hearing, The Knowing, etc…. )
(Allah knows Best)
Allah describes Himself in many parts in the Quran e.g:
(Quran 1-1)
“With the name of Allah The Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy”
"There is nothing like unto Him" (Quran 42-11)
(Quran 2-255)
“Allah no Deity except Him (One God his name is “Allah)
the living (Immortal, ever-living)
the upholder (Hands-on and the only sustainer)
no sleepiness takes Him, nor sleep, (Always present)
to Him belongs what in the heavens and in the earth, (Originator and providing of everything)
who is that to intercede by Him except by His permission, (The ultimate Judge)
He knows what is between their hands (Knows, what we do and will do, What is seen in front of them, and the unseen future ahead of them)
and what is behind them (the unseen past)
and they do not encompass anything of His knowledge, (Uncontained)
except what He wills, (Provide knowledge as He wills to whom He wills)
Encompass (contain with immense space left) His seat (throne) the heavens and the earth, (Full oversight within His grasp)
and does not burden Him to preserve them (The all Maintaining)
and He is the most-high most great. (Above All)
(Quran 112)
Say: He is Allah, the One.
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor was begotten.
And none is like Him.
13- Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) Biography
- The birth and upbringing of the Prophet
Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh) was born on Monday 29 570 CE in Mecca in 570 CE.
His father died almost six months before he was born.
Shortly after birth he was sent to live with a Bedouin family in the desert.
His mother died when he was 6 years old.
- Prophet Lineage:
Prophet Muhammed lineage goes back to the father of the Ishmaelites (Arabs) Prophet Ishmael the son of The Patriarch and prophet Abraham from his wife Hajar.
Prophet Abraham and Ismael constructed the Kaaba.
Ishmael is also the older brother of Isaac a prophet and the father of the Israelites.
- The dominant pre-Islamic religion in Arabia
Arab polytheism, the dominant belief system, was based on the belief in deities and other supernatural beings such as Jinn. Gods and goddesses were worshipped at local shrines, such as the Kaaba in Mecca. There was also a minority of Judaism and Christianity.
- Prophet worship prior to Islam
Prophet enjoined privacy with his God, as a descendant of Ishmael, son of Abraham he used to worship as them submitting to the One God for a number of nights in the cave of Hira.
- The Youth of the prophet and first marriage:
Prophet Muhammed was known for his honesty,
He was not literate and spent most of his early life as a merchant.
At the age of twenty His first wife Khadija a wealthy, women whom he had worked for
and had entrusted him with her money she proposed to him, she was 40 years old.
She was his only wife for 23 years till she died at age of 63 years old.
- The revelation descended upon the Prophet In Cave Hira
When he was 40 years old while worshipping in Cave Hira, Angel Gabriel descended upon whim with the first revelation.
Prophet expressed his revelation first to his wife Khadija and his friend Abu Bakr who they believed him
- Preaching Secretly:
Prophet expressed his revelation first to his wife Khadija and his friend Abu Bakr who they believed him he called the people closest to him. They were his family and friends, and his invitation to them was secret, the went public by warning of God’s punishment his tribe of Quraish continue in their falsehood worship
- Harming by his tribe:
His tribe for the next ten years stated harming him and his few followers first verbally then physically
- Migration to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Boycott
As a result of the increasing torture of Quraysh against prophet and his followers, the Prophet gave permission to migrate to Abyssinia. Abyssinia was Christian country and was ruled by a just king who was kind to the people. A total of 110 migrated
Further Quraysh expelled and boycotted the rest of the Muslims for the next 3 years during which is first wife Khadija and his uncle main Died
- Migration to Madinah
At age 53 after 13 of preaching in Mecca, the Prophet gave his companions permission to migrate, from Mecca to Medina secretly, then he and his companion Abu Bakr left. When the Quraysh learned of the Prophet’s departure to Medina, they sent someone behind him to kill him, but God protected his Prophet during his migration.
- Constitution of Media Brotherhood Migrant from Mecca and Medina Supporters
The Prophet - peace and blessings be upon him - built the mosque, then accomplished a great work through which he laid the foundations of Constitution of brotherhood among Muslims, formation of a nation of Muslims, unite as one in the defense of the city of Medina, protection to the Jews as long as they were loyal to the agreement, no religious prosecution, and only can be declared by the Prophet.
- Prophet Battels
After 13 years from preaching God Almighty permitted His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to fight the polytheists from the Arab tribes after he settled in Medina.
First Badr Battel: Prophet has 55 years old and the Muslims won
Future battels continued total of twenty-five at which the prophet fought in nine
Ending with conquer of Mecca December 11 629 Ce at prophet age of 59
- Treaties of the Prophet:
In his life Prophet Muhammed made several treaties with including and not limited to:
*Pledges of Aqaba: 621 CE Multiple pledges between The prophet and people of Medina for support and cooperation
*Treaties with the Jews: 622 CE 3 tribes of Jews In Medina
Mainly The Jews shall maintain their own religion and the Muslims theirs. Loyalty is a protection against treachery, Whosoever among the Jews follows us shall have help and equality, The contracting parties are bound to help one another against any attack on Mediana
*Treaty with Najran Christian: 624 CE There shall be no interference with the practice of their faith or their religious observances, protection for their land and funds
*Treaty “Ashtiname “Monks of Mount Sinai granting protection and other privileges to the followers of Jesus, given to the Christian monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula
*Treaty of al-Hudaybiya: March 628 CE Between Prophet in Median and Mecca Quraysh the treaty helped to decrease tension between the two cities, affirmed peace for a period of 10 years
- Inviting to Islam beyond Arabia:
*Letter to Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
*Letter to Muqawqas, vicegerent of Egypt
*Letter to Khosrw II, king of Persia Sassind Kingdom
*Letter to Hercules, Caesar king of the Byzantines (Rome)
*Letter to Al-Mundhir bin Sawa governor of Bahrain
*Letter to Haudha bin ‘Ali Governor of Yamama
*Letter to Al-Harith bin Abi Shamir King of Damascus
*Lettre to Jaifer and ‘Abd al-jalandi King of Oman
- Death of the prophet:
The became a social, religious, and political leader and the last messenger from God.
He passed away on June 8, 632 CE in the arms of Aisha, his third wife., when he was 62 years old and was buried in the Prophet Mosque in Medina.
“And We have not sent you (Muhammed (Pbuh)) except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner. But most people do not know.”
(Quran 34-28)
Say (Muhammed)” Indeed, has guided me my God to a straight path, a valuable religion,
(A Valuable religion, that guides and corrects people’s lives by giving them straight-up values to live by),
the way of Abraham inclining (on the straight path),
and he was not among those who associated (Idolaters)
Say” Indeed my prayers and my rituals and my living and my dying are to Allah, the God of the worlds”
No partner to Him, and like this I was ordered, and I am the first of the Muslims
(Quran 6-162-164)
14- What is Islam?
- Islam is a purely monotheistic religion followed by people who “Surrender” in complete “Submission” to the One God “Allah”, who sent One Consistent Message of Submission to Only Him since the first creation ending with the final revelation of the Quran.
- To believe in Allah’s messengers, and His true books, from Abraham's scrolls,
Moses' Torah, David’s Psalms, Jesus' Gospel, and follow “The Quran” Allah's final
revelation upon Prophet Muhammed (Pbuh).
- Believe in Allah’s Angels,
- Believe in the Day of Judgment,
- Believe in The predestined by Allah.
Muslims also witness that;
- There is no Deity but Allah and Muhammed (Pbuh) is his messenger,
- Pray 5 times a day,
- Fast during the month of Ramadan,
- Pilgrim to Mecca,
- Give alms.
15- What do Muslims ask of Allah?
Muslim’s Prayer is asking God to:
“Guide us to The Straight Path”
(Quran Chapter 1-6)
16- What is Allah’s Straight Path?
Indeed, Allah is my God and your God, so worship Him. That is the straight path."
(Quran 2-130)
All Muslims worldwide pray 5 times a day, collectively asking Allah a total of 17 times the same thing, day in and day out, dawn through the night, for life To:
“Guide us to The Straight Path”
(Quran Chapter 1-6)
“Say (Muhammed (Pbuh)), "Come, I will recite what your God has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you do not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason."
“And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And fulfill the covenant of Allah. This has He instructed you that you may remember.
And, this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.”
(Quran Chapter 6-151-153)
The Straight Path (Quran Ten Commandments) from (Quran Chapter 6: 151-153):
1. Do not associate anything with Allah.
2. Be good to your parents.
3. Do not kill your children because of fear of poverty.
4. Do not approach immoralities, what is apparent of them and what is concealed.
5. Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right.
6. Do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches
maturity
7. Give full measure and weight in justice.
8. When you testify, be just, even if it concerns a near relative.
9. Fulfill any covenants you made in God’s name.
10. Follow Allah’s straight path, and do not follow other paths.
“Say (Muhammed (Pbuh)), "Indeed, my God has guided me to a Straight Path - an Upright Religion - the Way of Abraham, inclining toward the truth (Middle Straight Path).
And he (Abraham) was not among those who associated others with Allah."
(Quran Chapter 6-161)
“And who desire away from Abraham’s way (religion), are but that whom ineptitudes their self, and We sifted him(Abraham) in this world, and in the hereafter among the rightness.”
(Quran 2-130)
Straight Path: A clear straight passage that follows God's Upright Religious Beliefs and Rules.
Upright Religion: Set of beliefs and rules By God that guides the person’s responsibility towards God, each other, and all other creation.
Way of Abraham: inclining toward the truth (Straight Path).
Ways: Beliefs and cultural habits and rites that are dictated and passed down by humans in a strict habitual manner. E.g.: Abraham's way (Submission to God), Buddha's way
(God a philosophical question).
17- The Believers:
1- Who Believes in Allah, and in Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
2- Who Believes in all Prophets, and makes no distinction between them.
3- Who Believes in Allah’s books, and their original message.
4- Who Believes in Allah’s Angels
5- Who Believes in the Hereafter and Day of Judgment
6- Who Believes in the Predestination By Allah ease and hardship
“And how could you disbelieve while to you are being recited the verses of Allah and among you is His Messenger? And whoever holds firmly to Allah has been guided to a straight path”. (Quran 3-101)
“Indeed, those who have believed then disbelieved, then believed, then disbelieved, and then increased in disbelief - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a way”. (Quran 4-137)
Also, See Quran Chapter 23 The Believers
18 - One God One Message One Religion Many Prophets:
Religion is human's indebtedness to God.
Islam is a purely monotheistic religion followed by people who “Surrender” with complete “Submission” to the One God “Allah”, who sent One Consistent Message to humans since the first creation
A message of willingly Submission to Only Him, and believing in His messengers and their original message, including Abraham's scrolls, Moses' Torah, David’s Psalms, Jesus' Gospel, and ending with the Quran, God’s final revelation upon Prophet Mohammed.
(Quran 3-19)
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam (submission). And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealousy and animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in account”.
As Religion is governed by set commands that govern humans' relation with God, and their relations toward themselves, towards other humans, and all other creations, these commands are like the “Code of Law” .
(Quran 5-48)
“And We have revealed to you, [ Mohammad], the Book (Quran) in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a dominant over them.
So, judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth.
To each of you, We have assigned a Code of Law and a Way to follow it.
And had God so willed, He would have made you all one single nation, but so as to try you through what He has given to you.
So Compete then with one another in doing good deeds; to God, you shall all return, and He will make you understand all that over which you used to differ.”.
As Holy books, including the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran, are gradual multiple stages, based on God’s wisdom, of manifestations of the same One Holy Upright Religious message of “Submission” to The One God, which is the message of The Upright Religion “Islam”
Prophet Noah preached to his people:
“And if you turn away [from my message] no fee have I asked of you. My reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims (submissive)."
(Quran 10-17)
Prophet Abraham:
“As Abraham lifts the foundations of the house and Ismael,
Our God Gospel, (They chant) accepts from us, You are the hearing all-knowing.
And our God makes us Muslims (submissive) to you, and our offspring a Muslim
(submissive) nation to You, and show us our rites and accept our repentance, you are the repentant the merciful.”
(Quran 2-12-128)
Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward the truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not among the polytheists.”
(Quran 3-67)
Prophets, Ismael, Isaac, and Jacob:
“And Abraham bequest it (The Legacy of submission to God) to his sons (Ismael and Isaac) and to Jacob, O my sons, Allah has sifted for you The religion, so do not die unless you are Muslims submissive.”
(Quran 2-132)
Prophet Josef:
“My God, you have brought me sovereignty,
and taught me event interpretations.
Creator of the heavens and earth
You are my guardian in this world and the hereafter,
take me as a Muslim and join me to the righteous ones.”
(Quran 12-101)
Prophet Moses:
“And Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims."
(Quran 10-84)
“And you do not resent us (said Pharos Magicians) except because we believed in the signs of our God when they came to us. Our God, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims."
(Quran 7-126)
Prophet Solomon to the people of Queen Sheba:
“Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Be not haughty arrogant with Me, but come to Me in submission. "
(Quran 27-31-32)
Prophet Jesus:
“But when Jesus felt the disbelief from them, he said, Who are my supporters for Allah ?" The disciples said," We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims”.
(Quran 3-52)
Prophet Mohammed:
“Say, "We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us (in the Quran) and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their God. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims to Him."
(Quran 3-84)
“But they tore their commands among them into sects - each sect, with what they have, rejoicing.”
(Quran 23-53)
To conclude, In The Quran, there are no multiple religions, there is only “One Upright Religion”
Prophet Abraham’s “Way” is “Abraham's Scrolls” and his Religious message is “Islam”
Prophet Moses' “Code of Law” is “The Torah” and his Religious message is “Islam”
Prophet David's “Way” is “The Psalm” and his Religious message is “Islam”
Prophet Jesus’s “The Torah Confirmation and a Way” is “The Gospel” and his Religious message is “Islam”
Prophet Mohammed's “Code of Law and Way” is “The Quran” and his Religious message is “Islam”.
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid The Oppressor." And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom astray was decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.”
(Quran 16-36)
“And decree for us in this world good and in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned back to You.
" said (Allah), "My punishment - I afflict with it whom I will, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it for those who maintain piety to Me and give the Zakat charity and those who believe in Our verses”
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So who have believed in him honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be successful”.
(Quran 7- 156-157)
“And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.”
(Quran 3-85)
In The Quran there are no multiple religions, there is only “One Holy Upright Religion” “Complete Submission to the One God” which is also the same message all the previous prophets had relayed from God.
In The Quran, this Holy Upright Religion is called “Islam”
All Holy books, including the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran, are gradual manifestations of the same Holy Upright Religion Message of the One God “Islam”.
So are the Commands by God in all His scriptures to the gradual transition of followers of the Messengers from the beginning of time, to become the followers of Moses then after that become the followers of Jesus, then finally become the followers of the last and final Messenger Muhammed (Peace be upon all of them)
In our current times, there are no followers of Moses or Jesus they should have all followed their original scriptures which had commanded them to ultimately follow the final Prophet Messenger Muhammed (PBUH)
19- What is life in the Quran?
“And this worldly life is not but a distraction and a game. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter is life if only they knew”.
(Quran 29-64)
“Know that the life of this world is but a game and a distraction and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and blissfulness.
And the present worldly life is but the enjoyment of delusion.”
(Quran 57-20)
"And you have certainly come to Us alone as We created you the first time, and you have left whatever We bestowed upon you behind you.” (Quran 6-94)
“And nothing to human except that for which he strives”
(Quran 53-39)
20- Why Allah created Death and Life?
“Who has created death and life, that He may inflict/test you, which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving”
(Quran 67-2)
21- Temporal World, Eternal Hereafter
This seen lower life is temporal, the rights of humans are temporal so in this world the act of a person could lead to temporal gains or losses, with God's permission.
According to God and the prophets, the unseen hereafter is eternal. The consequences of the belief or disbelief in it and the rights and rules of God, which are guidance for our benefit, should be eternal
If knowingly you elect to deny God’s eternal rights and rules you would forfeit your rights to His mercy.
Ultimately, It is not for temporal humans to decide differently from God’s eternal rules, as God with his eternal rules, mercy, knowledge, and wisdom will forgive, pardon, reward or punish
Allah knows best
“And whoever follows other than Islam as a religion (Legislation contradicts what Allah has ordained), will not be accepted from him, and he in the hereafter, shall be among the losers.”
(Quran 3-85)
22- Nasara vs Christian:
Nasara aka Nazarene, from Al Nasera where Jesus was born. The first supporters and believers of Jesus are called “Nasara in the Quran” as they originally supported the prophet Jesus then later they split and became, and called Christians dominations who worshiped the triune God of the Trinity (God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit), and further split into more denominations variations of Christians
“And among those who said “We are Nasara We took their covenant, but they forgot a portion of what they were reminded to, so We enticed between them animosity and hatred to the day of Resurrection and Allah will inform them of what they were fabricating”
(Quran 112-14)
23 Islam: No Original Sin
So, Satan whispered to Adam and Eve to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their intimate parts.
He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortals."
And he swore unto them (saying): I am a sincere adviser to you
So, like this Satan led them on by delusion; and when they tasted the tree, their intimate parts were revealed to them, so they took to stitching upon themselves leaves of the Garden.
And their God called to them, 'Did not I prohibit you from this tree, and say to you, "Verily Satan is for you a manifest foe"?'
Like this Satan lured both Adam and Eve to slip and disobey God
They said, "Our God, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."
Then Adam received from his God words, and He (God) accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
Like this Adam and Eve were not sinfully expelled to the earth from paradise carrying on their shoulders the so-called original sin and then passing it onto their newborn descendants till judgment day. If any Satan committed the original sin by arrogantly disobeying God and being a racist towards Adam and Eve as he thinks being created from fire is better than clay.
As God said in (Quran 7-18)
And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.
And Allah knows best
24- What Do Muslims Want?
All Muslims worldwide pray 5 times a day, collectively asking Allah a total of 17 times the same thing, day in and day out, dawn through the night, for life:
They ask as revealed by Allah, in the Opening Chapter:
“Guide us, The Straight Path”
Quran Chapter 1, The Opening, Al-Fatiha
With the name of Allah, The Merciful The Ever Bestower of Mercy.
Praise to Allah, God of the worlds.
The merciful the ever-bestower of mercy.
Owner of the Religion Day.
It is You we worship, and it is You we rely upon.
Guide us The Straight Path.
The path of those You have given boon upon,
not those that your displease is upon,
or those who are astray.
Amen
So, What is Allah’s Straight Path that all Muslims collectively ask for:
“Say (Mohammed), "Come, I will recite what your God has prohibited to you.
[He commands] that you do not associate anything with Him,
and to parents good treatment,
and do not kill your children out of poverty, We will provide for you and them.
And do not approach immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed.
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right.
This has He instructed you that you may use reason."
“And do not approach the orphan's property
except in a way that is best until they reach maturity.
And give full measure, and weight in justice.
We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity.
And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative.
And fulfill the covenant of Allah.
This has He instructed you that you may remember.
And, this is My Path, which is Straight.
So, follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way.
This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.”
(Quran Chapter 6 verses 151 to 153)
The Straight Path is also called The Quran's Ten Commandments:
1. Do not associate anything with Allah.
2. Be good to your parents.
3. Do not kill your children because of fear of poverty.
4. Do not approach immoralities, what is apparent of them, and what is concealed.
5. Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right.
6. Do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches
maturity
7. Give full measure and weight in justice.
8. When you testify, be just, even if it concerns a near relative.
9. Fulfill any covenants you made in God’s name.
10. Follow Allah’s straight path, and do not follow other paths.
Indeed, Allah is my God and your God, so worship Him. That is a straight path."
(Quran 3-51)
Our God, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your God,' and we have believed. Our God, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.
(Quran 3-193)
25- Who will Enter Paradise?
If you ask a layman Muslim who will enter paradise?
They will say:
Through Allah’s Mercy,
Will enter Paradise those who;
Believed,
and,
did Righteous Deeds.
Allah Willing
Per (Quran Chapter 18-107)
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging,
So, what to believe:
(Quran Chapter 4-136)
Oh, you who have believed,
believe in
Allah and His Messenger (Mohammed)
and the Book that He sent down upon His Messenger
and the Scripture which He sent down before,
And whoever disbelieves in,
Allah,
His angels,
His books,
His messengers,
and the Last Day,
has certainly gone far astray.
also
(Quran 23 The Believers – verses 1 through 11)
Certainly, the believers had reaped success.
Whom they in their prayers, are reverent submissive.
And those from idle vain talk side away.
And those who do charity Zakat.
And those who guard their private parts.
Except for their spouses and what their right hand possesses, they will not be blamed.
And who desire beyond that, then those are the transgressors.
And those who are to their trust and promises attentive.
And those who maintain their prayers.
Those are the inheritors.
Those who will inherit The- Firdous paradise, will abide in it eternally.
So, what about deeds?
Allah's Messenger Mohammed (may peace be upon him) said:
There is none whose deeds alone would entitle him to get into Paradise.
It was said to him: And, Allah's Messenger, not even you?
Thereupon he said: Not even I, but that, my God wraps me in Mercy.
26- Islam Mindful Bliss Living
A Human Going Through Time
Can live
Mindfully in the Now,
learning from the Past,
with an Eye on the future.
There is a narration by the prophet Mohammed that says:
Do for this life, as if you will live forever
And do for your hereafter as if you will die tomorrow.
What is Time value?
By the time Era.
Surely humans are in a state of loss.
Except for those who believed,
and do righteous deeds,
and willed by the truth
and willed in patience.
(Quran Chapter 103)
What is This life?
“Know that the life of this world is but a game and a distraction and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children
like the example of a rain whose plant growth pleases the tillers;
then it dries and you see it turn yellow and become debris.
And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and blissfulness.
And the present worldly life is but the enjoyment of delusion.”
(Quran 57-20)
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter is the eternal living, if only they knew.
(Quran 29-64)
Do not forget your share at this world of life
While being mindful of the future:
“But seek, through that which Allah has given you,
the home of the Hereafter;
And do not forget your share of this world.
And do good as Allah has done good to you.
And desire not corruption in the land.
Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."
(Quran 28-77)
Also Remember:
It is not just living in the moment, it will help to Learn from the past:
“Have not they
walk in the earth and see how the consequences of those before them,
they were enhanced than them in force,
they plowed the earth,
constructed it longer than they populated it
and came to them their messengers with the clear signs
and Allah was not to wrong them by they were wronging themselves.”
(Quran 30-9)
As Life is an ongoing test
And We (Allah) will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits,
but give good tidings to the patient,
Who, if a disaster strikes them, they say
“ We belong to Allah, and to Him, we shall return”.
(Quran 2-155 and 156)
“(Allah)Who has created death and life,
that He may test you, which of you is best in deed?
And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving”
(Quran 67- 2)
And If disaster, Hardship, and suffering strike:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves,
except that it is in a register before We (Allah) bring it into being –
indeed that, for Allah, is easy
So that you not despair over what has eluded you,
and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you.
And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful”
(Quran 57- 22 through 23)
And if you Fall short in life:
“Allah does not forgive partnering with Him but forgives what is below that to whom He wills, and whoever takes partners with Allah, has forged a great sin”.
(Quran 4-38)
Then Ultimately
As for those who believed and did righteously,
they will be in the meadow delighting.
(Quran 30-15)
We as humans, have God-given capacity
To capture Living Mindfully and blissfully
and being accountable for it.
The Now, (through prayer, meditation)
The Then, (reflecting and learning)
The Future, (Faith and Belief)
27- Comments:
· Slowly read, be humble, think, contemplate, meditate, use your mind, your logic, your senses, your imagination, be critical of yourself and be patient to understand beyond your limitations and knowledge, tame your ego and prejudice, and use all of your faculties as they develop over time.
· The Arabic Holy Quran revealed upon the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) during the years 609-632 CE is divided into 114 chapters, of which 86 chapters were revealed in Mecca, and 28 chapters were revealed in The Madinah
· Those revealed in Mecca deal primarily with the "Islamic Creed" including belief in Allah, the Omnipresent and Eternal, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Resurrection and Judgment Day, and the divine preordination of good and evil.
· Those revealed in The Madinah deal mainly with moral principles, legislation, community development, and warfare.
· The Holy Quran can only be read and recited in its original revealed Arabic language.
· The Holy Quran is a lifetime guide that will guide you in this life.
Most important ask Allah to Guide you.
· The Arabic Quran is not a linear storybook, it is a circular multidimensional nonchronological oral text, that covers all aspects of knowledge over time whether ethical, logical, historical, moral, scientific, cultural, jurisprudence, financial, mystical, etc. to all humanity despite their differences or culture.
· Translations, regardless of how good they are, are an attempt to offer a narrow glimpse into the Arabic Quran, often these translations seem repetitive, boring, and miss the point, but it's a good start if any consolation even Arabic natives need to learn almost all meanings of a single classical Arabic word or even a letter to capture the richness and meaning of the Quranic text.
· The Quran is to be recited as recited by the prophet using rules and inner connection of words, it has a hypnotic melody that will force itself on your innate self when recited whether you understand it or not, speak Arabic or not, are literate or not literate, after all, most of the first believers in the Quran including the prophet Muhammed “peace be upon him” were not literate. Just let go of your ego and prejudice, before reading.
· No one can claim to comprehend the entire Quran even in Arabic, some of its verses are decisive they are the basis of the Quran e.g. jurisprudence which is in harmony with the innate human senses, dyed in the human DNA at birth, what is right and what is wrong is decisive, and other verses are allegorical that evolve in meanings in time and through the ages.
· Sometimes you cannot get answers from humans as it is beyond our knowledge at the time, so ask Allah for understanding or spikes of understanding after all we worship Allah, not our limited brains
· At the end of the day, only Allah can guide you to the meaning and benefit of the Quran if the reader is humble patient, and believe Allah's words.
· The Quran is not a summer reading it's a life reading, that will always have answers and guidance, as it had to billions of people through all times and until judgment day.
· The Quran has been vetted over the past 1400 years by all walks of life,
and Allah demands you to keep vetting, asking questions,
and contemplating it, as it is the absolute unchanged Truth from Allah.
· Read slowly in-depth be patient and inquire do not brush aside what
you do not understand, there is always a reason you have been forced to
stop and further inquire. The Quran is not a philosophy it's a guide for all
bodies and souls.
· This is my attempt to translate; it keeps changing, as I better
understand.
Non-Arabic speakers can sometimes find it difficult to read the Quran in its original Quranic Arabic form but can benefit from Quran translations and commentaries. Allah does not expect individuals to perform beyond their abilities.
Mohamed Elgayar
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Disclaimer:
The Holy Quran can only be read and recited in its original revealed Arabic language. No translation or interpretation of the Holy Quran can be used as a replacement for the Arabic Holy Quran. I am not a scholar nor have any Islamic studies diplomas. I have tried to provide a Quran translation and interpretation that is faithful to the Quranic Arabic language, based on my readings of selected scholars’ interpretations and my understanding of The Holy Quran as a layman Muslim native Arabic speaker.
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