God revealed His Wisdom, Laws, and Instructions through his final Book, the Holy Quran. The Quran states that in every age, a book is revealed. God has sent forth a number of books in the past; but the last and final revelation is the Glorious Quran, which was revealed to the last and final Prophet, Muhammad.
All Revelations preceding the Holy Quran were sent only to a particular group of people and pertained to a certain time period. Yet the final and ultimate revelation, the Quran, was not revealed for only a particular group of people—such as Muslims or Arabs--but for all of mankind, until the end of time. A Book of guidance intended not only for the people of his era but for all generations to come.
The Holy Quran is the verbatim word of God. Unlike other sacred scriptures like the Bible, the Quran has been perfectly preserved in both its words and meaning--and in a language that still exists today. Whereas Muslims believe that the original Bible was sent from God to Prophet Jesus for the Israelites, the Bible has been altered, distorted, and modified during the last centuries, so that it contains words of man and not the Divine Being. The original Bible and the Jewish Torah of today, as they are published, do not consist of their exact original scriptures in their pure and unfettered form.
Whereas the Holy Quran confirms the existence of the books that were sent before it, including the Jewish Torah and the Gospels of Jesus, The Quran abrogates all previous scriptures and becomes the Book of guidance for all humankind. The Quran was revealed to guide humanity through every aspect of their lives. The Quran is a guide, an instructional manual on how one’s life should be lived.
The Quran is also a personal guidance book that will navigate one throughout the course of his or her daily struggles. Just as, when you buy a computer or any electronic device, it comes with an instructional manual dictating how the machine should be operated. One is advised to read the instructional manual of life, The Quran, and live in the way that our creator has decreed. How would man know his role and the purpose of his existence, unless he receives clear and practical instructions regarding what God wants from him? If one follows the instructions carefully, then he shall be rewarded with a better life; here in this world, and in the Hereafter. On the other hand, if you disobey God and go against His commands, then you will face consequences in this world and in the hereafter.
The Quran is the primary source of Islam for all Muslims. The book is and always has been written in the Arabic language. The Quran is so unique in content and style that it cannot be translated; therefore, any translation is to be taken only as an interpretation of the meanings of the Quran. Distinctions must be drawn between the Quran and its translations. Any translation of the Quran is not the Quran in its true and pure form, it is simply a translation and/or explanation of the original masterwork. A translation of the Quran is not the word of God, as only the original Quran contains the exact Arabic words spoken by God; revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. Different translations of the Quran are intended to help non-Arabic speaking audiences comprehend its meaning; still and all, there is only one Quran. Since each translation of the Quran is not the original work and is only manmade in content, it is an imperfect translation bound to contain errors. Granted, some translations may be superior in their linguistic style or their interpretations of the Quran. Yet there remains only one true version of this timeless book.
If a Muslim in Asia reads a verse of the Quran, one can be sure another Muslim is reciting the exact same words in faraway Africa. No differences will exist between the two reciting. God has promised to always preserve the Quran, protecting the book from anyone attempting to modify or change its text or message. God has promised in the Holy Quran to guard His Book against any manmade modifications, distortions, additions, subtractions, or tampering in any form.
Quran linguistically translates to recitation, meaning the recitation of the words of God via the Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad. Then the Prophet recited these same words to the people.
The Quran first was revealed in the holy month of Ramadan which is the 9th month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. The remainder of its message was revealed bit by bit for the next 23 years. Each passage was revealed in the wake of a certain major event in the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Finally, it was then put together as a whole in his lifetime. The Quran was sent down to a Prophet that was unlettered, that did not read, write or calculate, and that had no education; these characteristics serving as sufficient proof that the Holy Text was not authored by him.
The Quran is a widely known and memorized document. In fact, the Quran is the only book that is memorized by millions of people of all ages around the world, of all languages or backgrounds, from one end to the other.
The Quran deals with all subjects which concern human beings, such as doctrine, wisdom, worship, law, transactions, and more. Its main theme is the relationship between God and His creation. The Quran teaches the art of living. The Quran contains guidelines and teachings, for both individuals and society as a whole. The Quran also contains guidelines and teachings for proper human conduct, an equitable economic system, ritual worship, ethics and moral behavior, business, government, and more.
The Quran is like no other book, in that it serves as an infinite source of intellectual wisdom and spiritual elevation. It cleanses the heart. The Holy Quran teaches that one should be truthful and never to lie or cheat. The Quran teaches us to give charity to the poor and to be kind to our parents, neighbors, family, and friends.
The Quran is the greatest miracle of God. The Quran is proof of the truthfulness of Islam. The Quran is the standing and ever-lasting miracle. The Quran contains thousands of miracles to prove its Godly origins. The Quran is a miracle because it is inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact. The Quran is a miracle as it contains hundreds of scientific facts later confirmed to be true, years after the book was revealed. The Quran is a miracle because of the power and effect it wields for human beings all over the world. It changes millions of people’s lives and views. It transforms people into better human beings. The Quran is a miracle because of its amazing spiritual power and psychological effects. The Quran is a miracle because of how it changed and impacted human history in so many ways throughout the years.
