Introduction to the
Basic Facts.....
The Basic Facts on the Quran are culled from the Quran
itself. It is also in a sense, the thumb-nail 'history' of the Quran, and
the history of its translations. The history of the translations of the
Quran is adapted from the translation and commentary of the Quran by A.
Yusuf Ali.
I hope that the students of
the Quran will find this modest attempt interesting.
Quran is the Manifesto of Islam.
Islam is the world's only major monotheistic religion
that is also a total political system, complete with rules of law, a system
of government, and an economic infrastructure.
Islam is not the religion of Muhammad, the Messenger of
God (may God bless him and his Ahle Bayt). It is the religion of surrender
to God's Will -the surrender implicit in the submission of Abraham (Ibrahim)
and his son Ismael, in the supreme test -the attempted sacrifice expressed
in the word aslama.
TAUHEED or belief in the Oneness of God, is the
central doctrine of Islam. All of Islam revolves around Tauheed It is the
first Article of Faith in Islam, and is summed up in the 112th Chapter of
the Quran (Sura Ikhlas) or (of Faith), which reads as follows:
"SAY; HE IS GOD, THE ONE AND
ONLY;
GOD, THE ETERNAL, ABSOLUTE;
HE BEGETTETH NOT NOR IS HE BEGOTTEN,.
AND THERE IS NONE LIKE UNTO HIM.
"
Etymologically the term Quran simply means 'reading' Or
'reciting'. Theologically it means the Word of God Almighty.
Quran, the Divine Book of Islam, was revealed to
Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and his Ahle Bayt), for the guidance of
mankind, for all times to come. The Quran is the last and final revelation.
The first Revelation was brought to Prophet Muhammad by
the Archangel Gabriel. The Prophet was 40 years old when this occurred.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, forty years after the Year
of the Elephant (570 AD), Or thirteen years before the Hijra (the migration
of the Prophet from Makkah to Medina in 622 AD). He was in the cave of Hira
when he received the first Revelation. Hira is a cave On a hill, three mile
north-east of Makkah in Arabia.
The first Revelation consisted of the following five
verses:
'READ! IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD AND
CHERISHER,
WHO CREATED - CREATED MAN,
OUT OF A (MERE) CLOT OF CONGEALED
BLOOD,
READ! AND YOUR LORD IS MOST
BOUNTIFUL,
HE WHO TAUGHT (THE USE OF) THE PEN,
TAUGHTMAN THAT HE KNEW NOT.”
These five verses are at the beginning of the 96th Sura
or Chapter of the Quran. The Chapter is called lqraa (Read or Proclaim), or
Alaq (the clot of congealed blood).
The last verse of the Quran which was revealed to
Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah, was the following one:
"THIS DA Y I HA VE PERFECTED
YOUR RELIGION FOR YOU,
COMPLETED MY FAVOR UPON YOU,
AND HAVE CHOSEN FOR YOU ISLAM AS YOUR
RELIGION.”
This clause occurs in the 4th verse of the fifth
chapter Al-Maida (the Table Spread) of the Quran. It was revealed on the
plain of Ghadir.
On the 18th of Zilhajj of 10 AH, a date which
corresponds to March 21, 632, when the Prophet had completed the Farewell
Pilgrimage, and was returning from Makkah to Medina.
Since God Himself perfected Islam, it is not subject to
any modification by anyone; it is impervious to change for all time. But
Islam allows flexibility in the interpretation of its laws.
After the revelation of this Verse, the Prophet of
Islam, lived another 80 days in the world. No other revelation came to him
during those eighty days. The Message was complete; the religion had been
perfected. The Revelation had thus ended forever.
The opening Sura (chapter) of the Quran is Al-Fatiha.
It is indeed the essence of Quran. It consists of seven verses. Recited at
least seventeen times daily in the five daily prayers by every man and
woman, old and young, this is the most recited prayer in the world. It is
most inspiring to dwell upon each word of this miraculous revelation.
Sura Al-Baqr (the Cow), is the second Chapter in Quran.
It is the longest Chapter in the Book and contains 286 verses. Also, its
verse 282, is the longest verse of the Quran.
Ayat Al-Kursi (the Verse of' the Thorne), the 255th
verse, also occurs in the Sura Baqr. It is one of the most important verses
of the Quran, repeatedly recited by the Muslims for thawab (blissful reward).
AJ-Baqr is also important because it encompasses the
bulk of Islamic jurisprudence.
The second longest Chapter in the Quran is the 26th
Chapter, Shuaraa (the Poets), with 227 verses; the third longest is the 7th
Chapter, Araf, (the Heights), with 206 verses; and the fourth longest is the
3rd Chapter, AJ-Imran, with 200 verses.
The following three short Suras consists of three
verses each.
I. Al-Asr (Time)
Chapter 103
2. Al-Kauthar (Abundance)
Chapter 108
3. Al-Nasr (Help)
Chapter 110
Al-Kauthar is the shortest Sura.
The Quran was completed in 23 years- from 610 AD to 632
AD.
The Quran is divided into 30 parts; it is sub-divided
into 114 Sums. The Suras is designated as Makkan or Madinite according to
where it was revealed. The number of Makkan Suras (those revealed in Makkah)
is 70, whereas the number of Madinite Suras(those revealed in Medina) is 44.
Quran has 338,606 letters (huruf); 86,430 words (kalemat);
and 6,666 verses (ayat). It has 39,582 signs of kasra (zer); 53242 fatha (zabar)
and 8804 zammar (pesh). It has 1252 tashdeed, 1771 madda and 105,684 dots.
It is the basis of religion, and the canon of ethical and moral life. It is
also the first prose book in Arabic. Its style is Divine, and inimitable. It is one of the greatest miracles.
The following Suras (Chapters) have been named after
the Prophets:
1. Yunus Chapter 10
2. Hud Chapter 11
3. Yusuf Chapter 12
4. Ibrahim Chapter 14
5. Luqman Chapter 31
6. Muhammad Chapter 47
7. Nuh Chapter 71
We are not sure if Hazrat Luqman was a Prophet as the
traditions vary.
Janabe Mary or Maryam, the mother of Prophet Jesus (Isa)
(peace be upon them), is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran. The
19th Chapter of the Quran - Maryam- is named after her. Zaid is the only
companion of the last Prophet, mentioned by name in the Quran.
Sura Anam (the Cattle), is the sixth Chapter of the
Quran. It has the names of 18 Prophets in four consecutive verses.
The following 28 Prophets have been mentioned by their
names in Quran:
- Adam
- 2.
Nuh (Noah)
- Ibrahim
(Abraham)
- 4.
Ismael
- Isaac
(Ishaq)
- Yaqub
(Yaqub)
- Yusuf
(Goseph)
- Al-Yasa
(Elisha)
- Yunus
- Lut
- Saleh
- Hud
- Shuaib
- Dawud
(David)
- Sulayman
(Solomon)
- Dhul-Kifl
(Issiah)
- Idris
(Enoch)
- Ilias
(Alias)
- Zakariya
f
- Yahya
Gohn)
- Ayub
Gob)
- Musa
(Moses)
- Haroon
(Aaron)
- Isa
(Jesus)
- Uzair
(Ezra)
- Luqman
- Zulqarnayn
- Muhammad
Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), has been called '8 friend of
Al1ah;The verse 125 of the Suratun Nisaa or the Women, (Chapter 4), reads as
follows:
"Who can he better in religion than one who
submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the way of Abraham
the true in faith! For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.”
Prophet Abraham had two sons. "The younger son s
progeny developed the Faith of Israel and that of Christ; the elder son’s
progeny perfected the more universal Faith of Islam, the Faith of Abraham
the True.” (A.Yusuf Ali).
Prophet Moses (Musa), was honored by Allah Who spoke to
him directly, The verse 164 of the Suratun Nisaa or the Women, (Chapter 4),
reads as follows:
"Of some Apostles We have already told you the
story;
Of others We have not; and to Moses Allah spoke
direct.”
The name of Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and his
Ahle Bayt) has been honored in Quran in the following verses:
1 ."O Prophet! Truly We have sent you as a
Witness,
A Bearer of Glad Tidings, and a Warner,
2, “And as one who invites to Allah’s (Grace) by
His leave,
And as a Lamp spreading Light.” (Chapter 33; Verses
45 and 46)
3, "We have not sent you hut as a universal
(Messenger) to men,
Giving
them glad tidings, and warning them (against
sin), hut most men do not understand.” (Chapter 34; Verse 28)
4, "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men,
But (he is) the Apostle of Allah, and the Seal of the
Prophets,
And Allah has full knowledge of all things.”
(Chapter
33; Verse 40)
5, "We have sent you not, hut as a Mercy for all
creature." (Chapter 21; Verse 107)
The name of Prophet, Muhammad occurs in Quran in the
following five verses:
Chapter 3, Verse 144
Chapter 33, Verse 40
Chapter 47, Verse 2
Chapter 48, Verse 29
Chapter 61, Verse 6 (as Ahmad)
Among all the contemporaries of the last Prophet of
Islam, only two men have been mentioned by name in the Quran, They are Zayd
bin Haritha and Abu Lahab, They are cited in the following verses:
1. “Then when Zayd (hin Haritha) had dissolved (his
marriage) with her,
With the necessary (formality), We joined her in
marriage to thee:”
(Chapter 33 Ahzah, or the Confederates; Verse 37)
2. "Perish the hands of Ahu Lahah (the Father of
the Flame)! Perish he!"
(Chapter 111; Verse 1)
In the Quran:
Adam is mentioned 25 times, Idris twice,
Nuh 49times, Hud 8 times, Saleh 9 time, Ibrahim 49 times,
Ismael 12 time, Ishaaq 17 time, Yaqub 16 times, Yusuf 27 time, Lut 27 time,
Ayub 4 times, Shoaib 11 times, Musa 133 times (the most mentioned name of a
Prophet), Haroon 19 times, Dawood 16 times, Sulayman 17 times, Yahya 7
times, Isa 36 times, Uzair once, Al-Yasa twice, Dhul-Kifl twice, Yunus 6
times, Ilias 3 times and Zakariah 7 time.
May Allah's peace be upon
all of them.
The first Ayat of the Quran:
Bismillahir Rahmanir
Rahim, has 19 Arabic alphabets, It is interesting to note that
whereas every chapter of the Quran starts with this Ayat (Bismillah), except for
Sura Tauba, all Kalemats (sentences) of the Quran, have one or more out
of the 19 alphabet of Bismillah except for one Kalima, ‘Qad
Saghat’ in Ayat 4 of the 66th Sura, Tahreen.
The Quran is called in its own text -by 55 titles
according to Al-Suyuti's book, Itqaan. Some of these titles are given here
under with their meanings:
1. Al-Kitab. The Book
2. Al-Quran: The Reading
3. Al-Mubin: The Enlightener
4. Al-Kalam: The Word
5. Al-Burhan: The Proof
6. An-Noor: The
Light
7. Al-Huda: The Guide
8. Az-Zik: The Reminder
9. Ash-Shifa: The Healing
10. Al-Hikmah: The Wisdom
11. Al-Ali: The Lofty
12. Ar-Rahman: The Mercy
13. Al-Bayan: The Explanation
14. Al-Balagh: The Me sage
The name of Allah (swt) has used His Name, Allah, in
the Quran 2698 times, Rahman 57 times, Rahim 114 times and Ism 19
times. These numbers are other than Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Sura Mujadilah is the only Sura of the Quran, where in
each verse (Ayat), the name of' Allah has been mentioned.
Whereas the longest verse (Ayat) of Quran is Verse 282
of Sura Al-Baqr, the shortest verse is Verse 21 of Sura Mudathir.
There are 29 letters in the Arabic alphabet ( counting
hamza and alif as two letters), and there are 29 Suras (chapters)
which have abbreviated letters prefixed to them.
The core doctrines of Islam are summed up in the
following verses:
1. "O you who believe! Believe in Allah, and His
Apostle, and the scripture which He has sent to His Apostle and the
scripture which He sent to those before (him}. Any who denies Allah, His
angels, His Books, His Apostles, and the Day of Judgment, has gone far,
far astray."
(Chapter 4; Verse 136)
2. "But those among them who are well-grounded in
knowledge, and the Believers, believe in what has been revealed to you and
what was revealed before you and (especially) those who
establish regular prayer and practice regular charity and believe in Allah and
in the Last Day: to them We shall soon give a great reward.”
(Chapter 4;
Verse 162)
3, "The Believers, men and women, are protectors,
One of another: they enjoin what is lust, and forbid what is evil: they
observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His
Apostle, On them Allah will pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in Power,
Wise.”
(Chapter 9; Verse 71)
4, "But it is righteousness -to believe in Allah
and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of
your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the
needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to
he steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the
contracts which you have made; and be firm and patient, in pain (or
suffering) and adversity, and
throughout all periods of panic, Such are the people of truth, the
God-fearing.”
(Chapter 2;Verse 177)
The mission of the Prophet of Islam has been delineated
in the following verse:
“A similar (favor you have already received) in that
We have sent among you as Apostle of your own, rehearsing to you Our Signs,
and sanctifying you, and instructing you in Scripture and Wisdom, and in new
Knowledge.”
(Chapter 2; Verse 151)
According to this verse, Muhammad Mustafa (S) had to
carry out the following duties as the Messenger of Allah:
1, Rehearsing the Signs of Allah;
2, Sanctifying the Muslims through Faith and Good
Works, Most important of the Good Works are the five daily canonical prayers
of Islam, regular charity, and the duty of commanding others to do good, and
forbidding them from doing wrong;
3. Instructing the Muslims in Scripture and good sense;
and
4. Imparting new Knowledge to the Muslims.
Islam is the greatest leveler of political, social and
economic inequalities, and ethnic and national distinctions, as we read in
the following verse:
"O MANKIND! WE CREATED YOU FROM A SINGLE (PAIR) OF
A
MALE AND A FEMALE, AND MADE YOU INTO NATIONS AND
TRIBES, THAT YE MAY KNOW EACH OTHER (not that ye may
despise each other}. VERILY THE MOST HONORED OF YOU IN
THE SIGHT OF ALLAH IS (he who is) THE MOST RIGHTEOUS OF
YOU AND ALLAH HAS FULL KNOWLEDGE AND IS WELL
ACQUAINTED (with all thing)."
(Chapter 49; Verse 13)
This verse is addressed to all mankind and not only to
the Muslim brotherhood. The tribes, races and nations are
convenient labels by which we may know certain differing characteristics.
Before God they are all one, and he gets most honor who is most
righteous. (A. Yusuf Ali )
There is no question now of race or nation, of a
'chosen people' or the 'seed of Abraham'; or the 'seed of David'; or of
Hindu Arya-varta; of Jew or Gentile, Arab or 'Ajam (Persian), Turk or Tajik,
European or Asiatic, White Or Colored; Aryan, Semitic, Mongolian,
or African; or American, Australian, or Polynesian. To all men and
creatures other than men who have any spiritual responsibility, the
principles universally apply. (A. Yusuf Ali)
Each Chapter of the Quran begins with Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim (in the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most
Merciful) except for Sura Tauha (Repentance) or Beraa (Immunity) - the 9th
Chapter.
This Sura was a notable declaration of State policy
promulgated about the month of Shawwal, 9 AH ( 630 AD ). The
Messenger of Allah selected Ali ibn Abi Talib to promulgate this important
Sura (Chapter).
Muhammad Husayn Haykal, the Egyptian biographer of the Prophet of Islam, writes in his The Life of Muhammad,
about the promulgation of this chapter, as follows:
“Ali ibn Abi Talib was entrusted by the Prophet with
the duty to proclaim the commandments of God and His Prophet. When
the pilgrims congregated at Mina, Ali rose, and delivered
all these verses from Surah Al- Taubah. After he finished his recitation
of the Qur'an, he continued in his own words: "O men, no unbeliever
will enter paradise; no polytheist will perform pilgrimage after this year;
and no naked man will be allowed to circumambulate the Kaaba. Whoever
has entered into a covenant with the Apostle of Allah will have his
covenant fulfilled as long as its term lasts." Ali proclaimed these four
instructions to the people and then gave everybody four month of general peace and
amnesty during which anyone could return safely home. From that
time on no polytheist performed the pilgrimage and no naked man
circumambulated the Kaaba. From that day onwards, the Islamic State was
established."
Each chapter of the Quran begins with Bismillahir
Rahmanir Rahim (in the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most
Merciful) except for the Sura Tauba (Repentance) or Berat (Immunity), the 9th
Chapter.
Sura Naml (the Ants), the 27th Chapter of the Quran,
has two Bismillahs, one at the beginning, and one in Verse 30.
Ramadan (the 9th month of the Islamic calendar) is the
only month mentioned in the Quran. The name occurs in Verse 85 of Sura Baqr
(the second Sura).
Friday is the only day mentioned in the Quran. Sura 62
has been titled Jumaa (Friday).
The names of the following cities or countries or
places have been mentioned in the Quran:
Mt. Sinai Chapter 2; Verse 93
Babylon Chapter 2;Verse 102
Arafat Chapter 2; Verse 198
Bakka or Makkah Chapter 3; Verse 96
Badr Chapter 3; Verse 123
Hunain Chapter 9; Verse 25
Egypt Chapter 10; Verse 87
Egypt Chapter 12; Verse 21
Mt. Judi Chapter 11; Verse 44
Valley of
Tuwa Chapter 20; Verse 12
Madyan Chapter 28; Verse 45
Mountain of Tur Chapter 28; Verse 46
Rome (Rum) Chapter 30; Verse 2
Yathrib Chapter 33; Verse 13
Saba Chapter 34; Verse 15
Makkah Chapter 48; Verse 24
The following eatables and drinks have been mentioned
in the Quran:
Manna and Salwa Chapter 2; Verse 57
Pot - herbs, Cucumbers, Garlic, Lentils, Onions Chapter
2; Verse 61
Date - palms and Vines Chapter 2; Verse 266
Meat Chapter 5; Verse 2
Grain, Grapes, Olives and Pomegranates Chapter 6; Verse
99
Corn Chapter 13; Verse 4
Fish Chapter 16; Verse 14
Milk Chapter 16; Verse 66
Honey Chapter 47; Verse 15
Water Chapter 47; Verse 15
Wine Chapter 47; Verse 15
Ginger (Zanjahil) Chapter 76; Verse 17
Wine (pure and holy) Chapter 76; Verse 21
Corn and Vegetables Chapter 78; Verse 15
Fig Chapter 95; Verse 1
The following colors have been mentioned in the Quran:
White, Red, and Black Chapter 35; Verse 27
Green (Tree ) Chapter 36; Verse 80
Pink (or Red) Chapter 55; Verse 37
Dark Green Chapter 55; Verse 64
Green (Garments) Chapter 76; Verse 21
Ya-Sin or the 36th Sura of the Quran, is particularly
devoted to the last Prophet and the Revelation which he brought.
The abbreviated letters Ya-Sin are usually construed as a title of the
holy Prophet. ..This Sura is considered to be 'the heart of the Quran; as it
concerns the central figure in the teaching of Islam and the central
doctrine of Revelation and the Hereafter. As referring to the Hereafter, it is
appropriately read in solemn ceremonies after death. (A.Yusuf Ali)
The first Chapter of the Quran revealed in Medina, was
Al-Baqr, the second Sura.
The last Chapter of the Quran revealed in Makkah, was
Tatifif, the 83rd Sura.
The Treaty of Hudayhiyya has been called The Manifest
Victory (Fathe Mobin) in the following verse of the Quran: "Verily We
have granted you a Manifest Victory." ( Chapter 48; Verse 1 )
"By this Treaty the Meccan Quraish, after many
years of unrelenting conflict with Islam, Bt length recognized Islam BS (
what they thought) an equal power with themselves. In reality the door
was then opened for the free spread of Islam throughout Arabia and
thence through the world. " (A.Yusuf Ali)
The Treaty of Hudaybiyya is the most important
political document in the entire history of Islam. The Secretary who was
chosen by the Prophet of Islam for indicting its terms, was Ali ibn Abi
Talib.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyya was signed in Zilqaad 6 AH
(February 628).
There are 29 letters in the Arabic alphabet ( counting
hamza and alif as two letters), and there are 29 Suras (Chapters) which have
abbreviated letters prefixed to them. These abbreviated letters are called
Muqattaat.
