Quran is Islam’s holy book. Allah (God) is believed by Muslims to have written the Quran. The Quran never belonged to any human. It is God’s word, revealed by Allah, to guide mankind.
What Does the Word “Quran” Mean?
The word “Quran” itself means “recitation” in Arabic. It is a derivation of the verb “Qara’a,” which means “to read” or “to recite.” Muslims read the Quran during prayer and life. It is not just a book to read. It is a book to live.
How Did the Quran Arrive With Us?
Muslims believe that Allah revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). This was done over a period of 23 years. Small portions of the Quran were received by the Prophet at different times. Whenever something happened in the people’s life, Allah revealed guidance through the Quran.
The Prophet did not compose the Quran. He was illiterate. This proves that the Quran is not his. He simply conveyed what he received from the Angel. He recited the verses to the people, and they wrote them down or memorized them.
Who Wrote Down the Quran?
The Prophet’s friends wrote down the Quran in his lifetime. They inscribed it on bones, leather, leaves, and stones. Numerous others memorized it too. At the time of the Prophet’s death, the first caliph, Abu Bakr, compiled the Quran into a single book. Next, the third caliph, Uthman, copied it several times and sent the copies to parts of the country. In such a manner, the Quran was guarded and not altered.
Is the Quran the Word of Muhammad?
No, the Quran is not the saying of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims feel that he only relayed what he got from Allah. He did not put in anything. He did not remove anything. He did not modify anything. The Quran clearly states in many verses that these are the words of Allah.
Let’s look at this verse in the Quran:
“It is not the word of a poet; little do you think. Nor is it the word of a soothsayer; little do you remember. It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.”
(Surah Al-Haqqah, 69:41-43)
This verse makes it very clear that the Quran is not the work of the Prophet’s mind. It is from Allah.
What Makes the Quran Special?
The Quran is unlike any other book. It possesses many distinguishing features:
It is in impeccable Arabic. The language is precise, deep, and beautiful. Even the greatest Arab poets were not able to match it.
It has not changed. Over 1400 years have passed, yet the Quran has not changed. Not one word has been modified.
It guides human beings. The Quran has solutions for daily problems. It talks of money, family, justice, generosity, and worshipping Allah.
It has science. The Quran talks about the universe, the human body, and the Earth—most of which were just discovered.
It touches the heart. Individuals are tranquil when they hear or recite the Quran. Even non-Arabic speakers are touched.
What Does the Quran Say About Its Writer?
The Quran itself clearly states that its writer is Allah. Let’s look at another verse:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:2)
We can find from this verse that the Quran is with complete truth. It has no doubt. Allah sent it to human beings to guide them.
Another verse says:
“Verily, it is We Who revealed the Quran and verily, We will be its guardian.”
(Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9)
In this, Allah declares that He Himself is protecting the Quran. Nobody can change it. Nobody can remove anything or add anything.
Did Any Human Claim to Write the Quran?
Nobody ever claimed that he wrote the Quran in the past. Even the Prophet Muhammad never said so. He always said it was from Allah. Even those non-Muslims who lived during his time did not say so. They even accused him of having learned from others rather. But the Prophet co-habited with his people for 40 years before the Quran arrived at his hands. He never learned from any instructor. He never showed any sign of being a writer or poet.
What Do Specialists Say?
Many non-Muslim specialists read the Quran. Some of them accepted that the Quran was impossible to be written by a human. They enjoyed its style, wisdom, and language.
For example, a renowned historian, William Montgomery Watt, said that it is hard to believe the Quran was composed by the Prophet himself. He believed it was probable that the Prophet genuinely believed that he received a message from God.
Another writer, Maurice Bucaille, wrote a book comparing the Quran with science. He stated that the Quran contains facts impossible to know at the 7th century.
Can Anyone Write Something Like the Quran?
The Quran itself challenges human beings to write something similar to it. Allah states:
And if you doubt what We have unveiled to Our Servant [Muhammad], then bring a chapter the like thereof and call upon your witnesses besides Allah, if you be truthful.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:23)
Nobody has been able to fulfill this challenge. Many tried. All failed. The Quran is still one-of-a-kind.
Why Does It Matter Who Wrote the Quran?
This is a pertinent question. If the Quran is from Allah, then we must hear it seriously. We must read it, learn from it, and implement it. If it is a book written by men, then it may be wrong. But the Quran cannot be wrong. Its teachings are applicable for all ages and all locations.
If Allah indeed wrote the Quran, then it is the final message to mankind. It can direct us, correct our problems, and lead us to peace.
What Does the Quran Teach?
The Quran teaches to believe in one God. It teaches us to be kind, truthful, and just. It teaches us to take care of the poor, respect our parents, and forgive. It warns us not to lie, cheat, and be unjust. It calls people to worship Allah and abstain from evil.
It also gives hope. It says that no matter what evil they committed, they can come back to Allah and ask for forgiveness.
Conclusion
Quran is the word of Allah. He is its creator. The Prophet Muhammad only preached it. He did not pen it. Quran does not change, never is ambiguous, nor weak. It is a guide for all in all ages.
If you learn the Quran with an open heart, you will experience its light. You will know that no human being could author such a book. The author of the Quran is not a man. The author is Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.