The Qur'an was revealed in pure Arabic to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over a period of twenty-three years ending in 632 C.E., the year he passed away. The first revelation was only five verses, the first five verses of Chapter 96. Among the very early revelations are Surah 73, 74, 80 and 97. The revelations were sent by Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (SWT), the creator and sustainer of the universe, and transmitted to him by the Archangel Jibril (as) (Gabriel). The revelations he received were sometimes a few verses, a part of a chapter or the whole chapter. Some revelations came down in response to an inquiry by the nonbelievers. The ordering of the Qur'an is not the same as the revelations. Archangel Jibril (as) taught the ordering of Ayat and Surahs (refer to Surah 75) as he transmitted the revelations to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The Qur'an speaks in the first person, i.e., Allah's commandments to its creation. The Qur'an also uses the royal "We" for Allah's commandments. The main theme of the Qur'an and all previous revelations has been the absolute oneness of Allah, the creator and sustainer of the universe, who is without partner(s). Allah (Glory be to Him) did not beget nor was He begotten. The Qur'anic verses address people in a variety of ways depending on the context. It says "O mankind" and "O people" in a general sense addressing to all people, and in other instances "O believers" for those who have already accepted the message of Qur'an.
The Qur'an is the direct Word of Allah and it does not contain a single letter from anyone, even Prophet Muhammad. The sayings of Prophet Muhammad are contained in separate compilations known as Hadith, and include his deeds, lifestyle, and decisions on a variety of issues. The Qur'an and Hadith form the foundation of daily life of a practicing Muslim. The Qur'an has not changed by even an letter since its revelation fourteen centuries ago. Allah (SWT) has promised in the Qur'an that He will preserve it to the end of time. It is also for this reason there is no need for any new prophet or revelation (guidance) to come to humankind. The Qur'an is read in Arabic with great emphasis on the accuracy of recitation, including the recognition of diacritical marks and places where one pauses momentarily or stops.
The Arabic word Surah is loosely translated as chapter and Ayah as verse for the English readers who are unfamiliar with Qura'nic concepts. The Ayah (plural Ayat) means a sign. Those who have read the meaning of the Qur'an thoroughly and have had time to reflect upon them appreciate the word ayah as it is truly a sign from Allah (SWT), the lord of the universe, the absolute, without any partners or associate. Allah is the personal name of God, the Lord of the universe, the owner of the day of judgement. The word Allah is not subject to gender (male or female, such as god or goddess) or plurality (such as gods or goddesses). This word is found in Semitic languages, spoken by Prophets (I'sa) Jesus and (Musa) Moses, peace be upon them both (as).
According to the Qur'an, Allah sent Numerous Nabi (prophets) and Rasool (messengers), i.e., those prophets who were also given revelations or books from Allah. Among them are many that are also mentioned in the old and new testaments, and others that are specifically mentioned in the Qur'an. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) came about six centuries after Prophet 'Isa (Jesus) and was the last prophet of Allah. He is the seal of the Prophets. The words Islam and Muslim are defined in the Qur'an, and Allah (SWT) states in the Qur'an that the religion of all Prophets was Islam and called them Muslims. Specifically, Prophet Abraham, among others, is called a Muslim in the Qur'an. The word Islam means total submission (to the will and commandments of Allah). It is derived from the root word SLM and salam means peace (shalom in Hebrew). A Muslim is one who submits to the will and commandments of Allah. The Qur'an is sent for both humankind and Jinns
ALLAH
SURAH 2, AYAT 255-56:
255 Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous.
256 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
SURAH 112:
1 Say: He is Allah, the One!
2 Allah, the eternally Besought of all!
3 He begetteth not nor was begotten.
4 And there is none comparable unto Him.
SURAH 59, AYAT 22-24:
22 He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Knower of the invisible and the visible. He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.
23 He is Allah, than whom there is no other God, the Sovereign Lord the Holy One, Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the Majestic, the Compeller, the Superb. Glorified be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him).
24 He is Allah, the Creator, the Shaper out of naught, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
SURAH 64, AYAH 18:
18 Knower of the invisible and the visible, the Mighty, the Wise.
SURAH 17, AYAT 110-111:
110 Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same). His are the most beautiful names. And thou (Muhammad), be not loud voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between.
111 And say: Praise be to Allah, Who hath not taken unto Himself a son, and Who hath no partner in the Sovereignty, nor hath He any protecting friend through dependence. And magnify Him.
SURAH 43, AYAT 84-85:
84 And He it is Who in the heaven is God, and in the earth God. He is the Wise, the knower.
85 And blessed be He unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and with Whom is knowledge of the Hour, and unto Whom ye will be returned.
SURAH AL-A'RAF (7), AYAT 179-181:
180 Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them. And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names. They will be requited what they do.
181 And of those whom We created there is a nation who guide with the Truth and establish justice therewith.
SURAH 4, AYAT 171-172:
171 O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three". Cease! (it is) better for you! Allah is only One God. Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.
172 The Messiah will never scorn to be a slave unto Allah, nor will the favored angels. Whoso scorneth His service and is proud, all such will He assemble unto Him;
SURAH 3, AYAH 84:
84 Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.
SURAH 24, AYAH 35:
35 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light, Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is knower of all things.
SURAH 103, AL-ASR:
1 By the declining day,
2 Lo! man is in a state of loss,
3 Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.
PHARAOH
SURAH 10, AYAT 90-92:
90 And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts pursued them in rebellion and transgression, till, when the (fate of) drowning overtook him, he exclaimed: I believe that there is no God save Him in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of those who surrender (unto Him).
91 What! Now! When hitherto thou hast rebelled and been of the wrong-doers?
92 But this day We save thee (Pharaoh) in thy body that thou mayest be a portent for those after thee. Lo! most of mankind are heedless of Our portents.
MISCELLANEOUS
SURAH 7, AYAT 34-36:
34 And every nation hath its term, and when its term cometh, they cannot put it off an hour nor yet advance (it).
35 O Children of Adam! If messengers of your own come unto you who narrate unto you My revelations, then whosoever refraineth from evil and amendeth there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
36 But they who deny Our revelations and scorn them such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.
SURAH 6, AYAT 1-6:
3 He is Allah in the heavens and in the earth. He knoweth both your secret and your utterance, and He knoweth what ye earn.
4 Never came there unto them a revelation of the revelations of Allah but they did turn away from it.
5 And they denied the truth when it came unto them. But there will come unto them the tidings of that which they used to deride.
6 See they not how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth more firmly than We have established you, and We shed on them abundant showers from the sky, and made the rivers flow beneath them. Yet We destroyed them for their sins, and created after them another generation.
SURAH 35, AYAH 41:
41 Lo! Allah graspeth the heavens and the earth that they deviate not, and if they were to deviate there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.
42 And they swore by Allah, their most binding oath, that if a warner came unto them they would be more tractable than any of the nations; yet, when a warner came unto them it aroused in them naught save repugnance,
43 (Shown in their) behaving arrogantly in the land and plotting evil; and the evil plot encloseth but the men who make it. Then, can they expect aught save the treatment of the folk of old? Thou wilt not find for Allah's way of treatment any substitute, nor wilt thou find for Allah's way of treatment aught of power to change.
44 Have they not traveled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them, and they were mightier than these in power? Allah is not such that aught in the heavens or in the earth escapeth Him. Lo! He is the Wise, the Mighty.
SURAH 105, AYAT 1-5:
1 Hast thou not seen how thy Lord dealt with the owners of the Elephant?
2 Did He not bring their stratagem to naught,
3 And send against them swarms of flying creatures,
4 Which pelted them with stones of baked clay
5 And made them like green crops devoured (by cattle)?
SURAH 6, AYAH 59:
59 And with Him are the keys of the invisible. None but He knoweth them. And He knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record.
SURAH 96, AYAH 1-2:
1 Read: In the name of thy Lord who createth,
2 Createth man from something which clings.
SURAH 10, AYAH 62:
62 Lo! verily the friends of Allah are (those) on whom fear (cometh) not, nor do they grieve.
SURAH 2, AYAH 164:
164 Lo! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of night and day, and the ships which run upon the sea with that which is of use to men, and the water which Allah sendeth down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance of the winds, and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of Allah's sovereignty) for people who have sense.
SURAH 6, AYAH 95:
95 Lo! Allah (it is) who splitteth the grain of corn and the datestone (for sprouting) . He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and is the bringer forth of the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then are ye perverted?
SURAH 88, AYAT 17-20:
17 Will they not regard the camels, how they are created?
18 And the heaven, how it is raised?
19 And the hills, how they are set up?
20 And the earth, how it is spread?
SURAH 78, AYAT 6-7:
6 Have We not made the earth an expanse,
7 And the high hills bulwarks?
SURAH 20, AYAT 52-53:
52 He said: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record. My Lord neither erreth nor forgetteth,
53 Who hath appointed the earth as a bed and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We have brought forth diverse kinds of vegetation,
SURAH 39, AYAH 21:
21 Hast thou not seen how Allah hath sent down water from the sky and hath caused it to penetrate the earth as water springs, and afterward thereby produceth crops of divers hues; and afterward they wither and thou seest them turn yellow; then He maketh them chaff. Lo! herein verily is a reminder for men of understanding.
SURAH 2, AYAT 21-24:
21 O mankind! Worship your Lord, Who hath created you and those before you, so that ye may ward off (evil).
22 Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).
23 And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a sura or the like thereof, and call your witnesses beside Allah if ye are truthful.
24 And if ye do it not and ye can never do it--then guard yourselves against the fire prepared for disbelievers, whose fuel is of men and stones.
SURAH 20, AYAT 4-6:
4 A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens,
5 The Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne
6 Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and whatsoever is between them, and whatsoever is beneath the sod.
JINN
The Jinns are another creation of Allah, who were created from smokeless fire and existed before the creation of Adam (AS). They have their rules of conduct and have been given certain special capabilities; several passages about them appear in Surah Al-Jinn (Chapter 72, The Jinn). Like humans, they are given the choice of doing good or evil, to believe in Allah and to obey His commandments. It is for this reason, both mankind and Jinns will be accounted for on the judgement day.
SURAH AL-JINN (72), AYAT 1- 15:
1 Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said: Lo! it is a marvellous Qur'an,
2 Which guideth unto righteousness, so we believe in it and we ascribe unto our Lord no partner.
3 And (we believe) that He--exalted be the glory of our Lord!--hath taken neither wife nor son,
4 And that the foolish one among us used to speak concerning Allah an atrocious lie.
5 And lo! we had supposed that humankind and jinn would not speak a lie concerning Allah--
6 And indeed (O Muhammad) individuals of humankind used to invoke the protection of individuals of the jinn so that they increased them in revolt (against Allah);
7 And indeed they supposed, even as ye suppose, that Allah would not raise anyone (from the dead)
8 And (the Jinn who had listened to the Qur'an said): We had sought the heaven but had found it filled with strong warders and meteors.
9 And we used to sit on places (high) therein to listen. But he who listened now findeth a flame in wait for him;
10 And we know not whether harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intendeth guidance for them;
11 And among us there are righteous folk and among us there are far from that. We are sects having different rules.
12 And we know that we cannot escape from Allah in the earth, nor can we escape by flight.
13 And when we heard the guidance, we believed therein, and whoso believeth in his Lord, he feareth neither loss nor oppression.
14 And there are among us some who have surrendered (to Allah) and there are among us some who are unjust. And whoso hath surrendered to Allah, such have taken the right path purposefully.
15 And as for those who are unjust, they are firewood for hell.
SURAH AR-RAHMAN (55), AYAH 17:
14 He created man of clay like the potter's,
15 And the Jinn did He create of smokeless fire.
16 Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that ye deny?
SURAH AL-HIJR (15), AYAT 26-34:
26 Verily We created man of potter's clay of black mud altered,
27 And the jinn did We create aforetime of essential fire.
28 And (remember) when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter's clay of black mud altered.
29 So, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him.
30 So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together
31 Save Iblis. He refused to be among the prostrate.
32 He said: O Iblis! What aileth thee that thou art not among the prostrate?
33 He said: Why should I prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter's clay of black mud altered?
34 He said: Then go thou forth from hence, for verily thou art outcast.
SURAH AL-KAHF (18), AYAH 50:
50 And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the Jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you? Calamitous is the exchange for evil doers!
SURAH AR-RAHMAN (55), AYAT 31-33:
31 We shall dispose of you, O ye two dependents (man and jinn).
32 Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that ye deny?
33 O company of jinn and men, if ye have power to penetrate (all) regions of the heavens and the earth; then penetrate (them)! Ye will never penetrate them save with (Our) sanction.
SURAH AL-AN'AM(6), AYAT 128 AND 130-131:
128 In the day when He will gather them together (He will say): O ye assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did ye seduce. And their adherents among humankind will say: Our Lord! We enjoyed one another, but now we have arrived at the appointed term which Thou appointedst for us. He will say: Fire is your home. Abide therein for ever, save him whom Allah willeth (to deliver). Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.
130 O ye assembly of the jinn and humankind! Came there not unto you messengers of your own who recounted unto you My tokens and warned you of the meeting of this your Day? They will say: We testify against ourselves. And the life of the world beguiled them. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.
131 This is because thy Lord destroyeth not the townships arbitrarily while their people are unconscious (of the wrong they do).
SURAH SABA (34), AYAT 12-14:
12 And unto Solomon (We gave) the wind, whereof the morning course was a month's journey and the evening course a month's journey, and We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him, and (We gave him) certain of the jinn who worked before him by permission of his Lord. And such of them as deviated from Our command, them We caused to taste the punishment of flaming fire.
13 They made for him what he willed: synagogues and statues, basins like wells and boilers built into the ground. Give thanks, O House of David! Few of My bondmen are thankful.
14 And when We decreed death for him, nothing showed his death to them save a creeping creature of the earth which gnawed away his staff. And when he fell the jinn saw clearly how, if they had known the unseen, they would not have continued in despised toil.
SURAH AN-NAML (27), AYAT 17, 38-40:
17 And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;
38 He said: O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me, surrendering?
39 A stalwart of the Jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.
40 One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul: and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.
SURAH AL-AHQAF (46), AYAT 18, 29-33:
18 Such are those on whom the Word concerning nations of the Jinn and mankind which have passed away before them hath effect. Lo! they are the losers.
29 And when We inclined toward thee (Muhammad) certain of the Jinn, who wished to hear the Qur'an and, when they were in its presence, said: Give ear! and, when it was finished, turned back to their people, warning.
30 They said: O our people! Lo! we have heard a Scripture which hath been revealed after Moses, confirming that which was before it, guiding unto the truth and a right road.
31 O our people! respond to Allah's summoner and believe in Him. He will forgive you some of your sins and guard you from a painful doom.
32 And whoso respondeth not to Allah's summoner he can nowise escape in the earth, and ye (can find) no protecting friends instead of Him. Such are in error manifest.
33 Have they not seen that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead? Aye, He verily is Able to do all things.
SURAH AZ-ZARIYAT (51), AYAH 56:
56 I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.
SURAH AL-ISRAA (17), AYAT 88-89:
88 Say: Verily, though mankind and the Jinn should assemble to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof though they were helpers one of another.
89 And verily We have displayed for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes, but most of mankind refuse aught save disbelief.
SURAH AL-A'RAF (7), AYAH 179:
179 Already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.
USEFUL REFERENCES
"The Holy Qur'an," Text, Translation and Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, 1934. (Latest Publisher: Amana Publications, Beltsville, MD, USA; Title: "The Meaning of the Holy Qur'an," 1992)
"The Meaning of the Glorious Koran," An Explanatory Translation by Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, a Mentor Book Publication. (Also available as: "The Meaning of the Glorious Koran," by Marmaduke Pickthall, Dorset Press, N.Y.; Published by several publishers since 1930).
"The Bible, The Qur'an and Science (Le Bible, le Coran et la Science)," The Holy Scriptures Examined in the Light of Modern Knowledge, by Maurice Bucaille, English version published by North American Trust Publication, 1978.
Pickthall writes in his foreward of 1930: "... The Qur'an cannot be translated. ... The book is here rendered almost literally and every effort has been made to choose befitting language. But the result is not the Glorious Qur'an, that inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy. It is only an attempt to present the meaning of the Qur'an-and peradventure something of the charm in English. It can never take the place of the Qur'an in Arabic, nor is it meant to do so. ..."
For the serious readers of the meaning of the Qur'an in English, it is recommended that it should be read along with a good commentary to comprehend the essential meaning and scope of verses. Either Yusuf Ali's or Maududi's commentaries are a good starting point. The former presents the meaning Ayah (verse) by Ayah with footnotes and includes a detailed index of the topics mentioned in the Qur'an, while the latter presents commentaries for each Surah (chapter) of the Qur'an.
ASTRONOMY AND SPACE TRAVEL
SURAH 21, AYAH 33:
33 And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.
SURAH 39, AYAH 5:
5 He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth. He maketh night to succeed day, and He maketh day to succeed night, and He constraineth the sun and the moon to give service, each running on for an appointed term. Is not He the Mighty, the Forgiver?
SURAH 21, AYAH 30:
30 Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?
SURAH 55, AYAT 33-34:
33 O company of jinn and men, if ye have power to penetrate (all) regions of the heavens and the earth; then penetrate (them)! Ye will never penetrate them save with (Our) sanction.
34 Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that ye deny?
ANATOMY
SURAH 96, AYAT 1-2:
1 Read: In the name of thy Lord who createth,
2 Createth man from something which clings.
SURAH 23, AYAH 14:
14 Then fashioned We the drop a thing that clings, then fashioned We the the thing which clings a chewed lump of flesh, then fashioned We the chewed flesh into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators!
SURAH 22, AYAT 5-6:
5 O mankind! if ye are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clean for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time, and afterward We bring you forth as infants, then (give you growth) that ye attain your full strength. And among you there is he who dieth (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abject time of life, so that, after knowledge, he knoweth naught. And thou (Muhammad) seest the earth barren, but when We send down water thereon, it doth thrill and swell and put forth every lovely kind (of growth).
6 That is because Allah, He is the Truth. Lo! He quickeneth the dead, and lo! He is Able to do all things;
SURAH 32, AYAH 9:
9 Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit; and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
SURAH 16, AYAH 66:rong>
66 And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, coming from the contents of intestines and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.
