Understanding the Holy Quran

• The Holy Quran is the focus of the presentation.

Definitions of Quran

• The verbal noun of the root word "qara'a" means to read.
• Quran literally means reading or recitation.
• Quran is a book containing the speech of Allah (God), sent down to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Gabriel.
• The Quran's meaning and wording is precise and was transmitted verbally and in writing by numerous people (tawatur).
• The Quran is inimitable, unique, and protected by God from corruption.

Quranic Revelation

• The Quran was revealed in sections to Prophet Muhammad over twenty-three years.
• Quranic sections were revealed to solve problems in Muslim communities of Makkah and Medina
• Revelations in Makkah and Medina each have their own characteristics due to differing needs.

Arabic Wahy

• Arabic Wahy (وحي), also spelled wahi, means revelation.
• Islamic belief states revelations are Allah's Word delivered by Messengers/prophets.
• The Quran is considered a revelation given to Muhammad.

Types of Revelation

• Types of revelation include Wahi-e-Matlu, and Wahi -e-Gair Matlu.

Ways of God's Revelation

• God's revelation reaches chosen individuals in three ways.
• An inspired message, not a word but an idea, enters the heart of the chosen individuals in consciousness or dream.
• Word or message is sent from behind a veil.
• Revelation is sent from God through angels like Gabriel, delivered to prophets.
• Allah directly inspires the Prophet without an angel, directly on the heart, not through any voice or Prophet's senses.
• The Prophet is fully aware the idea is from Allah in full consciousness and during sleep.
• Allah conveys the message directly to the Prophet without an angel.
• The Prophet hears a voice different from human voices, beyond human conception.
• Allah conveys the message through an angel, where the angel is not seen but his voice is heard, or the angel is seen in human form.

Makki Surahs

• Makki Surahs are Quran verses and chapters brought by Jibreel to Prophet Muhammad before the Hijrah.
• This includes verses revealed in Taa'if and areas outside of Makka.
• Verses revealed in Arfat, Minah, en route to Madina, or on Mi'raj night are Makki.
• Makki Surahs represent the first stage of Islamic movement, establishing its fundamentals.

Madani Surahs

• Verses revealed after the Hijrah outside Medina, even in Makkah during Fatah-i-Makkah, are Madani Surahs.

Features of Makki Surahs

• Makki Surahs address Tawheed (unity of Allah)
• Early revelations taught about Allah's unity (Tawheed) and power since Makkah worshipped idols with Allah.
• The early revelations stated that Allah is without parents, offspring, or partners and that idols can't bring good or avert evil.
• Makki Surahs mention Salaah (prayer)
• Early verses urged the Prophet and followers to make Salaah regularly.
• Early verses were aimed at clarifying the misconception that home-made gods carry prayers to Allah.
• Salaah should only be made for and to Allah, who can answer them.
• Makki Surahs address the unseen
• Early verses taught about the unseen world's wonders, mysteries, and horrors.
• Paradise and its pleasures are described to encourage believers to do good deeds and reward them.
• Hell-fire and its torments described to encourage believers to avoid evil, reassures them wrongdoers won't escape Allah's punishment.
• Makki Surahs discuss Allah's existence
• Early verses presented logical arguments for Allah's existence, drawing proofs from nature and common creatures.
• Makki Surahs addresses the people of old.
• Historical examples of earlier civilizations like `Aad and Thamood are mentioned to warn those rejecting Islam.
• Verses spoke of ancient civilizations' wonders, listing Allah's blessings bestowed upon them, but they disobeyed and denied His blessings.
• Punishment from Allah occurred when the ancient people denied Gods blessings.
• Makki Surahs discuss Emaan
• Few laws were revealed in Makki verses, instead, focusing on principles for early Muslim's Emaan.
• Verses spoke of fearing Allah being aware of His presence and knowledge.
• Verses were often full of advice about being patient, truthful, and trustworthy to build character of early Muslims in Makka.
• Makki Surahs contain short verses
• Makkai Surahs usually have short verses, with a strong rhythm to catch the attention of listeners against Islam.
• Early verses were short because the audience was unwilling to listen to long statements.

Features of Madani Revelations

• The Madani verses address LAWs.
• Madinah became the center of Islam, leading to an Islamic state with the Prophet as ruler over its diverse population.
• A constitution and system of justice were established.
• Madinah-stage verses contained social, economical, and spiritual laws for an Islamic state.
• Laws such as Zakaah, Fasting, and Hajj were revealed.
• Drinking alcohol, eating swine, and gambling were forbidden.
• Madani Surahs answer the questions of the people of the book
• Muslims came in contact with Jews.
• Jews asked questions about Allah, earlier Prophets, and the unseen to shake the beliefs of Muslims.
• A few Madani verses answer the questions of the Jews.
• A few Madani verses clarify Christian misconceptions about `Eesa (Jesus) and Allah, explaining Eesa's birth was not greater than Aadam

Madani Surahs

• Madani Surahs address "The Munafiqoon" (hypocrites).
• Madina-stage verses warned Muslims about the dangers of "Munafiq" (hypocrites) and gave instruction on how to deal with them.
• Madani Surahs address Jihaad
• The right to fight was given in al-Madina because the Muslims were a minority in Makkah.
• The stage of Madani introduced a series of battles against disbelief, until Makkah was conquered.
• A number of Madani verses taught Muslims Islamic principles of war.
• Instructions were provided on how to deal with prisoners of war
• Muslims were taught not to retreat or how to trick the enemy.
• Muslims were encouraged to prepare with the best weapons.

Madani vs Makki Surahs

• Madani Surahs tend to contain long verses
• A number of Madani verses are longer than the whole Surahs of the Makkah period.
• Islam had become strong and its followers were many, removing the need to catch listeners attention.
• The audience was willing to listen to longer verses teaching important laws

Differences between Makki and Madani Surahs

• Every Surah with the word كلا (never) is Makki
• Every Surah mentioning the story of Adam and Iblis, except Surah al-Baqarah, is Makki
• Makki Surahs use "يا أيها الناس" (O people) and Madani Surahs use "يا أيها الذين آمنوا" (O believers) in their addressed.
• Makki Ayat (Verses) and Surahs are short and brief, whereas Madani is long and detailed.
• Confrontation in Makki Surahs is against idolaters, while confrontation in Madani Surahs is against the People of the Book and hypocrites.

Transmission of the Quran

• Allah (God) is the source of the Quran.
• The angel Gabriel transmitted the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
• The Quran was passed down orally and in writing.

Stages of Compilation of the Holy Quran

• Compilation during the Holy Prophet's (saw) lifetime
• The compilation of the Quran during the Prophet's lifetime memorized and preserved revelation.
• Companions memorized and recited verses, to ensure the verse was preserved accurately
• The Prophet instructed companions to write down revelations on palm leaves, bones, and parchment.
• Writings were collected and kept in the Prophet's possession, and the companions later compiled these writings after the Prophet's death.

First Written Compilation

• First written compilation happened under Caliphate of Abu Bakr, successor to Prophet Muhammad.
• This compilation was meant to preserve to the Quranic verses, and to prevent any potential loss or alteration to the text.
• Many companions who had memorized the Quran passed away in battles, creating a risk of losing parts of the Quran.
• The compilation process had faces some challenges: -The verses were written on various materials which make the compilation difficult.
• Dialects and variations in the Quran recitation existed among the companions.
• Abut Bakr appointed a committee led by Zaid bin Thabit to collect and verify the verses.
• The committee produced a standardized version, known as the 'Mushaf', after 2 years.
• The 'Mushaf' became the official copy
• The official copy was distributed throughout the Islamic empire.

Reasons for Compiled Quran

• In the battle of Yamama, 1700 Muslims, including 700 huffaz, were martyred.
• Hazrat Umar suggested Hazrat Abu Bakar to order the collection, and compilation of the verses to save them.

Four Methods were used for compilation

• Reliability was tested against his own memory.
• No written verses were accepted unless two witnesses testified that it was written in the presence of the Holy Prophet S.A.W.
• Sayyidna Zaid and Sayyidna Umar jointly received the verses.
• The verses were collected jointly.