Understanding the Quran

Study Notes

The literal meaning of Al-Quran is "reading" or "recitation."
The technical meaning of Al-Quran is "the book revealed to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH) in Arabic and transmitted to us from him through an authentic continuous narration (tawatur) without doubts."
Other names of the Quran include Al-Kitab, Al-Bayan, Al-Huda, Al-Furqan, Al-Nur, Al-Ni'mah, Al-Tanzil, and Al-Maw'izah, and Al-Zikr.

The Quran is the word of Allah revealed to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (PBUH), with both the wording and meaning coming from Allah.
It differs from internal revelation (wahy al-batin/wahy ghayr al-matlu), which is inspiration (ilham) of concepts conveyed through the Prophet's own words.
The Quran was revealed in Arabic, and translations in any language are not considered the Quran.
It was revealed in two periods of the Prophet's life: Makkah and Madinah, with Makkah verses focusing on belief and morality, and Madinah verses focusing on rules and regulations.
The Quran is an eternal miracle revealed to the Prophet (saw) and all succeeding generations.

The Quran is an authentic and authoritative source of Islamic law, with its authenticity and authoritativeness coming from Allah.
The evidence of its authenticity and authoritativeness is 'I'jaz (inimitability or wondrous nature) of Al-Quran, which proves the inability of Arabs individually and collectively to imitate and bring about something similar to the Quran.

'I'jaz means proving the inability of another person to do something, specifically, the inability of Arabs to imitate and bring about something similar to the Quran.
There are three important elements of 'I'jaz: a challenge from the Quran, a serious need to take up the challenge, and no constraint to take up the challenge.

The Prophet (saw) sent teachers to other places, such as Mus'ab bin 'Umair, to read the Quran and teach instructions about religion.
Many companions of the Prophet memorized the Quran, including Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Huraira, 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, 'Aishah, Hafsah, and Ummu Salamah.

Asbab al-Nuzul refers to the occasions or circumstances surrounding the revelation of a particular verse or group of verses.
Knowing the Asbab al-Nuzul helps one to understand the direct and immediate meaning and implication of an ayat, as well as the original intent of the ayat.
It also helps to understand the historical situation at the time of the Prophet and the development of the early Muslim community.

Knowledge of Asbab al-Nuzul is essential to avoid misinterpretation of the Quran.
It helps to identify whether the meaning of an ayat is specific or of general application, and under which circumstances it is to be applied.
Without knowing the sabab (reason), one might come to the wrong conclusion about the revelation.