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Islam and Spiritualism ( 13 Apr 2023, NewAgeIslam.Com)

Some Facts about The Holy Quran: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan - Part 22

By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam

Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam

13 April 2023

Lesson 22: Some Facts about the Holy Quran

The Quran is the Holy Book of Allah Almighty. It was revealed with the purpose of guiding all mankind, as stated in the Holy Quran, "[It is] a guidance for all mankind." (2:185)

We are grateful to Allah Almighty that we believe in its veracity and accept the Holy Quran as the Divine Book and the Heavenly Scripture from the bottom of our hearts. So let's try to get some crucial and fundamental information about it.

How Was The Holy Quran Revealed?

The Qur'an is the speech of Allah. It is preserved in the Guarded Tablet [Lauh-e-Mahfooz], as stated in the Quran, “This is a Glorious Quran, in the Guarded Tablet”(85:21-22). The Angel Jibreel brought the entire Quran from the Guarded Tablet to Bayt al-Izzat (The House of Honour on the heaven of this world). Following then, over a period of 23 years, 5 months, and 5 days, Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) gradually brought the Quran down to the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), depending on the demands of the situation. The Quran was sent down in the Night of Qadr or Decree, as expressed in the Quran:

“We sent it [the Quran] down in the Night of Qadr. (97:1).

The Holy Quran was revealed in a number of different ways over a long period of time. Sometimes a whole Surah was revealed, other times only a portion of a Surah, and other times a verse or two, and the traditions even demonstrate that many Surahs were revealed simultaneously. At that time, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) would instruct people to "connect this verse with such and such verses, and write it in such and such Surahs."

The portions of the Quran were later not entirely collected and compiled as intended, but they did retain their sequence and significance. Thanks to its arrangement made by the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Holy Qur'an now has a charming and lovable arrangement, like an illuminated pearl.

This discussion should make it abundantly evident that the Holy Prophet himself took responsibility for the order and arrangement of the Holy Qur'an. It is in no way acceptable or right to refer to this arrangement as Hazrat Uthman's arrangement or to speculate that the ideas of the Companions were behind the arrangement and adornment of the Quran.

Why Are There Large And Small Surahs?

There are very long and very short Surahs. This is due to the quantity and variety of the subjects. The Surahs were long where the subjects were extensive and numerous, while the Surahs were short where the subjects were brief. It has also occasionally occurred that specific commandments have been summarised in brief Surahs, and when those same commandments have been presented in detail, the Surahs have grown lengthy and elaborate for them. From this arrangement, it can also be deduced that the order and arrangement of the Surahs are not arbitrary but rather Tawqifi, meaning that the Prophet (peace be upon him) arranged and ordered the verses as Hazrat Gabriel requested and then dictated the Surahs in their position. It is apparent that the request of Hazrat Jibreel was made in line with the command of Allah Almighty rather than on his own initiative. This has made it very clear that the present Quran is the original revelation of Almighty Allah.

The reason why the identical subject has been described in numerous places is now the question. The answer is that the majority of topics are discussed in various places both briefly and in detail. Although its utility is not obscured from the eyes of those with intellectual sight, the summary and detail give off a sense of repetition. Human nature varies; some individuals comprehend concepts in a few short sentences, while others require a lengthy explanation to fully understand. Because there are intelligent and unintelligent brains among mankind, and because the Quran is for all of humanity, it has been revealed in various ways to suit a variety of people.

Madani and Makki Surahs

The Makki and Madani eras are included in the 23-year Qur'anic revelation period. Consequently, it was established that the Surahs that were revealed prior to the migration are known as Makki while those that were revealed following the migration are known as Madani.

The Holy Quran Was Revealed At Night, Why?

Night-time is when most miracles and mysteries occurred. The castle of rest that is the night serves as the bed of heaven, whereas the day serves as an example of hell because it calls for tiredness and sustenance. The day is a time of spiritual separation, and the night is a time of the spiritual meeting (Wisaal). Worship performed at night is better than worship performed during the day. The revelation of the Quran consequently began at night.

When and By Whom Was the Visual Syntax (I'rāb) Etc Added To the Holy Qur'an?

Allama Ibn Jazi responded by stating that there have been a number of sayings regarding the Qur'an having dots [Niqaat], the visual syntax (i'rāb), Ahzaab (singular Hizb i.e. half of a part, or one of sixty equal parts of the Quran), and A’ashaar (singular ‘Ashr i.e. putting the word ‘Ashr (ten) after every ten verses). He cited three sayings concerning the dots in the Holy Quran, for instance, without expressing a preference. One of them claims that Abdul Malik bin Marwan ordered Hajjaj bin Yusuf to complete this task. Another saying claims that Yahya bin Ya'mar added the dots to the Holy Qur'an. A third claim is made regarding Abul Aswad al-Du'ali. (Al-Tashil Li Uloom al-Tanzil Vol. 1 p. 4)

(Continued)

Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president, founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Darul Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.