The Qur'an | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Revelation of the Qur’an

• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) frequently engaged in prayer and contemplation. During one such moment, he received the initial revelation of the Qur’an from Allah.
• This event is known to Muslims as the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr).
• Muslims regard the Qur’an as the divine word of Allah, conveyed to Muhammad (pbuh) through the angel Jibril.
• The angel instructed him to recite the words presented to him.
• Despite being illiterate, Muhammad (pbuh) was able to recite the revelations perfectly.
• Over the next 23 years, Allah’s message was progressively revealed to Muhammad (pbuh).
• The term "Qur’an" translates to "the Recitation," as Muhammad (pbuh) memorized each revelation and shared it with his followers.

“It was revealed to His Servant what was revealed. The heart did not deceive about what it perceived” (Qur’an 53:10-11).

• Muhammad (pbuh) then conveyed these messages to his community.
• His followers memorized the revelations, and scribes recorded them in writing.
• All but the ninth surah begin with the phrase, “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
• Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s (pbuh) successor, was tasked with compiling an official copy of the Qur’an.
• The Qur’an comprises historical narratives and guidance on following Allah.
• It consists of 114 surahs (chapters).
• Each surah is composed of ayahs (verses).
• The surahs are arranged by length, starting with the longest and ending with the shortest.
• Muslim children are encouraged to learn Arabic to read the Qur’an in its original language.
• Reciting the Qur’an is highly valued, as Muslims believe it brings divine blessings.
• Those who memorize the entire Qur’an are honored with the title “hafiz.”
• The Qur’an is recited during both communal and personal prayers.

Authority of the Qur’an

• The Christian Bible, the Qur’an contain a blend of historical accounts and instructions on living in accordance with God’s will.
• It is considered an infallible authority on matters of doctrine, practice, and law.

“No falsehood can approach it” (Qur’an 41:42).

• The first four holy books were revealed to Jews and Christians, who are referred to as “People of the Book” (Ahl al-Kitab).
• The Torah, Psalms, and Gospel are acknowledged as holy in the Qur’an, though they are believed to contain some inaccuracies.
• In contrast, the Qur’an is viewed as the precise word of Allah, intended for all humanity, not just a specific group.

“We sent down to you the Book with truth, confirming the scriptures that came before it and as a criterion over them” (Qur’an 5:48).

• The Qur’an enables Muslims to deepen their understanding of Allah.
• Holy books serve as guides for Muslims throughout their lives:
• They illuminate the power and mercy of God.
• The Qur’an is seen as evidence of Muhammad’s (pbuh) prophethood.
• They provide insight into the history of God’s followers.
• Sunni Muslims believe the word of God, as recorded in the holy books, is eternal, while Shi’a Muslims believe it came into existence at the time of the world’s creation.
• The Qur’an forms the cornerstone of every Muslim’s faith and is the most sacred text in Islam, treated with profound reverence:
  • The Qur’an is often elaborately decorated, both inside and out.
  • It is typically wrapped to keep it clean.
  • It is placed on a higher shelf than other books.
  • Muslims wash their hands before touching them.
  • It is placed on a dedicated stand when being read.