An Arabic Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad is our means to find how we can be righteous to God from the time of its revelation (39:27-28) continuing the religion of Islam being practices of God’s religion of Monotheism decreed for us as well as for the people before us. Thus, we are to make all our efforts to understand the message as a whole and its parts such as surahs, verses, phrases, words and even letters that we can avoid its misinterpretations and unauthorized practices introduced down the generations. However, here is a set of frequently referred verses with transliteration to examine and verify the message in the relevant verses with our wisdom as given to strengthen our hearts so that we do not deviate from the straight path set for us.
- God, the Gracious is Teacher of the Quran and Creator of the human being, and He teaches him intelligence and wants him to use it to avoid misguidance as well as not to stray off His path:
[55:1] The Gracious.
al-rahmaanu.
[55:2] He has taught the Quran.
`allama al-qur’aana.
[55:3] He has created the human being.
khalaqa al-insaana.
[55:4] He has taught him the intelligence.
‘allamahu al-bayaana.
[17:36] And you do not follow that which has not for you any knowledge of it. Indeed, the hearing, and the vision, and the understanding – each of those has made accountable from it.
wa-laa-taqfu maa laysa laka bihi `ilmun. inna al-sam`a, wal-basara wal-fuaada kullu ulaaika kaana `anhu mas’uulan.
- By taking oath referring to a set of Quranic initial consisting of 3 Arabic letters: Alif, Laam and Meem being a sign of the wise scripture as stated in (31:1-2), God has affirmed that He has sent down a scripture not having any doubt in it is a guidance for those who want to be righteous to Him with an abstract how we can be the winners in the Hereafter at the beginning of His words of guidance, while He has given us specific words for our prayer in surah 1: al-Faatihah and His words of guidance to follow from surah 2: al-Baqarah to surah 114: al-Naas placing a set of Quranic initials, alif.laam.meem. as a gateway between the specific words and the words of guidance, which has reflected in (2:2) if we do not overlook God’s wisdom behind it:
[2:1] alif.laam.meem.
alif laam meem.
[2:2] That is the scripture – there is no doubt in it, is a guidance for the righteous.
dhaalika al-kitaabu laa-rayba feehi hudan lil’muttaqeena.
[2:3] Those who believe in the unseen, and establish the salat prayer, and spend from what we have provided them.
alladheena yu’minuuna bil-ghaybi wa-yu’qeemuuna al-salata wa-mimma razaqnaahum yunfiquuna.
[2:4] And those who believe in what has been revealed to you and what has been revealed before yourself and with the Hereafter they ascertain.
wa-alladheena yu’minuuna bimaa unzila ilayka wa-maa unzila min qablika wa-bil-aakhirati hum yuuqinuuna.
[2:5] Those are on guidance from their Lord and those – they are the successful ones.
ulaaika `alaa hudan min rabbihim wa-ulaaika humu al-muf’lihuuna.
Note: We may reflect to the Arabic words, dhaalika in (2:2) to mean what was sent down by the One from the Horizon of the High and bil-ghaybi in (2:3) referring to the Gracious as mentioned in (36:11), and the singular 2nd person possessive pronoun “ka” in the Arabic words, ilayka and qablika in (2:4) referring to the one who is blessed to read the scripture being a believer of it in this context while the singular 2nd person possessive pronoun “ka” is extensively used throughout the Quran referring to Muhammad through whom we have received the Quran.
- God has given us the Quran as as guidance with clear proofs of the guidance and the statute book, and has decreed fasting for us during the entire blessed month of Ramadan in a night of which the Quran all at once was inspired to the prophet’s soul with an option to comply this obligation in other days and to glorify Him through it to express our appreciation for guiding us:
[2:185] Ramadan which is a month, has been sent down in it the Quran as a guidance for mankind, clear proofs of the guidance and the statute book; so, whoever has witnessed the month from you, then he should fast in it, and whoever has been ill or on a journey then the prescribed number from other days, God wishes ease for you and He does not wish hardship for you, and that you may complete the prescribed number; and that you may glorify God through which He has guided you, and that you may appreciate.
shahru ramadaana alladhi unzila feehi al-qur’aanu hudan lilnnasi wa-bayyanaatin al-huda wal-furqaani// fa-man shahida minkumu al-shahra fal-ya’sumhu wa-man kaana mareedan aw `alaa safarin fa-`iddatun min ayyaamin ukhara// yureedu allahu bikumu al-yusra wa-laa-yureedu bikumu al-`usra wa-li-tukmiluu al-`iddata //wa-li-tukabbaruu allaha `alaa maa hadaakum wa-la`allakum tashkuruuna.
[44:3] Indeed, we have sent down it (Quran) in a night of blessing; indeed, we have been warners.
innaa anzalnaahu fee laylatin mubaarakatin innaa kunnaa mundhireen.
[97:1] Indeed, we have sent down it (Quran) in a night of the Power.
innaa anzalnaahu fee laylati al-qadr.
[97:3] A night of the Power is better than a thousand-month.
laylatu al-qadri khayrun min alfi shahrin.
- God Himself bears witness that He is our god, and even He has confirmed it at His physical presence with Moses in the sacred valley of Tuwa and it has also been taught Muhammad but when God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion:
[3:18] God has borne witness that there is no god except He and (so has done) the angels and possessors of the knowledge established with the justice: there is no god except He, the Almighty, the Wise.
shahida allahu annahu laa-ilaaha illaa huwa wal-malaaikatu wa-uluu al-`il’mi qaa-iman bil-qisti. laa-ilaaha illaa huwa al-azeezu al-hakeemu.
[20:14] “Indeed Me, I am God; there is no god except I. So you (Moses) shall worship Me, and shall establish the salat prayer for My remembrance”.
innani-i anaa allahu; laa-ilaaha illaa anaa. fa-u`bud’ni-i wa-aqimi al-salata li-dhikri-i.
[47:19] So you (Muhammad) shall know that there is no god except God; and you shall ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and the believing women while God knows (all) your return and (all) your reward.
fa-i`lam annahu laa-ilaaha illaa allahu wa-is’tagh’fir li-dhanbika wa-lil-mu’minuuna and wal-mu’minaati wal-lahu ya’lamu mutaqallabakum wa-math’waakum.
[39:45] And when has been mentioned God alone, has shrunk in aversion hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, and when has been mentioned those other than Him, then they rejoice.
wa-idhaa dhukira allahu wah’dahu ish’ma’azzat quluubu alladheena laa-yu’minuuna bil-aakhirati. wa-idhaa dhukira alladheena min duunihi idhaa hum yas’tab’shiruuna.
Note: The mention of Muhammad’s name or any other messenger’s name next to God’s name pleases those who are not the believers in the Hereafter in the true sense is something terrible that we must avoid to establish firm faith in our hearts.
- Quran is a straight path, which has been detailed out for a people who can reflect to its teachings and laws that they may belong to a abode of the peace at their Lord and guides to that which is straight for good news of a great reward but the wicked turn away from it when God is mentioned in the Quran alone as He has placed coverings on their hearts and deafness in their ears:
[6:126] And this (Quran) is a path of your Lord is straight. Certainly, we have detailed the revelations for a people to take heed.
wa-haadhaa siraatu rabbika mus’taqeeman. qad fassalnaa al-aayaati li-qawmin ya’dhakkaruuna.
[6:127] For them is an abode of the peace at their Lord, and He is their Protector for what they have done to achieve.
lahum daaru al-salaami `inda rabbihim wa-huwa waliyyuhum bimaa kaanuu ya’lamuuna.
[17:9] Indeed this, the Quran guides to that which is straight and gives good news to the believers those who do the righteous deeds that for them, there is a great reward.
inna haadhaa al-qur’aana yahdee lillatee hiya aq’wamu wa-yubashiru al-mu’mineena alladheena ya’maluuna al-saalihaati anna lahum aj’ran kabeeran.
[17:46] And we have placed coverings over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. And when you have mentioned your Lord in the Quran alone, they have turned on their backs in aversion.
wa-ja`alnaa `alaa quluubihim akinnatin an yaf’qahuuhu wa-fi aadhaanihim waqran. wa-idhaa dhakarta rabbaka fee al-qur’aani wahdahu wallaw `alaa adbaarihim nufuuran.
Note: Those who turn on their backs in aversion at the mention of God in the Quran alone have been placed coverings around their hearts to understand the Quran is also something terrible that we must bring into consideration why we see misinterpretation, misguidance and infiltration of unauthorized practices in Islam.
- The sign(s) given to the previous messengers and prophets were just visible proofs to support them but the message given to them were the matters to pay attention, which has been confirmed through the message given to Prophet Muhammad, and even, it is healing and mercy for the believers but it increases loss to the wicked:
[7:203] And when you cannot bring them with a sign, they said: “Why have you not come up with it?” Say: “I only follow what is inspired to me from my Lord. This is an enlightenment from your Lord, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.”
wa-idhaa lam tatihim bi-aayatin qaaluu lawlaa ij’tabaytahaa qul innamaa attabi`u maa yuuhaa ilayya min rabbi-i. haadhaa basaa’iru min rabbikum wa-hudan wa-rahmatun li-qawmeen yu’minuuna.
[7:204] And when the Quran is recited, then you shall listen to it and shall pay attention so that you are given mercy.
wa-idhaa quri’a al-qur’aanu fa-istami`uu lahu wa-ansitu la`allakum turhamuuna.
[17:81] And say (prophet): “The truth has come and the falsehood has perished. Indeed, the falsehood has been to perish!”
wa-qul jaa-a al-haqqu wa-zahaqa al-baatilu. inna al-baatila kaana zahuuqan.
[17:82] And we reveal from the Quran that it is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase except loss to the wicked.
wa-nunazzilu mina al-qur’aani maa huwa shifaaun wa-rahmatun lil’mu’mineena wa-laa-yazeedu al-zaalimeena illaa khasaaran.
- The truth in the Quran around the prophet does not indicate that he would be idolized as a person by the contemporary believers or the believers after him or the believers down the generations while his duties were specified to recite the Quran and meditate with it to increase his status with God as well as to recite of the scripture when it is being revealed to him while we all know that its revelation had taken place over a period of 23 years and to establish the salat prayer 5 times a day as scheduled by God:
[17:78] You (prophet) shall establish the salat prayer at declining of the sun towards darkness of the night and Quran at the dawn. Indeed, (reciting) Quran at the dawn has been a witnessed.
aqimi al-salata li-duluuki al-shamsi ilaa ghasaqi al-layli wa-qur’aana al-fajri. inna qur’aana al-fajri kaana mash’huudan.
[17:79] And of the night that you shall mediate with it (Quran) for your extra (reward), it has been that your Lord may raise you to a high rank.
wa-mina al-layli fa-tahajjad bihi naafilatan la-ka, `asaa an yab’athaka rabbuka maqaaman mahmuudan.
[29:45] You (prophet) shall recite what has been revealed to you of the scripture and shall establish the salat prayer. Indeed, the salat prayer prevents from the immorality and the evil deed, but the remembrance of God is surely the greatest while God knows what you (all) do.
ut’lu maa uuhiya ilayka mina al-kitaabi wa-aqimi al-salata. inna al-salata tanhaa `ani al-munkari wal-fashaa’i wa-la-dhik’ru allahi akbaru wal-lahu ya’malu maa tas’na`uuna.
[20:130] So you (prophet) shall be patient on what they say, and shall glorify with praise your Lord before rising of the sun (Fajr prayer) and before its setting (`Asr prayer), and of hours of the night (Maghrib and Isha prayers), then you shall glorify also at (two) ends of the day (Zahur prayer) so that you may please (your Lord).
fa-is’bir `alaa maa yaquuluuna wa-sabbih bihamdi rabbika qabla tuluu`i al-shamsi wa-qabla ghuruubihaa wa-min aanaai al-layli fa-sabbih wa-atraafa al-nahaari la`allaka tardaa.
- Muhammad not being a father of any men, was the concern of the disbelievers and hypocrites to insult him but what is given to him to be worthy of attention being a messenger of God and a seal of the prophets for the believers to reflect that they may remember God frequently and glorify Him day and night, which is also a witness, a bearer of good news, a caller to God and an illuminating light for the believers, while the prophet was to deliver it for the believers as a good news of great recompense for them and to disregard the insult of the disbelievers and the hypocrites putting his trust in God:
[33:40] Muhammad has not been a father of anyone of your men, but has been a messenger of God and a seal of the prophets, and God has done being Knower of everything.
maa kaana muhammadun abaa ahadin min rijaalikum wa-laakin rasuula allahi wa-khaatama al-nabiyeena wa-kaana allahu bi-kulli shayin `aleeman.
[33:41] O you who have believed, you shall remember God a frequent remembrance.
yaa’ayyuhaa alladheena aamanuu udh’kuruu allaha dhik’ran katheeran.
[33:42] And you shall glorify Him morning and evening.
wa-sabbihuuhu buk’ratan wa-aseelan.
[33:45] O you prophet, indeed, we have sent you a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner.
yaa’ayyuhaa al-nabiyu innaa arsalnaaka shaahidan wa-mubashiran wa-nadheeran.
[33:46] And a caller to God by His permission, and an illuminating light.
wa-daa’iyan ilaa allahi bi-idh’nihi wa-siraajan muneeran.
[33:47] And you shall give good news to the believers of that there is a great blessing for them from God.
wa-bashiri al-mu’mineena bi-anna la-hum mina allahi fadlan kabeeran.
[33:48] And do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and shall ignore their insult, and shall put trust upon God; and it has sufficed with God as an Advocate.
wa-laa-tuti`i al-kaafireena wal-munaafiqeena wa-da` adhaahum wa-tawakkal `alaa allahi wa-kafaa bil-lahi wakeelan.
Note: The message in the verse, 33:48 has a direct link to interpret message in the aforesaid verse, 33:40 being the concern of the disbelievers and the hypocrites centering Muhammad as a person, but the concern of the believers is the message given to him, which is described to be: (1) a messenger of God, (2) a seal of the prophets, (3) a witness, (4) a bearer of good news, (5) a warner, (6) a caller to God, and (7) an illuminating light, while we know in many cases the context is the key to interpret the messages in the verses.
- The prophet was ordered to follow what has been inspired to him from his Lord that there is no god except God and to turn away from those who associate partners with Him, while He wants him to warn him whoever follows the reminder and fears the Most Gracious in the unseen as well as turns away from him whoever turns away from the reminder as he does not desire except the life of the world:
[6:106] You (Muhammad) shall follow what has been inspired to you from your Lord: there is no god except He, and shall turn away from the idol worshipers.
ittabi`a maa uuhiya ilayka min rabbika laa-ilaaha illaa huwa wa-arid `an al-mush’rikeena.
[33:2] And you (prophet) shall follow what is inspired to you from your Lord. Indeed, God has been Cognizant of what you do.
ittabi`a maa yuuhiya ilayka min rabbika. inna allaha kaana bimaa ta`lamuuna khabeeran.
[36:11] You (Muhammad) can only warn whoever has followed the reminder (Quran) and has feared the Gracious in the unseen. So you shall give him good news of forgiveness and honorable reward.
innamaa tundhiru mani ittaba`a al-dhik’ra wa-khashiaya al-rahmaana bil-ghaybi. fa-bashir’hu bi-maghfiratin wa-ajrin kareemin.
[53:29] So you (Muhammad) shall turn away from whoever has turned away from our reminder and he does not desire except the life of the world.
fa-a`rid `an man tawallaa `an dhik’rinaa wa-law yurid illaa al-hayata al-dun’yaa.
- By taking oath God has made sincerity a requirement for the believers to access the honorable Quran while He has warned us not to make a business to deny it that should be taken seriously:
[56:75] That nay! I swear by settings of the stars.
fa-laa-uq’simu bi-mawaaqi’i al-nujuumi.
[56:76] And indeed, this is surely an oath, if you could know is great.
wa-innahu la-qasamun law ta`lamuuna azeemun.
{56:77] Indeed, this is surely an honorable Quran.
Innahu la-qur’aanun kareemun.
[56:78] In a protected book.
fee kitaabin mak’nuunin.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the purified.
laa-yamassuhu illaa al-mutaharuuna.
[56:80] A revelation from Lord of the worlds.
tanzeelun min rabbi `aalameena
[56:81] Is then to this of the statement you are indifferent?
a-fa-bi-haadhaa al-hadeethi antum mud’hinuuna.
[56:82] And you make your business that you deny.
wa-taj’`aluuna riz’qa’kum annakum tukadh’dhibuuna.
- There are clear warnings in the Quran about the interference of the Satan when we read the Quran not to understand it and the events of destruction of the disbelieving people of Noah, Huud (`Aad), Saleh (Thamud) and Lot that we may reflect to the consequences in the earth and the Hereafter of those who were destroyed in the past because of their disbelief and evil behavior, and make our efforts not to be like those to avoid such consequences:
[16:98] So when you have recited the Quran, then you shall seek refuge in God from the Satan, the rejected.
fa-idhaa qarata al-qur’aana fa-is’ta`idh bil-lahi mina al-shayataani al-rajeemi.
[54:17] And certainly, we have made the Quran straightforward for the warning. So, is there any who would have admonition?
wa-laqad yassarnaa al-qur’aana lil-dhikri. fa-hal min muddakirin.
Note: This verse in the context of destruction of previous communities because of their disbelief and evil behavior is a warning for us not to be like those being aware of their consequences.
- The disbelievers would wish that they had obeyed God and the messenger but when they see the retribution of Hell would admit that they are in such consequences because of misguidance for obeying their leaders and learned ones is a great warning for the followers and the leaders:
[33:63] The people ask you (Muhammad) about the Hour. Say: “Its knowledge is only with God, and what makes you know that the Hour may be near!”
yas’aluka al-nnasu `ani al-saa`ati. qul innamaa `il’muhaa `inda allahi. wa-maa yud’reeka la`alla al-saa`ata takuunu qareeban.
[33:64] Indeed, God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them Blazing Fire;
inna allaha la`ana al-kaafireena wa-`adda la’hum sa`eeran;
[33:65] as dwellers therein forever, they will not find a protector nor a helper.
khaalideena feehaa abadan//laa-yajiduuna waliyyan wa-laa-naseeran.
[33:66] A day their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Woe to us! Had we obeyed God and obeyed the messenger.”
yawma tuqallabu wujuuhuhum fee al-naari//yaquuluuna yaa-lay’tanaa//ata`naa allaha wa-ata`naa al-rasuulaa.
[33:67] And they have said: “Our Lord, we had obeyed our leaders and our learned ones, but they misled us to the (wrong) path.
wa-qaaluu rabbanaa innaa ata`naa saadatanaa wa-kubaraa-anaa fa-adalluunaa al-sabeelaa.
[33:68] Our Lord, give them double the punishment, and curse them a great curse.”
rabbanaa aatihim di`fayni mina al-`adhaabi wa-al-`anhum la`nan kabeeran.
Conclusion
God has given us both words to establish daily prayers and words of guidance in the message given to Prophet Muhammad, which is guidance for those who want to be righteous to Him to be the winners in the Hereafter as guidance, the clear guidance and the statute book while He had sent down guidance before this for the people in the past to be the winners as well.
God Himself bears witness that He is our god but when God alone is mentioned the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. On the other hand, the Quran is our straight path but when the Quran alone is mentioned the wicked turn on their backs in aversion. In addition, there are enough warnings in the Quran about the consequences of disbelieving people to make our efforts not to be like those to avoid such consequences:
The sign(s) given to the previous messengers and prophets were just visible proofs to support them but the message given to them were the matters to pay attention. Thus, the truth has come in the Quran assigning duties to the prophet leaving no room to idolize him in his absence through misinterpreting the message in the Quran or assigning him alleged hadith and sunnah. The message given to him is a witness, bearer of good news, warner, a caller to God and an illuminating light is a great recompense for the believers while he had to disregard the insult of the disbelievers and the hypocrites putting his trust upon God. Moreover, he has been commanded to follow what is inspired to him from his Lord that there is no god except He and to turn from the idolaters while God wants him to warn him whoever follows the reminder and fears the Gracious in the unseen to give him good news of forgiveness and honorable reward as well as to turn away from him who has turned away from the reminder as he does not desire except the life of the world.
By taking a great oath God has made sincerity a requirement for us to access to the honorable Quran and has warned the people not to make it their business to disbelieve it to fall into a situation for not knowing His teachings that cannot be escaped when they meet Him. The Gracious, a teacher of the Quran has taught us intelligence to use it to avoid misguidance for obeying leaders and learned that we would not have to say, “Oh, we wish we had obeyed God and the messenger.”
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (9/6/2019).