The instances of Arabic words from the root: qaf, raa and hamza (ق ر أ) occur 88 times in the Quran in 4 derived forms having similar meanings according to their morphological and grammatical forms while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on context, which is a key concept to understand the message coded in the Arabic text of the Quran:
| Form | Instances | Arabic text | Literal meanings | No of occurrences | Grammatical form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | qara-a | قَرَأَ | To read or recite | 16 | Verb form I |
| 2 | nuq’ri-u | نُقْرِئُ | To make recite | 1 | Verb form IV |
| 3 | qurū | قُرُوٓء | Monthly periods | 1 | Noun |
| 4 | qur’ānahu | قُرْآنَهُ | its reading | 2 | Noun |
| 5 | qur’ān | قُرْءَان | Quran | 68 | Nominal |
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.com
Out of 88, 87 instances occur in the Quran in 4 different grammatical forms including 17 instances of qara-a (قَرَأَ) as the verb form, 68 instances of qur’ān (قُرْءَان) as the nominal form and 2 instances of qur’ānahu (قُرْآنَهُ) as the noun form.
Instances of qur’ān
There are 68 instances of qur’ān in 67 verses across 36 surahs in the Quran, are described below:
[2:185] Ramadan which is a month has been revealed in it the Quran (al-qur’aanu) as guidance for the people, clear proof of the guidance, and the statute book. So whoever among you has witnessed the month, then he should fast in it, and whoever has been ill or on a journey then (should fast) the prescribed number in other days. God wishes for you ease and He does not wish for you hardship, 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.
Note: This is the crucial verse to understand that the Quran is guidance, the clear guidance and the statute book for humanity for leading a righteous life being knowledgeable of it while God has given us a ritual of fasting for the entire month for His such giving.
[4:82] Do they not then study the Quran (yatadabbaruuna al-qur’aana)? And if it had been from other than God, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.
Note: There should not have any traces of doubt in our hearts that the Quran is from God if we study it carefully.
[5:101] O you who have believed, you do not ask about things if it is made clear to you, may distress you; and if you ask about it when the Quran (al-qur’aanu) is being revealed, it is made clear to you. God has pardoned from it, and God is Forgiving, Forbearing.
[6:19] Say, “Which thing is greatest as testimony?” Say, “God is a Witness between me and you; and has been revealed to me this – the Quran (wa-uuhiya ilayya haadhaa al-qur’aanu) that I may warn you with it and whoever it reaches. Do you indeed, testify that with God there are other gods?” Say, “I do not testify.” Say, “He is only One god, and indeed, I am innocent of what you associate.”
[7:204] And when has been read the Quran (quri-a al-qur’aanu), then you shall listen to it and shall pay attention that you are given mercy.
Note: There is no mercy from God without knowing the Quran.
[9:111] God has purchased the lives and wealth of the believers in exchange for Paradise for them. They fight in the cause of God while they kill and are killed. A true promise of Him in the Torah and the Injeel and the Quran (wal-qur’aani). And who is more truthful to his promise than God? So rejoice in your transaction that you have contracted in it, and such is the greatest success.
[10:15] And when is recited our revelations to them as clear proofs, those who do not expect our meeting said: Bring of a Quran (i`ti bi-qur’aanin) other than this, or change it! Say: It is not for me (prophet) that I can change it of my own, I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed, I fear the punishment of a great day if I had disobeyed my Lord.
[10:37] And it has not been this – the Quran (wa-maa kaana haadhaa al-qur’aanu) could be produced by other than God, but it is a confirmation of that which was of its before, and a detailed explanation of the scripture; there is no doubt in it, is from Lord of the worlds.
Note: God has revealed the Quran confirming the previous scripture and none should have any doubt about it.
[10:61] And you cannot be in a situation, nor can you recite of it from Quran (minhu min qur’aanin), nor can you do anything, except we are witnesses over you when you are engaged in it. Nothing is hidden from your Lord even of an atom’s weight in the earth or in the heavens, nor smaller than that or larger without being in a clear record.
Note: Here is a clear indication that God has a sophisticated system to maintain our records to ensure equitable judgment for all of us that may help us to avoid a myth of intercession around us.
[12:2] Indeed, we have sent it down an Arabic Quran (qur’aanan `arabiyyan)) so that you (all) may understand.
[12:3] We narrate to you the best history with having that we have revealed to you this -the Quran (haadhaa al-qur’aanu), even though you were certainly unaware of it.
[13:31] And if there were a Quran (qur’aanan) that the mountains could be moved by it or the earth could be cloven asunder by it or the dead could be made to speak by it. No, with God is their believing. Do then not know those who believe that if God had willed, He could have certainly guided all mankind? And those who disbelieve will not cease to strike them a disaster for what they did or it settles close to their homes until the promise of God comes to pass. Surely, God never breaks the promise.
[15:1] Alif. Laam. Raa. These are proofs of the scripture and an enlightening Quran (wa-qur’aanin mubeenin).
[15:87] And surely, we have given you the seven pairs, and the great Quran (wal-qur’aana al-azeem).
Note: Seven pairs in the great Quran refer to the Quranic initials prefixed to 29 suras of the Quran, even being a hint to predict the end of the word.
[15:91] Those who have made the Quran (al-qur’aana) obsolete.
[16:98] So, when you read the Quran (qarata al-qur’aana), then you shall seek refuge in God from Satan, the rejected.
Note: Satan is our great enemy who interferes not to pay our attention to the messages coded in the Arabic words even when we read it without being sincere.
[17:9] Indeed, this – the Quran (haadhaa al-qur’aana) guides to that which is straight, and gives good news to the believers who do the righteous deeds that there is a great reward for them.
[17:41] And certainly, we have explained in this – the Quran (fee haadhaa al-qur’aani) that they may take heed, but it does not increase them except aversion.
[17:45] And when you (prophet) have recited the Quran (wa-idhaa qarata al-qur’aana), we have placed an invisible barrier between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter.
[17:46] And we have placed coverings around their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. And when you (prophet) have mentioned your Lord in the Quran alone (fee al-qur’aani wahdahu), they have turned on their backs in aversion.
Note: The Quran is a good news of a great reward for those who have no coverings on their hearts and deafness in their ears to understand it.
[17:78] You (prophet) shall observe the Contact Prayer (al-salata) at declination of the sun towards darkness of the night, and (shall recite) Quran (wa-qur’aana) at dawn. Indeed, (reciting) Quran (qur’aana) at dawn is witnessed.
Note: Righteousness can be achieved through establishing Salat prayers as well as studying the Quran and studying it at dawn is very effective to understand it to have guidance from it.
[17:82] And we reveal of the Quran (mina al-qur’aani), what is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase except loss to the wicked.
[17:88] Say, “If the human and the Jinn were united together to that they would come up with like this – the Quran (bi-mithli haadhaa al-qur’aani), they could not come up with like this, even if they were helpers of one another.”
[17:89] And certainly, we have explained for the people in this – the Quran (fee haadhaa al-qur’aani) with every example, but most people refused only for disbelief.
[17:106] And a Quran (wa-qur’aanan) we have divided it that you may read it (litaq’ra-ahu) to the people over a period of time; and we have revealed it a (gradual) revelation.
[18:54] And certainly, we have explained in this – the Quran (fee haadhaa al-qur’aani) for the people with every example, but mankind is argumentative in most things.
[20:2] We did not send down the Quran (al-qur’aana) to you to cause any distressed to you.
[20:113] We thus sent down it, an Arabic Quran (qur’aanan `arabiyyan), and we explained in it with the warning that they may fear, or it may cause for them to remember.
[20:114] So high above all is God, the King, the True. Do not hasten with the Quran (bil-qur’aani) before its revelation is completed to you (Muhammad), and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
[25:30] And the messenger said: “O my Lord, indeed, my people have taken this Quran (haadhaa al-qur’aana) as the deserted one.”
[25:32] And said those who have disbelieved: “Why not the Quran (al-qur’anna) was sent down to him all at once!” It is as such that we may strengthen your heart with it, and we have recited it in certain order.
[27:1] Ta. Seen. These are signs of the Quran (al-qur’aana) and an enlightening scripture.
[27:6] Surely, the Quran (al-qur’aana) was given to you (Muhammad) from Him who is Wise, Knowledgeable.
[27:76] Indeed, this – the Quran (haadhaa al-qur’aana) narrates for the Children of Israel most of that they differ in it.
[27:92] And that I recite the Quran (atluwaa al-qur’aana). So whoever has accepted guidance, then he has only accepted guidance for himself, and whoever has gone astray, then say, I am one of the warners.
[28:85] Indeed, the One who decreed the Quran (al-qur’aana) for you is certain of your return to destination. Say: “My Lord is aware of who comes with the guidance and who is he in an obvious astray.”
[30:58] And we set forth for mankind in this – the Quran (fee haadhaa al-qur’aana) of every example. And if you bring to them a proof, those who have disbelieved will say: “You are none but falsifiers!”
[34:31] And said those who disbelieved: “We will never believe in this – the Quran (bihaadhaa al-qur’aani), nor in which was before it.” And if you could see when the transgressors are made to stand before their Lord, will accuse one another back and forth. Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant: “If it were not for you, we would have been believers!”
[36:2] And the Quran, the wise (wa-al-qur’aani al-hakeemi).
[36:69] And we have not taught him (prophet) the poetry, nor does it befit for him. It is not except a reminder and a clear Quran (wa-qur’aanun mubeenun).
[38:1] Saad and the Quran being the reminder (wal-qur’aani dhi al-dhikri).
[39:27] And certainly, we have set forth for the people in this – the Quran (fee haadhaa al-qur’aani) of every example so that they may take heed.
[39:28] An Arabic Quran (qur’aanan `arabiyyan) without having crookedness so that they may become righteous.
[41:3] A scripture detailed with its verses is an Arabic Quran (qur’aanun `arabiyyan) for a people who know.
[41:26] And said those who have disbelieved: “Do not listen to this – the Quran (li-haadhaa al-qur’aani) and make commotion in it that you may win.”
[41:44] If we had made it a non-Arabic Quran (qur’aanan a`jamiyyan), they would have said, “Why are not its verses so detailed?” Is it non-Arabic or Arabic? Say, “It is for those who believe, is guidance and a healing but those who do not believe, there is deafness in their ears and they are blind to it. These are being addressed from faraway.”
Note: Quran has been revealed in Arabic detailing out its teaching to make clear in the hearts of the true believers to find their guidance, but language is an excuse for the wicked who would not make any initiatives to learn from it for their own good.
[42:7] And thus that we have revealed to you (Muhammad) an Arabic Quran (qur’aanan `arabiyyan) that you may warn (the people) of the central town and whoever around it, and to warn of a Day of the Gathering, there is no doubt in it. A party will be in Paradise, and a party will be in the blazing Fire.
[43:3] Indeed, we have made it an Arabic Quran (qur’aanan `arabiyyan), so that you may understand.
Note: Quran is revealed in Arabic to better understand as well as not to miss any command in it.
[43:31] And they said: “Why not this – the Quran (haadhaa al-qur’aana) was sent down to a great man from the two towns!”
[46:29] And when we sent to you a group of the Jinn, in order to listening to the Quran (yastami`uuna al-qur’aana), and when they attended it, said: “Pay attention.” Then, when it was finished, they returned to their people as warners.
[47:24] Then why do they not reflect on the Quran (yatadabbaruuna al-qur’aana) or there are locks on hearts?
[50:1] Qaf and the glorious Quran (wal-qur’aani al-majeedi)
[50:45] We know best of what they say, and you are not to be a tyrant over them. So remind with the Quran (fa-dhakkir bil-qur’aana) who fears My warning.
Note: The prophet did not only recite the glorious Quran to people but he also used it to warn those who fear God.
[54:17] And certainly, we made the Quran straightforward (yassarnaa al-qur’aana) for the warning. So, will there be of who would have admonition? (54:22, 54:32 & 54:40)
Note: It has been repeated 4 times followed by the events of destruction of 4 communities of disbelieving people in the past, which is a warning for us not to be like those being aware of their consequences while its interpretation referring to God has made the Quran easy to learn or memorization if anyone wishes is a misinterpretation.
[55:2] He (The Most Gracious) taught the Quran (`allama al-qur’aana).
Note: God is not only the author of the Quran but He is also the teacher of it explaining everything so that we can learn from it
[56:77] Indeed, this is undoubtedly an honorable Quran (innahu la-qur’aanun kareemin).
[59:21] If we had revealed this – the Quran to a mountain (law anzalnaa haadhaa al-qur’aana alaa jabalin), you would have seen it humbled and crumbled out of reverence for God. And we present these examples for the people, so that they may reflect.
[72:1] Say: “It has been revealed to me that a group of the Jinn listened.” So they said: “indeed, we have heard a wondrous Quran (qur’aanan ajaban)!”
[73:4] Or a little more. And recite the Quran sequential recitation (wa-rattili al-qur’aana tarteelan).
[73:20] Indeed, your Lord knows that you (Muhammad) can stay awake a little less than two-third of the night, and its half, and its one-third, and so do a group of those who have been with yourself. And God determines the night and the day. He has known that you cannot adhere to it, so He has turned to you. So you shall read what has been easy of the Quran (fa-iq’rauu maa tayassara mina al-qur’aani). He has known that there will be sick among you, and others will travel in the land seeking for God’s bounty, and others will fight in path of God. So you shall read what has been easy of it, and shall observe the Contact Prayer and shall give the Obligatory Charity and shall loan God a best loan. And whatever of good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with God, it is better and a greater reward. And you shall seek God’s forgiveness, indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful.
[84:21] And when has been read the Quran (quri-a al-qur’aanu), they do not prostrate.
[85:21] Indeed, it is a glorious Quran (qur’aanun majeedun).
Instances of qur’aanahu)
There are 2 instances of qur’aanahu in 2 verses in 1 surah in the Quran, are described below:
[75:17] Indeed, upon us is its collection (jam`ahu) and its recitation (wa-qur’aanahu).
[75:18] So when we have recited it, then you (prophet) shall follow its recitation (fa-ittaba` qur’aanahu).
Note: Here is a clear indication that the prophet recited what had been recited to him.
In conclusion, many of us may be aware that Quran has been revealed as guidance, mercy, healing, good news, enlightenment, warner, witness and a caller to God for humanity being wondrous. Even it confirms our appropriate beliefs and right practicing of God given rites including its reciting that are commerce with Him to purchase Paradise from Him in exchange of our righteous works. There are numerous references of Quran in the Quran while we may get an amazing flavor of it by reviewing the instances of Quran mentioned as Quran in the Quran as a source to be righteous with right beliefs and practices removing any traces of personality cult in our beliefs and practices even in interpretation of Quran being a satanic trick to prepare ourselves for the everlasting life of the Hereafter getting closer to God.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (3/8/2019).