The message in the above verse confirms that the Quran is so efficiently designed providing with many attributes, proofs, wonders, knowledge and wisdom that it may not be possible for a person or a group to know all of them in any generation except what is needed to do the righteous deeds for the believers in a particular generation according to God’s will. However, here is a brief account of Quran’s attributes as the Quran as well as the scripture what are spelled out by the Almighty God to make it easy being a message, reminder and warning for those who put their trust upon their Lord and fear Him as well as believe and follow it being their guidance and statute book:
- A revelation of the scripture to Muhammad and to those before himself is from God (al-kitaabi min allahi)
[40:2] A revelation of the scripture is from God (tanzeelu al-kitaabi mina allahi), the Almighty, the Knower.
[41:2] A revelation from the Gracious, the Merciful (tanzeelun mina al-rahmaani al-raheemi).
[42:3] Thus that Who reveals to you (Muhammad) and to those before yourself, is God (ka’dhaalika yuuhee ilayka wa-ilaa alladheena min qablika allahu), the Almighty, the Wise.
[11:2] A scripture has been perfected its verses, then has been detailed out from the One who is Wise, Cognizant (min ladun hakeemin khabeerin). That you do not worship except God; indeed, I (Muhammad) am a warner and a bearer of good news to you from Him.
- Quran is taught (`allama al-qur’aan) by the Gracious (al-rahmaanu):
[55:1-2] The Gracious (al-rahmaanu). He has taught the Quran (`allama al-qur’aana).
[55:3-4] He has created the human being (khalaqa al-insaana). He has taught him intelligence (`allamahu al-bayaan).
- Quran is a message (dhikran), a messenger (rasuulan), a messenger of God (rasuul allahi) and a seal of the prophets (khaatama al-nabiyeena):
[65:10] God has prepared a severe punishment for them. So, you shall fear God, O men of the understanding who have believed. God has sent down to you all a message (dhikran),
[65:11] a messenger (rasuulan) reciting to you all (`alaykum) the clear revelations of God that it may bring out those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds from the darkness into the light. And whoever believes in God and does righteous works, He will admit him into gardens flowing the rivers of their underneath as dwellers therein forever. Certainly, God has provided good provision for him.
[33:40] Muhammad has not been a father of anyone of your men but has had a messenger of God (wa-laakin rasuula allahi) and a seal of the prophets (wa-khaatama al-nabiyeena), and God has done being Knower of everything.
- Quran is a witness (shaahidan), bearer of good news (mubasheeran), a warner (nadheeran), a caller to God by His permission (daa`iyan ilaa allahi) and an illuminating lamp (siraajan muneeran):
[33:45] O you prophet; indeed, we have sent you a witness (shaahidan) and a bearer of good news (mubasheeran) and a warner (nadheeran).
[33:46] And a caller to God (wa-daa`iyan ilaa allahi) by His permission and an illuminating lamp (wa-siraajan muneeran).
[33:47] And you shall give the believers good news (wa-bashiri al-mu’mineena) of that for them there is a great blessing from God (mina allahi fadlan kabeeran).
- Quran is guidance (hudan), bearer of good news (basheerun), mercy (rahmatan), healing (shifaaun) and warner (nadheerun):
[2:2] That scripture – there is no doubt in it, is a guidance (hudan) for the righteous.
[2:97] Say, “Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel, then indeed, he has brought it (Quran) down into your heart by permission of God confirming that which was its before, and is guidance (hudan) and good news (bush’raa) for the believers.”
[11:2] That you not worship except God. Indeed, I (prophet) am to you is from Him a warner (nadheerun) and a bearer of good news (basheerun) for the believers.
[16:89] And a day we have raised from every community a witness over them from among themselves, and we have brought you (Muhammad) as a witness over these people. And we have revealed the scripture through you, is a clarification for everything, and a guidance (hudan), and mercy (rahmatan), and good news (bush’raa) for the submitters.
[16:102] Say: “The Holy Spirit has brought it (Quran) down from your Lord with the truth that it makes firm those who have believed, and a guidance (hudan) and good news (bush’raa) for the submitters.”
[17:82] And we reveal from the Quran that it is healing (shifaaun) and mercy (rahmatun) for the believers. But it does not increase except loss to the wicked.
[27:2] A guidance (hudan) and good news (bush’raa) for the believers.
[41:44] And if we had made it non-Arabic Quran, they would have said, “Why are not its verses explained in detail?” Is it non-Arabic or Arabic? Say, “It is for those who have believed, is a guidance (hudan) and a healing (shifaaun), while those who do not believe, there is deafness in their ears and have blindness for them to it. Those are being addressed from faraway.”
- Quran is the statute book (al-furqaan):
[2:185] Ramadan which is a month has been revealed in it the Quran as guidance for mankind, clear proofs of the guidance, and the statute book (al-furqaani). So whoever among you has witnessed the month, then he should fast in it, and whoever has been ill among you or on a journey, then 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.
[3:3-4] He sent down to you the scripture with the truth is a confirmation of what was its before, and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel from before as guidance for mankind, and He sent down the statute book (al-furqaana). Indeed, those who have disbelieved in the revelations of God, there is severe retribution for them, and God is Almighty having the power of retribution.
[25:1] Blessed is the One who sent down the statute book (al-furqaana) through His servant (Muhammad) that it can be a warner for the people of the world.
- Quran is the wise (al-qur’aani al-hakeemi), the wise scripture (al-kitaabi al-hakeemi) and a law in Arabic (hakaman `arabiyyan) while there is no judge other than God:
[36:1-2] Yaa Seen. And the Quran, the wise (al-qur’aani al-hakeemi)
[10:1] Alif Laam Rah. That is of signs of the scripture, the wise (al-kitaabi al-hakeemi).
[13:37] And thus, we revealed it as a law in Arabic (huk’man `arabiyyan), and if you follow their desires, after what has come to you of the knowledge, you will have no ally, nor a protector against God.
[6:114] Is there then other than God should I (prophet) seek as a judge (a-fa-ghayra allahi ab’taghi-i hakaman), while He is the One who has sent down to you the scripture is a detailed one? And those whom we have given them the scripture know that it is a sent down from your Lord with the truth. So, do not be with the doubtful ones.
- Quran is a clear Quran (Qur’aanin mubeenin) and the clear scripture (al-kitaabi al-mubeenin):
[15:1] Alif Laam Rah. That is of signs (Quranic initials) of the scripture and a clear Quran (Qur’aanin mubeenin).
[43:1-2] Ha Meem. And the scripture, the clear (al-kitaabi al-mubeeni).
[44:1-2] Ha Meem. And the scripture, the clear (al-kitaabi al-mubeeni).
- Quran’s built-in mathematical system is a reminder (dhik’raa) for the human race (lil’bashari) in the feminine form, being the number 19 is its common denominator and a warning (nadheeran) for the human race (lil’bashari):
[74:30] Over it is nineteen (`alayhaa tis’`ata `ashara).
[74:31] And we have not made guardians of the Fire except angels, and we have not made their number except a warning for those who disbelieved, that it may ascertain those who have been given the scripture (Jews and Christians) and may increase faith of those who have believed (Muslims), and may not doubt those who have been given the scripture (Jews and Christians) and the believers (Muslims). And that may say those in their hearts there is a disease (hypocrites) and the disbelievers, “What has God meant by this allegory?” Thus, God misguides whomever He wills and He guides whomever He wills. And none knows your Lord’s soldiers except He. And it is not except a reminder (dhik’raa) for the human race (lil’bashari).
[74:36] A warning (nadheeran) for the human race (lil’bashari).
- Quran is the reminder (al-dhik’ra and a reminder from God (dhik’rinaa) and a reminder for the people of world (dhik’run lil`aalameena) in the masculine form:
[36:11] You (prophet) can only warn whoever has followed the reminder (al-dhik’ra) and has feared the Most Gracious in the unseen. So, you shall give him good news of forgiveness and an honorable reward.
[53:29] So, you shall turn away from whoever has turned away from our reminder (dhik’rinaa) and he does not desire except the life of the world.
[12:104] And you (prophet) do not ask them any wage for it. It is not but a reminder for the people of the world (dhik’run lil`aalameena). [Note: repeated 4 times including the verses, 38:87, 68:52, 81:27]
- Quran is a blessed scripture (kitaabun mubaarakun) and a blessed reminder (dhik’run mubaarakun) revealed in a night of blessing (laylatin mubaarakatin) clarifying every wise (hakeemin) matter in a night of the Power (laylati al-qadr):
[6:155] And this scripture (kitaabun) we have sent down it is a blessed one (mubaarakun; so, you shall follow it and shall fear (God) so that you are given mercy.
[21:50] And this is a blessed reminder (dhik’run mubaarakun), we have revealed it. Are you then deniers of it?
[44:3] Indeed, we have revealed it in a night of blessing (laylatin mubaarakatin), indeed, we have been the warners.
[44:4] In it (feehaa) every wise (hakeemin) matter is clarified.
[97:1] Indeed, we have revealed it in a night of the Power (laylat al-qadr).
- God has given four attributes of His own to the Quran: the Glorious Quran (al-qur’aani al-majeedi), the Great Quran (al-qur’aana al-azeema), the wise Quran (al-qur’aani al-hakeemi) and an Honorable Quran (la-qur’aanun kareemun):
[50:1] Qaaf and the glorious Quran (al-qur’aani al-majeedi).
[85:21] Indeed, it is a glorious Quran (Qur’aanun majeedun).
[15:87] And surely, we have given you the seven pairs, and the great Quran (wal-qur’aana al-azeema).
[36:2] And the Quran, the wise (wal-qur’aana al-hakeemi).
[56:77] Indeed, this is certainly an honorable Quran (la-qur’aanun kareemun).
- An honorable Quran is in a protected book (fee kitaabin maknuunin) and only the sincere (al-mutaharuuna) has access to it but not those who have coverings around their hearts (`alaa quluubihim akinnatin) and deafness in their ears (fee adhaanihim waqran), and the original Quran is preserved with God in a master tablet (lawhin mahfuuzin):
[56:77] Indeed, this is surely an honorable Quran.
[56:78] In a protected book (kitaabin maknuunin).
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere (laa yamassuhu illaa al-mutaharuun).
[17:45] And when you recited the Quran, we have placed an invisible barrier (hijaaban mastuuran) between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter.
[17:46] And we have placed coverings around their hearts (`alaa quluubihim akinnatan) lest they understand it and deafness in their ears (fee adhaanihim waqran). And when you have mention your Lord with the Quran alone, they have turned on their backs in aversion (‘alaa adbaarihim nufuuran).
[85:22] Preserved in a master tablet (fee lawhin mahfuuzin).
- Quran is a straight path (siraatu mustaqeeman) and guides to that which is straight (yahdi lillati hiya aq’wamu):
[6:126] And this (Quran) is a path of your Lord (siraatu rabbika) is straight (mustaqeeman). Certainly, we have detailed the revelations for a people to take heed.
[6:153] And that this is My path is straight (mustaqeeman), so you shall follow it, and you do not follow the other paths lest they divert you from His path. That is what He has enjoined you with it that you become righteous.
[17:9] Indeed this, the Quran guides to that which is exact straight (aq’wamu), and gives good news to the believers those who do the righteous deeds that for them, there is a great reward.
- An Arabic Quran (Qur’anan `Arabiyyan) is complete (tammat), perfect/straight (qayyiman) and detailed (fussilat):
[41:3] A scripture, its verses are detailed (fussilat) in an Arabic Quran for a people who know (Arabic).
[7:52] And certainly, we provided them with a scripture, we have detailed it fassalnaahu) with knowledge as a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
[18:2] It is straight (qayyiman) that it may warn of a severe punishment from Him, and may give a good news to the believers who do the righteous deeds that for them, there is a good reward.
[6:115] And your Lord’s word has fulfilled (tammat) is truth and justice. There is no change for His words, and He is the Hearer, the Knower.
- Quran is flawless (laa-rayb), free of crookedness (`iwaj), contradictions (ikh’tilaaf) and falsehood (al-Baatilu) being consistent its statement to each other (mutashaabihan mathaaniya):
[2:2] That is the scripture – there is no doubt (laa-rayba) in it, is a guidance for the righteous.
[39:28] An Arabic Quran, without having any crookedness (`iwajin), so that they may fear (God).
[4:82] Do they not then study the Quran carefully? If it had been from other than God, they would have surely found in it many contradictions (ikh’tilaafan).
[41:42] The falsehood (al-Baatilu) cannot enter it of its past nor of its future; a revelation from Wise, Praiseworthy.
[39:23] God has revealed a scripture of the best statement being consistent to each other (mutashaabihan mathaaniya). The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (Quran), then their skins and their hearts soften up to God’s message. That is God’s guidance; He guides with it (Quran) whomever He wills, and whomever God lets go astray, then there is no guide for him.
- There is warning (al-wa’eed) in the Arabic Quran, while it is made straightforward for the warning (al-Qur’aana lil’dhikri) to be used to warn about the gathering to their Lord:
[20:113] We thus revealed it, an Arabic Quran, and we mentioned in it the warning (al-wa’eed) that they may fear, or it may cause them to take heed.
[54:17] And certainly, we made the Quran straightforward for the warning. So, will there be of who would have admonition? [repeated 4 times including the verses, 54:22, 32 & 40].
[6:51] And you (prophet) shall warn (andhir) with this (Quran) those who fear that they will be gathered to their Lord; for them there is no protector other than Him nor an intercessor that they fear (Him).
- God has not only called the Quran His Hadith (hadeethin ba’da allahi) but also the best Hadith (ahsana al-Hadeethi), not a fabricated Hadith (hadeethan yaf’taraa), while those who accept the baseless Hadith (lahwa al-Hadeethi), there is a humiliating punishment for them:
[45:6] That is of God’s signs we recite them to you (Muhammad) with the truth. Then in which hadith after God (hadeethin ba’da allahi) and His revelations do they believe?
[39:23] God has revealed a scripture of the best hadith (ahsana al-hadeethi) being consistent to each other. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (Quran), then their skins and their hearts soften up to God’s reminder. That is God’s guidance, He guides with it (Quran) whomever He wills. And whomever God lets go astray, then there is no guide for him.
[12:111] In their history, there is a lesson for the people of intelligence. This is not a fabricated Hadith (hadeethan yaf’taraa) but a confirmation of what was before it, and a detailed explanation of all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
[31:6] And of the people, whoever accepts the baseless Hadith (lahwa al-Hadeethi) to mislead from God’s path without knowledge and takes it as mockery; those, for them there is a humiliating punishment.
- Quran is the truth (al-haq) from God sent down with the truth (bil-haq) and a lesson (maw’izatun):
[2:147] The truth (al-haq) is from your Lord, so you should not be one of the doubtful ones.
[10:57] O people, there has come to you a lesson (maw’izatun) from your Lord, and a healing for what is in your hearts, and a guidance, and a mercy for the believers.
[11:120] And from each we narrate to you the news of the messengers to strengthen your heart with it. In this there has come to you the truth (al-haq) and a lesson (maw’izatun) and a reminder for the believers.
[17:105] And we sent it down with the truth (bil-haq), and it descended with the truth (bil-haq). And we have not sent you except a bearer of good news and a warner.
[32:3] Or do they say, “He fabricated it?” No, it is the truth (al-haq) from your Lord that you may warn a people has not come to them any warner before yours, so that they may be guided.
- Quran misguides those who have chosen misguidance for themselves placing coverings around their hearts and deafness in their ears disbelieving in the Hereafter as well as depriving them from mercy and healing given in it being blind to it:
[17:41] We have cited (all kinds of example) in this Quran that they may take heed. But it only increases their aversion.
[17:82] And what we reveal from the Quran that it is healing and mercy for the believers. But it does not increase except loss to the wicked.
[17:45] And when you read the Quran, we place between you (prophet) and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier.
[17:46] And we have placed coverings around their hearts (`alaa quluubihim akinnatin) lest they understand it and deafness in their ears (fee adhaanihim waqran). And when you mention your Lord with the Quran alone, they turn on their backs in aversion (`alaa adbaarihim nufuuran).
[18:57] And who is more wicked than the one who is reminded with his Lord’s revelations but he turns away from them, forgetting what he has with him. Indeed, we have placed veils on their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears, and if you invite them to the guidance, they will never ever be guided.
[41:44] If we had made it a non-Arabic Quran, 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 a guidance (hudan) and a healing (shifaaun) but those who do not believe, there is a deafness in their ears and have blindness for them to it. These are being addressed from faraway.”
- Quran narrates the best history (ahsan al-qasasi) and cites all kinds of examples (kulli mathalin):
[12:3] We narrate to you the best history (ahsan al-qasasi) of what we have revealed to you this, the Quran, and even you have been certainly, among the unaware of its before.
[17:89] And certainly, we have cited for the people every kind of example (kulli mathalin) in this Quran, but most people refused to be only disbelievers.
[39:27] And certainly, we have cited for the people every kind of example (kulli mathalin) in this, the Quran, so that they may take heed.
- Quran has prophesies of God for preserving the reminder (al-dhik’ra) through emerging a creature from the earth (dabbatan mina al-ardi) when the people are not certain of God’s revelations and of sending a messenger (rasuulan) upon delivery of all scripture supported by the sign 19:
[15:9] Indeed, we have revealed the reminder (al-dhik’ra), and indeed, we will certainly be protectors of it (la-hu la-hafizuuna).
[27:82] And when has fulfilled the punishment upon them, we have brought forth for them a creature from the earth (dabbatan mina al-ardi) speaks to them that the people have been with our revelations do not ascertain.
[3:81] And when God has taken a covenant (meethaaqa) of the prophets: “Certainly, whatever I have given you of scripture and wisdom, then has come to you a messenger (rasuulan) is confirming that which is with yourselves. You must believe in him and you must support him.” He said: “Have you affirmed and taken My covenant on that?” They said: “We have affirmed.” He said: “Then you shall bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”
[33:7] And when we have taken their covenant from the prophets and from you (Muhammad), and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. And we have taken from them a solemn covenant.
[74:30] Over it (`alayhaa) is nineteen (tis’`ata `ashara).
- Quran has been revealed with the truth confirming (musaddiqan) as well as consolidating (muhayminan) the scripture what was before it:
[2:89] And when has come to them a scripture from God, is confirming (musaddiqan) that which is with them, and they have done before to seek victory over those who have disbelieved; so when has come to them which they have recognized, have disbelieved in it! God’s curse is upon the disbelievers.
[5:48] And we have revealed to you the scripture with the truth, confirming (musaddiqan) that which was its before of the scripture and consolidating (muhayminan) of it. So, you shall judge between them with what God has revealed, and you should not follow their wishes as the truth has come to you. For each of you, we have decreed a law and a clear way. And if God had willed, He would have made you one community, but to test you in what He has given you. So, you shall compete for the good. To God you all will return, then He will inform you of what in it you had disputed.
- Quran has clarified verses (ayaatun muh’kamraatun), which are foundation of the scripture (ummu al-kitaabi) while others are analogies (mutashaahibaatun):
[3:7] He is the One who has sent down to you (Muhammad) the scripture; of it there are clarified verses (ayaatun muh’kamraatun) – they are foundation of the scripture (ummu al-kitaabi) and others are analogies (mutashaahibaatun). So, as for those in their hearts there is perversity, then they follow what has made analogy of it seeking the discord and seeking its interpretation, while none knows its interpretation except God and those who are well-founded in the knowledge – they say, “We have believed in it. All is from our Lord. And none will take heed except possessors of the understanding.”
- Quran is a treasure of knowledge having all the words of our Lord that we need for our guidance but whatever is left of it, is left out deliberately while God is a source of the righteousness and a source of the forgiveness:
[18:109] Say, “If the ocean had been ink for my Lord’s words, the ocean certainly ran out before that my Lord’s words had run out, even if we brought of like it as ink supplement.”
[31:27] And if that whatever in the earth of trees were pens, and the ocean were (ink), adding to it of its after were seven oceans, God’s words had not run out. Indeed, God is Almighty, Wise.
[74:56] And none can pay attention except that God wills. He is a source of the righteousness and is a source of the forgiveness.
- God has explained the Quran that we understand the message without getting any help from any other source:
[75:16] You (prophet) are not to move with it (Quran) of your tongue to hasten with it.
[75:17] It is we who will collect it into Quran.
[75:18] As we recited it, so you shall follow its recitation.
[75:19] Then it is we who will explain it.
[6:114] Then should I seek other than God as a judge (hakaman), while He has revealed to you (all) this scripture explained in detail? Those to whom we gave the scripture know that it is a sent down (munazzalun) from your Lord with the truth. So, you should not be with the doubtful ones.
- Quran has its own dictionary defining many of its words and phrases that we may avoid misinterpretation of certain crucial messages:
[74:27] And do you know what Saqar is?
[74:28] It does not let to stay nor does it let to leave.
[86:2] And do you know what al-Taariq is?
[86:3] The bright star.
[97:2] And do you know what Laylat al-Qadr is?
[97:3] A Night of the Power is better than a thousand-month.
Conclusion
Quran is a wondrous creation of God and its awesomeness can be perceived even reflecting on some of its attributes as mentioned above. It is a treasure of knowledge and we may reveal a new information as our guidance every time we study, examine and inquire into it to address concern, questions, disputes for the people at all times until the end of the world. Someone might say or share with others what he/she has learned from it as of today as a student of the Quran meeting the requirements as defined by its author, the Knower, the Wise, the Cognizant.
God is the author and the teacher of the Quran, and He teaches us assigning many attributes to it: detailed, complete truth and justice, guidance, clear guidance, witness, good news, bearer of good news, warner, warning, mercy, healing, a caller to God , a light, great, glorious, honorable, wise, the truth, a message, a messenger, God’s messenger, seal of the prophets, blessed scripture, a revelation at a night of the Power, clear scripture, straight path, statute book, God’s hadith, the best hadith, a reminder, blessed reminder, reminder for the world and a reminder of mathematical coding are mentioned while there might be many more left out because of our limited knowledge. These attributes teach us that we must examine and inquire into Quran, a great work of God to obtain appropriate answer in the event of any disputes or confusion being the only source of our knowledge to better understand His religion and to perfect practices of its rites as detailed in it.
God’s religion is as old as the history of human being on earth, and cannot be trapped in time and place assigning it to any prophets and messengers. His religion is evolved since origin but it was formally instituted and revealed through prophet Ibrahim including all the religious rites that we practice today. Since then, they are passed down through practicing of the people generation after generation. When the Quran was revealed, these practices were already in existence and the prophet was asked to continue the religious rites given to prophet Abraham (4:125 and 16:123) while the Quran has completed our religion updating, correcting and restoring its parts of practices that had been distorted or lost over the period of time down the generations up to prophet’s time. Even though, God’s laws and teachings are updated in the Quran to fit them for all generations of people until the end of the world while it was coded with instructions that any distortions of those practices down the generations can be detected and restored back as well.
It is not hidden from us that our religion is corrupted with numerous man-made innovations and traditions that are practiced today all over the world without knowing from what is in the Quran or its misinterpretation. The show offs have increased among the religious observant including crowding to masjids to spend time with others in festivities like the days of ignorance (8:35) while it is very difficult to find a God’s masjid for worshiping to please Him. But those who are God’s conscious having certainty in the Hereafter should not have any hard time to detect corruptions in their beliefs and practices if they use their common senses. Thus, if we can pay our attention to God as a source of guidance, righteousness and forgiveness belonging to a great work revealed into prophet’s soul in a special night, then over a period of 23 years, and make all our efforts to do our business with Him knowing and following His source, we see our success in the Hereafter.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (1/13/2017).