The Holy Qur’an

The Eternal Word of God

As Muslims, we believe the Qur’an is the literal speech of God. In Arabic, the word for God is “Allah” — the same word used by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians. The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic to God’s final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him), over 1,400 years ago.

It is not a book of human reflections or philosophies — it is divine revelation, preserved word-for-word as it was sent down.

Allah Himself promises:

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an, and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Qur’an 15:9)

Note on “We”: The Qur’an often uses “We” when God speaks. This does not mean there are multiple gods. In Arabic (and also in English historically), the plural form can be used as a royal ‘We’ — a way of speaking that shows majesty, authority, and greatness. The Qur’an is clear that there is only one God:

“And your god is one God. There is no deity except Him, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 2:163)

This means the Qur’an you can read today is the exact same Qur’an recited by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the 7th century.

The Birmingham Manuscript radiocarbon dated to between 610 and 645 CE held at Birmingham University

 

How the Qur’an Was Revealed

The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years (610–632 CE) in the Arabian Peninsula. This process was deliberate and unique:

  • Revealed gradually:
    Allah says:

“And (it is) a Qur’an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period; and We have sent it down gradually.” (Qur’an 17:106)
Verses (called āyāt, meaning “signs”) came in response to real-life events — answering questions, resolving disputes, and guiding people step by step.

  • Delivered by the angel Jibrīl (Gabriel):
    Muslims believe angels are noble spiritual beings created by God, not gods themselves. The angel Jibrīl brought the revelation to the Prophet:

“The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down upon your heart, [O Muhammad] — that you may be of the warners — in a clear Arabic language.” (Qur’an 26:193–195)

  • Memorized and written immediately:
    The Prophet ﷺ would recite each revelation to his companions, who memorized it word-for-word. Scribes recorded it on parchment, bone, and palm stalks.

  • Universal message:

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Qur’an 2:2)

 

Preserved Without Change

The Qur’an is unique in the history of religious texts: it has never been altered.

  • Memorized worldwide: From the Prophet’s time until today, millions of Muslims — including children — have memorized it entirely (ḥifẓ).

  • Written from the start: Written copies existed during the Prophet’s lifetime.

  • Early manuscripts: Ancient copies, such as the Birmingham manuscript (radiocarbon dated to the time of the Prophet ﷺ), match the Qur’an in use today.

  • One Qur’an worldwide: Whether in Morocco, Malaysia, Nigeria, or New York, the Arabic text is identical.

Allah says:

“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from the All-Wise, the Praiseworthy.” (Qur’an 41:42)

Note on Arabic: The Qur’an is only the Qur’an in Arabic. Translations are explanations of its meaning — useful for understanding, but not the actual revealed words.

 

The Qur’an as a Living Miracle

The Qur’an challenged its first listeners — masters of Arabic poetry and rhetoric — to match it.

“And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant, then produce a surah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful. But if you do not — and you will never be able to — then fear the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 2:23–24)

No one could meet this challenge. Muslims see the Qur’an’s unmatched style, depth, and ability to transform lives as ongoing proof that it is from God.

 

Signs in the Natural World — The Qur’an and Science

The Qur’an’s main aim is to guide humanity to God, but it often draws our attention to creation as evidence of His power and knowledge.

Allah says:

“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth…” (Qur’an 41:53)

Below are some examples, explained in everyday language.

a) The Creation of the Universe — The Big Bang

“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Qur’an 21:30)

  • In 7th-century Arabia, the common view was that the universe had always existed. The Qur’an instead said the heavens and the earth were once “joined” and then “separated.”

  • Modern science confirms the universe began from a single point of dense matter and energy, then expanded — what scientists call the Big Bang.

  • The verse also says every living thing is made from water — a fact biology confirms today.

b) Stages of the Human Embryo

“And We did certainly create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” (Qur’an 23:12–14)

  • The Qur’an describes stages: a sperm-drop, a clinging clot (alaqah), a lump (mudghah), bones, and then flesh covering bones.

  • With modern microscopes, scientists now observe these stages exactly as described.

c) Mountains as Pegs

“Have We not made the earth a resting place? And the mountains as pegs?” (Qur’an 78:6–7)

  • Mountains aren’t just surface features; they have deep roots underground, like tent pegs.

  • Geologists now know these roots help stabilize the earth’s crust.

d) The Protective Atmosphere

“And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.” (Qur’an 21:32)

  • Earth’s atmosphere shields life from harmful solar radiation, burns up meteors, and keeps temperatures suitable for life — functions unknown to 7th-century people.

e) The Expanding Universe

“And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” (Qur’an 51:47)

  • The Qur’an states the universe is expanding — confirmed only in the 20th century by astronomers like Edwin Hubble.

 

A Guide for All Aspects of Life

The Qur’an addresses every part of life:

  • Faith and worship:

“…worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion… establish prayer and give zakah…” (Qur’an 98:5)
(Zakah: an annual charity given to the poor)

  • Morality:

“Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality…” (Qur’an 16:90)

  • Family:

“…And live with them in kindness…” (Qur’an 4:19)

  • Economics:

“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly…” (Qur’an 2:188)

  • Justice in society:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves…” (Qur’an 4:135)

 

Recited, Memorized, Loved

The Qur’an is meant to be heard, not just read.

Allah commands:

“…And recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.” (Qur’an 73:4)

Muslims recite it daily in prayers. Millions memorize it fully — preserving the exact pronunciation passed down from the Prophet ﷺ.

 

How You Can Read the Qur’an

Anyone can explore the Qur’an today:

Note: Muslims believe only the Arabic text is the actual Qur’an; translations are explanations of its meaning.

 

An Invitation

The Qur’an invites honest reflection:

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.” (Qur’an 4:82)

“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right…” (Qur’an 17:9)

Even a short chapter can reveal its message. For example:

“Say: He is Allah, [who is] One,

Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.” (Qur’an 112:1–4)

This is the essence of Islam: God is One, eternal, and unlike His creation.

The Qur’an is, for us, the preserved Word of God — your direct connection to the Creator of the heavens and the earth.



Last edited:

Saad Dastagir
[email protected]
08/08/2025