The Qur’an is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It was memorized by Muhammad (peace be upon him) and then dictated to his Companions, and written down by scribes, who cross-checked it during his lifetime. Not one word of its 114 chapters, Surahs, has been changed over the centuries, so that the Qur’an is in every detail the unique and miraculous text which was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) fourteen centuries ago.
What Is The Qur’an About?
The Qur’an, the last revealed Word of God, is the prime source of every Muslim’s faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects which concern us as human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time it provides guidelines for a just society, proper human conduct and an equitable economic system.
The Qur’an, as the last revealed book of God, is extant in its original form. Allah Himself guaranteed its preservation. The entire Qur’an was recorded in written form during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on pieces of palm leaves, parchments, bones, and other suitable surfaces. Moreover, there were tens of thousands of his followers who memorized the whole Qur’an, and the Prophet himself used to recite it to the angel Gabriel once a year and twice when he was about to die.
After the Prophet’s death, Abu Bakr, the first caliph, oversaw the collection of the Qur’an into one volume by the Prophet’s scribe, Zaid Ibn Thabit. This volume remained with Abu Bakr who, when he was about to die, entrusted it to his successor, Umar Ibn al Khattab who, in turn, passed it on to Hafsa, the Prophet’s wife. It was from this original copy that Uthman, the third caliph, prepared several other copies and sent them to different Muslim territories.
The Qur’an was preserved so meticulously because it was to be the book of guidance for all humanity forever. Thus it does not address only the Arabs, even though it was revealed in their language. It speaks to man as a human being: “O Man! What has seduced you from your Lord?” The practical nature of the Qur’anic teachings is established by the examples of the Prophet and of pious Muslims throughout history.
Are There Any Other Sacred Sources?
Yes, the sunna, the practice and example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), is the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, did, or approved. Belief in the sunna is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet’s sayings
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.”
“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
“He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer.”
“The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the prophets the saints, and the martyrs.”
“Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.”
“God does not judge according to your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your deeds.”
Shahadah, Stating There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger. This declaration of faith is called the Shahadah, a simple formula which all the faithful pronounce. In Arabic, the first part is la ilaha illa’Llah – “there is no god except God”; ilaha (god) can refer to anything which we may be tempted to put in place of God–wealth, power, and the like. Then comes illa’Llah: “except God”, the source of all Creation. The second part of the Shahada is Muhammadun rasulu’Llah: “Muhammad is the messenger of God.” A message of guidance has come through a man like ourselves
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one’s own language. Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life. Once Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem, but during the Prophet’s lifetime it was changed to Mecca. From the minbar, the pulpit, the Imam who leads the prayer gives the sermon at the Friday noon community prayers.
Zakat One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word zakat means both “purification” and “growth”. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one’s capital. A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as “voluntary charity” it has a wider meaning. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Charity is a necessity for every Muslim.” He was asked: “What if a person has nothing?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.” The Companions asked: “What if he is not able to work?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He should help poor and needy persons.” The Companions further asked ‘What if he cannot do even that?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “He should urge others to do good.” The Companions said “What if he lacks that also?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.”
Fasting Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from puberty, although many start earlier. Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one’s spiritual life.
Hajj (Take a Virtual Hajj)
The Pilgrimage (Hajj) The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj, is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Mecca each year from every comer of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another. Although Mecca is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God. The rites of the Hajj, which are of Abrahamic origin, include circling the Ka’ba seven times, and going seven times between the mountains of Safa and Marwa as did Hagar during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of Arafa and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgment. In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, Saudi Arabia provides millions of people with water, modem transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities. The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslim calendar.
