Allah (SWT) said:” This is indeed a Qur’an most honorable, a Book well-guided. A revelation from the Lord of the worlds.” (The Qur’an: 77-80)
No book in the world, down the ages through 14 centuries, has been emulated and respected more than the Qur’an has been by Muslims. What is important about the Qur’an is its advice that the guidance furnished by it should be understood and applied in our daily conduct.
The Qur’an encourages people not to neglect the material world, the world where we live now, in favor of the spiritual world, the world of the hereafter. In encouraging people to participate in all the reasonable activities of this world, the Qur’an provides a thorough guidance on how a man can lead a useful and deserving life on earth, and at the same time provides him with the opportunity to be able to rise to a status above that of an angel. But if he does not follow the laws of Allah for human beings, he can even sink very low, lower than the level of an animal with the ability to progress mentally, physically, and spiritually. Full guidance on how to achieve full human grandeur is provided in the Qur’an.
Afzalur Rahman, in his book, “Qur’anic Science”, says:” The Qur’an encourages believers to strive hard in the acquisition of material means and invites them to study all its laws and sciences to benefit from them. It has been made obligatory to study every aspect of the material sources of the universe, to unveil and disclose all its secrets and mysteries, and to exploit and use them in the right way in their service. With these instruments, how can a believer, whether a scholar or a philosopher, feel mentally or psychologically averse to the arguments and reasoning of the Qur’an? It is the only Book which meets every man at his own level of intellect and reasoning and provides him with an integral philosophy which covers both the world of matter and that of spirit; the only philosophy in which there is no conflict between matter and spirit, or between work and virtue, or worship and striving in the field of science.”
The function of the Qur’an, in its barest meaning, is synonymous with that of a machine manual. When a company manufactures a machine – be it a radio, a refrigerator, or a car – it supplies with it a manual (guidebook) explaining the machine and how it should be used. This is to ensure that the user obtains full benefit from the machine and that it is kept in sound condition and fully functional. In the same way, Allah, who created us and the entire universe, supplies us with a guidebook so that, by following it, we can keep ourselves properly functional in relation to everything in this world and the next. This guidebook is the Qur’an.
Allah says that the Qur’an is a “Book which explains all things, a guide, a mercy and glad tidings to Muslims.” (16: 89). The Qur’an, which is self-contained for all times, is a Book of practical philosophy to enable man to lead a useful life. It contains a code of life that regulates everything a human being has to do from birth to death, including all the do’s and don’ts of daily living. It inculcates the noblest ideals of monotheism, universalism, democracy, fraternity, liberty, and unity.
Afzalur-Rahman, in his book, “Islam”, writes:” The Qur’an explains the Tauhid (Oneness of God) effectively. It tells us how to live a virtuous life, how to conduct ourselves in public or at home, how to treat parents, relatives, friends, strangers, the poor, and orphans. It instructs us about economics and about social, educational, and political needs. It deals with internal and foreign affairs, in peacetime and during war. It provides advice in matters concerning marriage, divorce, birth and death, property, inheritance, buying and selling, trade and commerce, civil and criminal law, and many other practical matters. In short, it is a Book of complete guidance covering life in general.”
The Qur’an also contains the important teachings of earlier prophets, including those of Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus. Allah says the Qur’an is “a confirmation of the revelations that came before it, and is a fuller explanation of the Book – therein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the worlds.” (10:37). Hence, Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books and that the others, namely, the Taurah and Zabur (Old Testament) and the Injil (New Testament) were repealed because the Qur’an contains “fuller explanation, that is, more and in-depth message. The Qur’an is therefore the final form of Allah’s message to man – it is the Final testament for mankind.
The Qur’an begins with a 7-verse chapter called “Fatihah” which means the ‘Opening Chapter’. The first part of this chapter begins with the words: “In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.”
These seven verses form a complete unit by themselves, and they are recited in every prayer and on many other occasions. This chapter rightly appears at the beginning of the Qur’an because it not only gives a gist or synopsis of the whole Book but also sums up marvelously man’s relation to Allah. This chapter, apart from telling us that Allah is “Most Gracious”, “Most Merciful”, “The Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds” and “master of the Day of Judgement”, informs us to pray thus:” Show us the Straight Way.” (1-6). (To be continued)
Shaik A. Kadir
