Islamic Studies

AHMED ABDULLAH
01. Introduction to
Qur’anic Studies

1. Basic Concept of Quran

2. Uloom-ul-Quran

3. History of Quran
 Basic Concept of Quran
Famous Names of the Qur’an
Al-Qur’an ‫القرآن‬: The Book widely Read and
recited. it contains the best and most relevant of all
previous messages of Allah.
Al-Furqan ‫الفرقان‬: The Criterion between the right
and wrong.
Al-Tanzil ‫الَّتنـزيل‬: The Revelation.
Al-Zhikr ‫الــَّذكـــــر‬: The Reminder.
Al-Nur ‫الَّنــــــــــور‬: The Light.
Al-Kitab ‫الكتــــاب‬: The Book/scripture.
 Basic Concept of Quran
Meaning of the word Quran

This word (‫ )قرآن‬is derived from the

‫أ‬.‫ر‬.‫ق‬.
(an Arabic root word)

The word (qiraah) is also derived from the same roots. So the meaning
of (qiraah) is reading and recitation. The word Qur’n is the tense of
exaggeration. So the literal meaning of the word Qura’n is “the widely
read book”.
Qira’ah means: reading and recitation. Qura’n means
the widely read book.
 Basic Concept of Quran

Technical meaning of Quran

One of the holy books of Allah which

has been revealed to the holy prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) in almost 23
years.
 Basic Concept of Quran

First Revelation
* The first revelation came to the Prophet (pbuh) in Ghare Hera (cave
Hera).

* Cave Hera is located at Jabl-e-Noor (Noor Mountain) in Arfat on the

road to Mina about 3 miles to the East of Holy Makkah.

* The Prophet was about 40 years old when Angel Jibrail brought the
first revelation from Allah (swt).

* The first revealed verses of the Qur’an are the first 5 verses (Ayats) of
Surah Al Alaq.
 ‫‪Basic Concept of Quran‬‬

‫سورة العلق‬
‫إقرأ باسم ربك الذي خلق‬
‫خلق اإلنسان من علق‬
‫إقرأ وربك األكرم‬
‫الذي عّلم بالقلم‬
‫عّلم اإلنسان ما لم يعلم‬
 Basic Concept of Quran

The Rights Of Qur’an

1. Believe in it
2. Read it/ Listen it
3. Understand it
4. Ponder its verses
5. Act upon it
6. Spread it
 Basic Concept of Quran

Holy Quran Is a Complete Code of Life

The Quran-e-Majid is the Word of Allah (swt) as revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (saww) for man’s guidance. The
Qur'an comprehends the complete code from the Almighty Creator, for the human beings to live a good, chaste, abundant
and rewarding life in obedience to the commandments of Allah, in this life and to gain salvation in the next. It is indeed the
"chart of life" for every man, and it is the "constitution" of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.
Quran is for mankind, a "compass" in the turbulent voyage of life, as it has explained itself in the following verses:

“. . . Indeed, there has come to you light and a clear book from Allah; With it Allah guides him who fill follow His pleasure
into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by his will and guides them to the right path.” (5:15-
16).

Historically, it is Qur'an which transformed the simple shepherds and wandering Bedouins of Arabia into the founders of
empires, the builders of cities, the collectors of libraries. If a system of religious teachings is evaluated by the changes
which it introduces into the way of life, the customs and beliefs of its follower, then Qur'an as a code of life is second to
none. It is not strange then, that more studies on Quranic topics, translations and more commentaries of the Holy Qur'an
have been published, than that of any other book claimed to be the Divine Revelation.
 Basic Concept of Quran

Is Qur'an Understandable?
But the important question which is often asked is whether the Quran is understandable by an
ordinary reader, or it requires scholarly background to comprehend its meaning?

Has this book been introduced for the purpose of studying and understanding it, or whether it is
just for reading and reciting and obtaining reward and blessing? The student of Quran, possibly,
may wonder at raising of such a question. To him it may appear beyond doubt that the Qur'an is
meant for the purpose of knowing and understanding it.

Nevertheless, in view of various undesirable currents, which due to numerous reasons came
into existence in the Muslim world regarding the question of understanding of the Qur'an, and
which had an important role in bringing about the decline of Muslims, I shall discuss the
necessity of studying and understanding the Quran in brief.
 Basic Concept of Quran

Is the purpose of Quran to obtain thawab only?

There are some people who think that the Qur'an is to be read merely for the purpose
of obtaining spiritual reward (thawab) without need of understanding anything of its
contents. They continuously recite the Qur'an, but if they are even once asked: "Do
you understand the meaning of what you are reading?" they cannot answer. To recite
the Qur'an is essential and good, being regarded as the first step necessary for
comprehending its contents; and not merely as a means for gaining Divine reward.
Basic Concept of Quran

Cont.:---
Qur'an must be read and studied with the intention of educating oneself. The Qur'an itself
clarifies this point:

“A book We have sent down to you, blessed, that men possessed of mind may ponder its signs
end so remember”. (38:29)

One of the functions of the Qur'an is to instruct and to teach. For this purpose, the Qur'an
addresses human reason and speaks in logical and demonstrative terms. Infact, not only the
believers and the faithful, but even the infidels are invited by it to contemplate over its verses.
The Qur'an demands that it verses should be first contemplated over, before forming any
adverse opinion against them. Addressing the opponents, it says, why they don't ponder over
the Qur'an, what sort of hearts they possess, they are as if shut close and sealed:
“What, do they not ponder the Qur'an? Or is it that there are locks upon their hearts?” (47:24)
Basic Concept of Quran

Cont.:---
The Qur'an also says in one of its verses:

“(This is) a Book We have revealed to you abounding in good, that they may ponder upon the
verses”.
That is, We have not sent the Qur'an to be kissed, embraced and put on the niche to gather
dust, but for men to read and to contemplate about its contents:
That those endowed with understanding may ponder its signs and so remember.
Scores of verses in Quran emphasize the importance of contemplation in the Qur'an and
interpretation of the Qur'anic verses, although not an interpretation based on personal caprices
and bias, but a just, truthful and balanced interpretation free of all traces of selfish interests.

The Holy Quran is for all – the learned as well as the ordinary person
Thanks.
Q&A