THE ALL-EMBRACING GUIDANCE

Dr. Abdul Karim   

The importance of the Quraan is underlined by Allah Himself:
“If We had sent down this Quraan on a mountain, thou wouldst certainly have seen it humbled and rent asunder; for fear of Allah. And these are similitudes that We set forth for the mankind that they may reflect.” (59:22)

“And We have sent down to thee the Reminder that thou mayest explain to mankind that which has been sent down to them, and that they may reflect.” (16:45)

The more one reflects, the greater is wonder about the scope and depth of the subjects dealt with in the Quraan, making it a great miracle. It is surprising that so much has been packed in so little a space that a child can memorize it. At the same time, it discusses every conceivable thing, spiritual as well as material.

“We have left out nothing in the Book.” (6:39)

“And We have sent down to thee the Book that explains every thing and a guidance, and a mercy, and glad tidings to those who submit to Allah.” (16:90)

The holy Prophet (SallAllaho alaihe wasallam) said:
“The learned will never be satiated with research on the Quraan nor will its marvels ever end.” “The Quraan does not consist of its apparent meanings but has many layers of meanings and each layer, in turn, has further branches.”

The Quraan is unique among holy books as it is the only word of Allah from A to Z which is divinely intact and preserved and was revealed to a person who was not at all literate in the worldly sense. Allah says, “The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise. Surely it is We Who have revealed the Book to thee with truth." (39:2-3)

“It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.” (56:81)

“Will they not, then, meditate upon the Quraan? Had it been from any one other than Allah, they would have found therein much disagreement.” (4:83)

There is a standing challenge for those who might think that the Quraan is not the word of Allah. They are prompted to bring forth, with every possible help from human beings, anything even remotely comparable with the Quraan, be that as a book (17:89), or much less as ten Chapters (11:14), or one Chapter (2:24), or just a single Verse (52:35).

The Quraan is full of prophesies which attest to its being from Allah. First the prophesy about the Book itself. The very word Quraan foretold that it will be read intensively and extensively. No other book, religious or otherwise, can ever compete with the Quraan in this respect. The fact that recitation of a portion of the Quraan in every prayer, five times a day, is obligatory ensures its recitation. Even otherwise, Muslims read it extensively so much so that it is read even by those who are not even familiar with the Arabic language. They are masses scattered all over the globe.

As to important future events in the Quraan, it makes a very long list which is beyond the scope of this article. Of these, the most important was the triumph of Islam at a time when it was extremely weak and helpless, subjected to intense persecution. Skipping over the whole host of prophesies which are well documented, a few relating to contemporary conditions may be mentioned. For the space explorers looking for life on other planets, the news is, “And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and of whatever living creatures He has spread forth in both. And He has the power to gather them together when He pleases.” (42:30)

The Quraan contains eternal guidance and, as such, is assured permanent divine protection against human interference in any form and this has certainly stood the test of time. “A Messenger of Allah, reciting unto them the pure Scriptures. These are the lasting commandments.” (98:3-4)

“There is none that can change the Word of Allah.” (6:35)

“Verily, We Ourself have sent down this Exhortation, and most surely We will be its guardian.” (15:10)

Even the most severe enemies of Islam have to concede that the Quraan has not suffered any change over time.

Die William Muire, otherwise quite critical of Islam, admits in his book, Life of Muhammad: “There is otherwise every security internal and external that we possess the text which Muhammad himself gave forth and used.” The Quraan is also called the Book which signified that it would be extensively published and the word Quraan means which is frequently read.

These two characteristics of a book assure its continuance. Allah has provided a further much stronger means of protection in inducing Muslims to memorize the Quraan. If by any chance all books of the world were to be destroyed, the only book which can be immediately reconstructed, without the least loss of original content, is the Quraan, thanks to millions of Muslims who commit it to memory and diligently regularly keep that fresh.

To enable a person to understand and appreciate the arcane and subtle spiritual phenomena, the Quraan points out the relevant physical things around him and exhorts him to reflect on them to see a parallel between the two systems. For instance, the Resurrection is explained; “Say, ‘Travel in the earth, and see how He originated the creation. Then will Allah provide the latter creation.’ Surely, Allah has power over all things.” (29:21)

“Look, therefore, at the marks of Allah’s mercy; how He quickens the earth after its death. Verily, the same Lord (Allah) will quicken the dead; for He has power over all things.” (30:51)

This is a rather unique way of explaining an otherwise very difficult subject beyond the lay man.

There must be a sublime purpose for the Book which is the word of Allah, comprehensive, permanent, absolutely secure against any human interference and is to be read. Therein lies the real miracle of the Quraan. “There has come to you indeed from Allah a Light and a clear Book. Thereby does Allah guide those who seek His pleasure on the path of peace, and leads them out of every kind of darkness into light by His will, and guides them to the right path.” (5:16-7)

The true significance of the Quraan and its greatest miracle is that it leads a person with a mere belief in the existence of Allah to a stage where he actually experiences His very presence. The Quraan provides the road map with clearly marked prominent milestones for this spiritual journey. “Eyes cannot reach Him but He reaches the eyes. And He is the incomprehensible, the all- Aware.” (6:104)

“And when My servants ask thee about Me, say; I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.” (2:187)

Muslims have been reminded that in following the Quraan lies their success.

“We have sent down to you a Book wherein lies your eminence; will you not then understand?” (21:11)

“So hold thou fast to that which has been revealed to thee; for thou art on the right path. And, truly, it is a source of eminence for thee and for thy people; and you will be inquired about it.” (43:44-5)

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