The Quran & Hadith
The Quran, the Holy Book of Islam
The Quran, often referred to as the “Holy Quran” or simply “the Book,” is the central religious text of Islam and holds unparalleled significance in the lives of Muslims. It is considered the literal word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) over a period of approximately 23 years.
Divine Guidance: Muslims believe that the Quran contains the guidance of Allah for all aspects of life. It addresses matters of faith, morality, law, guidance for personal conduct, and the nature of the universe. It is the ultimate source of authority for Muslims in matters of belief and practice.
Spiritual Connection: The Quran serves as a direct means of communication between God and the individual believer. Through its verses, Muslims seek to deepen their spirituality, draw closer to God, and find solace in times of difficulty.
Preservation: The Quran is unique among religious texts in that it is preserved in its original form, without any alterations, additions, or omissions. This preservation is seen as a divine miracle.
Liturgical Use: The Quran is recited in daily prayers.
Revelation Process and the Role of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
The Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) through the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) over a span of 23 years. This process began in 610 CE when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was 40 years old and continued until his passing in 632 CE. The revelations were conveyed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in segments, known as ayat (verses), which were then memorized by him and his companions.
The Quranic revelations often came in response to specific situations, questions, or events in the life of the early Muslim community. As the final prophet, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) served as the intermediary between God and humanity, receiving divine guidance that addressed not only the concerns of his time but also timeless principles for human behavior and spirituality.
The Quran’s revelation process is described in the Quran itself, acknowledging the trust and responsibility placed on the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the recipient of this divine message. The Quran also emphasizes the role of the Quran as a “guidance for mankind” (Quran 2:185).
Preservation of the Quran
The Quran’s original text is in the Arabic language and Hafiz of the Quran have played a crucial role in preserving the holy text for over 1400 years, starting from the time of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
A Hafiz is an individual who has memorized the entire Quran, word for word. The role of Hafiz is significant in the oral tradition of passing down the Quran from one generation to the next, ensuring the Quran is preserved in its original form, without any alterations, additions, or omissions.
But My English versions uses slightly different words?
Do not confuse the original Arabic Quran with translations of other languages. When translating between Arabic to other languages, translators might have slight discrepancies in word choice, however the meaning would still be the same.
The Arabic original text of the Quran remains absolutely unchanged, serving as the authoritative and unaltered source of the sacred scripture. So it’s highly encouraged to learn to read the Quran in Arabic.
Hadith (Prophet’s Sayings) and Their Role as a Source of Guidance
In addition to the Quran, Muslims turn to the Hadith, which are collections of sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as a source of religious and legal guidance. The Hadith provide context, elaboration, and practical application of the Quranic teachings. They are classified into various categories based on their authenticity, with the most trusted collections being Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
The Hadith cover a wide range of topics, including theology, ethics, morality, jurisprudence, and social conduct. They serve several important roles in Islam:
Explanation and Clarification: Hadith provide explanations and clarifications for Quranic verses, shedding light on their intended meanings and practical applications.
Legal and Juridical Guidance: Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) relies heavily on Hadith for legal rulings and decisions. They help scholars derive Islamic law and ethical principles.
Spiritual and Moral Guidance: Hadith contain teachings on personal conduct, ethics, and spirituality, offering practical guidance for Muslims in their daily lives.
Historical Context: Hadith also provide valuable insights into the historical context of the Prophet’s life and the early Muslim community, allowing believers to understand the context in which certain verses of the Quran were revealed.