The Glorious Qur’an JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

 THE GLORIOUS QUR’AN

The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam. It is the word of Allah (God) revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). Muslims believe that every word in the Qur’an comes directly from Allah. The Qur’an was not revealed all at once. It came down bit by bit over 23 years of Prophet Muhammad’s life.

The Qur’an is written in Arabic. The word “Qur’an” means “the recitation” because it was meant to be recited out loud. Even today, many Muslims memorize the entire Qur’an, which is a special honor. These people are called “Huffaz” (memorizers of the Qur’an).

Structure of the Qur’an

The Qur’an is divided into 114 chapters called “Surahs.” Each Surah has a unique name, like Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) or Surah Al-Nas (The People). These Surahs are further divided into verses called “Ayat” (singular: Ayah). There are 6,236 verses in the Qur’an.

The Surahs are not arranged in the order they were revealed. Instead, they are generally arranged from longest to shortest, with some exceptions. The longest Surah is Al-Baqarah with 286 verses, and the shortest is Al-Kawthar with just 3 verses.

The Qur’an is also divided into 30 equal parts called “Juz” (plural: Ajza). This division helps Muslims read the entire Qur’an in one month, especially during Ramadan.

How the Qur’an was Preserved

When the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he would recite it to his companions. Many of them memorized the verses. Some wrote them down on whatever was available – pieces of leather, palm leaves, bones, and stones.

After the Prophet passed away, the first Caliph Abu Bakr ordered all written parts to be collected. Later, the third Caliph Uthman had official copies made and sent to different parts of the Muslim world. The amazing thing about the Qur’an is that it has remained unchanged for over 1,400 years. A Qur’an from the 7th century has exactly the same words as a Qur’an printed today.

Main Themes of the Qur’an

1. Belief in One God (Tawheed)

The most important message of the Qur’an is that there is only one God – Allah. He has no partners, no children, and no equals. Everything in the universe belongs to Him. The Qur’an calls people to worship Allah alone.

2. Stories of Prophets

The Qur’an tells stories about many prophets who came before Muhammad (peace be upon him), including Adam, Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus). These stories teach important lessons about patience, faith, and doing good.

3. Day of Judgment

The Qur’an reminds people that everyone will die and be brought back to life on the Day of Judgment. On that day, Allah will judge everyone based on their beliefs and actions. Good people will go to Paradise (Jannah), and wrongdoers will go to Hell (Jahannam) unless they are forgiven.

4. Rules for Living

The Qur’an gives many rules about how to live a good life. It tells people to be honest, kind, and fair. It talks about prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and making pilgrimage to Makkah. It also gives rules about family life, business, and how to treat others.

5. Signs of Allah’s Power

The Qur’an points to many things in nature – mountains, rain, plants, animals, the sun and moon – as signs of Allah’s power and wisdom. It encourages people to think about these signs and recognize the Creator behind them.

Importance of the Qur’an in Muslim Life

Daily Prayers

Muslims recite parts of the Qur’an in their five daily prayers. Every Muslim must memorize at least some short Surahs to perform their prayers correctly.

Guidance for All Aspects of Life

Muslims turn to the Qur’an for guidance in all aspects of life – personal, family, social, economic, and political. They believe the Qur’an has answers to all of life’s important questions.

Source of Comfort

Reading and listening to the Qur’an brings peace and comfort to Muslims. Many read it daily, especially in difficult times.

Moral Development

The Qur’an’s teachings help Muslims develop good character. It encourages qualities like honesty, kindness, generosity, patience, and forgiveness.

How to Show Respect to the Qur’an

Muslims show great respect to the Qur’an because they believe it is the word of Allah. Here are some ways they show respect:

1. Wudu (Ablution): Muslims perform ritual washing before touching the Qur’an.
2. Clean Place: They keep the Qur’an in a clean and high place, never on the floor.
3. Full Attention: When the Qur’an is being recited, Muslims listen quietly and attentively.
4. Proper Handling: They handle the Qur’an with the right hand and avoid placing anything on top of it.
5. Kissing: Many Muslims kiss the Qur’an as a sign of love and respect when they pick it up or put it down.

Scientific Facts in the Qur’an

The Qur’an mentions many scientific facts that were not known at the time it was revealed, over 1,400 years ago. For example:

1. The Qur’an describes how a baby develops in the mother’s womb in stages.
2. It talks about mountains having deep roots that stabilize the earth.
3. It mentions that all living things are made from water.
4. It describes the water cycle – how water evaporates, forms clouds, and falls as rain.

Many scientists have been amazed by these facts in the Qur’an, as they were discovered by modern science only recently.

Learning and Teaching the Qur’an

Muslims believe that learning and teaching the Qur’an is one of the best deeds. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”

There are special schools called “Madrasas” where children learn to read, recite, and understand the Qur’an. Many Muslims attend Qur’an classes at mosques. Some dedicate their lives to studying and teaching the Qur’an.

The Glorious Qur’an is more than just a book for Muslims. It is the direct word of Allah, a guide for life, a source of wisdom, and a means of connection with the Creator. Its beautiful language, profound teachings, and timeless wisdom continue to inspire and guide millions of people around the world.

For Muslims, the best way to benefit from the Qur’an is not just to read it, but to understand its meanings, reflect on its verses, and most importantly, apply its teachings in daily life. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was described as a “walking Qur’an” because he lived by its teachings perfectly. Muslims strive to follow his example by making the Qur’an the center of their lives.