The Unique Qur'an

The Qur’an, revered as the holy scripture of Islam, stands as a paramount religious and cultural cornerstone for Muslims globally. With an unparalleled reach, it is not only one of the most extensively read books worldwide but also serves as a fundamental source for Arabic education and learning. Philip K. Hitti encapsulates its significance, noting that the Qur'an is possibly the most-read book in history. It transcends its role as a religious text, becoming a primary educational tool from which many Muslims learn Arabic.

The influence of the Qur'an in the daily lives of Muslims is profound and far-reaching. It is extensively memorized and regarded as the most impactful text in shaping the daily lives of its followers, perhaps even in the history of mankind. Its sanctity is universally acknowledged by Muslims who engage with it through reading, contemplation, and as a divine revelation from God to humanity. The Qur'an is the cornerstone of Islamic belief, law, ethics, behavior, and even shapes emotional and attitudinal responses. For over fourteen centuries, it has been the driving force behind the rise of Islamic culture and civilization, revered as the direct word of God, thereby holding a normative and binding nature. Its unique style, which is neither purely prose nor poetry, has the power to elevate its listeners to spiritual heights.

In comparison to other religious scriptures, the Qur'an occupies a distinct position. While all holy texts are significant to their adherents, the Qur'an is seen as existing on a special plane of reverence and application. It uniquely refers to itself within its verses, demonstrating an awareness of its own existence. Unlike other religious scriptures, where adherence to scriptural teachings may vary, the teachings of the Qur'an profoundly and consistently influence the lives of Muslims. The presence of God and His revelations are deeply ingrained in Muslim consciousness, a phenomenon not as commonly observed in other faiths.

The Qur'an addresses the dichotomy often seen in religious life, where sacred and profane realms are distinctly separated. This separation typically divides life into secular and religious spheres, with religious texts influencing primarily the spiritual aspects and secular laws governing everyday life. However, the Qur'an transcends this divide by integrating the sacred into all facets of life, thus dissolving the distinction between the sacred and the profane. It elevates aspects of life like politics and sexuality into realms of sacred significance. By advocating the principle of al-Tawhid, the Oneness of God, it erases the boundaries between religious and secular governance, insisting on divine unity in all aspects of life and following divine principles of justice and equality.

The Qur'an's influence permeates every aspect of Muslim life and Islamic society, including law, culture, civilization, spiritual and ethical teachings, education, social, and political systems. This influence begins at birth, with the Adhan, containing a verse from the Qur'an, being the first sound a Muslim child hears. The presence of the Qur'an is a constant throughout a Muslim’s life, especially in traditional Islamic societies where its recitations are a regular occurrence. Even in death, the Qur'an plays a crucial role, with recitations performed to aid the transition to the afterlife. This immersion in the Qur'an, from birth to death, has been a defining characteristic of Muslim life since the advent of Islam in the 7th century CE.

The Qur'an is not just a religious text for Muslims; it is the essence of their spiritual, cultural, and everyday existence. Its teachings and principles guide every aspect of their lives, making it a unique and unparalleled religious scripture in the world.

The term "Qur'an" originates from the Arabic language. It is a verbal noun, based on the root "qara’a," which encompasses meanings such as "to read," "to recite," and "to combine things together." Thus, the word "Qur'an" can be understood in its literal sense as "reading," "recitation," "collection," "revelation," or "a book that is recited or read." These literal interpretations align closely with the essence of the Qur'an, reflecting its nature as a text that is read and recited, where letters and words are woven together to convey its message.

In contrast, Imam al-Shafi'i (died 204 AH), the founder of one of the major schools of Islamic jurisprudence, proposed a different perspective. He argued that "Qur'an" is not a derivative noun but rather a proper noun, specifically signifying the divinely revealed book in Islamic tradition. This interpretation underscores the unique and singular nature of the Qur'an as a cornerstone of Islamic faith and law.

The Qur'an, in Islamic scholarship and theology, is esteemed as the unmatchable word of God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad. This holy text has been passed down successively, unbroken from Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and its recitation is considered a devout act. Ismail R. al-Faruqi (1921–1986), a Palestinian-American philosopher and scholar, defined the Qur'an as the ultimate expression of God's will to Prophet Muhammad. He emphasized its delivery in Arabic, its memorization and consistent oral transmission by the Prophet's companions and their descendants up to the present day.

Scottish orientalist Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb (1895–1971) described the Qur'an as the compilation of Prophet Muhammad's inspired utterances and discourses. According to Muslim orthodoxy, these are regarded as the direct Word of God, mediated through the angel Gabriel, and distinct from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad recorded in the Traditions. Prophet Muhammad, and Muslims thereafter, believe these discourses to be parts of a 'Heavenly Book' that was revealed in Arabic, not in entirety but in segments, across different contexts.

The structure of the Qur'an comprises 114 chapters (suwar, singular surah) of varied lengths, encompassing 6,616 verses (ayah), 77,934 words, and 323,671 letters. These chapters are categorized into Makki (revealed in Makkah) and Madani (revealed in Madinah), named after the two Arabian cities significant in Prophet Muhammad's life and revelations. The Madani chapters are generally longer than the Makki ones. The chapters are not arranged chronologically, and the period of revelation spanned over 22 years, 2 months, and 22 days. The Qur'an was revealed in stages, addressing diverse issues, making a complete chronological organization unattainable. For ease of recitation, it is further divided into thirty parts (ajza', singular juz') and 60 sections (ahzab).

The Qur'an's language is Arabic, but it stands distinct from other Arabic literary works in several aspects. It is also regarded as a miracle, not only by its own declaration but also due to its content, linguistic and literary qualities, among other factors. There is a unanimous agreement among Muslim scholars and theologians on the Qur'an's miraculous nature (i'jaz), although interpretations of this miraculous aspect vary among them.

Apart from a handful of skeptics such as Abu al-Husayn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn al-Rawandi (827–911), an early Islamic dissenter and critic of religion, there is a near-universal consensus among Muslim authors on the Qur'an being 'mu'jiz', meaning 'inimitable'. The German scholar Helmut Gatje notes that while there might be differences in opinions regarding the specifics and implications of this belief, the essential acknowledgment of the Qur'an's miraculous nature remains unquestioned among Muslim exegetes.