When Allah created human beings—men and women—He clearly showed them the right way to live. Over time, however, people drifted away from this path, fell into wrongdoing, and turned away from Allah, their Creator. In His mercy, Allah sent numerous prophets—including Nuh, Ibrahim, Dawud, Musa, Isa, and many others—to guide humanity back to the Straight Path.
Allah revealed divine scriptures to several of these prophets: He granted the Tawrah to Prophet Musa (عليه السلام), the Zabur to Prophet Dawud (عليه السلام), and the Injil to Prophet Isa (عليه السلام). Ultimately, Allah sent His final and complete message—the Qur’an—to His last Messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ). The Qur’an stands as Allah’s most precious gift to humankind.
At one point, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was alone in the Cave of Hira’. He was forty years old, and it was the month of Ramadan in the year 610 CE. Suddenly, the Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام) appeared before him and commanded, “Read!”
The Prophet replied, “I cannot read.”
Later, recounting the event, he said: “He embraced me tightly until I could bear no more, then released me and said again, ‘Read!’ I responded, ‘I cannot read.’ He held me firmly a second time until I reached my limit, then let go and repeated, ‘Read!’ Then he seized me a third time, released me, and recited:
‘Recite in the name of your Lord who created— Created man from a clinging clot. Recite, for your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught by the pen, Taught humanity what it did not know.’
(Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96:1–5)
The Qur’an contains Allah’s final and most perfect revelation. Its teachings provide comprehensive guidance for every dimension of life—covering matters as personal as prayer and diet, and as broad as commerce, governance, and social justice. Thus, deen (the divinely ordained way of life) is seamlessly integrated into daily existence. The laws and principles found in the Qur’an serve not only individuals but also entire societies, across all times and places.
The Qur’an is the most complete and flawless revelation from Allah. It consists of 114 surahs, each composed of individual verses known as ayat. The original Arabic text flows with a unique rhythm and eloquence that gives it unmatched beauty, power, and spiritual impact. Muslims are called to shape their lives entirely in accordance with the Qur’an’s teachings. As the final revealed Word of Allah, it is a timeless message intended for all of humanity, everywhere and always.
Key Facts about the Qur’an:
- The Qur’an is the literal Word of Allah.
- It was revealed to the final Prophet, Muhammad (ﷺ), through the Angel Jibreel (عليه السلام).
- The first revelation descended during the 21st night of Ramadan, in the year 610 CE, when the Prophet (ﷺ) was over forty years old, in the Cave of Hira’ on Mount An-Nur.
- The initial verses revealed were the first five ayat of Surah Al-‘Alaq (96:1–5).
- The second revelation consisted of the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir (74:1–5).
- The Qur’an was revealed gradually over a span of approximately 23 years.
- Its message is remarkably clear, simple, and accessible.
- Anyone who sincerely seeks divine guidance (hidaayah) with an open heart and mind will be led aright.
- Since the Qur’an is the Word of Allah, it must be treated with the utmost reverence. It is a divinely safeguarded Book, and only those in a state of ritual purity should touch its physical text.
- It should be recited and studied with the sincere intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others.” (Al-Bukhari)
- A believer should always remain mindful that when reciting or reading the Qur’an, they are standing, in essence, in the presence of Allah.
- The Qur’an is a universal scripture that Allah has personally taken upon Himself to preserve. Its text has remained absolutely unchanged for over 1,400 years—not a single letter or syllable has been altered—and it will remain perfectly preserved until the end of time.
