Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim; Today’s topic of discussion is the meaning and definition of the Quran in Islam in English, as well as a brief introduction to the Quran, and its various names.
Meaning of Quran in Islam
(قرآن) The literal meaning of the Quran is to read or study. The word “Quran” is also used in this sense in the Holy Quran.
“Indeed, its compilation and recitation are My responsibility. So when I recite it, follow its recitation.” (Qiyamah, verses 17-18)
Definition of Quran
Here, the word Quran is used in the sense of recitation. In the technical sense, the Quran refers to the book that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah through revelation. It has been narrated through many narrators in the narration chain, which is recited, and that recitation is considered worship.
The Quran is the most-read book that millions of Muslims recite or read daily in various ways. Everyone has to recite the verses of the Quran five times a day while offering prayers. So there is no doubt that this book is the most read. That is why the Quran is known as the most-read book. Every verse of the Quran is being recited by millions of people in the world. Millions of Muslims have memorized this book from beginning to end. This book is being read by thousands of people every moment of the day and night. It cannot be said that at any moment the Quran is not being read.
Throughout the ages, Allah has sent guides to every country and nation. They have preached the word of Allah and the way of life He has given to the people of that time. The essence of the life philosophy and values they preached have been included in this book, which is described as Islam. It also contains a collection of all the knowledge and sciences of the world. It is described in the Quran (in Surah Yusuf) as follows. But the Quran is the confirmation of all the previous books and provides detailed descriptions of all matters. In another verse, it is said:
“We have revealed to you this Book and made it clear in detail, a guidance, a mercy and good news for the Muslims.” (An-Nahl, 88)
A brief introduction to the Quran
The Holy Quran is a holy book in which much information has been described, through which one can gain proper knowledge about it. The name of the holy book, the name of the one to whom this holy book was revealed, the description of the medium through which it was revealed, the description of when and how it was sent, the description of the language in which this message was sent and the explanation of the reason why it was sent in that language and the fact that the book is a divine book free from doubt and preserved, all these information have been described in the Quran. This is a special feature of the Quran in comparison with other religious books. The verses mentioned in the Quran (43:3, 2:185, 44:3, 47:106, 16:102, 42:51) are noteworthy. These verses mentioned in the Quran are also relevant:
(a) “This is the Noble Quran, inscribed on preserved tablets.” (Surah Buruj-22) (b) “O Muhammad (peace be upon him)! We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, so that you may judge between people by the way Allah has prescribed, and you may not be an advocate for the treacherous.”
(c) “This Quran has been revealed to me so that I may warn you and whomever it reaches.” (Surah An-Nam)
From the verses mentioned above, we can learn that this book is called the Quran and was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
(d) “Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel, let him know that Gabriel has indeed revealed the Quran to your (Prophet’s) heart.” (Al-Baqarah)
(e) “The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has come to you from your Lord in truth.” (Surah An-Nahl-102)
In these verses, it is said that the Quran was revealed through Gabriel.
(f) “Indeed, We have revealed the Quran on a blessed night.”
(g) “Those who believe and do good deeds and believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad and it is correct.”
(h) “Indeed, We revealed the Quran on the Night of Decree.”
(i) “That which We revealed to My servant on the Day of Decision (the day of the Battle of Badr) when the two armies met each other.
From these verses, it is known that the revelation of the Quran began in the month of Ramadan, and the Battle of Badr took place on the night of Qadr.
(j) “We have sent down the Quran in parts (in parts so that you may recite it to the people gradually, and We have revealed it gradually in due order.”
(k) “We have revealed it as a Quran in Arabic that you may understand it.”
The gradual revelation of the Quran over a long period (23 years) and its transmission to the Prophet in Arabic are mentioned in the above verse. According to the description of the Quran, we come to know that the message sent by Allah was revealed to His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) in stages through Gabriel, and the revelation began on the holy night of Laylatul Qadr.
Names of the Quran
The word sent by Allah, which is known as the Quran, has been mentioned by several other names in the Quran. The most famous name is the Quran, which is mentioned a total of sixty-one times. Some scholars have mentioned the other names mentioned in the Quran as fifty-five (55). Others say that it is more than ninety. Other famous names mentioned in the Quran are as follows:
Al-Kitab or the Book.
Al-Furqan means – The Distinguisher, the one who clearly distinguishes between right and wrong.
Al-Zikr means – remembrance, which makes a person aware of his duties (to Allah and other people).
Al-Huda means the Guide, which shows people the right path and instructs them in justice.
Al-Tanzil or the revealed word, the word received through revelation.
Al-Hukum or orders and instructions in which the correct orders and instructions are described.
Al-Shifa means healing.
Al-Niamat means grace and blessing.
Al-Qayyum means the Preserver of Truth.
Al-Nur means light.
Al-Rahmat means mercy.
Al-Khair means goodness.
Al-Hadi means the Guide.
Al-Muhayman means the Protector.
Al-Mawejah means advice.
Al-Bayan means explanation.
Al-Ruh means soul-life.
Al-Habl means the strong rope.