ENGLISH FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES PAPER

History of Al-Qur’an
Submitted To Mr. Dr.Muhammad.AR

To fulfil assignment in English for Islamic Studies Class

Arranged by:

Nahla Aqil (210203037)

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TARBIYAH AND TEACHING TRAINING

AR-RANIRY STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

2022
 INTROODUCTION

This paper is an English for Islamic Studies paper that discusses the history of the

holy Qur’an. Al-Qur’an is a book not just to be read, but to be studied, understood and

ultimately revered. Al-Qur’an is the first source of Islamic law. The Holy Qur’an is the most

widely read book in the history of mankind, a source of immense inspiration, guidance and

wisdom for millions of Muslims all over the world. This paper is made to introduce the

history and the compilation of the holy Qur’an to all of Muslim in the world. In this paper I

will explain about the meaning of the Qur'an, the history of the revelation of the Qur'an, what

are the reasons for the revelation of the Qur'an, what the contents of the Qur’an are, and why

we must practice the Qur'an in everyday life?

 BODY OR CONTENT

What is Al-Qur’an?

The word Al-Qur'an comes from four Arabic root words which have different meanings. The
first root word is “Qara’a” whose literal meaning is to collect or to compile. In the context of
the Qur’an, the word Qara’a is also taken as being the book which contains all knowledge of
the universe. The second root is “Qur'anan” which means union or conjunction. Imam Fakr al
Deen Razi quotes Imam Sufyan Sorri who stated that the Qur'an given a special name
because the letters are combined to make a word, words are combined to make ayah, ayah are
combined to make surah, and surah are combined to make Al-Qur'an. Another academic
implication of the word “Qar’ana” is that the Qur’an is combined with guidance, the two
being inseparable. The third root word is “Qira’athun” meaning to read or recite. In reference
to the Qur’an this is one of its most important features. As well as being read and recited, the
Qur’an acts as a practical guide in all affairs of Muslims. The fourth and final root word of
the word Qur’an is “qira’in” which is the plural of “qarina” which meaning evidence,
argument or symbol. In the context of the Qur’an this is taken to mean how one verse
interprets, elaborates and gives arguments and evidences for previous verses. So the Qur’an is
self-evident and self-explanatory. If one verse gives a general meaning than the other gives a
more specific definition. Similarly if one verse gives an absolute commandment then the
other verse will gives its exceptions and qualifications.

Just as there have been no alterations made to the Qur’an, similarly there are no conflicts
or contradictions in the text of the Holy Qur’an. If one reads the beautiful verses each one
compliments the next. The surah’s and ayah’s of the Qur’an work in consistent harmony with
each other. The Holy Qur’an is truly a uniform piece of work.

From several root words and the meaning of each word that I have described above, the
meaning of the word Al-Qur’an which is most widely used or understood by the public is
from the third root, namely Qira’atun, which means reading or reciting.

The Word Quran refers to the holy book of the Islamic religion. It is the religious text of
Islam. Al Quran is the word of God dictated to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel (a.s)
Names of the Holy Qur’an
The Qur’an has been referred to by many different names in the holy text. The word Qur'an
itself can be found in the scriptures.
“Nay this is a glorious Qur'an (inscribed) in a tablet preserved". (Al-Buruj, 85:21-22)
However Allah Almighty refers to the Holy Qur'an using several other names:
Al-nur the meaning is the light
Al-hukm the meaning is judgment
Al-dhikr the meaning is reminder
Al-kitab the meaning of scripture
Al-furqan the meaning is criterion
Al-tanzil the meaning is revelation
And many other name that I do not mention in my paper.
The History of the Revelation of the Qur'an
Holy Quran was revealed to last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the form of wahi. In Islamic
terminology, wahi can be literally defined as “Allah’s divine message conveyed to Allah’s
chosen persons (Prophets).” Quran revealed in form of Wahi which was made open to
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by Allah Almighty in different forms, either during sleep, while
awake, with imprint on His heart, or Gabriel brought the verses in his original or humanly
forms from time to time. The process of revelation of Quran started in the month of
Ramadan. The Quran was not revealed in one instance but through a gradual process with
small numbers of Ayahs revealed at any one time. Allah Almighty also explains the reason
behind the in-parts revelation of Quran over a period of 23 years.

The very first revelation of the holy Qur’an is on 17th night of Ramadhan 610 AD. At that
time Rasulullah SAW was 40 years old. He is alone in Hira cave when the angel Gabriel a.s
come and ask him to read the first five verses of surah Al-Alaq.

It was during one of these periods, in the year A.D 610 that the first revelation of the Qur’an
began. In a Hadith related by Ayesha (r.a) the Angel Gibraeel (a.s) came to the Holy Prophet
(saw) and said iqra’, “Read!” He replied: “I am not a reader”. The Angel then held him,
pressed him hard and released him and again said iqra’, “Read!” The Prophet replied: “I am
not a reader”. The angel held and pressed him hard for a third time and said: “Read, in the
name of your Lord who created. It is He who created man from clots of blood “Read! Your
Lord is the most bounteous, who has taught the use of the pen. He has taught man what he
did not know”. (Al-Alaq, 96:5)

The Qur'an was revealed in two ways, namely completely on the night of Lailatulqadar from
Lauh Mahfudz to the heavens of the world, then it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
gradually.

The history of the revelation of the Qur'an is divided into two periods, namely the Mecca
period (before the Prophet's migration on 17 Ramadan 610 AD) and Medina (after the hijrah).
During the Mecca period, in general, the verses revealed contained Aqidah (understanding
related to faith) and monotheism (basic teachings of Islam). During this period, there were 86
letters that were revealed over 12 years and five months. The verses that were revealed in
Medina are generally related to muamalat (human relations as social beings), sharia (rules in
Islamic life), and Islamic law.

The revelation of Surah Al-Alaq is a sign of the appointment of Muhammad as the last
prophet and messenger on earth.

What Are the Reasons for the Revelation of the Qur’an?

The cause of revelation of a verse is materialized through the events, incidents, and
circumstances (possibly directly or indirectly identifiable from the verse) that took place
before the revelation of the verse. In other words the revealed verse is a direct response or
consequence to those occurrences. Basically there are three types of causes of revelation:

1. Revelations to answer queries, events, or any other action requiring a clarification,

decision…etc.

2. Revelations to explain verses already revealed

3. Revelations for general information about life on earth and hereafter, that are necessary for
appeasing believers’ hearts…etc.

This type of revelation is usually connected to our most hidden thoughts, meditations and so
on. There are many other reasons why Al-Qur’an was revealed, they are: to guide humanity
on how to conduct themselves as per its prescriptions, to show humanity the path to
repentance and salvation, it is mercy to humanity, to confirm/affirm Allah’s messages
previously sent to other prophets e.g. Ibrahim, Musa, Daud, Isaa etc /To learn from the
experience of historical events, to bring unity among different groups of people, to meet the
spiritual needs and spiritual development of the people, to take care of the changing needs of
the people in terms of laws and regulations, to finalize Allah’s message to humanity, to make
the message of Allah universal, to witness to the Greatness of Allah, to warn the evil doers, it
was revealed as a judgement of authority/to judge between right and wrong criterion, to
abrogate the previously revealed books, to simplify the message of Allah, the time for its
Revelation had come, give the knowledge of the Universe and the hereafter to mankind.

What are the content of the Qur’an?

Al-Qur’an consist of 6666 ayah, but some of the Islamic scholars said that the total Ayat in
Quran are 6236. It is because some of the scholars count the one long Ayat as two or three
Ayat and some of them count it as one complete Ayat, 114 surah, and 30 juz.

The content of the Qur'an deals with the basic beliefs of Islam including the existence of God
and the resurrection. Narratives of the early prophets, ethical and legal subjects, historical
events at the time of Muhammad, deeds and prayers also appear in the Quran.

The verses of the Qur'an contain general advice on right and wrong and historical events
related to the outline of moral lessons. Verses related to natural phenomena have been
interpreted by Muslims as an indication of the authenticity of the message of the Qur'an. The
Qur'anic style is called "allusive", with commentary needed to explain what is meant
—"events referenced, but not narrated; disagreements debated without explanation; people
and places mentioned, but rarely named".

Why We Must Practice The Qur'an In Everyday Life?

The Quran provides vast knowledge in every part of life, providing one with a full code of
conduct through life. The Quran also provides laws on social and ethical matters in any
community. Its practices are eternal, and it will never be outdated or forgotten and changed.

We need guidance in every aspect of our life and the best guidance we can find is in the
Quran. It is a manual for our everyday life. From trivial matters to the important things
related to society, worship or personal matters, the Quran provides us with detailed guidance
on how we should lead a good and happy life.

Learning Quran is a very noble act, which every Muslim should be performing daily. It gives
him/her knowledge about all aspects of life, also brings him/her near to the Creator, and will
be a proof of the rewards of his/her good deeds on the Day of Judgment.
 CONCLUSION

Al-Qur'an is the holy book of Muslims which was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
through the angel Gabriel and was revealed gradually, if you read it you will get a reward.
The Qur'an was first revealed on the 17th night of Ramadan in 160 AD. The first surah that
was revealed was Surah Al-Alaq verses 1-5 which was revealed in Hira Cave. The Qur'an has
many other names, including: an-nuur, ash-shifa, and az-zikr. Al-Qur'an consists of 6666
verses, 114 chapters, and 30 chapters. Al-Qur'an is a guidebook for human life that aims to
guide humans in every aspect of life. Learning the Qur'an is an obligation for all Muslims.
 REFERENCES

Google Translate
Atika. (2022, may 17). Atikaschool.org. Retrieved from Atikaschool.org Web site:
https://www.atikaschool.org/islamic-religious-education-ire-questions-and-answers/
give-five-reasons-for-the-revelation-of-the-quran
Hidayah. (2020, april 6). hidayahnetwork.com. Retrieved from Hidayahnetwork.com Web
site: https://hidayahnetwork.com/recite-quran/#:~:text=The%20Quran%20provides
%20vast%20knowledge,outdated%20or%20forgotten%20and%20changed.
Isti, A. (2022). Sejarah Nuzulul Quran, Turunnya Wahyu Pertama Rasulullah. Jawa Tengah:
Merdeka.
Puspaningrum, B. A. (2022). Sejarah Turunnya Al Quran hingga Pembukuannya. Jakarta:
Kompas.
Qur'an, B. (2020, May 4). beinquran.com. Retrieved from beinquran.com Web site:
https://beinquran.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-word-quran/
Rafiki, A. (2020). Opportunities and Challenges of Social Media to the Islamic Banks in
Indonesia. In d. Patricia Ordoñez de Pablos, Economics, Business, and Islamic
Finance in ASEAN Economics Community (p. 25). Medan: IGI-Global.
Ringgren, H. (2020, January 6). Britannica.com. Retrieved from Britannica.com Web site:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quran
Thariq, A. W. (2019, januari 1). Academia.Edu. Retrieved from Academia Education Web
site:
https://www.academia.edu/4088747/unit_1_The_History_And_Compilation_Of_The
_Holy_Quran
Urdupoint. (2022, July 21). Urdupoint.com. Retrieved from Urdupoint.com Web site:
https://www.urdupoint.com/islam/information/112/total-ayat-in-quran-how-many-
verses-are-in-quran.html
wiki. (2022, July 19). en. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved from en. Wikipedia.org Web site:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran#:~:text=Contents,-Main%20articles%3A
%20God&text=The%20Quranic%20content%20is%20concerned,also%20appear
%20in%20the%20Quran.
Wiki. (2022, July 15). wikipedia.org. Retrieved from wikipedia.org Web site:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Quran#:~:text=According%20to%20the
%20Muslim%20belief,verses%20of%20Surah%20Al%2DAlaq.