Q) Why was the Qur’an revealed to someone who could not read or write [4]

● Strong evidence shows that the Prophet was unlettered.

● At the time of first revelation
● Scribes of the Divine revelation
● When the Quraysh refused to accept that he be mentioned as the Prophet of Allah while Hazrat Ali was
writing the treaty
● Not being able to compose the Qur’an himself, it shows that the Qur’an is from God;
● The Quran challenges those who claim it is not from God
Or, do they say that he has made it up? Say, “Then, bring a Sūrah like this, and call whomever you can
beside Allah, if you are true.” (10.38)
● The Arabs had a strong oral tradition which allowed the Qur’an to be preserved through memory alone;
● He showed his faith in his companions when he allowed them to write down the verses revealed to him.
● After the verse was written he asked them to read it. This assured accuracy of the verses.

(Q) What does the Prophet’s first experience of revelation tell us about the nature of
prophethood in Islam? [4]

● The prophet’s surprise and confusion.

○ endorses that all Prophets were humans
○ Hazrat Musa’s in first experience showed a similar reaction
● Every Prophet is a Prophet by birth and most of them received the first revelation at a mature age
● Allah showed his powers in the first experience to assure the Prophet of Allah’s support in his mission
● The Prophets developed concern about the false beliefs and practices of their respective nations before their first
experiences

Q) The Qur’an was not revealed all at one time. Why do you think this was important?
● It was important because the power and words of the Qur’an weighed heavily on the Prophet (pbuh) so it was
better for it to be revealed over time.
● It was revealed across a period of time so as to strengthen Muslim faith
“And said those who disbelieved, ‘Why has the Quran not been revealed to him all at once?’ (It has been sent
down) in this way (i.e. in parts) so that We make your heart firm, and We revealed it little by little.“
(Quran 25:32)
● Another reason was that the new Muslims needed change slowly and so the Qur’an being revealed gradually,
allowed them to put actions into practice before new ideas and rules were given.
● Being revealed over time also meant that questions that arose from the Quraysh or the Muslims were given an
answer through new revelation.
● Gradual revelation also catered for the changing needs and circumstances of the emerging Muslim community.
This is shown in how the gradual change in laws led to the prohibition of wine
Q) What is the significance of having the Qur;an in Arabic
● The Holy Quran was revealed in the native language of the Arabs leaving no room for them to criticise as the
Quran mentions:in Surah 41.48
Had We revealed it as a non-Arabic Quran, they would have certainly argued, “If only its verses were made
clear ˹in our language˺. What! A non-Arabic revelation for an Arab audience!”

● Qur’an is the linguistic miracle of Allah. It challenges Arabs who were proud of the eloquence of their language
that they will not be able to create even a single surah similar to the Qur’an

● Arabs had sharp memories. It was easier for them to read, memorise and understand the Qur’an
We have made it an Arabic Qur’ān, so that you may understand.(43.3)
● It negates the claim of the critics that the Prophet was taught by a Christian as in the following verse:
We know well that they say, “There is a man who teaches him.” The language of the one they refer to is
non-Arabic while this is clear Arabic language. (16.103)
● It was revealed in Arabic so that the people could learn about tales from the past so that they fear and learn their
lessons:
● And in this way We have sent it down to you as an Arabic Qur’ān, and have detailed in it some warnings in
various ways, so that they may fear, or it may produce a lesson for them.(20.113)