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Chapter 3

The Qur'an, the Revealed Word of God

Chapter Summary

Qur'an revealed to guide all humanity – process of revelation – an Arabic Qur'an – the Kalam Allah – earlier Books and their Messengers – the unreliability of earlier Books today – Qur'an needed as the reliable Book – structure, compilation and preservation of the Qur'an – translation – interpretation –translations and commentaries in English – respect for and pious use of the Qur'an – memorization and recitation – calligraphy

The Qur'an is absolutely central to Islam. Muslims believe it is the literal, verbal communication of God. Qur'an means "the recitation" (Q. 2.129). Through it, God gives guidance to all humanity to live according to God's will (Q. 81.26), the path to happiness and fulfillment. Muhammad is the conveyor of the Qu'ran, not its author (Q. 52.33–34, 53.3–4). The Qur'an was revealed over 23 years. Muhammad was overtaken by the process of revelation, but lent no creative content to the process. Muslims understandings of Qur'anic revelation differ markedly from Christian understandings: the Qur'an is roughly equivalent to Jesus while the text of the Gospels is more equivalent to the hadith.

The earthly Qur'an was revealed in an earthly language, Arabic. In the transcendent world, however, the speech of God exists as Kalam Allah, the timeless self-communication of God that is the source of all prophetic revelation. The relationship of Kalam Allah to God has been the subject of much theological discussion. Christians can better understand this discussion by reflecting on the opening of John's Gospel.

Since Kalam Allah is one, the guidance contained in the prophets' books must in essence be the same. Comparing the Qur'an to earlier prophetic books it mentions raises many questions. For Muslims, the incomplete and corrupted texts we have of earlier Books (i.e., the Psalms, or Zabur, and Torah, or Taurat), contain errors that make them unreliable sources of complete guidance for living human life following the will of God.

Islam accounts for errors in other texts by accusing earlier communities, such as Jews, of being careless with the texts (Q. 2.75–79). While Jews are accused of carelessness, Christians are accused of either mislaying or suppressing the Injil. While some Muslims are interested in the Q document, most assume that the Gospel of Barnabas provides insight into Jesus' original sayings and teachings. Although Christian scholars argue that the Gospel of Barnabas is a very late document (ca. 15th C.), it agrees with most Qur'anic teachings regarding Jesus. Unlike earlier, corrupted scriptures, the Qur'an is the infallible guide to God's will.

The Qur'an was spoken through Muhammad's lips and memorized by his followers. Later, Zayd ibn Thabit formed a group of scribes to Muhammad, to write the verses down. Muhammad arranged the order of verses (aya) into chapters (suras, numbering 114 of varying lengths). The finished manuscript, given by Zayd to Hafsah, was revised by Uthman. Muslims still prize the memorization and recitation of the Qur'an. The Arabic of the Qur'an standardized Arabic usage to the present. Moreover, the Qur'an, as God's Word, exists only in Arabic. Because of Arabic's linguistic complexity, all translations are interpretations.

Unlike Christianity, textual criticism is not central in Islam. The book itself promises that God will keep it without error (Q. 15.9). Since, however, the Qur'an was revealed over 23 years, Muslims pay special attention to the asbab an-nuzul (occasions of revelation, collected in tafsir). The first interpreter of the Qur'an was Muhammad himself. Great commentaries have been produced from ancient to modern times. Many good introductions to and interpretations of the Qur'an are available in English, along with some good commentary.

For Muslims, the Qur'an is not just a book but the Word of God. Before handling a Qur'an, Muslims engage in ritual washing (wudu). The Qur'an has acquired many other names that emphasize its holiness. A Qur'an (or even a single verse) will always be treated with respect, even in its disposal. One who has memorized the entire Qur'an is called hafiz (fem. hafizah). Special styles of recitation (tajwid) have developed through the years. Portions of the Qur'an are used in many aspects of Islamic life.

The focus on Arabic has shaped Islamic art and the daily lives of ordinary believers. Still, only about 15% of Muslims are native Arabic speakers. Although they may not have a linguistic understanding, many non-Arabic speaking Muslims will have Qur'anic verses and prayers memorized in Arabic. Christians can relate to this phenomenon through the liturgical use of languages such as Latin and Coptic.

Key Names, Terms, and Concepts

Questions for Discussion and Reflection

  1. Why would Muslims object to calling Muhammad the author of the Qur'an?
  2. Describe how the Qur'an is reverenced and used in daily life.
  3. Compare and contrast how Christians and Muslims approach and understand their holy books.
  4. Explain why Muslims might seek to understanding Christianity through the Gospel of Barnabas and why Christians might object to that approach.
  5. Muslims place a great deal of emphasis on the trustworthiness of the Qur'an and the corruption of previous scriptures. How does this encourage you to reconsider the foundations of Christian faith?
  6. Many Christians talk about the Bible as the Word of God. How do Muslim beliefs about the Qur'an help us reconsider that language?

For Further Reading

Books

Web sites

Web sites with related visuals

The Qur'an: Reading the Qur'an: