The Quran (Koran) is the most authoritative text in Islam, and one about which little is known to the common person. Few Muslims make the effort to read it with understanding in their native languages, while non-Muslims mostly encounter forged information about it through the media. So, here are five important facts about the Quran you may find interesting and helpful in better understanding Islam.
1. The Quran is an address to all of humanity
The Quran was revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a message for all people – for all time to come. The Quran is not meant just for the Arabs, or even just the Muslims, for that matter – it addresses all people, exhorts them to guidance, and then gives them the choice to believe in its message or not.
“O humanity! The Messenger has certainly come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe for your own good. But if you disbelieve, then [know that] to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Quran 4:170)
“O humanity! Worship your Lord, Who created you and those before you, so that you may become mindful.” (Quran 2:21)
2. The Quran invites you to think
Contrary to insisting on a blind acceptance of faith, the Quran invites you to ponder over its verses, and to use your intellect at all times. It repeatedly exhorts you to think, ponder, reflect, consider, reason, discern, remember, and be reminded. The Quran explains that while Allah has not manifested Himself directly to humanity, you can observe His signs in the magnificence of His universe as well as in the simple facts of life you encounter on a daily basis.
“[The Quran is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.” (Quran 38:29)
“And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you [both] compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.” (Quran 30:21)
“He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky, from which you drink and by which plants grow for your cattle to graze. With it, He produces for you crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and every type of fruit. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect.” (Quran 16:10-11)
“This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so perhaps you may reflect upon this world and the hereafter.” (Quran 2:219-220)
Read about the four fundamental terms of the Quran
3. The Quran establishes a direct link between you and God
The Quran teaches that none comes between you and your Creator. No intermediaries are needed to approach Allah, as He is always accessible to anyone – including sinners – through sincere prayer. Therefore, no one is required to have your sins atoned for, or to intercede with Allah on your behalf, because He listens to you directly and attentively. He is neither aloof nor indifferent to your plea; rather He is with you, and is closer to you than your own jugular vein.
“Indeed, We created the human, and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” (Quran 50:16)
“Your Lord has proclaimed, ‘Call upon Me, I will respond to you.’” (Quran 40:60)
“When My servants ask you [O Muhammad] about Me: I am truly near. I respond to the supplicant’s prayer when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided.” (Quran 2:186)
4. The Quran reiterates previously revealed Scriptures
Just as the message of the Quran was revealed to Muhammad ﷺ, similar messages have been revealed to other prophets in the past, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. In fact, the Quran states that divine guidance was bestowed upon all nations via prophets, although their true message was forgotten or distorted over time. The Quran reiterates this message and preserves it in its original form for the benefit of all people – for all time to come.
“We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.’ But some of them were guided by Allah, while others were destined to stray.” (Quran 16:36)
“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord – we make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.’” (Quran 3:84)
5. The Quran’s primary message is serving the one God
While the teachings of the Quran are plentiful, and it deals with many aspects of the seen and the unseen, the primary theme of the Quran is the oneness of God who is the creator of all that exists. He is eternal, and none has a share in His glory. Therefore, we must serve Him with sincerity and devotion, while none besides Him deserves to be worshipped. This is the same message revealed by Allah throughout ages and reiterated and preserved in the Quran.
“Say, ‘He is Allah – One [and Indivisible]; Allah – the Sustainer [needed by all]. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” (Quran 112:1-4)
“He is the One who shapes you in the wombs of your mothers as He wills. There is no god except Him – the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Quran 3:6)
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