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The Characteristics
of the Quran |
The following characteristics have been mentioned in the
Qur'an along with the word 'Qur'an':
1.
It is the right guidance or way or course or
direction or manner or mode or conduct for the whole mankind
[hudan lilnnas]
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شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ |
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(2:185)
2.
It is clear and manifest as far as the guidance is
concerned [bayyinatin mina alhuda]
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شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ
وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ |
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(2:185)
3.
It makes a separation or distinction between truth and
falsity [alfurqan]
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شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى
وَالْفُرْقَانِ |
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(2:185)
4.
It has no discrepancies or contradictions
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أَفَلا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلافًا كَثِيرًا |
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Will they not then, ponder over the Quran? If it were from other than Allah they would surely have
found in it much discrepancies. [4:82]
According to the above verse, if the Quran had been from
anyone other than Allah, there would surely have been much
discrepancy in it. Since it is from Allah, there cannot be
any discrepancy in it. But the condition is TADABBUR which
means:
-Pondering over something while giving careful consideration
to its consequences.
-Pondering over (a plan) considering the state of affairs
that it would achieve.
The verse 4:82 also gives one principle for the
understanding of the Quran, i.e. if there seems any apparent
contradiction in the interpretation of any two verses, this
may be because we have interpreted any one of the verses
incorrectly. There should be more pondering over the verses
and any other related verses or concepts and the verses
should be re-interpreted until there is no discrepancy
between the verses and also the interpretation is not
against the rules of the Arabic.
5.
It has no crookedness, deceit or deviation form
rectitude
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قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِي عِوَجٍ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ |
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"(It is) a Qur'an in Arabic, plain and clear, without any
crookedness deceit or deviation form rectitude (therein): in
order that they may preserve yourself. "[39:28]
6.
There is nothing in it that may cause any doubt, suspicion,
evil opinion, disquiet, disturbance, or agitation of mind
[larayba feehi]
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وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ
لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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(10:37)
7.
It is the Divine Prescript, Appointment, Ordinance, or
Judgment that is explained in detail making it clear,
plain and manifest [tafseela alkitab]
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وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ
وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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(10:37)
8.
It guides to the way or course or direction or manner or
mode or conduct that is the most stable, even, straight,
right and direct.
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إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ |
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[17:9]
9.
It puts forth examples of every manner or model [of conduct]
so that people take admonition and be mindful.
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وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ |
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"We have put forth for men, in this Qur'an every kind of
Parable or similitude or example [of conduct or manner of
behavior], in order that they may receive admonition and be
mindful. "[39:27]
10.
The purpose of its revelation is not to cause hardship or
distress of any sort
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مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى |
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[20:2]
11.
It is endowed with exhortations and admonitions that give
eminence, nobility and honour to its followers
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ص وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ |
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[38:1]
12.
It is a decree or ordinance (Faraz)
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إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ
لَرَادُّكَ إِلَى مَعَادٍ قُلْ رَبِّي أَعْلَمُ
مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْهُدَى وَمَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلالٍ
مُبِينٍ |
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"Surely, the One who decreed or ordained the Quran for you
will summon you to a predetermined appointment. Say, "My
Lord is fully aware of those who uphold the guidance, and
those who have gone astray."[28:85]
13.
It is a book whose verses provide complete detail, of the
clear and plain Arabic Proclamation, to people who have
knowledge [41:3]
14.
It is from "rabbi alAAalameen" , which means,
it is from the Rabb [who brings things into existence,
nourishes, sustains, maintains, regularizes and directs them
from their earlier state to that of ultimate completion and
perfection] of all the worlds
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وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ
مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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[10:37]
15.
It is from the One who is the Most Wise and the Most
Knowledgeable
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وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى الْقُرْآنَ مِنْ لَدُنْ
حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ |
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[27:6]
16.
It is not such a thing as can be produced by someone other
than Allah.
If it were the case, it would have been something improper
and devoid of good.
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وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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[10:37]
17.
Allah, Himself, is its Teacher
[55:2]
18.
Allah has made it easy to understand, learn and
remember
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وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ |
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[54:17, 54:22, 54:32, 54:40]
19.
It is a confirmation of the previous Divine Books
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وَمَا كَانَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَنْ يُفْتَرَى مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ
وَلَكِنْ تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ |
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[10:37]
20.
It gives the Glad Tidings to the Believers who work deeds of
righteousness.
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إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ
أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا |
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[17:9]
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