By Mohammad A Rahman

Holy Qur'an is the exact word of Allah dictated to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the Archangel Gabriel over a period of 23 years after Prophet Muhammad was commissioned as a prophet in the year 610 AD. The Qur'an was revealed to him in different places, under various condition and divergent situations: In Mecca and Medina, by day and by night, during journeys and at home, in thick of battle and in time of peace, during difficult days and in easy times, when Muslims suffered defeat and when they were victorious, in safety and in danger. It contained all types of subjects - it unveiled spiritual knowledge, taught excellent ethics and ordained laws for every conceivable aspect of life. In spite of all these factors, there is not a slight  discrepancy in its matter or meaning. The Qur'an challenges the whole mankind to find discrepancies in it and claims that there is not inconsistency in it as it a book from Allah:

And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful. But if you do (it) not - and never shall you do (it) - then be on guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel (Holy Qur'an 2:23-24)

Do they not then meditate on the Qur'an? And if it were from any other than Allah, they would have found in it many a discrepancy (Holy Qur'an 4:82)

The Holy Qur'an is matchless not just in what it contains, but also in its elegant style. At the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Arabs has reached the highest peak of eloquence. No preceding, contemporary or following nation ever reached even near them in their mastery of literature. Their expression was elegant, their style enchanting; their words perfectly fitted their themes and meanings; their talks were always in harmony with the occasions; their words were plain and their sentences beautiful; and their speech had an easy flow and inimitable grace. It was a way of which they were the pioneers and the only walkers. The Qur’an challenged such a nation in every possible way, so as to excite their rage, rouse their fury and fire them with determination to meet the challenge. It should not be forgotten that they were extremely proud of their art of eloquence and never acknowledged the least elocutionary skill to anyone else. In spite of that arrogance of theirs, the Prophet (SAW) dared them to bring just one chapter like the Qur’an. But the Arabs' only answer was to avoid it; the more forcefully they were challenged, the more evident their helplessness was. Ultimately, they used to hide themselves to avoid hearing its enchanting sound. Pre-Islamic Meccans hung their best odes in the Holy Ka'ba as they could not be matched in their eloquence. However, when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) brought the Holy Qur'an, they had to bring their odes down in humiliation. Such was the Holy Qur'an.

As for the preservation of the Holy Qur'an, the Author of the Qur'an Himself says that He revealed it and He Himself is going to be its Guardian:

Surely We have revealed the Reminder and We will most surely be its Guardian (Holy Qur'an 15:9)

Surely those who disbelieve in the reminder when it comes to them, and most surely it is a Mighty Book: Falsehood shall not come to it from before it nor from behind it; a revelation from the Wise, the Praised One. (Holy Qur'an 41:41-42)

Nay! it is a glorious Qur'an, in a guarded Tablet (Holy Qur'an 85:21-22)

Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib says: “Nay! During the gradual revelation of the Qur’an there was no chapter, verse, sentence, phrase, word, letter revealed which the Prophet did not recite to me and made me recite, and then dictate to me. I wrote it in its proper place as ordered. He dictated to me not only the text but also the necessary explanatory notes about the date, circumstances and the implications of every verse and chapter.”

Apart from Imam Ali there were a few scholars selected by the Prophet like Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud and Mas’ab Ibn Umayr from the earliest Muslims in Mecca, and Ubayy Ibn Ka’b, Ma’adh Ibn Jabal, Salim Maulla, Hudhayfa, and others who were entrusted with the duty of recording there and then the Qur’an as it was revealed to the Prophet and recited by him. These scribes used to record the Qur’an, as it was revealed, on tablets, bones and the wide flat end of the date palm fronds. They, after recording, used to obtain the approval of the Prophet on the spot and many times afterwards. The Muslims leaned the Qur’an directly or indirectly from these scribes of the Holy Book in the lifetime of the Prophet and later on.

As for the meaning of the Holy Qur'an is concerned, verses from the Qur'an itself testify that it is a book revealed in plane Arabic that is easily understandable and there is no crookedness placed in it:

Surely We have revealed it-- an Arabic Qur'an-- that you may understand (Holy Qur'an 12:2)

And We know well that they say: Only a man teaches him. The speech of him at whom they falsely hint is outlandish, and this is clear Arabic speech (Holy Qur'an 16:103)

And most surely this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. The Faithful Spirit has descended with it, upon your heart that you may be of the warners in plain Arabic language. (Holy Qur'an 26:192-195)

And certainly We have set forth to men in this Qur'an similitudes of every sort that they may mind. An Arabic Qur'an without any crookedness, that they may guard (against evil. (Holy Qur'an 39:27-28) 

A revelation from the Beneficent, the Merciful Allah: A Book of which the verses are made plain, an Arabic Qur'an for a people who know (Holy Qur'an 41:2-3)

Surely We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you may understand. (Holy Qur'an 43:4)

(All) praise is due to Allah, Who revealed the Book to His servant and did not make in it any crookedness (Holy Qur'an 18:1)

The above mentioned verses make it crystal clear that meanings of the Qur'an are clear, easily understandable and there is no obscurity. Of course, the Qur'an is not arranged like other books by subjects. So, one has to collect all the relevant verses on any specific topic and try to understand it as a whole. Moreover, if there was any room for any misunderstanding or needed further clarifications, the Prophet (SAW) invariably explained further so as to remove any possible confusion as it was his duty from his Lord:

With clear arguments and scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect. (Holy Qur'an 16:45)

And We have not revealed to you the Book except that you may make clear to them that about which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe. (Holy Qur'an 16:64)

In the eyes of the Muslims, the Holy Qur'an enjoys the highest respect. It has the final say on any matter. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has advised his nation (Ummah) to adhere to the Holy Qur'an at a time of confusion:

The Prophet has said in a sermon: "Therefore, when mischief comes to confuse you like the segments of darkened night, then hold fast to the Qur'an; as it is the intercessor whose intercession shall be granted; and a credible advocate; and whoever keeps it before him, it will lead him to the Garden; and whoever keeps it behind, it will drive him to the Fire; and it is the guide that guides to the best path; and it is a book in which there is explanation, particularization and recapitulation; and it is a decisive (world), and not a joke; and there is for it a manifest (meaning) and an esoteric (one); thus its apparent (meaning) is firm, and its esoteric (one) is knowledge; its exterior is elegant and its interior deep; it has (many) boundaries, and its boundaries have (many) boundaries; its wonders shall not cease, and its (unexpected) marvels shall not be old. There are in it the lamps of guidance and the beacon of wisdom, and guide to knowledge for him who knows the attributes. Therefore, one should extend his sight; and should let his eyes reach the attribute; so that one who is in perdition may get deliverance, and one who is entangled may get free; because meditation is the life of the heart of the one who sees, as the one having a light (easily) walks in darkness; therefore, you must seek good deliverance and (that) with little waiting.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent with the Qur'an so that he could teach it to people and purify them by it. Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail (A.S) prayed for a future Messenger as quoted in the Qur'an:

Our Lord! and raise up in them a Messenger from among them who shall recite to them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise. (Qur'an 2:129)

And Allah responded by sending Muhammad (SAW) as that prophet:

He it is Who raised among the inhabitants of Mecca an Messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom, although they were before certainly in clear error (Holy Qur'an 63:2)

Allah has asked the believers to deeply reflect on the Qur'an so that they maybe guided aright:

Do they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? (Holy Qur'an 47:24)

All praise is truly due to Allah who has preserved His Final revelation sent down to His Final Messenger, Muhammad (SAW). May the peace and blessings be on the last of the prophets, his Household and his chosen companions.