Ramazan - the blessed month of the Quran

by Nafeeka MUKTHAR

All praise belongs to Allah, we extol him, seek his help and his forgiveness. Al-Quran! What a profound book this is. The Quran that Allah has gifted to humanity. See how it inspires us. “Read” is the very first word that commanded humanity. It is remarkably significant that the starting point of Islam starts with the word Read! This indicates that striving after knowledge and understanding it in the correct perspective has been emphasized in the Quran.

Almighty Allah - the great teacher commanded in His Quran to be read. Why? Isn't it reading that opened vistas of great intellectual heritage, long before the advent of the electronic media television.

Allah says, “Indeed there has come to you from Allah a light - Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. And a plain book this Quran for those who seek His pleasure, ways of peace and brings them out of darkness by His will into light and guides them on the straight path” (5.15, 16).

The word Quran is derived from the word 'Ikra' which in Arabic means to recite, read; for research of self knowledge spiritual understanding and all sciences. The Quran also has other names such as Al Hudha.

The guidance the light Kalamulla the word of God and many other names too numerous to mention. It is designated – Al-furqan. That is a Book which teaches man to distinguish between different values and the right and wrong.

The Quran was revealed in pure Arabic language at a time when, men in the Arab land needed guidance. But the revelations are so unique that they are for all time and for all mankind.

As Allah says ch: 41:1: this is a Book which we have revealed unto you in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light, by their Lords leave.”

At the same time Allah proclaims in Sura 2:256 “Let there be no compulsion in religion, “Even in the field of religion, Islam has kept open the doors of free thinking – for religion is based on faith and free will”.

While the Quran remains undoubtedly a religious book par excellence it is an immeasurable gift 'A Mercy from your Lord' Sura 44.6 When you yearn to read it, Listen to Him and get closer to your creator it overwhelms you and transforms you – the little you comprehend it is the Book of such Majesty which contains the powerful message that launched a great movement to eradicate ignorance and inspire man.

Language and style

Before analysing the quranic injunctions, let us drink deep the enchanting language of the magnificent book! It is of such exquisite style and its captivating language is almost poetical.

Mohammed Marmaduke Pikthal who translated the Quran says "The Holy Quran in its original Arabic language has a sublime beauty and charm of its own. Couched in concise and exalted style its pregnant sentences often rhymed, posses an expressive force and energy, which it is impossible to convey by translating into any other language.”

The magical words of the Quran has a magnetic effect on the listener. Its rhetoric is unique that the Quran without posing a direct injunction reminds you for example by way of question. “Have we not made for him a pair of eyes?And a tongue and a pair of lips? And shown him the two ways (good and evil)” (90:89, 10) Allah asks” Do they not then think deeply in the Quran. Or are their hearts locked?

47:24 And when the female infant buried shall be questioned for what sin she was killed? (81:8,9) only Allah the merciful could have used such heart rending style in his divine message, doesn't this verse melt even the hardest of hearts and make the eyes fill with tears?

Such is the majestic eloquence of the Quranic text persuasive, beautiful, concise and most appealing.

The figurative language used is poetical and lofty. Though the sentence ends in rhyme, it is neither poetry not prose. Its powerful expressions would captivate the audience.

Didn't its melodious beauty and truthfulness affect even the great warrior Omar, who became the second caliph of Islam?

This divine book revealed by the Lord himself is an excellent source of knowledge for those who seek to discover the secret of the universe.

The Quran does not insist on anyone to accept dogmas without inquiry. The Quran which was revealed on the 27th of Ramazan continued for a period of 23 years contains all secular and moral laws that can guide mankind to lead a righteous life!

It gives me immense pleasure to give readers a glimpse of what this holy, inimitable gift carries in its precious cherished pages.

There is nothing that the Quran has not elucidated. It admonishes the people on orphans and women suras 4:2 and 4:4 and give to orphans their property and do not exchange your bad things for their good ones “and devour not their sustenance by adding it to your substance surely this is a great sin “Let not the enmity and hatred for others make you avoid justice 5:8 give the woman whom you marry their “Mahr” (Obligatory money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart” The Quran pinpoints even mundane affairs and admonishes the people “O! you who believe! Avoid much suspicion indeed some suspicions are sins and spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? “49:12”.

“Those who repress anger and who pardon men: Verity Allah loves Al-Muhsinun – the good doest” 3:134. The Quran focuses on moderation too. Oh children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink Allah warns in 4:171 this “Do not exceed the limits in your religion” . The Quran assures “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope.” (Q2:286)

Allah gave man the capacity to learn, which he did not give to the angels and other creatures.

That's the reason why Prophet Muhammed motivated with the profound saying “One hour of meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of prayer”.

We realise the part the glorious Quran played in inspiring the Arab researchers in the scientific aspect of nature and the origin of man.

According to the Quran is of aquatic origin, “Allah has created every moving (Living) creature from water of them there are some that creep on their bellies.

And some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills (24:45).

Consider this statement in sura 36:40 “It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night out-strip the day, they all float each in an orbit.

“Isn't it amazing the mummy of a Pharaoh said to have been discovered as recently an in 1879 was specifically mentioned in the Quran thus:” so this day we shall deliver your dead body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you. Ch: 10:92.

In sura Luqman Allah enjoins “O my son! Perform as – Salat – fobid from disbelief in the oneness Of Allah and bear with patience whatever befalls you.”

“And turn not your face a way from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth verily Allah likes not the arrogant boaster.”

“And be moderate in your walking and lower your voice. Verily the harshest of all voices is the braying of the ass” (31, 17, 18, 19)

The Quran gently recommends: “Oh you who believe? Spend Of the good things which you have legally, earned (2:267). Also “If the debtor is in difficulty, then grant him time.”

“Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it for him many times? And it is Allah 'that increases or decreases your provisions” 2:245. The Quran is the standing miracle of the Prophet – the Prophet and his companions lived the life expounded in the Quran. Didn't Allah emphasise in Sura 32:21 “Indeed in the messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow.” Wasn't the beloved Rasool the Quran personified?.

It is beyond any human to write the wealth of information the Quranic wisdom reveals to us.

Be it seeking knowledge secular, research or any other sphere. The Quran encourages to delve deeply into the realms of the secrets of the universe.

The mystery of sex origin of life, or space the alternation of the day and night, astronomy the human embryo various things that are manifest. Subahanallah!

The past scriptures, the: challenges. He offered: to the non-believers the history of by gone nations ecology etc.

Today the so called civilized nations are trying to solve the injustice of racial discrimination.

Fourteen centuries ago, The Quran Upheld the equality dignity and fraternity of Man in such a sublime ‘way!' And what will make you know the path that is steep? Its freeing a slave” (90:112)

Time and again the Merciful Lord waits man in its pages “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but him. And that you be dutiful to your parents., “Give thanks to me and to your parents 31:14.

The most appealing verse to me is “Reverence God through Whom you demand Your mutual rights and reverence the wombs that bore you (kinship). For Allah is ever an all’ Watcher, over you” 4:1

Though I love to write I will never be able to elucidate the vast area of knowledge this ‘majestic treasure beams to us and humanity. In all humility I wish my readers the same happiness in, the reading of this article as it has been mine in writing it to honour the blessed month of Ramazan.