The word ‘Qur’an’ is derived from the Arabic triliteral root qaf/ra/aa (ق/ر/أ), which means, ‘to read’ or ‘to recite’. The starting ‘Al’ in the word ‘Al-Qur’an’ means ‘The’; denoting the definite article of the word. ‘Al-Qur’an’ would then be the verbal noun derived from the root qaf/ra/aa, and thus translates as ‘The Recitation‘ or ‘The Reading.’
The Qur’an is the Word of the Lord of the Worlds, Allah, which He had revealed to His illiterate Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ (may Allah send Blessings and Peace upon him), through the archangel Jibril (Gabriel), in order to bring mankind forth from darkness into light and to guide them in attaining Taqwa (Piety, God Consciousness and Fear of Allah):
“It is He Who sends down manifest Aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may bring you out from darkness into light.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Hadid (Chapter of the Iron), 57:9]
“This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter of the Cow), 2:2]
Allah has told us in the Qur’an the stories of the earlier and later generations and the creation of the heavens and the earth. He has explained in detail what is halal (permissible) and what is haram (forbidden), the basics of good manners and morals, the rulings of worship and dealings with others, the lives of the Prophets and the righteous, and the reward and punishment of the believers and disbelievers. He has described Paradise, the abode of the believers, and He has described Hell, the abode of the disbelievers. He has made it (the Qur’an) an explanation of all things:
“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Nahl (Chapter of the Bee), 16:89]
The Qur’an explains the names and attributes of Allah and what He has created. It calls us to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers and the Last Day:
“The Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say): ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers’ – and they say: ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).’” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter of the Cow), 2:285]
The Qur’an describes the Day of Judgement and what will happen after death – the resurrection, the gathering, the judgement and being brought to account. It describes the Cistern, the Sirat (bridge over Hell), the Balance (in which deeds will be weighed), the blessings and torment, and the gathering of mankind on that great Day:
“Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Surely, He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. And who is truer in statement than Allah?” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’ (Chapter of the Women), 4:87]
The Qur’an calls us to examine and ponder the signs of Allah in the universe and the verses of the Qur’an:
“Say: ‘Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth.’” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Yunus (Chapter of Jonah), 10:101]
“Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Muhammad (Chapter of Muhammad), 47:24]
The Qur’an is the Book of Allah for all of mankind:
“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ﷺ) the Book (this Qur’an) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself; and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad ﷺ) are not a Wakeel (trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian) over them.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Az-Zumar (Chapter of the Groups), 39:41]
The Quran confirms the Books which came before it, the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel), and it is a witness over them, as Allah says:
“And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ﷺ) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (Chapter of the Table Spread), 5:48]
After the Qur’an was revealed, it became the Book for all of mankind until the Hour begins. Whoever does not believe in it is a Kaafir (disbeliever) who will be punished with torment on the Day of Resurrection, as Allah says:
“But those who reject Our Aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), the torment will touch them for their defiant disobedience (and for their belying the Message of Muhammad ﷺ).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-An’am (Chapter of the Cattle), 6:49]
Because of the greatness of the Qur’an and the signs, miracles, parables and lessons contained therein, in addition to its eloquence and beautiful style, Allah says:
“Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Hashr (Chapter of the Gathering), 58:21]
Allah has challenged mankind and the jinn to produce something like it, even one surah (chapter) or one aayah (verse), but they could not do that and will never be able to do that, as Allah says:
“Say: ‘If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.’” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Isra’ (Chapter of the Night Journey), 17:88]
Because the Qur’an is the greatest of the heavenly Books, the most complete, the most perfect and the last of them, Allah commanded His Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, to convey it to all of mankind, as He says:
“O Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind.” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (Chapter of the Table Spread), 5:67]
Because of the importance of this book and the Ummah’s (Muslim nation) need for it, Allah has honoured us with it. He sent it down to us and has guaranteed to preserve it. Allah says:
“Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” [The Noble Qur’an, Surah Al-Hijr (Chapter of the Rocky Tract), 15:9]
Adapted from: https://islamqa.info/en/answers/10197/the-holy-quran
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