Monday, June 8, 2009

The name of Al-Qur’an.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Question: Who named our holy book (Qur'an) as Qur'an? I read from a magazine that said it was named by Abu Baker (R.A.). But I couldn't believe! In Surah Al-Insan verse 23 it says, "We brought (down) to you the Qur'an”. Kindly provide me a clear picture about it.


Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of Al-‘Alameen.

You have rightly said indeed Allah s.w.t who named His Book this name, "Qur’an."

Allah says :

"The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur’an . . ." [al-Baqarah, 2:185]

"Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully . . .?" [Al-Nisaa’, 4:82]

"So, when the Qur’an is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy . . ." [Al-A ‘raf, 7:204]

"Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that their shall be Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Tawrat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel) and the Qur’an . . ." [Al-Tawbah, 9:111]

"And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah, but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it, and a full explanation of the Book wherein there is no doubt from the Lord of the ‘Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)" [Yunus, 10:37]

"Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an in order that you might understand" [Yusuf, 12:2]

"We relate unto you [Muhammad] the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you, of this Qur’an. And before this, you were among those who knew nothing about it (the Qur’an)." [Yusuf, 12:3]

"And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of al-Mathani (the seven repeatedly recited verses, i.e. Surah al-Fatihah) and the Grand Qur’an." [Al-Hijr, 15:87]

"So when you want to recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Shaytaan, the outcast (the cursed one)." [Al-Nahl, 16:98]

"Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just . . ." [Al-Israa’, 17:9]

"And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe, and it increases the zalimun (wrongdoers) nothing but loss." [Al-Israa’, 17:82]

"Say: ‘If mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.’" [Al-Israa’, 17:88]

"And (it is) a Qur’an which We have divided) into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages." [Al-Israa’, 17:106]

"We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you [O Muhammad] to cause you distress" [Ta-Ha, 20:2]

"Then High above all be Allah, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad) with the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say: ‘My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.’" [Ta-Ha, 20:114]

"Ta-Seen [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Qur’an, and (it is) a Book (that makes things) clear" [Al-Naml, 27:1]

"And verily, you (O Muhammad) are receiving the Qur’an from the One, All-Wise, All-Knowing." [Al-Naml, 27:6]

"Verily, He Who has given you (O Muhammad) the Qur’an will surely bring you back to the Ma’aad (place of return, either to Makkah or to Paradise after your death) . . ." [Al-Qasas, 28:85]

"By the Qur’an, full of wisdom" [Yaa-Seen, 36:2]

"And indeed, We have made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?" [Al-Qamar, 54:40]

"That (this) is indeed an honourable recital (the Noble Qur’an)." [Al-Waqi’ah, 56:77]

"Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah . . ." [Al-Hashr, 59:21]

"Or a little more; and recite the Qur’an (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style." [Al-Muzzammil, 73:4]

"Nay! This is a Glorious Qur’an" [Al-Buruj, 85:21]

There could be any doubt after reading all these ayat that it is Allah - and not Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) or anyone else - Who has given the name "Qur’an" to the Book which He revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?

In Arabic, the word "Qur’an" comes from the word meaning al-qar’, which means "gathering" and "putting things together." It is so called because it is a collection of all the siwar (plural of surah). It was also suggested that it is so called because it combines the fruits of the previously-revealed books, or because it combines all kinds of knowledge.

[See al-Itqan by al-Suyuti, 1/162-163].

Finally, there is a need to be careful and check what you read so that you does not confused by unreliable sources of the books and magazines that may cause you to doubt the truth. May Allah bless you and us with beneficial knowledge and help us to perform righteous deeds.

©Islam Q&A

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