The Quran mentions some Islamic scriptures by name,which came before the Quran:
Tawrat(Torah):AccordingtotheQuran,theTawrat(Torah)wasrevealedtoMusa (A.S) [Moses]. It was send Down to earth on 2nd of Ramadan.
Zabur(Psalms):TheQuranmentionsthePsalmsasbeingtheholyscripturerevealedto Dawood (A.S) [David].It was send Down to earth on 18th of Ramadan.
Injil(Gospel):Theİnjil(Gospel)wastheholybookrevealedtoIsa (A.S) [Jesus]accordingtotheQuran. Like wise the other books Injil was send to earth on 12th of Ramadan.
As the time went on many editings were done to Tawrat, Zabur and Injil which with time made these books that couldn’t be followed (Acting upon ) . A true Muslim must have true belife that Tawrat , Zabur and Injil are books of Allah but must also keep in mind that their present form isn’t the one that was at the time when these books were send Down to earth . But a book has been send Down to earth during odd nights of Ramadan and that book is called “Quran” . This book has been revealed on the last prophet known as Prophet Mohammed (SAW). No doubt that many attempts were and are being made to change it but till now not even a single person has been able to even change a single dot , changing verse is not even a thought and then changing Quran is just out of imagination. For the people who are busy in challenging or changing the Quran , Allah mentions a message for them in the same Quran they are busy challenging : ‘If all mankind and the jinn would come together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce its like even though they exerted all and their strength in aiding one another.” (Quran 17:88). In another verse Allah says “And if you all are in doubt about what I have revealed to My servant, bring a single chapter like it, and call your witnesses besides God if you are truthful (24) But if you do not do this, and you can never do this, then fear the Fire which has been prepared for the disbelievers and which shall have men and stones for fuel” (Quran 2:23–24) and in another verse “Or do they say that he has invented it? Say (to them), ‘Bring ten invented chapters like it, and call (for help) on whomever you can besides God, if you are truthful.” (Quran 11:13). It’s not that the challenges to Quran are new it has been from the day the first Ayaah of Quran was send to earth ,it has started to face challenge. In many ways and from many directions the Quran in today’s world is facing count number of challenges but as Allah has already said “It’s My Book and I will protect it” . And Allah has been protecting it in a way none can protect his most valuable thing. And one must remember it’s the promise of Allah that he will protect this book and Quran says about the Promises of Allah “Indeed Allah (Subhanallah Wa Ta’alla) never breaks his promise “. (3:9)
In the month of Ramdan the stress is laid on completion of Quran as it’s full of Rewards and most importantly the Quran will come as defender to the person on the day of judgement who will recites it here in this world.
The Quran is the book of Truth and Allah says In Surah Al-Bani Isreal Verse 105 ” We sent down Quran in Truth and In Truth has it descended and we send thee but no give Glad Tidings and to war (mankind)”. People trying to change this truth must remember that “When truth is hurled against falsehood, falsehood perishes, for falsehood is by it’s nature bound to perish” Quran 17:81. There’s this quote about falsehood that people who are trying to challenge the Quran with their falsehood should remember “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Indeed! Falsehood is ever bound to vanish. People making vain attempts to challenge the Quran must know that Quran is 1,370 years old according the manuscripts that are found . These people should known that if by an iota of imagination Quran would had been a propaganda it would have had never last for this long as no propaganda lasts for this long . The Revealation of Quran began on 22 nd December 609 when the age of prophet was 40 and concluded in the years 632 CE . The Quran was verbally revealed from Allah to Prophet Mohammed (SAW) through the Angel Gabriel gradually over a period of Approximately 23 years. Cave Hira in the mountain Jabal Al-Nour is the place where prophet recived the first revelation from the angel Gabriel. Sahih al-Bukhari narrates Muhammad describing the revelations as, “Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell,” and Aisha reported, “I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).” As a Muslim it’s our obligation to read Quran as Allah has mentioned the benefits of reciting Quran at various places. In Surah AL-Baqarah , Verse no.2 it’s mentioned that “This is the book! There’s no doubt about, a guidance for those conscious of Allah “. At another place in Quran in surah Al-Waqi’ah verse No. 79 it’s mentioned “None touch it expect the purified [i.e ,the angels]. And their are many places where Allah mentions about rewards and importance of reading Quran. While fulfilling the obligatory duty some points have to be kept in mind. Some of them are.
1. Being in the state of cleanliness:The condition of hygiene standardized for the recitation of Holy Quran consists of a major ablution called Ghusl and a minor ablution called Wudu. The mentioned ablution however must be carried out by doing Ghusl followed by Wudu respectively.
2. Beginning the recitation with Ta’awwudh: Ta’awwudh is seeking protection in Allah from shaitan and is done so by reciting “A`ūdhu billāhi min ash-shaitāni r-rajīmi”
which is translated as “I look for protection in Allah from shaitan, the accused one” after which “Tasmiya” which is
“b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi”. Tasmiya is translated as “In the name of Allah who is most gracious, the most Merciful”.
Ta’awwudh is necessary so that Shaitan does not deviate us from the path of light.
3. Slow recitation: Quran is to be read slowly and peacefully so that the reader gets to comprehend the teachings of Islam in a better way. The Quran says:”And those who disbelieve say, “Why was the Qur’an not revealed to him all at once?” Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.” [Quran, 25: 32]
4. Accurate pronunciation:- It is necessary that the reader is very cautious while pronouncing words of verses. It has to be ensured that the words are correctly pronounced. “Or add to it, and recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.” [Quran, 73: 4]
5. Beautifying recitation
Quran is one of the biggest blessings bestowed upon Muslims. Hence, it is advised to be read in as beautiful tone as possible. After all, this would be portrayed as an act of valuing and cherishing the Holy Scripture. “Allah has not permitted anything like He has permitted a Prophet to recite the Quran in a good voice.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The month of Ramdan comes with 70 times more reward on every good deed. And Reciting the Quran is one of the good deeds . In the month of Ramdan the stress is laid on completion of Quran as it’s full of Rewards and most importantly the Quran will come as defender to the person on the day of judgement who will recites it here in this world.
(The author is a freelancer. Views are his own)
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