Islam Re-Take Revision 2015 Lesson One: Qur'an Friday January 22 ‘Whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’ (Surah 2:38)

"We have made the (Qur’an) a Light, wherewith We guide such of Our servants as We will; and verily thou dost guide (men) to the Straight Way" (Surah 42:51-52)

The Qur'an What do you remember?

Key questions Test yourself 1. Why is The Qur'an important? 2. How was The Qur'an compiled? 3. What were the previous revelations? 4. What is the difference between surahs revealed in Makkah and those revealed in al Madinah ? 4. What do Surah 1 and 96 teach?

Videos http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/zpdsb9q http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/z6d2hyc

Why is The Qur'an so important? Part A Past Papers: Explain why the Qur’an has absolute authority for Muslims. Explain the importance and authority of the Qur’an in Muslim life.

Came down to spiritual sphere above the earth ( the house of glory ) on The Night of Power via Jibril to Muhammad (pbuh). Revelations from 610 CE to 632CE. In Makkah and Medinah. The last of the revelations. Others corrupted. Islam has always existed - not a new religion. Original in Heaven. Learning to recite the Qur’an is called tajwid. The Qur’an is a miracle which cannot be imitated or recreated by humans. Therefore it is believed to be inappropriate to translate the Qur’an into another language. The so-called translations are therefore regarded as paraphrases. 114 surahs (chapters) - longest ( Surah 2 ) then get shorter. Verses called ayah (signs). Learning is an act of worship and therefore there have been commentaries on the Qur’an since the tenth century. These commentaries or Tasfir seek to clarify the point in Muhammad’s (pbuh) life when he received each verse.

How was The Qur'an compiled? Part A Past Papers Explain how the structure of the Qur’an relates to the process of its revelation.

Revealed over twenty years and as Jibril finished each revelation Muhammad (pbuh) recited it to his companions. They were then written down on ‘pieces of paper, stones, palm-leaves, shoulder-blades, ribs, and bits of leather’. When Muhammad (pbuh) died the Qur’an existed as separate Surahs which were not placed together. Zayd ibn Thabit, a friend of Muhammad (pbuh), copied down everything and gave it to the Khalifah, Umar. Umar left the papers to his daughter Hafsah. Different versions were being used in different parts of the Muslim world so Khalifah Uthman arranged for Zayd ibn Thabit to revise the Qur’an, working with people who had memorized the whole text. This text was known as the ‘Uthmanic recension’. Some people claim that it was this recension which put the Surahs in the order they are today, other sources say that the order of the Surahs was part of Jibril’s revelation to Muhammad.

What were the previous revelations?

Previous revelations 1. Sahifah – the scroll revealed to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). 2. Tawrah, Torah, the Law revealed to the Prophet Musa (Moses). 3. Zabur, the book of Psalms revealed to the Prophet Dawud (David). 4. Injil, the Gospel revealed to the Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus)

What is the difference between surahs revealed in Makkah and those revealed in Madinah?

In general the longest Surahs were revealed later in Muhammad’s (pbuh) life so the earlier ones are towards the end of the Qur’an. These later Surahs were revealed in al-Madinah and reflect the issues with which Muhammad (pbuh) was concerned when he emigrated there. The Surahs revealed at Makkah are called Makki and those which came after the Hijrah, when Muhammad (pbuh) was in al-Madinah, are Madani. The Makki deal with Tawhid (belief in the oneness of Allah) and the call for people to turn away from idolatry and to become Muslims.

What does Surah 1 teach?

This Surah is often called the ‘Essence of the Book’ as it teaches the perfect Muslim prayer. The first five verses show that if Muslims pray as Allah instructed then they can have knowledge of Allah and his attributes. They teach about the relationship between Allah and humanity and with his creation. They explain the origins of humanity and also that the final goal for humanity is its spiritual destiny under Allah’s judgement. The remaining verses are about how people should pray. Human prayer is hardly worthy of praise to Allah.Humanity searches for futile things and needs physical things such as food which must be requested of Allah.The prayer sums up faith, hope and ambition and how Allah’s guidance shows people how to follow the correct way through life.

Explain the importance of the teachings in Surah 96 for Muslims. What does Surah 96 teach? Part A Past Papers Explain the importance of the teachings in Surah 96 for Muslims.

Part 1

1. Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created— 2. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful— 4. He Who taught (the use of) the pen— 5. Taught man that which he knew not. (Surah 96:1–5)

Surah 96 – Al ‘Alaq – The Clot (Blood clots) Verses 1–5 - The opening of this Surah is the first revelation which Muhammad (pbuh) received from Jibril: Muslims believe that, following these verses, there was a break of up to a year before the revelations continued with Surah 68. Verses 1–5 instruct Muhammad (pbuh) to preach. Verses 6–19; The next section of the Surah, verses 6–19, explains that the main obstacles in preaching the word of Allah is human vanity, obstinacy and insolence:

Part 2

6. Day, but man doth transgress all bounds, 7. In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient. 8. Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all). 9. Seest thou one who forbids— 10. A votary when he (turns) to pray? 11. Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?— 12. Or enjoins Righteousness? 13. Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away? 14. Knoweth he not that Allah doth see? 15. Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock— 16. A lying, sinful forelock! 17. Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades): 18. We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)! 19. Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)! (Surah 96:7-19)

The Surah explains that Muhammad (pbuh) has been chosen to proclaim the message of Allah. Allah wishes to teach humanity but people believe that they are self-sufficient and turn away from the truth, and mislead others. It is impossible to hide from Allah and eventually he will judge all lies, sin and rebellion and subdue evil.

Part B Past papers

To what extent was the Qu’ran a new revelation as well as a final one? ‘Surah 96 would make a good introduction to the study of Islam.’ Discuss. ‘It does not matter if a Surah was revealed in Makkah or in al-Madinah.’ Discuss. ‘A holy book should be translated so that all believers can understand it.’ Discuss with reference to Islam.