The Holy Qur’an (The Final Revealed Text From God) Mankind was sent the Divine guidance through two forms. First, the word of Allah (swt) and second the Prophets who were chosen by Allah (swt) to go out and orate His will to the humane race. In the original text of the Bible, tawheed (monotheism) was taught. Tawheed is a revolutionary principle and constitutes the essence of the teachings of Islam. It means that there in only One Supreme Lord of the universe, He is all-Powerful, all-Knowing and the Sustainer of the world and of humanity. However; for the most part this concept was lost from the Bible when the people of that time elevated Jesus to the level of being God himself. The Old Testament, the Gospels, and the New Testament were all sent before the Qur’an was revealed but even those were only transcripts simply because the followers of Prophet Moses (pbuh) and Prophet Jesus (pbuh) made little to no effort to record and preserve the teachings of their own Prophets. When the Qur’an was revealed there were thousands upon thousands who not only recorded the Divine words of Allah (swt) (sent to Prophet Muhammed through the angel Gabriel) but who also memorized them. Abu Bakr, the first Caliph entrusted the collection of the whole Qur’an in one volume to the Prophet’s scribe, Zaid Ibn Thabit. This volume was with Abu Bakr till his death. Omar the second Caliph was given the text to protect and preserve next and after him it came to Hafsa, the Prophet’s wife. It was from this original copy that the third Caliph Uthman prepared several other copies and sent them to different Muslim territories. The Qur’an was perfectly preserved as it was to be the Book of guidance for humanity for all times to come. That is why it does not address the Arabs alone in whose language it was revealed. It speaks to man as a human being: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Translation of Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3) After the Qur’an was revealed, many people started unfounded rumors about it’s authenticity. Allah (swt) in all His infamous wisdom knew they would and sent down the following challenges to mankind found in the ayah’s below. “Or do they say: “He (Muhammed) has forged it?”, Say: “Bring then a Surah (chapter) like unto it, and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful!” (Translation of Surah Yunus 10:38) “Or they say; “He (Prophet Muhammad) forged it (the Qur’an).” Say: “Bring you then ten forged Surah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth! (Translation of Surah Hud 11:13) “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.” (Translation of Surah Al-Isra 17:88) “And if you (Arab pagans, Jews and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur’an) to Our servant Muhammad, then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.” (Translation of Surah Al-Baqarah 2:23) Many years had been spent in confusion; many years of thirst had gone by, and finally, alhamdulillah my thirst was quenched. May Allah (swt) guide you as well in your search for the truth to the one and only true religion of God, Islam. Ameen. Ashhadu Alla ilaha illalAllah (I bear witness that there is no God but Allah) Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulul Allah (and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger) Written by an American Convert By Sr. Amirah for The Islamic Bulletin Resources used: - King James Bible - New American Standard Bible - The Living Bible - The New International Version - The Qur’an Important Reminder The verses of the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet (S) have been printed for the benefit of our readers. You are asked to ensure their sanctity. Therefore, they should be disposed of in the proper Islamic manner. Abbreviations Used Subhana Wa Ta’ala (SWT) - May Allah (God) be glorified and exalted Sallallahu alayhi wasallam (SAW); (or Alayhi Salam) AS; Peace Be Upon Him PBUH; R.A.; R.A.A. - Allah was pleased with him/her. Conveying the Message of Islam Once upon a time, there were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Nobody, and Anybody. When there was an important job to be done, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. When Nobody did it, Everybody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Somebody would do it, but Nobody realized that Nobody would do it. So it ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done in the first place! The Prophet (SAW) said, “Convey my message, even one ayah (verse).”
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