The Reality of the Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

“The Quran has meanings like the waves of the ocean unceasing.” [Imam Sharifudin al Busiri]

Very often we do not reflect on the realities of things that are around us. So we failed to appreciate of what it truly is. In order to understand something we need to know its definition. So, what is the Quran?

The Quran is defined as the speech of Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Allah blessed him and grant him peace) through the angel Jibril (alayhissalaam). This text is inimitable in content, style and teaching. It was sent as guidance to all of creation and is recited by tongues and written in texts. Its order is revealed from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

The Quran indicates what Allah’s attribute of Speech indicates. That's why we say the Quran is "Kalamullah", the Speech of Allah. We don’t say the text is the Speech of Allah. What is significant about this? Reflect on it.

Some of us, if not most of us, when we open the Quran, we don't think of anything. We just read it and we are done. If you are conscious, you have in your mind that you are reading for the sake of Allah, and you are getting some reward. If you are little more conscious, you try to understand some meanings of what you are reading.

When you are reciting the Quran, it is what you are doing but in reality what is happening is something tremendous because when you are reciting the Quran, it is Allah Who is addressing you. This is the tremendousness of the Quran. This is why we should reflect on things.

When you open the Book of Allah, you are entering into the Divine Presence. When you begin reciting what is significant is not this action of yours (of reciting) but rather the reality of what is taking place, which is, you are being addressed by Allah, an address of the Lord to His servant, an address of the Creator to His creation, an address of the beloved to His lover ("those who believe are more intense in love for Allah.")

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّـهِ ۗ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ ﴿١٦٥

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are more intense in love for Allah. And if only they who have wronged would consider [that] when they see the punishment, [they will be certain] that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is severe in punishment. (165)

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:165]

When you realize Allah is addressing you, you will have a different attitude. You will be attentive, you will have a sense of awe, you will observe proper manners, you will try to understand the address, you will not try to simply finish reading the Quran. And if you reflect on this and try to make yourself conscious of it, you will understand the tremendousness of the virtues that are mentioned of the Quran. The virtues that are beyond our imagination.

The Quran describes itself in a number of ways. Allah describes Quran as a healing, cure, light, life giving water that gives life to the earth that is dead. Quran is absolute guidance for those mindful.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam told us about the virtues of the Quran. He told us, "The best of you are those who learn and teach the Quran." This learning and teaching relates to various levels. Recitation and also conveying it to others. Also to learn its meaning so one can act upon it. Thus, you seek personal and collective benefit from the Quran.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also told us that the people of Quran are the people of Allah and the most chosen. This inscription is one of honor.

Allah says in Surah al Hujurat that the most honored are those who are pious. How do you become pious? By holding fast to the Quran.

The people of Quran are those that have a true connection with the Quran. Take the Quran as the rope of Allah that they hold fast to and take the straight path. They are the people who recite Quran day and night and act upon it. They have the proper inward and outward manners with the Quran.

May Allah make us of the people of Quran and the most chosen. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam