THE DICTIONARY AND TERMINOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS OF THE WORD “QUR’AN”

Before commencing onto the topics regarding the Holy Scripture, we should briefly study the actual meaning of the word “Qur’an.” The dictionary meaning of the word Qur’an derives from the word “qara’a,” and means to read. This subtly signifies that the Qur’an is the most widely read book on earth today and of the future.

The Qur’an;

1. is the Word of Allah.
2. was sent down to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, by means of revelations.
3. is a miracle in its wording and meaning.
4. was conveyed by verbal perpetuation from generation to generation.
5. was compiled in written scripts (mushaf).
6. Its recitation is a form of worship.

We will study this in greater detail, but to explain this briefly:

1. The Qur’an was received by noble Prophet in the form of revelations over a period of twenty three years.
2. It is a miracle in its meaning and wording. In short, the Qur’an is unique and has its own specific approach, presentation and analysis of the issues and topics it addresses. Just as no human was capable of producing anything like it during that period or in later periods, no human will ever be capable of producing anything like it in the future.
3. The Qur’an was transmitted by verbal perpetuation from one entire generation to the next. In other words, it was transmitted by such a vast number of individuals that logically there was no possibility of any fabrication, and again being uninterruptedly transmitted by successive generations of such magnitude is evidence that there is no probability to the contrary.
4. These revelations from Surah al-Fatiha to Surah an-Nas were documented in written scripts. The plural of mushaf is musahif, meaning a compilation of written scripts in book form.
5. The Qur’an is a book whose recitation is a form of worship.
6. The Qur’an is the Word of Allah.

Akgul, Muhittin. Tafsir: An Introduction to Qur’anic Exegesis. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2013