As Muslims, we believe that the Holy Qur’an is
the eternal word of Allah, revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as
guidance for all of humanity. It is not merely a book of instruction; it is a
living miracle, preserved in its original form, recited daily by millions, and
continuing to inspire hearts across centuries and cultures. Its majesty does
not only lie in the depth of its meaning but also in the beauty of its
language, the power of its sound, and the richness of its symbolism. To
approach the Holy Qur’an is to approach divine light; to recite it is to
participate in a miracle that transcends time and place.
We are conscious of the power of the Holy Qur’an, especially in transforming hearts and overtaking them with faith and submission to the One True Creator – Allah. Many believers, born Muslims or reverts to Islam who are not native speakers of Arabic are accustomed to reading the Holy Qur’an aloud at a fast pace, eager to complete as much of it as possible. Yet, if the recitation were slowed down, even slightly, the listener would begin to notice the extraordinary oral and aural beauty of the words. The Holy Qur’an is not simply a text to be read quickly; it is a divine composition whose rhythm and cadence lift the soul and remind the believer of the majesty of the Creator.
Allah Himself reminds us about this:
“And recite the Qur’an with
measured recitation” (Al-Muzzammil 73: 5).
This command is not only about pronunciation
but about reflection, allowing the words to penetrate the heart.
Consider the Chapter 95 (At-Tin 95: 2-4), which
opens with a series of oaths: “By the fig and
the olive; and by Mount Sinai; and by this secure city.”
When spoken aloud, these words have a rhythm
and sound so striking that even people unfamiliar with Arabic notice it. The
repetition of sounds and the assonance create a solemn atmosphere that elevates
the spirit – believers as well as all those whom Allah opens the heart to
receive it. The oath beginning with ‘By’ is not just a casual way of showing
closeness; it is a striking linguistic technique that held great significance
for the people of 7th century
Arabia. In modern times, such linguistic techniques
may not be fully appreciated, yet they remain central to the Qur’an’s
eloquence. The fig and the olive are not mere embellishments; they are symbols
rich with spiritual and historical significance.
The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, known also
for its fig trees, is the place where Hazrat Isa (as) spent the night in
agonising prayer. Though Islamic belief, unlike Christian beliefs, holds that
he did not die upon the cross, his suffering and crucifixion remain part of his
earthly experience. Mount Sinai, on the other hand, is the sacred site where Hazrat
Musa (as) encountered Allah and received the Tawraat (Torah). These two
mountains, tied to two preceding Abrahamic faiths, are invoked in the Holy Qur’an
as witnesses to the continuity of monotheism. The third element, the secure
city of Makkah, symbolises the culmination of the chain of law-bearing revelation
in Islam. In just three verses, the Holy Qur’an affirms the unity of divine
guidance across time, linking the faith of earlier prophets to the final law-bearing
message (the Holy Qur’an) brought by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
This richness of meaning, compressed into a few
lines, demonstrates the miraculous nature of the Holy Qur’an. It is not only a
book of instruction but also a testimony to the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself said: “The best among you are those
who learn the Qur’an and teach it” (Bukhari). This Hadith reminds the
believer that engagement with the Qur’an is not only about recitation but about
understanding, teaching, and living by its guidance.
Another example of the Qur’an’s majesty is
found in Chapter 24, where it is declared: “Allah
is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His Light is as a
niche wherein is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a shining
star; lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the East nor of the West, whose
oil would almost glow forth even if no fire touched it. Light upon Light.”
(An-Nur 24: 36)
This verse is not meant to be dissected in a
purely analytical way; its purpose is to evoke awe and reverence. Here the accent
is on Divine Light, such light which surpasses human comprehension, and the
believer is invited to accept the incompleteness of understanding as part of
the spiritual journey. Each and every believer should remember that Allah is
Ever-Living, never dies. His existence is evoked in each and every parcel of
existence. This universe, this world and all creatures Allah has created to live
in it, and those who are invisible to the human eye, everything comes from
Allah; Allah is the Source of it all. The Qur’an is guidance to keep mankind
from following the path of disobedience, and this disobedience is attempted by
the Satan and its army. Allah has distinguished light from darkness in that
very verse. Although everything hails from Him, yet, freewill acknowledges a
clear path where humankind and jinnkind can judge between right and wrong and
spring forward to the light, to the right guidance, to the obedience of Allah,
choosing to shun the devil and embrace the warmth of Divine Grace. This happens
times and times again whenever the forces of evil try to spring the vortex of
disillusion to capture the minds of man and jinn and render them slaves to
their own desires.
Therefore, to restrict man and jinn from
hurting their own selves, Allah sends prophets and messengers, times and times
again (and that too only from among humans, to show the superiority of humans over
the jinns) to help them to learn to fight their inner Satans as well as the
exteriors ones and to conquer their hearts and souls to Islam. That is why,
from Allah’s own essence, He sends flickers of His light to earth, as guidance
in times of spiritual darkness. Prophets, law-bearing ones and non-law-bearing
ones have always come and now, after completing His laws in Islam, Allah shall
send only reformer-prophets who shall be the true representation of Islam on
earth; such lights which are radiant, moon-like, lights which take their light
from the Shams-Uddin, the Sun of the Deen of Islam, i.e. the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
With the rise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh), Allah sent upon him the Qur’an as perfect guidance for mankind for all
times. This Qur’an is not only for mankind but acts as a warning and good news
to the jinn world as well. The Qur’an is thus an essential Book, which needs to
be read and recited over and over again, not quickly, parrot-like, but slowly, absorbed
with reflection and appreciation. Each verse is couched in beauty, and each
recitation is an opportunity to connect with the One True Creator – Allah. The
miracles of the Qur’an are not limited to its content; they extend to its form,
its sound, and its effect upon the heart. To pause during recitation, to
reflect upon the meaning, and to marvel at its eloquence is to engage with the
Qur’an as it was meant to be engaged, i.e., with reverence, humility, and love.
The importance of the Qur’an does not only lie in
its guidance but also in its ability to transform the soul. It speaks across
languages and cultures, reminding humanity of the Unity of Allah and the
continuity of His message. Its miracles are evident in its preservation, its
eloquence, and its impact upon those who recite and reflect upon it. Allah
says:
“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to
that which is most upright, and gives glad tidings to the believers who do
righteous deeds that they will have a great reward” (Bani
Isra’il 17: 10).
To read the Holy Qur’an is to enter into a
dialogue with Allah, a dialogue that transcends time and place.
The Holy Qur’an is thus a light among the
lights of Allah that illuminates the path of the believer. It is a source of
comfort in times of difficulty, a guide in moments of confusion, and a reminder
of the eternal truth of Allah’s mercy and wisdom. Its verses carry layers of
meaning, its sound uplifts the spirit, and its message guides the believer
towards righteousness. To appreciate its beauty is to recognise the signs of Allah’s
mercy and wisdom. The Holy Qur’an is not only a book to be read; it is a light
to be lived, a miracle to be cherished, and a testimony to the eternal truth of
Islam.
In conclusion, the Qur’an is a miracle that
continues to unfold – in its beauty and secret – with every recitation. Its
majesty lies in its ability to speak to the heart, to inspire the soul, and to
guide humanity towards truth. To engage with the Holy Qur’an is to engage with Allah,
to participate in a miracle that transcends time and place. The believer,
whether born in Islam, or reverting to Islam (after misguidance) is invited to
slow down, to reflect, and to allow the words to penetrate the heart. And in
times when miscomprehension of the Qur’an overtakes the true meanings of the
Holy Words of Allah, Allah sends His reformers, His special teachers who come
with the Ruh’il Quddus (pbuh) to erase the wrong notions about the
Qur’an and to sow into the minds and hearts of the people, the true meaning of
its verses.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The
Qur’an is an intercessor, and a truthful intercessor. Whoever puts it in front
of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will drive
him to Hell” (Ibn Hibban).
As the world is a learning platform, and people
are the students of life and faith, therefore, a teacher appointed and hailing
from none but Allah is also needed to make the Islamic students of the world,
and the rest of the world population – those who are weak and even strong in
faith – to balance their faith and know the clear demarcation between right and
wrong, between interpretations of the human minds (Nafs) and that of the
divinely-sent interpretations, through the Ruh-il-Quddus (Holy Spirit).
This teacher or teachers will continue to come
till the Day of Judgement to teach that the Qur’an is not only a book of
guidance; it is a living miracle, a testimony to the eternal truth of Islam,
and a light that will continue to shine until the appointed Day of Allah, when
those who were commanded to abide by it will be returned to Allah for accountability.
May our days and nights on this earth see to the living presence and implementation of the Qur’an among us, by the will of Allah. Bear in mind that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the living example of the Qur’an. May Allah enable us, his true and humble followers and cherishers to walk along his path and become representations of the Qur’an, the living Qur’an of our times and beyond for the guidance of mankind. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 21 November 2025~ 30 Jamadi'ul Awwal 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.