By Khalil Johnston
Where did the notion come from that the Holy Qur’an is only the religious book of Muslims? This notion is proven wrong in many ways by The Almighty’s simple yet inviting words within the Holy Qur’an: “Verily, this Qur’an is no less than a reminder to all of humankind” (81:27). The Holy Qur’an is a book for all of us, and there is an ocean of knowledge to be traversed within the Holy Qur’an’s history, present state, and its potential to positively remind and impact all of humanity. The perfect guide to how to live our lives is laid out in the Holy Qur’an; it is our life manual.
Many people grew up around the Holy Qur’an until they were old enough to learn how to read it for themselves. The original Arabic script of the Holy Qur’an reads from right to left. There are millions of beautifully composed Arabic copies of the Holy Quran around the world. Furthermore, there are also many Tafseer (exegesis) of the Holy Qur’an which give detailed explanations of the meanings, background, similitudes and lessons of every line. This is especially beneficial for people who are not fluent in speaking and comprehending the Arabic language. In an English copy, one can read the Tafseer or commentary, the ayat in Arabic and an English translation.
In addition to reading the Arabic version of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Qur’an in other languages, individuals often memorize the entire 114 chapters of the Holy Qur’an. There are also digital sources of the Holy Qur’an which can be read online and on personal devices. Various platforms are available where the Holy Qur’an can be listened to as well. When some individuals do not have an Arabic Holy Qur’an, they often can be found reading or listening to the Holy Qur’an online. There are currently several avenues through which to partake in the Holy Qur’an with countless copies of the Holy Qur’an written in many different languages; although the actual words of Holy Quran can only be read in Arabic.
The current state of the Holy Qur’an has a history that started over a thousand years ago during the life of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). One hundred fourteen chapters and 6,236 lines of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over a twenty- three year period. The Almighty sent the words of the Holy Qur’an to the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) through Angel Gabriel. As soon as the lines of the Holy Qur’an were revealed, the Holy Companions began to memorize the Holy Qur’an by heart. Memorizing the Holy Qur’an made it easy to teach and orally pass it to others. The lines were also written immediately for preservation.
Fast forward through over a thousand years of expansion in the ways in which the Holy Qur’an can reach people, there are now online formats to listen to and read the Holy Qur’an. There are even forms of technology like cell phone apps where one can listen to and read the Holy Qur’an at the same time.
In addition to the Holy Qur’an still being read in Arabic like in the time of the Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), it is still memorized and orally passed to other individuals. When teachers teach the Holy Qur’an, they recite it to their students, in which their students have to memorize the lines and chapters that are recited to them. Furthermore, Muslims in particular have to pray to The Almighty five times a day, and within their prayer, they recite many chapters of the Holy Qur’an from memory. So, all Muslims must memorize some chapters of the Holy Qur’an for the purpose of their five, daily prayers.
The Holy Qur’an remains just as alive today as one thousand five hundred years ago in the hearts of over 2 billion Muslims all over the world. Muslims, are commanded by The Almighty to follow its teachings. The vast teachings of the Holy Qur’an include legal issues, histories of past nations, news of events yet to come and indeed every science that exists starts with the Holy Quran. All showing us the way to a successful and happy life.
