THE QUR’AN

The Qur’an is the holy scripture of the Islamic faith. According to the Qur’an, the word of God was first revealed in the Torah to Moses, the Psalms to David, and the Gospels to Jesus. However, Muslims believe that these books, on which Judaism and Christianity are founded, have been corrupted. The Qur’an was then revealed to Muhammad to correct the errors that were introduced into the original revelations from God. Thus, it is the final revelation from God, given to Muhammad, the “seal of the prophets.”

The Qur’an itself proclaims that its words are preserved on an eternal table in heaven and are uncreated. Gabriel revealed the Qur’an in the Arabic language, which is said to be the language of God. It is for this reason that many non-Arabic-speaking Muslims memorize passages from the Qur’an in the original Arabic for recitation during daily prayer. Many Muslims contend that any translation of the Qur’an is not truly the Qur’an. Also, because it is considered to be the exact word of God, any scholarly criticism of the Qur’an is unacceptable.

The first revelation Muhammad received was in 610 while he was meditating on Mount Hira, just outside his native city of Mecca. The last revelation came in 622 in Medina, where Muhammad fled under persecution and spent the last years of his life. The Qur’an is composed of 114 chapters, called suras, 6,616 verses (or ayas), and 77,934 words. The content of the Qur’an includes many stories that are found in the Bible (though with some variations), some traditions from Jewish and heretical Christian folklore, and instructions on day-to-day living in the Islamic community.

Though the language of the Qur’an is said to be Arabic, the language of Allah, there are several words and forms of names that are borrowed from other languages, such as Harût, Marût, houry, and jinn from Persian; tabût and zakat from Syriac; pharaoh from an Egyptian language; Azraeland torah from Hebrew; and Injil from Greek.

There exist some historical inaccuracies in the Qur’an. One of the more notable errors is found in the Qur’anic references to the lineage of Mary (Maryam). According to the Qur’an, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the sister of Aaron, Moses’ brother (19.28), and the daughter of Imran (3.35). It is recorded in Numbers 26:59 that the name of the wife of Amram (the Hebrew form of Imran) was Jochebed, and she bore Aaron, Moses, and Maryam their sister. This account undoubtedly describes the Mary to whom Muhammad made reference in Suras 19.28 and 3.35. However, the Mary who was the mother of Jesus lived some 1570 years after the one who was the daughter of Imran and the sister of Aaron and Moses.

Nevertheless, the words of the Qur’an that can today be heard from minarets around the world have been chanted, unchanged, from the dawn of Islam. The holy book that is reverenced by Muslims today has remained the same since the first officially codified Qur’an. Until the caliphate of ‘Uthman, Islam’s third Caliph, many of the revelations were preserved on various materials, including palm leafs, animal skins and bone fragments. Those who were trained in the art of memorization passed on much of the revelation orally. In order to provide one approved version of the Qur’an, ‘Uthman ordered the gathering of all known collections of revelations. Those determined to be reliable were retained and all others were burned. Thus, the officially recognized Qur’an was codified in 652, thirty years after the death of Muhammad.

ABRAHAM - Father of the three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam ABU BAKHR / ABU BAKR– the first Caliph and successor to Muhammad ADHAN– call to prayer AHL AL-KITAB – “People of the Book.” Qur’anic reference to Christians, Jews, Sabaeans and Zoroastrians. AL-ADHA– “sacrifices.” Also a feast holiday on the Muslim calendar. ALI – cousin of Muhammad revered by Shi’ites. ALIM – a recognized scholar of the Qur’an and hadith. ALLAH – “the God.” Arabic name for God. ALLAHU AKHBAR – “God is great.” AL-WAHHAB – founder of the Wahhabis which led to the creation of the Saudi state in Arabia AYAT – lit., “sign.” A verse in the Qur’an. BISMILLAH – “In the name of God.” CALIPH – “successor.” A title given to the rulers of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad. DHIKR – “recollection (of God)” DIN – “religion” FARD – religious duty FATIMA – daughter of Muhammad FATWA – legal opinion FIQH – “understanding.” The science of legal interpretation. GABRIEL – the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad HADITH – lit., “new.” Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad. There exist various notable collections of hadith, such as al-Muwatta, al-Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca HANAFIS – a school of law named for Abu Hanif HANBALIS – a school of law named for Ibn Hanbal HAQQ - TRUTHHEGIRA – “migration.” The flight of Muhammad in 622 AD to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. HEZBOLLAH – the “Party of Allah.” Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem HOLY WAR – “jihad.” The act of striving to preserve or impose the religion of God. ID AL-FITR – feast at the end of Ramadan IFTAR – breaking of the fast after sunset IHRAM – cloth worn by the pilgrim to Mecca IJMA– consensus of the scholars IMAM– a Muslim religious leader INJIL– Arabic title for the holy book given to Jesus. INTIFADA - “awakening,” or “uprising” ISLAM – “surrender” ISNAD – the chain of authority of hadith JIHAD – “to strive for the faith.” Commonly referred to as a holy war to preserve or impose God’s religion. JINN– spirits JIZYA– poll tax judgment: heaven and hell KA'BA – lit., “square.” The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A structure believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham, and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage of all Muslims. KHADIJA – first wife of Muhammad KHARAJ – land tax KHUTBA – sermon during the Friday prayer MADHHAB – religious-legal school MADRASA – “school” MAHDI – “the rightly guided one” who will appear before the Last Judgment MALIKIS – a school of law named for Malik ibn Anas Mary, mother of Jesus MASJID – mosque. The common place of prayer. MATN – text of hadithMecca – The birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city in Islam, and is where the Ka’ba is located. Medina – The city 260 miles north of Mecca, where Muhammad took refuge in 622 AD. Muhammad built the first mosque in Medina and was buried there. MIHRAB – niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca MINARET – tower from which the call to prayer is made MINBAR – pulpit used for the Friday sermon MOSQUE – The common place of prayer MU'AWIYA – The Muslim leader who forced Ali out of the Caliphate. This began the division in Islam, with Mu’awiya leading the Sunni sect. mufti – legal scholar MUTA – temporary marriage pilgrimage (hajj) QADAR – “destiny” QADI– religious judge QIYAS – “analogy” QUR'AN – “recite.” The book that was revealed to Muhammad and is the basis of the Islamic faith. QURAYSH – the tribe from which Muhammad came. RAKA – bodily positions in ritual prayer RAMADAN – The month of fasting for Muslims, during which all Muslims who are able should abstain abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. RAY – “opinion” RIBA – usury SAHIH – a “sound” HADITH SALADIN (or, Salah al-Din) – Defeated the Crusader army in 1187 during the Third Crusade, returning Jerusalem to Islamic rule. SALAT– the prayer that is practiced by Muslims five times a day. SAWM– the fast during the month of Ramadan. During this month a Muslim should abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. SHAFI'I – intercessor on Judgment Day SHAFI'IS – a school of law named for al- SHAFISHAHADA – “confession.” The Muslim’s testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger. SHARI'A – “law.” Islamic law that governs daily life. SHARIF – “noble” SHI'AT ALI – “Party of Ali.” Shai’, or Shi’ite sect of Islam. SHI'ITE – “followers.” The name of the sect that followed Ali after Mu’awiya forced him from the Caliphate. SHIRK – the sin of blasphemy against God SHURA - council SIRAT – bridge over hell to be crossed at the Last Judgment SUFI – A Muslim mystic. SUFISM – A mystic sect of Islam. SUNNA – “tradition.” The deeds of Muhammad that serve as the example followed by the Sunni community. SUNNI – “followers of the path.” The name of the sect who followed Mu’awiya after he forced Ali from the Caliphate. SURA – A chapter of the Qur’an. There are 114 suras. TAHAJUD – night prayer TALAQ – divorce TARAWIH – prayers offered after the breaking of fast of Ramadan TARIQA – “path” TASFIR – Exegesis of the Qur’an. TASIN – beginning of sura TAWRAT – Arabic title for the Torah. TILAWAT – recitation of the Qur’an ULAMA– legal scholars Umayyad/Umayyads UMMA – the Muslim community URF – customary law UTHMAN - Uthman ibn ‘Affan was chosen as the third Caliph in 644. Wahhabis WAHID – “one” WAQF – a foundation or trust given for the establishment of charity or education. WUDU - ablution ZABUR – Arabic title for the Psalms of David. ZAKAT – almsgiving