3 Al-Quran Characters as the Main Source of Shariah

In nature, people can only function properly within a society that depend on the
existence of law and regulation. Islam teaches that Allah SWT has sent a series of
messengers and prophets with divine laws for peoples guidance. The Islamic law or
shariah is a complete way of life that include every aspects of life for example personal,
family, social, moral and etc. Many people think there is no need for God-made laws, we
can make laws by ourselves. Islam believes that human being is a very sophisticated
creature and since he has not made his own body, nor did he create the world in which
he lives, he, therefore, is not the best candidate for making laws about himself. Allah
SWT as the Creator of man and the earth knows better on how the human being should
live, so that Allah sent for us Quran through Prophet Muhammad SAW as a primary
source of shariah.

Al-Quran is a sacred scripture from Allah Almighty to Beloved Prophet

Muhammad saw through Angel Gabriel as over a period of 23 years. This is the Holy
Scripture for Muslim and also can be guidance for non-Muslim too. It contain 114 surah
which explain the power of Allah, guidance for humanity and the historical events. When
the surah revealed, most of the companions memorized them and wrote down in every
detail which has never changed over the time. It contain purely words of Allah SWT and
there were no scribal or scientific error can be found in Al Quran since it does not
contain any word of human.

In literally, Al-Quran means recitation or something that is continuously recited by

Muslims. The jurists were derived it from four root words and each of them bring the
individual meanings:-

a. Qaraa

The literal meaning is to collect or to compile which means Quran is a holy book
that collected and codified under Allahs protection. The jurist state that the
collection of Al-Quran ayah will remains unchanged and still in its actual state
until the Judgement Day according to the Allah SWT record in the Surah Al-
Qiyamah.
 Indeed, upon Us is its collection (in your heart) and (to make possible) its
recitation. ( Surah Al-Qiyamah,75:17)

b. Qarana

The meaning is a union or conjunction, which is refer to literal physical existence

of the Quran and its properties. So, the Quran actually given a special name
caused of the combination of its letters that join to form ayahs, then form surah
and produce a Quran. Some jurists said that the word qarana of the Quran is
because the combination of guidance which inseparable based to surah Al-
Baqarah, verse 2 which state that the Quran is actually is guidance without
doubt.

c. Qiraathun

Its means to read or to recite. It is the basis features to Al-Quran self because it
owns special character which support the function of Quran that reads by
Muslims 24 hours over the world especially during the solah and the readers also
increase during the Ramadan because Muslims recite it every day even fasting
including in special tharawih prayers. It is also read by everyone who want to
know about the law, science, economy regarding to its function to reference the
humankind.

d. Qirain

Actually, qirain is the plural of qarina. It means evidence, argument or symbol

which how one verse will be interprets and give arguments.

In the terminology, the jurists were define Al-Quran as the Arabic speech by Allah
SWT that revealed to Prophet Muhammad saw covers the word and meaning. The
elaborations are:-

a. Arabic speech by Allah SWT

It means any revelation that not in Arabic language is not Quran. It also mean
Muslims cant perform the solah by recite the translation of Qurans ayah either in
Malay, Urdu, English or other language beside Arabic.
 b. Revealed to Prophet Muhammad saw

This holy revelation only to Prophet Muhammad saw so, nobody else can charge
Allah SWT also reveal it to them. This concept also same with the old Injil, Taurah
and Zabur which Allah SWT only deliver it to his selected messengers.

c. A challenge to mankind

This holy book contains the highest quality of language and meaning. So, it
challenge the human especially Arabs to create the same quality of ayah if they
are not believe the Quran is not made by human.

d. Revealed in word and meaning

The holy Quran is not same as the other book story because it consists and
covers all knowledge about humankinds. It words are from Allah SWT unlike the
hadis Qudsi which the word is from Prophet Muhammad saw but the meaning is
from Allah SWT.

e. Mutawattir

It means many narrators of Islam narrated its ayahs in detailed which shown tere
are no lied or mistake made.

So, the Quran actually has been transmitted to humankinds by continuous

testimony or tawatur. The ulamak or Islamic jurists also agreed that Al-quran is the
major source of shariah or Islamic Law which can be proved in many book written by
Islamic jurist such as in English translation of Muwafaqat Fi Usul Al-shariah by Ibrahim
ibn Musa Shatib. The writer stated that the principals in the usul al-fiqh are based upon
the universal principal (kuliyyat) of the shariah and whatever has this form is definitive.
To make sure the principals is Islamic compliance, quran is used as the main reference
in deciding any issue that arise.
Three Character of Al-Quran as a main source of Shariah

1. The word of God (Allah s.w.t)

The Quran is the holy book which Muslims recite and turn to for guidance in all aspects
of their lives. Its verses have remained intact since their original revelation by God in the
7thcentury. This brochure explains the divine origin of the Quran by elaborating upon its
preservation, authenticity and miracles. It also discusses the Quranic message which
has universal appeal and is relevant for all times. The Quran is the last testament in a
series of divine revelations from Allah. It consists of the unaltered and direct words of
God, which were revealed through the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad, the final prophet of
Islam, more than 1400 years ago.

Many people mistakenly believe that the Quran was authored by Prophet Muhammad.
In fact, the Quran is the preserved speech of God. At the same time, one might ask,
which proofs indicate that the Quran is the Word of God and not the writings of Prophet
Muhammad? Through it all, God kept on revealing the Quran to Prophet Muhammad
piecemeal. Occasionally, the revelations stopped temporarily, reminding him and others
that he had no control over them. Once, when two envoys posed some questions to
him, he replied, Tomorrow I will tell you. He expected God will inspire the answers in
him through revelation and he waited for Angel Gabriel. However, revelation did not
come during the next few weeks even as Meccans taunted him. Finally, God sent him
the response while admonishing him, Do not say of anything, I will do that tomorrow,
without adding, God willing (Quran, 18:23-24).

Since its revelation, the Quran (also spelled Koran) has remained preserved in its
exact, primary text. While numerous translations of the Quran exist, they are all based
on the single, original Arabic script, making the Quran unique from previous scriptures in
its pure authenticity. The Quran was revealed at a time when the Arabs excelled in oral
poetry. However, despite his intelligence, Prophet Muhammad was not skilled in
composing poetry. Yet, when the Quranic verses were recited, they stunned even the
most acclaimed poets in the society. Deeply moved by the rhythmic tone, literary merit
and penetrating wisdom of the Quran, many converted to Islam. Indeed, the science of
Arabic grammar was developed after the revelation of the Quran, using the Quran as a
basis for devising its rules.

There are many miracles in the Quran which themselves attest to the fact that this truly
is a divine scripture. The Quran mentions phenomena that were unknown at the time. In
fact, many were only recently discovered by modern science. For example, God
describes the stages of human development in the womb: We created man from an
essence of clay, then We placed him as a drop of fluid in a safe place, then We made
that drop into a clinging form, and We made that form into a lump of flesh, and We
made that lump into bones, and We clothed those bones with flesh, and later We made
him into other forms glory be to God, the best of creators! (Quran, 23:12-14)

We are obliged to believe that the Qur'an is the word of Allah Ta'ala and not of His
creatures. Justification us of this is part of faith in God which is the first pillars of faith.

Proposition about the Qur'an is the Word of God is:

And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection
so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety.
That is because they are a people who do not know ( At-Tawbah, verse 6).

Proposition shows that the Qur'an is something that is passed down:

Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree (Al-Qadr, verse 1).

Qur'an is the command (amr) of Allah, as describe in Quran:

And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not
know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We
guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a
straight path (As-Syuura verse 52)

2. Comprehensive

Allah tells us that He revealed a book that includes teachings and guidance related to
mankind, so we should follow it. He says:
Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a book (the Quran) in which there is
Dhikrukum,(your Reminder or an honor for you i.e. honor for the one who follows the
teaching of the Quran and acts on its teachings). Will you not then understand?

Quran (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 10)

Islam is the religion that the Supreme Creator has chosen for mankind. Allah has clearly
told mankind that His message to the prophets preceding Prophet Muhammad (s) was
altered and corrupted by people over time. Thus, His final message of Islam was
revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s) and Allah took the responsibility of safeguarding
that message (Quran). Allah says in the Quran:

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture did not differ
except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever
disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then
surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.

Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 19)

Islam Guides toward a straight path which mention in Quran:

Guide us to the straight path

Quran (Surah Al-Fatihah, Verse 6)

3. Practical

Islam is a religion without any mythology. Its teachings are simple and intelligible. It is
free from superstitions and irrational beliefs. The Oneness of God, the prophet hood of
Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the concept of life-after-death, are the basic
articles of its faith. These are based on reason and sound logic. All the teachings of
Islam flow from those basic beliefs. They are simple and straightforward. There is no
hierarchy of priests, no far-fetched abstractions, no complicated rites and rituals.
Everybody may approach the Book of God directly, translating its dictates into practice.
Islam awakens in Man the faculty of reason and exhorts him/her to use his/her intellect.
It enjoins the person to see things in the light of reality. In Surah 20, verses 114, the
Quran advises Man to pray: O, my Lord! advance me in knowledge

In Surah 6, verses 67, the Quran asserts that those who have no knowledge are not
equal to those who have; that those who do not observe and understand are worse than
cattle; that the meanings of revelation become manifest to those who have knowledge
and who have understanding (6:98).

Then in Surah 2, verse 269, Allah (swt) states that: whosoever has been given
knowledge indeed has been given an abundant good.

The Quran also mentions in Surah 2, verse 247 that basic qualifications for leadership
are, among other things, knowledge and physical strength. He also mentions that of all
things, it is by virtue of knowledge that Man is superior to angels and has been made
vicegerent of God on earth.

Prophet Muhammad said:

He who leaves his home in search of knowledge walks in the path of God. To seek
knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.

This is how Islam brings Man out of the world of superstition and darkness, initiating him
into that of knowledge and light. Then, Islam is a practical religion and does not indulge
in empty and futile theorizing. It says that faith is not a mere profession of beliefs; it is
the very mainspring of life. Righteous conduct must follow belief in Allah. Religion is
something to be lived, and not an object of mere lip service. The Quran says in Surah
13, verse 29:

Those who believe and act righteously, joy is for them, and a blissful home to return to.

Prophet Muhammad also said: God does not accept belief, if it is not expressed in
deeds, and does not accept deeds, if they do not conform to belief. Thus, Islam is a
simple, rational and practical religion.