THE COMPILATION

OF HOLY QURAN
Q) Explain the significance of the Holy Quran as the First source of Islamic
Law. [10]
OR
Q) How do Muslims use the Holy Quran in everyday living? [10]
A) The Holy Quran is the last book of Allah revealed to the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) through the Angel Jibrael (A.S) within the period of 23 years, from
610 C.E to 632 C.E, as a direct message of Allah to mankind. It is the direct
word of God revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in Makkah and
Madinah. It is the last Divine Book and without doubt a word of Allah. The
Holy Quran contains the most comprehensive divine instructions for the
entire mankind which will constantly guide them till the Day of Judgement.
It is a miraculous and a matchless book; nothing like it can ever be produced.
The Qur’an is the primary, original and fundamental source of law in a
Muslim society from which all principles, ordinances and injunctions of
Islam are drawn.

It provides the knowledge of right and wrong and teaches man his
relationship with his lord as well as his duties and responsibilities as a ruler
and as a subject. Its basic purpose is to reform humanity and is a medium
through which we get the shariah laws. Its commandments deal with the
articles of faith and pillars of Islam, and provides a complete code of life and
guides us by giving us social, economic, political and moral teachings.
Anything against the Quran from any of the sources of legal thinking will be
rejected. All the other sources must be in confirmation with the Quran.

Its commandments include the private as well as the public laws. Such as in
commercial dealings, Surah Al-Baqarah states: “Allah permits trade and
forbids interest”. This verse teaches us that interest based business is unlawful
in Islam. Surah Al-Isra states: “Give full measure when you measure, and
weigh with a balance that is straight”. It shows that cheating in business
dealings is strongly prohibited. The Holy Quran guides the Muslims in their
social life as well, as Surah An-Nisa states: “Those who unjustly eat up the
property of an orphan eat up fire into their own bodies”. This shows that the
Quran protects the rights of every individual in society, including orphans.

In the matters of inheritance, it gives clear rules as Surah An-Nisa states:

“The share of male shall be twice to that of female”. The Holy Quran also
deals with the judicial laws and prescribes punishments for various crimes
such as the punishment of theft is that the hands are to be chopped off.
Surah Al-Ma’idah states: “As for the thief, whether man or woman, cut off
their hands”. It shows that for the evil doers there is a severe punishment in
Islam.

The Holy Quran gives clear teachings to establish family relations on strong
footings and tell the rights and duties of every family member. As for the
rights of parents Surah Al-Isra states: “Worship none but Allah, treat with
kindness your parents”. This verse teaches us that after the obligatory duties
lay the rights of the parents. It gives clear guidance about the relationship of
the Muslim states and other states in the times of wars. Peace and the asylum
seekers. Surah Al-Anfal states: “O’Prophet (PBUH), if the enemies incline to
peace you should also incline to it and put your trust in Allah”.

The treaties and contracts with other states must be fulfilled in all
circumstances. Surah Al-Ma’idah states: “O’ believers fulfill your
undertakings”. This shows that the Holy Quran gives sufficient guidance to
maintain relations with other states. It also enjoins to judge between people
justly as Surah Al-Ma’idah states: “Judge between people justly”. From these
examples we understand that the Holy Quran guides us in our every-day life
and promises great rewards for those who obey while also warning of the
severe punishments to those who disobey. It is the most preserved book and
is in the same, original form as it was revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
because Allah Himself has taken the responsibility to protect it from
corruption.

The laws in the Qur’an are given by the Creator who has perfect knowledge
about the exact nature of human life, human societies and man’s psychology.
That’s why these laws are accurate, comprehensive, and the universal code of
conduct for humanity. In any human society certain unchangeable laws are
necessary so that the powerful and influential classes of society may not
change the laws for their own interest.

Q) “Memorizing the Qu’ran is no longer important because the Qur’an is

preserved as a book.” Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this
statement, giving reasons for your answer. [4]
A) I strongly disagree with this statement, the printed Quran is used for
reference at any time. It is memorized by a large number of Muslims to be
recited every time in their lives especially to be recited in the month of
Ramadan. It is Muslim’s traditional way to memorize the Quran as Hazrat
Umar (R.A) made it compulsory to recite it by heart in Taraweeh prayers in
the month of Ramadan. Those who recite the Quran in this month are
highly rewarded. It was also Hazrat Umar (R.A) who advised Hazrat Abu
Bakr (R.A) to compile the Holy Quran for the future generation to
memorize it. It is necessary to memorize the Quran and its Surahs to recite in
daily prayers because a prayer is not complete without it as the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) said “Prayer is incomplete without Fatiha”. Reciting the Quran
from memory is the best way to remember Allah and ensures less chances of
sins or bad deeds.

Q) The Qur’an has been preserved in writing for over 1400 years. Give an
account of the way in which it was compiled in the written format and how
it was standardized. [10]
OR
Q) Write an account of the compilation and standardization of the Holy
Qur’an. [10]
A) The Holy Quran was gradually and slowly revealed within the period of
23 years in intervals. This was done so when the verses were revealed, the
Holy Prophet (PBUH) could teach his companions to memorize them and
asked them to write them on the tablets of stones, leaves of trees, bones of
camels and on the leather. Then he used to check the written material to
avoid mistakes. In this way, the whole of Holy Quran was memorized and
brought in a written form. Surah Abasa states: “It is written by the hands of
the pious and honorable”. The arrangement of the verses and surahs was
done by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself with the help of Angel Jibrael
(R.A). The Angel came to tell the Holy Prophet (PBUH) many times to tell
the exact place of a verse. In every Ramadan, Angel Jibrael (R.A) came to the
Holy Prophet (PBUH) and recited the Holy Quran once and in the Prophet
(PBUH)’s last Ramadan, he recited it twice. Similarly, the whole of the Holy
Quran was memorized by most of his companions and preserved by them,
but it was in scattered forms and not in one book. Therefore, before the
death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the verses of the Holy Quran were
properly arranged in the correct form and order with the right chapters but
not compiled into one book.

During the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A), Muslims fought in
the battle of Yamama against a false prophet, Musailma, in which about 70
Huffaz (those who had memorized the Qur’an) were martyred. After the
battle, Hazrat Umar (R.A) suggested to the caliph to preserve the Quran by
compiling it into one book. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) at first hesitated and
said: “I will not do the job left undone by the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”. After
realizing that the Holy Quran may not be available to the future generation
and it was a necessity of time to compile it, he gave the honorable job to
Hazrat Zaid Bin Thabit (R.A), the principal scribe, along with others. It was
such an honorable and responsible job that Hazrat Zaid (R.A) states: “By
God, if the Caliph had asked me to move the mountain from its place, it
would have been far easier for me than the compilation of the Holy Quran”.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) announced that those companions who have the
written verses of the Quran must bring it to the office to compile it in one
book. All the companions took this job very seriously and submitted all that
they wrote in the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and was checked by
him. The entire Holy Quran was prepared by Hazrat Zaid Bin Thabit (R.A).
He used a very strict criterion to check the authenticity of the verses to avoid
any mistakes. This first and original copy was kept with the first caliph,
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), then handed over to Hazrat Umar (R.A), before
finally being transferred to Hazrat Hafsa (R.A) for safe custody and thus, it
came to be known as Mus’haf-e-Hafsa, Hazrat Hafsa (R.A)’s copy of the
Quran.

During the caliphate of Hazrat Umar (R.A), Islam expanded outside of

Arabia, to Syria and Iraq. So the non-Arab Muslims recited the Holy Quran
in a different dialect which changed the meanings of the verses. Hazrat Anas
Bin Malik (R.A) noticed this when he was visiting Syria and went to the
caliph, Hazrat Uthman (R.A), asking him to take immediate action and
remove the differences which may lead to dispute and disagreements among
Muslims. Therefore, Hazrat Uthman (R.A) became very concerned and took
immediate steps to remove this problem. Again, this responsibility was given
to Hazrat Zaid Bin Thabit (R.A) along with the committee of scribes to
standardize the Holy Quran. Surah Al-Muzzammil states: “And recite the
Quran as it is ought to be recited”.

The most authentic and only copy of the Quran was brought, which was
under the custody of Hazrat Hafsa (R.A). Many copies were prepared from
Mus’haf-e-Hafsa, which were dispatched to all the provinces of the Muslim
state. Hazrat Uthman (R.A) ordered all Muslims to recite the Holy Quran in
the dialect of Banu Hashim because the person to whom the Holy Quran
was revealed belonged to that tribe. This was a great service of Hazrat
Uthman (R.A) as caliph, that he brought the Muslims around to a uniform
recitation of the Holy Quran. Due to this, he was known as Jami-ul-Quran.
Surah Al-Hijr states: “Verily, We have sent down the Quran to you and
assuredly, We will guard it from corruption”.

Q) Explain how Hazrat Zaid Bin Thabit (R.A) ensured the authenticity of
the verses of the Qur’an. [4]
A) During the compilation of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Zaid (R.A) used a
very strict criterion to check the authenticity of the verses. He stated “By
God, if the Caliph had asked me to move the mountain from its place, it
would have been far easier for me than the compilation of the Holy Quran”.
He applied the following criteria: (1) He used to check the verses he had been
given with his own memory because he was also a strong Hafiz of the Quran.
Then he used to check with his writing because he had the whole Quran
written with him. After that, the verse was given to all the scribes who were
strong Hafiz for verification. (2) It was given to the caliph for verification as
he was also a Hafiz. Then the presenter of the verse was asked to bring two
witnesses, those who had seen him writing in the presence of the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) and checked by him. (3) Lastly, he was asked to take an
oath that he had written it in the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and
that he had checked it.
Then the verse was accepted and written in a copy. This criterion was applied
so that there should not be any mistake and nothing should be added in the
Holy Quran because many hypocrites wanted their man-made verses to be
included in it.

Q) The Qur’an was revealed in parts over a number of years. Why was this
important? [4]
A) The Holy Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years. Not all at once
like other revelations because of a number of reasons. It was revealed in
portions so that it could be easily memorized by companions and preserved
by them. Allah cared for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and believers by
revealing it in parts so that it could be easily acted upon and teachings could
be followed and its meanings would be pondered over.
If it was revealed as a whole to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), it would have been
too heavy for him to carry the burden of the revelations. Surah Al-Hashr
states: “Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have
certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in fear of Allah”. Verses were
revealed according to the need of time and different situations as Muslims
and non-Muslims asked questions so verses were revealed to answer their
questions. For example the Qureish once asked about the attributes of Allah,
and so Surah Ikhlas was revealed. Sometimes revelations came to strengthen
the hearts of believers as stated in Surah Al-Furqan: “And those who
disbelieve say ‘why was the Quran not revealed to him all at once?’ Thus it is
that We may strengthen your hearts”.

Q) Write an account of the ways in which the Qur’an was revealed to the
Holy Prophet (PBUH) between the years 610 and 632 A.D. [10]
A) The Holy Quran started revealing from the cave of Hira in Makkah where
Angel Jibrael (A.S) visited the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in 610 A.D. He came
with the first five verses of the Holy Quran (Surah Al-Alaq) which marked
the beginning of Prophethood. This happened while the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) was meditating in the cave and Angel Jibrael (A.S) appeared in front
of him. He asked him to read but he said that he cannot read, so the angel
squeezed him tightly and again, asked him to read. He again said that he
cannot read and the angel squeezed him again and asked him to read. Afraid
of being squeezed for a third time, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) read : “Read
with the name of your Lord Who created. Created man out of the clot of
congealed blood. Read and your Lord is most bountiful. He Who taught by
the pen. Taught man which he knew not”. These five verses were revealed,
after which the angel disappeared while informing hiM “I am the Angel
Jibrael and you are the Holy Prophet of Allah”. The Holy Prophet (PBUH)
started to tremble because of this strange and unusual experience. He was
comforted and consoled by Hazrat Khadija (R.A) and his prophethood was
confirmed by Warqa Bin Naufil (R.A).

The mode of revelation was different at times. The Angel Jibrael (R.A)
mostly visited the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in human form, in the shape of his
companion, Hazrat Dehya Kalbi (R.A) to bring the revelations to him. The
Angel only visited the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his original form twice. He
used to bring the revelation all of a sudden without informing the Holy
Prophet (PBUH). Whenever the Angel visited him, different signs started
appearing on his body, like his face turned red and sweat started dripping
down his face in the severe cold winters. Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) narrated that
the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s beard became wet with sweat when the
revelation came. The burden of the revelation was so heavy that a companion
narrated once that his leg was beneath the leg of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
and when the revelation came, the Prophet (PBUH)’s weight got so heavy
that he thought his leg would break into pieces.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) could hear the Divine commandments through
inspiration or in dreams or through ringing of bells or by sending the
messenger Angel Jibrael (R.A). The Holy Quran states in Surah Ash-Shuraa:
“It is not fitting for a man that Allah should speak to him except by
inspiration, or from behind a veil or by sending the messenger to reveal with
Allah’s command what He wills”. In the early periods of Islam, the
revelations sometimes came to give relaxation to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Sometimes, the revelation used to come whenever any question was raised to
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) so Allah would answer it by revealing a verse. For
example, the Quraish once asked him a question about Allah’s attributes, and
so Surah Ikhlas was revealed.

The Surahs were mainly revealed at two different places, Makkah and
Madinah. The Surahs that were revealed at Makkah before the migration are
known as Makki Surahs and the Surahs that were revealed in Madinah after
the migration are known as Madani Surahs. There are 86 Makki and 28
Madani Surahs. Makki Surahs mainly deal with beliefs like Belief in Oneness
of Allah, His attributes, rewards and punishments. Madani Surahs deal with
social, economic and political laws. Main principles of Islam were made
obligatory in Madinah. Surah Nasr was the last revealed Surah and the last
revelation sent to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the plain of Arafat. It
completed the revelations as it stated: “This day, I have perfected your
religion for you, completed my favors upon you and have chosen Islam as
your religion”. This verse marks the end of revelation and the completion of
Quran and Islam.