WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE WORD QURAN?

The meaning of the Word Quran refers to the holy book of the Islamic religion. It is the religious
text of Islam. Al Quran is the word of God dictated to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel. Quran
isn’t an English word but an Arabic one. The root word for “Quran” is Iqr’a (read, in the Arabic
language). Quran is literally meaning recitation. The word meaning of the Quran also includes
reading with understanding and learning.
What is the importance of tajweed in islam
Tajweed is so important because correct pronunciation of the language of the Quran will reach the
hearts of those who listen to it. That is why you must read with care, to absorb the meaning of the
verses and to understand how to apply the laws and directives to your life. Tajweed is critical
because without it, readers may change the meaning of the text without realizing they’ve done so.
If you want to learn the Tajweed rules, you must understand that Tajweed includes two parts: the
scientific and the practical. The scientific is part of a collective duty that requires at least some
Muslims to know specific Tajweed rules so they can share them with others. The practical includes
the phonetic rules of reading and reciting the Quran so it is communicated properly and interpreted
accurately.
What are the characteristics of makki and madni surah in details
1. The Makkan Surahs are usually shorter and deal mainly with affirming the Oneness of Allah
aka Tawheed. These ayat have a powerful style that addresses the reader strongly and instils faith
and hope for those who believe. They also focused on beautifying the character of the believer.
Ex: Surah al-Qamar. The Madani Surahs are generally longer and deal mainly with action or the
implementation of Shariah laws. The ayat are are mostly gentle in their style of addressing the
reader. Ex: Surah al-Ma'idah.
2. The Makkan Surahs have words that are at times seen to be unique because of their poetic
structure. This is because the people being addressed were those proficient in the Arabic language
and poetry. This is something the Makkans used to highly pride themselves in. People used to
come from around Arabia to compete during Hajj in poetry sessions etc. There is a heavy focus on
smilies, metaphorical constructions, imagery, and much more in Makki surahs. When the Quran
was read to them, the people were awed as it was nothing similar to what they had heard. This is
why we see some even went ahead and called it magic or enchanting speech. Madani Surahs on
the other hand are quite clear and easy to understand. The Madani ayat touches the heart and leaves
a deep impact. The people of Madinah also had Jews living among them who were being addressed
and the level of Arabic proficiency here was not as high. The majesty of the Quran's eloquence is
seen here as to how it changes its structure and tone based on who is being addressed and what is
the best way to do so.
3. Makkan Surahs are generally pertaining to Prophetic stories, while the Madani Surahs deal with
the realisation and fulfilment of prophecies and promises.
4. Makkan Surahs emphasize on Banu Adam’s relationship with Allah. It also focuses on
establishing the Message and speaking about resurrection and the Day of Judgment. The Madani
Surahs emphasize on Banu Adam’s relationship with fellow man and lay down rules and
regulations for social and moral conduct. Legal laws like those of marriage, divorce, inheritance,
transactions, and guidance on governance etc among other matters were revealed in Madani surahs.

Madni Surahs
1. Every Surah in which the word ‫( كٓلآ‬never) appears is Makki. This word has been used 33 times
in 15 Surahs and all these ayat are in the last half of the Quran.
2. Every Surah in which a sajdah appears is Makki. This is used as an evidence for considering
Surahs al-Hajj and ar-Ra'd as Makki surahs.
3. Every Surah except Surah al-Baqarah in which the story of Adam and Iblis is mentioned is
Makki.
4. Every Surah in which the permission of Jihad or a description of its injunctions have been given
is Madani.
5. Every Surah that begins by Allah swearing upon something is Makki. Ex: Surah ad-Duha.
6. All ayat which mention hypocrites is Madani.
7. In Makki Surahs, generally the form of address used is ‫( ياايآهاالناس‬O People) while in Madani
Surahs it is ‫( ياايآهاالذين آمنوا‬O Believers). Imam Ibn Juzayy says that ‫( ياايآهاالناس‬O People) can be used
for Madani surahs as well.
8. The ayat of Makki Surahs are generally short and brief whereas the Madani ayat are long and
detailed.
9. The Makki Surahs generally consist of subjects pertaining to Tawheed, Prophethood, the
Hereafter, and words of comfort for the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬by narrating incidents from the past. Madani
Surahs generally consist of family and social laws, injunctions of Jihad and details of legislations.
Q: How was the compilation of the Qur’an realized during the time of Caliph Abu Bakr?
Following the death of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, it was realized
that many of those who had died in military campaigns had been memorizers of the Qur’an, with
around 70 dying in the Battle of Yamama alone; Umar ibn al-Khattab suggested to Caliph Abu
Bakr that the entire Qur’an be compiled and written down. Abu Bakr entrusted this task to Zayd
ibn Thabit, who had worked as a scribe for Prophet Muhammad. Zayd ibn Thabit was a leading
scholar and memorizer of the Qur’an. After carrying out this task meticulously, Zayd ibn Thabit
prepared the official compilation of the Qur’an; however, he did not depend solely on his own
memory, but rather searched for written texts from two separate persons as two proofs of each
verse. Abu Bakr also openly demanded that every person in the city who had a portion of the
Qur’an that had been written down bring it to Zayd ibn Thabit. At the same time, Umar first
verified whether the Qur’anic portion in hands of the Companions had been written in the presence
of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and then checked that such a revelation
had been committed to memory by the Companions. Zayd ibn Thabit showed great care
and dedication in this sacred task, and required two independent witnesses before accepting that a
certain Qur’anic portion had been written in the presence of the Prophet. The main aim in this
undertaking was not only to confirm the Qur’anic portion with one that had been memorized but
also to ensure that it had been written in the Prophet’s presence.

In connection with this precision, utmost care and dedication, it is impossible not to see
the manifestations of Divine will and God’s help, as mentioned in the verse, “Indeed it is We, We
Who send down the Reminder, and it is indeed We Who are its Guardian” (Hijr 15:9).

The pages which were compiled during the time of Caliph Abu Bakr were known as a mushaf.
This word literally means a manuscript that is bound between two covers as a single volume. After
Abu Bakr, this mushaf was transferred to Caliph Umar and stayed with him during his lifetime;
later being transferred to his daughter Hafsa. As a matter of fact, this was not the first time the
Revelation had been recorded. Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon, had himself
done the same thing when he was alive. But, the difference between the two undertakings is that
during the Prophet’s lifetime the Revelation had been written on sheets of various materials,
whereas it was written and compiled between two covers during the period of Caliph Abu Bakr.