What is Quran? Allah describes the Quran in the holy Quran

The best answer to the question “What is Quran” is provided by Allah – the Lord and Rabb of everything that is ever created and exists. The following are some of the descriptions about Quran within the Quran asserting its authority as a divine book revealed for the entire humanity at large.

Quran is undoubtedly the word of Allah (God)

Quran is a book that is the word of Allah (God) and there is no doubt about its divinity. The claim is made by no one but Allah Himself.

This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)).

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 2)

Allah makes it clear in the Quran that it could not have been revealed by anyone other than Him. He says:

And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it [i.e. the Taurat (Torah), and the Injeel (Gospel)], and a full explanation of the book (i.e. laws, decreed for mankind) – wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).

Quran (Surah Younus, Verse 37)

Quran is the book of Truth

Since time immemorial people have been arguing about “truth” and the criteria to determine the “truth”. Allah makes it clear in the Quran about “ultimate truth.” No book on entity has made such a universal claim with such an authority. The Quran is the Book of Allah with a message of truth for all of mankind:

“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad (S)) the Book (this Quran) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his own self, and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad (S)) are not a Wakeel (trustee or disposer of affairs, or keeper) over them.”

Quran (Surah Al-Zumar, Verse 41)

Allah also says:

These are the Verses of the Book (the Quran), and that which has been revealed unto you (Muhammad (S)) from your Lord is the truth, but most men believe not.

Quran (Surah Ar-Raad, Verse 1)

Quran is a book that discusses mankind (and their guidance)

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)

Allah also says:

And indeed We have fully explained to mankind, in this Quran, every kind of similitude, but most mankind refuse (the truth and accept nothing) but disbelief.

[Surah Al-Isra, 17:89]

Quran brings ones life out of darkness into light

“It is He Who sends down manifest Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may bring you out from darkness into light

Quran (Surah al-Hadeed, Verse 9)

Belief in the Quran is part of being righteous and pious

Allah tells us in the Quran the various criteria of being righteous and pious, one of which is the faith in this book (Quran).

It is no virtue that you turn your faces towards the east or the west, but virtue is that one should sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets and, out of His love, spend of one’s choice wealth for relatives and orphans, for the needy and the wayfarer, for beggars and for the ransom of slaves, and establish the Salat and pay the Zakat. And the virtuous are those who keep their pledges when they make them and show fortitude in hardships and adversity and in the struggle between the Truth and falsehood; such are the truthful people and such are the pious.

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 177)

Quran was revealed to be recited for its followers

As the Quranic verse below indicates, Allah has asked Quran’s followers to give it’s right of recitation (to be followed). He says in the Quran:

Those (who embraced Islam from Bani Israel) to whom We gave the book [the Taurat (Torah)] [or those (Muhammad’s companions) to whom We have given the book (the Quran)] recite it (i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e. followed), they are the ones who believe therein. And whoso disbelieve in it (the Quran), those are they who are the losers. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi). 

Quran (Surah A-Baqarah, Verse 121)

Quran is Allah’s words that was brought by Angel Jibraeel to Prophet Muhammad (s)

Allah provides the answer about how Quran was brought to the prophet (s).

“And verily, you (O Muhammad (S)) are receiving the Quran from the One, All-Wise, All-Knowing”

Qraun (Surah An-Naml, Verse 6)

Quran is Allah’s word that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in stages

When Quran was being revealed to the prophet (s), the disbelievers of his time asked as to why the entire book was not revealed all at once. To this Allah responded in the Quran:

“And those who disbelieve say: Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages”

Quran (Surah Al-Furqan Verse 32)

Nothing like Quran can be written or produced

In the Quran, Allah has challenged mankind and the jinn to produce something like it, even one surah or one aayah (verse), but they could not do that and will never be able to do that, as Allah says:

Say: “If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.”

Quran (Surah Al-Isra, Verse 88)

Allah also says in the Quran:

“And if you (Arab Pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that, which We have sent down (i.e. the Quran) to Our slave (Muhammad (S)), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.”

Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 23)

Quran is a divine revelation that should be treated as such

Allah emphasizes the greatness of the Quran by providing an example in the following verse:

“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables, which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.”

[Surah Al-Hashr, 58:21]

Quran is Allah’s (God’s) final revelation to mankind that has remain unchanged since its revelation

Quran is not only Allah’s final word but Allah Himself has taken the pledge to safeguard it from any corruption. As a result, we see that Quran today is in the same form as it was revealed by Allah on Prophet Muhammad (S). All other revealed books except the Quran have been changed and distorted over time. The Quran is and will remain, intact in its original form till the Day of Judgment. Allah has sent down Quran to mankind and has guaranteed to preserve it, taking upon Himself the responsibility of preserving it till the last day. Allah says:

“It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).”

Quran (Surah Al-Hijr, Verse 9)

Quran provides a complete code of living life and guidance for preparing for the hereafter

Quran is a blessing for mankind to be able to live peaceful lives on this earth and has guidance to help mankind prepare for the hereafter as well. Allah says:

“… And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran), as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).”

Quran (Surah An-Nahl, Verse 89)

Quran is a book of healing

Quran is a means of both physical and spiritual healing. Allah says in the Quran:

“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Quran, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences, etc.) in your breasts, – a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things, etc.) for the believers.”

Quran (Surah Younus, 57)

Allah also says:

And We sent down in the Quran such things that have healing and mercy for the believers

Quran (Surah Al-Isra, Verse 82)

Quran’s message has no crookedness or contradictions

Allah says in the Quran:

Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction.

Quran (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 82)

He also says:

“All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad SAW) the Book (the Quran), and has not placed therein any crookedness.”

Quran (Surah Al-Kahf, Verse 1)

And Allah knows best....