Sciences of Quran – Introduction

1. Introduction to Sciences of Quran
The Sciences of the Quran in Arabic is called Uloom Al Quran. It deals with the knowledge of those sciences that have a direct bearing on the recitation, history, understanding and implementation of the Quran.

1.1. Benfits of Learning Sciences of Quran
• It enables us to better understand the Quran, in that we will be familiar with the history of its revelation and collection.
• One can better equipped to further increase knowledge and to learn more about religion.
• It will help us to defend the Quran against its critics but also against ignorance that exist in our society.
• Allah SWT says Quran to ponder to reflect upon the Quran:
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (38:29)

1.2. History of Sciences of Quran
• Started with Prophet Muhammed SAW when he explained the Quran including other important information and knowledge.
• This knowledge was preserved and transmitted through Sahabas orally and in some case written form.
• Knowledge was also preserved in Hadith books later on and continued with published work in books in different tract.
• Very first book written on this subject as whole was by Badruddin Al Zarkashi (794AH) Al Burhaan fi ulumul Quran.
• Another book by Jalaluddin Suyuti d.911 AH entitled al Itqaan fee uloom ul Quran are called standard work on sciences of Quran.
• Only book in english I found is from Ahmed Von Denffer book Uloom al Quran “An introduction of Sciences of Quran”.
• and recently published by “Introduction of Sciences of Quran” by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi.

1.3. Meaning of the word “Quran”
• Most popular opinion is held by at-Tabaree (d. 310 A.H.), is that the word Quran is derived from qara’a, which means, ‘to read, to recite.’ ‘Quran’ would then he the verbal noun (masdar) of qara’a, and thus translates as ‘The Recitation’ or ‘The Reading.
• Imam Shafie view was that it is proper noun and was not derived from any word and it’s just a name.
• Quran is from the root word qarana which means “to join, to associate” because its Ayas and Surahs are joined together.
• Quran comes from the word qaraa’in which means “to resemble, to be similar”, Hence Quran is composed of verse that aid one another in comprehension and Surahs that resemble each other in beauty and prose.
• Qar which means “to combine”. It combines the stories, commands and promises and punishments.

1.4. Definition of Quran (What is Quran)
It can be defined in following way:
• The Quran is the Arabic Speech (kalam) of Allah,
• which He revealed to Muhammad SAW in wording and meaning,
• and which has been preserved in the mus-hafs (written copy),
• and has reached us by mutawatir (see below) transmissions,
• and is a challenge to mankind to produce something similar to it.

Definition in Summary
The Quran is the Arabic Speech (kalam (speech)) of Allah,
• Many places Allah SWT said in Quran and one of them is Surah Yousuf 12:2 “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”
• Arabic as a language includes the words that may have origin in other language but these words are part of the Arabic language.
• And it is the speech of Allah SWT
• that He spoke in a manner that befits Him. This excludes all speech that emanated from men, jinn, and angels.
• The kalam (speech) of Allah is infinite, (31:27) and that brings us to the next part of definition.

Kalam (speech) which He revealed to Muhammad (SAW) in wording and meaning,
• this part of the definition limits the Quran to the kalam (speech) that Allah revealed to Muhammad SAW, and excludes any Speech that He spoke to other than the Prophet.
• Allah SWT says in Quran (26:192) “And truly, this Quran is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds; which the Trustworthy Spirit (Angel Jibrael) brought down; Upon your heart (O Muhammad) so that you may be among the warners”
• It also excludes the Hadith Qudsee. Hadeeth Qudsee is defined to be a hadeeth in which the Prophet SAW says, “Allah says…”, attributing the speech to Allah. We will discuss when we will go through Wahy (inspiration) in more detail.

and which has been preserved in the mus-hafs,
• These are the mushafs meaning written copy of Quran. Here it refers to specifically copies that Caliph Uthman ordered to be written and we will know more about it in later articles.

it has reached us by mutawaatir transmissions,
• A transmission is called mutawaatir when it is reported by a large number of people, such that they could not all be mistaken or intentionally forge a lie. The Quran has reached us through mutawaatir chains of narration. In other words, in each generation so many people narrated it that there is no question of its authenticity.

and is a challenge to mankind to produce something similar to it.
• Allah (SWT) has challenged mankind to produce even a chapter similar to it, and this challenge is
• reserved for the Quran, and not for the hadeeth.
• In Surah Al Isra 17:88 Aya Allah SWT challenges to mankind and jinns that “if all of mankind and jinn were to gather together to produce something similar to this Quran they would not be able to produce it even if they helped one another”

It should be mentioned that the word ‘Quran’ can be used for the whole Quran and for a part of the Quran. Thus, if someone has recited a few verses from the Quran, or has completed the recitation of the whole Quran, it is possible to say in either case, “You have recited the Quran.”

1.5. Names of the Quran
Quran is called with different names in Quran. Except Al Quran all other names are, actually attributes (or qualities) and reflect one of the various aspects of the Quran.

Quran in Quran has been mentioned 73 times.
Kitab (Book) this name has been mentioned 77 times. Quran starts will alif lam mim zalikal kitab.

Al furqan (4 times) | Criterion by which right and wrong can be judged
Al dhikr (55 times) | Reminder (rememberance) | 15:91
Al tanzil with derivatives(140) | Revelation | 26:192
Al majeed |Glorious | 50:1
Al kareem |Honoured | 80:13
Al hakeem | Full of wisdom | 31:2
Al kitab | The book, scripture | 2:2, 21:10
Al kitab mubeen | Clear, (perspicuous) book | 5:15
Al kitab mubaraka | A book full of blessings | 6:155
Al qaul faisal | That which distinguishes good from evil | 86:13

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* Coming Up as we will progress each week…. In sha Allah…