The true miracle of the Quran
It would be a grave mistake to reduce and constrain the criterion of measuring success and
development in societies to the material aspect only. Because in this case, the utmost achievement is
in comfort and luxury in this life and this is not what Allah created the human form. We can see that
clearly when we contemplate the Islamic literature of the “signs of faith”.So materialistic
development without taking the achievement of the ultimate goal of man’s creation.
into consideration is not only worthless, but it also contributes to man’s sense of arrogance and
tyranny.
The Quran
is an extremely powerful book that came to eradicate false beliefs and reform the hearts of men. So
when the Jinn heard the miracle of the Quran recited, without any delay, their hearts were
transformed: “A group of Jinn listened to this Quran. They said: Verily! We have heard a wonderful
Recital.” “It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with
our Lord anyone.” Al-Jinn: 1-2
The Miracle
which is the miracle of the Quran has been preserved by all Muslim generations. It became the
legislation and lifestyle the Ummah lived by; reciting it, memorizing it, and studying it. One of the
biggest relationships that a believer can have with the miracle of the Quran is to ponder upon its
words and meanings. This is the command from the One who revealed it and the key to truly
benefiting from it: “[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that
they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” Sād: 29
In fact, the greatest form of regret and blame is attached to those who do not fit the above
description: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?”
Muhammad: 24
This objective
cannot be truly fulfilled unless the reader of the Quran is aware of the deeper meanings of it, the
themes and objectives of the Surahs, and the wisdom found within them. For this reason, the
scholars both past and present possessed a stimulus in understanding in a deeper manner and gave
importance to documenting them within their works.
The true miracle of the Quran can be excavated when one realizes that its miraculous nature is
combined in all of the disciplines of the Shari’ah. The deeper meanings are intertwined within the
religion as a whole. So it may appear that the meaning of a particular Ayah or Surah is clear to the
reader, however, the Quran is something which cannot be reproduced by man, therefore, what may
appear to be plain and simple is actually something which is refined in wisdom and unlimited in
knowledge. For this reason, the earliest disbelievers in it described it as enchanting witchcraft.
Ibn ‘Atiyyah said in the introduction of his Tafsir (1/278):
Allah is All-Encompassing in His Knowledge and the Quran consists of His words. If one realizes
this, then they will be quick to realize that the particular wording used in the Quran and the
arrangement given to it cannot be matched. If someone tried to replace the vocabulary or rearrange
the sentences its meaning and effects would be lost. Its fluency would be lost, its connection
disjointed and man would remain in ignorance and lack any memorization in it. Man is not all-
encompassing in his knowledge, and that is why the Quran set down the framework for human life
to live by.
The Interpretation of the Quran
To understand the clearer and the hidden meanings found in the Quran, the scholars of tafsir have
given the topic of theming and discussing the arrangement of the Surahs a great deal of importance.
From them, Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi was a pioneer in this, of which he said in his tafsir, “the
greatest delicacies of the Quran are in understanding its order and connection with one another”.
Others stand that the best way of understanding speech is to understand how it links so that the
paragraphs and chapters are not interrupted and its flow disturbed.”
There are two approaches to dealing with the Quran
The first approach:
Is based on interest in understanding and action.
The second approach:
It is based on attention to memorization and repetition, even if it is without action, or even without
understanding!
There is no doubt that the pious believers follow the first approach;
they have nothing to do with those who recite the Quran and do not understand it, and therefore
they are not affected by it, those whom God Almighty has censured of all kinds. Allah says:
“So what is [the matter] with those people that they can hardly understand any statement?” An-
Nisā’: 78
Then do they not reflect upon the Qurān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? Muhammad: 24
And whenever a sūrah is revealed, there are among them [i.e., the hypocrites]
those who say, “Which of you has this increased in faith?” As for those who believed, it has increased
them in faith, while they are rejoicing. At-Tawbah: 124
The impact of the Qur’an on the Prophet – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him –
His crying – may God’s prayers and peace be upon him – upon hearing the Qur’an, and his being
affected by its meanings;
• Narrated `Abdullah bin Mas`ud:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me,
“Recite (the Qur’an) to me.
” I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) Shall I recite (the Qur’an) to you while it has been revealed to
you?” He said, “Yes.” So I recited Surat-An-Nisa’ (The Women),
but when I recited the Verse: ‘How (will it be) then when We bring from each nation a witness and
We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people.’ (4.41) He said, “Enough for the
present,” I looked at him, and behold! His eyes were overflowing with tears
The interaction of the Prophet – عليه الصلاة والسلام – with the Qur’an
• Hudhaifah (رضي الله عنه) reported:
I offered Salat (Tahajjud – optional night prayer) with the Prophet (ﷺ) one night, and he started
reciting (Surat) Al-Baqarah …. And when he recited the Verses which referred to the Glory of Allah,
he glorified Him
(by saying Subhan Allah – My Rubb,
the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection),
the Great, and when he recited the Verses that mention supplication,
he supplicated, and when he recited the Verses that mention seeking Refuge of the Rubb, he sought
(His) Refuge.
Then he bowed and said:
“My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim);” his
bowing lasted about the same length of time as his standing
(and then on returning to the standing posture after Ruku’)
he said:
“Allah listened to him who praised Him (Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd).”