10 Virtues of the Qur’an that You Can’t Find in Any Other Book
Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? — Qur’an 47[Muhammad]:24
It’s still the month of the Qur’an — Ramadan, so let’s share some snippets about this holy book. Owing to its uniqueness, it is worthy of challenging anyone to bring forth a book comparable to it. If you find someone, I’d be willing to sit and analyze it with them. Otherwise, read through this piece and appreciate the beauty of this linguistic masterpiece. The objective of this essay isn’t to spark a debate rather it’s to enlighten the reader. The Qur’an is a book revealed by God through Angel Jibril to Muhammad for humanity. Unfortunately, many don’t read it or believe in it. This is a scripture originally transmitted in Arabic over 1400 years ago and preserved to date in its purest form. A scripture without a doubt that speaks for itself. Many of the proofs we’d reference in this article will come from the Qur’an — a talking book capable to defend itself.
I used to wonder how the scholars took pride in the Qur’an as the greatest miracle revealed to the noble Messenger Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The prophet had the moon split into two halves, water gushed forth through his palms, he cured the ill by Allah’s leave and fed multitudes from just a single meal. Yet none of these supersedes the miracle of this great book revealed to him. Do you know what’s more surprising? Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was unlettered, he never knew how to read nor write. This is an affirmation that none would have taught him the Qur’an save Omnipotent One. Let’s examine some traits that make this treatise expository literature:
- A book without a doubt: Honestly, no one questions the veracity of the Qur’an except the heedless. It takes more than logic and philosophy to be guided — meaning guidance only comes from Allah, the One True God. So if you find someone doubting the authenticity of the Qur’an, don’t waste your time arguing with them. Just make dua’ for such a person to taste the sweetness of eeman. This is because the Qur’an only guides those who are God-conscious.
This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [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)]. — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:2
2. Healing for the believers: There are several verses and chapters in the Qur’an that meet different purposes and needs. For instance, Al-Mahuzatayn (Suartul Falaq and Nas) alongside Ayatul Kursiyy serve as a source of protection for the believer. Mere listening to this eloquent revelation softens the heart and humbles the soul before its Creator.
O mankind! There has to come to you instruction from your Lord and a healing for what is in the breasts, and a guidance and mercy for the believers. — Qur’an10[Yunus]:57
3. Reminder for humanity: From time to time, God sends down prophets and messengers to the people with the same message of monotheism. From Noah, Abraham, Moses to Jesus the message was the same without contradiction. In fact, they were strengthened with revelations and miracles. However, after these men of God departed, people returned to misguidance and polytheism. The Qur’an contains several narratives of these instances reminding mankind of the errors of the earlier generations and repercussions of their actions. So no one will have an excuse on the last day, take heed today while you breathe.
Verily, this Quran is no less than a Reminder to (all) the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns). For whoever wills among you to take the right course. And you will not, unless (it be) that Allah wills, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). — Qur’an 81[At-Takwir]:27–29
4. No contradiction therein: This noble book is an eternal collection of words that challenges the intellectual ability of man until the end of time. We’ve seen “Holy Books” revised and manipulated to suit the whims of men. Never will that occur with the Qur’an, The Almighty Author posits thus:
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.” — Qur’an 17[Al-Isra’]:88
5. Preserved through the heavens: Besides the fact that the Qur’an is incorruptible, it also enjoys assurance of protection from its Originator. A revelation from God through the trustworthy Angel Jibril to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) preserved in lofty slates, high up in the heavens.
This is truly a noble Qur’an, in a protected record; that only the purified can touch, sent down from the Lord of all being. — Qur’an 56[Al-Waqiah]:77–80
6. Potency like no other: The uniqueness of the Qur’an has yet another dimension that people often overlook. There’s a feeling it generates in the hearts and transcends onto the soul. Besides this book, you’d rarely hear of any discourse, that provides such calmness, pleasure, and sweetness. I’ve even heard non-Muslims on several occasions saying they love the recital as it calms the soul. And most often, when people get to read and understand the meaning, they have no choice other than to submit to the will of God. This was evident from the life of many early Muslims: Umar ibn Khattab was a famous example.
7. The scribe of veracity: There are several verses in the Qur’an that attest to the perfection of creation, scientific discoveries, and even the physical universe as a whole. Here is one of such amazing verses which you may not find in any holy scripture:
And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators. Qur’an 23[Al-Mu’minoon]:12–14
Professor Emeritus Keith L. Moore is a prominent scientist in the fields of anatomy and embryology. In 1981, he made this famous speech:
“It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Qur’an about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God.”
8. Memorized by Millions: It marvels me how a book primarily committed to memory and documented on disjointed bones, leaves, and leathers over the span of 23 years, could survive. Little wonders because it enjoys a standing tradition of memorization by young and old. Many of the companions of the Prophet (May Allah be pleased with them all) memorized the Qur’an at old age. Today, there are thousands of kids who have committed it to memory at the age of 10. For over fourteen centuries, we’d have counted millions of huffaz.
9. The only publication you read and get rewarded: And this is the creme de la creme. One of the best things we love about the Qur’an is the fact that you get a reward for every alphabet you pronounce in it. I didn’t say every word or sentence, it’s every letter, one-by-one.
Narrated Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazi: “Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “Whoever recites a letter from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” — Tirmidhi
10. Inimitability: Professors, geniuses and the whole of humanity will continue to find it impossible to rival the inimitability of the Qur’an. Besides its preservation through the heavens, Allah assured that He will safeguard His Book from any corruption and misrepresentation.
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian. — Qur’an 15[Al-Hijr]:9
So that will be it for this piece, I hope you find it beneficial by Allah’s will. If you have any contribution, clarification, and addition, please feel free to leave a comment.
PS: Success comes only from Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by His Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. And don’t forget to follow the newsletter so as you don’t miss our next publication. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path.
Yaumul Jum’ah 15th Ramadan 1441 AH // Friday 8th May 2020.
