By Imam Syed Anisul Haque | 15 Mar 2024

The holy month of Ramadan is upon us, and as Muslims from all corners of the globe gather to observe this blessed time, we are reminded of the greatest gift bestowed upon humanity – the Qur’an. In my Friday sermon, I spoke about the miraculous nature of the book of Allah and how it continues to captivate the hearts and minds of people, including those that may not understand it’s meaning.

The Qur’an is not merely a book of guidance; it is an everlasting miracle (Mujiza). Its recitation alone has the power to move people to tears and inspire them to embrace Islam. In my sermon, I mentioned the numerous instances where non-Muslims have been deeply affected by the melodious recitation of the Qur’an, despite not comprehending the word of Allah. This is a testament to the Qur’an’s unique rhythm and style, which cannot be found in any other form of speech or poetry.

The miraculous nature of the Qur’an extends beyond its recitation. Allah challenges mankind in the Qur’an itself: 

Then bring forth a surah like it and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allah, if you should be truthful.

{Surah Yunus 10:38}

This challenge has stood unmet for over 1400 years, and no one has been able to produce even a single verse that can match the eloquence and profundity of the Qur’an. 

As the renowned 14^th century scholar, Ibn Taymiyyah, stated, “Indeed the rhythm and style of the Qur’an is astonishing. It is not from the essence of your ordinary known speech. And no one has even come with even a similar style to the style of the Qur’an.” The Qur’an’s uniqueness is a testament to its divine origin, as Allah reminds us:

Say: ‘If the mankind and the Jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.’

{Surah Al-Isra, 17:88}

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) himself acknowledged the Qur’an as his greatest miracle, as narrated in a Hadeeth: “Every Prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection.” This hadeeth emphasises the timeless nature of the Qur’an and its ability to guide people until the end of time.

Another astounding aspect of the Qur’an’s miraculous nature is its divine preservation. As Allah states in the Qur’an:

It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.

{Surah Al-Hijr 15:9}

The verses we recite today are the same verses that were recited by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 1400 years ago. They were then passed down from the companions to the followers, and from the followers to the succeeding generations, until they reached us in their pristine form. Not a single letter or vowel has been altered throughout this vast span of time.

The Qur’an’s preservation is so complete that even if all the physical copies were to be destroyed, a young child who has memorised the Qur’an could sit and rewrite the entire book with Allah’s permission. This is a testament to the truth of Allah’s promise in the Qur’an: 

No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.

{Surah Fussilat 41:42}

The Qur’an’s miraculous nature should inspire us to strengthen our relationship with the word of Allah. It is our guiding light in the darkness of life, a source of comfort, and a solution to all our problems. Moreover, the Qur’an is the key to unity and community spirit. As Allah commands us in the Qur’an:

And hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

{Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:103}

The “rope”, Al-Habl, as many scholars have stated, is the Qur’an itself.

The reference to Al-Habl being the Qur’an is mentioned in several narrations. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasised the importance of holding fast to the Qur’an, as narrated by Abu Shurayh al-Khuza’i: “Verily, this Qur’an is a rope. One end is in the Hand of Allah and the other end is in your hands. Hold fast to it, for you will never be led astray or ruined ever again.” In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ described the Qur’an as a stretched rope between the sky and the earth.

As we immerse ourselves in the recitation and contemplation of the Qur’an during this blessed month of Ramadan, let us strive to unite upon its teachings and hold fast to its guidance. May Allah make the Qur’an a witness for us on the Day of Judgement and reward us for every letter we recite. Ameen.

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