Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Allah the Exalted has mentioned many attributes to His book within the book itself, and each of those attributes tells us something unique about the Quran, helping us know it better. The more you know about a person’s attributes, the better you know them and the more your love for them increases. Is the Quran any different? Quran will come to you in the guise of a person and will intercede on behalf of you on the Day of Judgment.

The Qur’aan will meet its companion on the Day of Resurrection when his grave is opened for him, in the form of a pale man. It will say to him, ‘Do you recognize me?’ He will say: ‘I do not recognize you.’ It will say: ‘I am your companion the Qur’aan, who kept you thirsty on hot days and kept you awake at night. Every merchant benefits from his business and today you will benefit from your good deeds.’ He will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, and there will be placed on his head a crown of dignity, and his parents will be clothed with priceless garments the like of which have never been seen in this world. They will say: ‘Why have we been clothed with this?’ It will be said: ‘Because your son used to recite Qur’aan.’ Then it will be said to him: ‘Recite and ascend in the degrees of Paradise,’ and he will continue to ascend so long as he recites, either at a fast pace or a slow pace. [Ahmad]

The fast and the Qur’an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: ‘O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.’ And their intercession will be accepted. [Ahmad]

Let us therefore know a bit more about our companion the Quran by studying its attributes.

1. Quran

إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا

Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. [17:9]

The word quran comes from the root letters قرأ, meaning to recite or to read. The word is in the hyperbolic form, meaning that it is something which is read much much much often. In fact it is the most often recited book in the world, with millions of people having memorized it by heart from cover to cover.It is read in masajid all over the world, especially in Ramadan when in almost every mosque it is read from cover to cover during tarawih once or twice or even more. That is why it is called the Quran.

2. Huda

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah. [2:2]

Quran is called huda, because it guides true people who are in search of Allah towards the right direction. You will hear stories of people becoming Muslims just by reading the Quran, and even that in English translation. Even when Muslims are confused or losing taqwa, we can gain it back just by reading the Quran, if Allah wills. We recite in salah everyday, ‘Guide us to the straight path.’ The answer to that dua is the rest of the Quran.

3. Arabiy

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand. [12:2]

The Quran is the Book that was sent to the Prophet (saws) through Jibreel (as) by Allah, and that was in Arabic. That is the only Quran, and what we read in English or any other language are just translations of the meanings of the Quran. That is why it is so important to learn Arabic in order to understand the Quran in its own language.

4. Adheem

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ

And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an. [15:87]

Allah the Exalted calls the Quran adheem – great, magnificent, grandiose. It is the paper book we have that is so grandiose that we showcase it on tops of our shelves? No, the thing which Allah called magnificent is the verbal Quran that was given to the Prophet. How do we honour this magnificent gift from Allah? By reading it.

5. Balaagh

هَٰذَا بَلَاغٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنذَرُوا بِهِ وَلِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

This [Qur’an] is notification for the people that they may be warned thereby and that they may know that He is but one God and that those of understanding will be reminded. [14:52]

Balaagh is a clear message. Allah said here that the Quran is a message for all people. This is the last ayah of this surah, and Allah said in the first ayah of this surah:

Alif-Lam-Ra. (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light. [14:1]

6. Bayyinah

لَمْ يَكُنِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ مُنفَكِّينَ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَةُ

Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from misbelief] until there came to them clear evidence – [98:1]

Bayyinah is a crystal clear evidence after which no doubt at all remains of the truth. So whenever in doubt, all we need to do is look in the Quran. It is not just a message, it is evidence by itself.

7. Rahmah

إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَقُصُّ عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَكْثَرَ الَّذِي هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ o وَإِنَّهُ لَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ .

Indeed, this Qur’an relates to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree. And indeed, it is guidance and mercy for the believers. [27:76-77]

The Quran is a mercy on us. It is our guide towards everything that is good in this world and the Hereafter. No matter how much we chase worldly desires and worldly success, nothing gives us true inner peace except remembrance of Allah, and Quran itself is called dhikr by Allah, as we shall see later in sha Allah.

8. Bushra

قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Say, “Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is [none but] he who has brought the Qur’an down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah , confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers.” [2:97]

The Quran is glad tidings, for whom? Only for the true believers. In it you will find the descriptions of Paradise, and the promise of good things from Allah if you truly believe.

9. Nadheer

كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ o بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ

A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’an for a people who know, As a giver of good tidings and a warner; but most of them turn away, so they do not hear. [41:3-4]

The Quran warns us about the consequences of disobeying our Master. It gives us descriptions of punishments which may befall sinners, in order to warn us not to be among them. This warning in itself is a mercy from Allah, giving us the opportunity to get our acts together.

10. Ajab

قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا o يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ ۖ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا.

Say, [O Muhammad saws], “It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, ‘Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’an.It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone. …[72:1-2]

This ayah has an interesting story attached to it. The devils used to eavesdrop at the heavens in order to listen to the conversations of the angels. One day, when they went to do this, fireballs were thrown at them and they returned. They travelled all around the world in order to find out what had caused this to happen. Some of them came across the Prophet (saws) while he was praying Fajr prayer with his companions. When they listened to the Quran being recited, they were amazed by it. They realized that this was what had intervened when they went eavesdropping in the heavens. They returned to their people and said the word in the ayahs above, which were then revealed by Allah to the Prophet, and the surah in which they appear is called surat al Jinn.

How do we get to taste this wonder and amazement which the Jinns tasted? By learning Arabic.

11. Dhikr

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian. [15:9]

Dhikr means remembrance. Quran itself is a dhikr, a means of remembrance of Allah.

12. Furqan

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا

Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner [25:1]

Furqan is the ultimate distinguisher between right and wrong, between truth and falsehood.

13. Hadith

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَّفْسَكَ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ إِن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا

Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow. [18:6]

Hadith is a story, conversation or speech. It is a speech that is so profound that everytime you hear it, it feels like you’re hearing it for the first time.

14. Shifa

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا

And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss. [17:82]

Quran is a healing for the body, heart and soul. It is used for ruqyah over someone who is ill or afflicted with sorcery. Its recitation cleanses the heart and nourishes the soul.

15. Hakim

ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الْآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ

This is what We recite to you, [O Muhammad], of [Our] verses and the precise [and wise] message. [3:58]

The Quran is full of wisdom in every single one of its words and verses, and even in the arrangements of the words, verses and chapters. That is why there is no end to Quranic tafsir, and no one can really say that they have fully comprehended the complete message of the Quran. Its depth is like that of the oceans, the deeper you dive in, the more you feel its vastness.

16. Kalamullah

وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَبْلِغْهُ مَأْمَنَهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ

And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. [9:6]

Quran is the literal uncreated word of Allah. It is a special gift to the ummah of Rasulullah saws, and nothing similar to it was given to any other prophet.

17. Maw-idha

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. [10:57]

18. Mubin

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ ۚ قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ

O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. [5:15]

Its message is crystal clear for anyone who truly comes to it for guidance.

19. Rooh

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path – [42:52]

Quran is called the Ruh. The angel who brought the Quran, Jibreel (a.s.) is also called the Ruh. It is a spiritual inspiration that touches your soul, the ruh inside you, directly and nourishes it. That’s why its important to recite the Quran even if you don’t understand it.

      20. Tanzeel

تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ وَالسَّمَاوَاتِ الْعُلَى

A revelation from He who created the earth and highest heavens, [20:4]

Tanzeel is something that is sent down progressively over time.

وَقُرْآنًا فَرَقْنَاهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَاهُ تَنزِيلًا

And [it is] a Qur’an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively. [17:106]

The Quran was sent to the Prophet over his lifetime starting from the age of forty. The lesson for us in this is that we can’t learn the Quran in a day. It takes time and effort, and we must set our minds for that long journey towards understanding the Quran.

Tabassum Mosleh