The Importance of Qur'an in our daily lives      

• What is the Qur'an?

It is beyond man's power to comprehend, or to describe, the greatness and importance of what the Qur'an holds for him. The Holy Qur'an remains the eternal miracle of our prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).

The Holy Qur'an was the evident miracle which sufficed all mankind as proof testifying to the truth of the message brought by Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) Every syllable in it is a miracle by itself: "Say: If men and jinns should join forces together in order to bring the like of this Qur'an, they will never be able to bring the like thereof, even if some of them were to aid the others." (17:88)

            Imam Jafer as Sadiq (A) has said, "The Qur'an is living, its message never dies. It turns like the turn of day and night, it is in motion like the sun and moon. It will embrace the last of us, the way it embraced the first of us."

The Book of Allah is like an ocean. The less learned, like children; collect pebbles and shells from its shores. The scholars and thinkers, like pearl divers, bring out from it the highest philosophy, wisdom and rules of a perfect way of living.

• Why is it so special ? How does it affect our life ?

The Holy Qur'an is a miracle in everything it contains. Each of its meanings is a miracle by itself. The number of times Qur'anic words are repeated throughout the Holy Qur'an is a miracle, too. These are merely just a few examples of these miracles:

1. The word "Iblis," the one Allah condemned, is repeated in the text of the Holy Qur'an eleven times; reference to seeking refuge with Allah against him is also repeated eleven times.

2. The word "dunya," the life in this world, is repeated 115 times, while the word "akhira," the life hereafter, is repeated also 115 times.

3. The year is comprised of 365 days; therefore, the word "yawm," day, is repeated exactly 365 times, while the word "shahr," month, is repeated twelve times, and the word "sa'a," hour, is repeated twenty-four times.

             The Holy Qur'an is a book of guidance for mankind. In it lie all the answers. The Qur'an comprehends the complete code for the Muslims to live a good, chaste, abundant and rewarding life in obedience to the commandments of Allah, in this life and to gain salvation in the next.  

As you come to the Qur'an, you come to a new world. No other venture in your life can be so crucial, so blissful and rewarding, as your journey to and through the Qur'an. To read the Qur'an is nothing less than to live the Qur'an willingly, sincerely, devotedly, and totally. The outcome of your entire life depends on how you heed the call given by Allah. Know, then, that it is this Qur'an, the Holy Book of Allah, which can lead you on and on to success and glory in this world and in the world to come.

Mohammed Akil Kanani    

Bibliography:

"Allah: The Concept of God in Islam" by Yasin T. al-Jibouri

The Qur'an (Junior) - Islamic Education Board

Web sites:             http://www.al-islam.org
                            http://www.quran.org.uk