Fruitful Living
Qur’an: A Book of Guidance beyond Ramadan
Introduction
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Prophet Muhammad is His final messenger.
May peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his noble companions, and all those who follow his righteous path until the Day of Judgment.
The Qur’an is a divine revelation from Allah and serves as a timeless guide for humanity. It is not just a book for recitation but a comprehensive manual that provides wisdom, moral values, and laws that shape human life in all aspects.
The Qur’an answers fundamental existential questions: Who created us? Why are we here? How should we live our lives? What happens after death?
Allah affirms in the Qur’an:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah” (Qur’an 2:2).
Many Muslims increase their engagement with the Qur’an during the month of Ramadan, a month in which the Qur’an was revealed. However, the Qur’an’s message extends far beyond Ramadan; it should be the guiding light in our daily lives, influencing our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
The Meaning and Names of the Qur’an
The word Qur’an comes from the Arabic root “Qara’a”, which means “to read” or “to recite”. The Qur’an is called this because it is meant to be continuously recited, reflected upon, and acted upon. It is not just a book for passive reading but for active learning, understanding, and implementation in all facets of life.
The Qur’an is known by several names in the Islamic tradition, each revealing an essential characteristic of the book:
• Al-Qur’an: Meaning “The Recitation”, emphasizing that it is a book to be recited regularly, in prayer and outside of it.
• Al-Furqan: Meaning “The Criterion”, which distinguishes between truth and falsehood. It provides moral clarity and guidance on what is right and wrong.
• Adh-Dhikr: Meaning “The Reminder”, because it constantly reminds human beings of their purpose in life and their accountability before Allah.
• An-Nur: Meaning “The Light”, as it illuminates the path of righteousness and removes the darkness of ignorance.
• Al-Kitab: Meaning “The Book”, signifying that it is a complete and preserved scripture meant for all time.
• Ash-Shifa: Meaning “The Healing”, as it provides spiritual, psychological, and even physical healing to those who turn to it with sincerity.
These names indicate that the Qur’an is more than just a collection of verses; it is a divine guide, a moral compass, a source of healing, and a light that dispels darkness.
The Revelation of the Qur’an: A Divine Message for Humanity
The Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years through Angel Jibreel. The revelation took place in two distinct phases:
• The Makkan Phase (13 years): The chapters revealed in this period focused on faith in Allah, monotheism, the resurrection, and moral values. Since the early Muslim community was small and persecuted, these revelations gave them spiritual strength and perseverance.
• The Madinan Phase (10 years): The revelations during this period were more detailed and addressed laws, governance, social justice, and community life. The Muslim community had grown in Madinah, and legal rulings on marriage, inheritance, and commerce were introduced to regulate societal affairs.
* The writer is the Metropolitan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso
To be continued…
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai – 1 BN Michel Camp, Tema