Basics of Religious Education — Page 317
317 317 317 317 317 317 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION What are the main features of the Holy Qur’an ? The Holy Qur’an is a book of guidance for us all. Every word of the Qur’an is the word of Allah. The Qur’an has been preserved in its original form as was promised by Allah in the Qur’an itself (15:10). It was preserved by the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw and his companions (peace be on them all) by committing it to memory. There have always been hundreds of people in all ages who have learnt the whole of the Holy Qur’an by heart. This practice still continues. The Qur’an is in the Arabic Language. The style and language of the Qur’an are excellent. The Qur’an has been translated into many languages including English. It contains many prophecies about the future of mankind and is also a complete code of conduct for us. Those who follow the Holy Qur’an become the most successful people in life. We should read and ponder over the meaning of the Qur’an more often so that we could achieve success in life. The Qur’an has 114 chapters and is also divided into thirty equal parts. Will there be other books after the Qur’an canceling some or all of its teachings? Not at all. The Qur’an is a perfect and most complete Book. There is no need for mankind to look forward to anything else because the Qur’an gives guidance in all aspects of life. The Qur’an is a living book and will remain so for ever. What other Revealed books exist today in their original forms? None. All the other revealed books have been changed partly by their followers and are not the original ones. Some of them have not even been preserved in their original languages, such as the New Testament. We only have belief in the fact that these books originally contained the message of Allah but their present day versions are open to criticism. Who is a Prophet? In Arabic there are two words used for a Prophet. Rasool means ‘one who is sent’ or ‘messenger’, and Nabi means ‘one who receives and conveys Divine Commands’. Both these words are used for a person who is chosen by Allah for the reformation and guidance of mankind. 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 9. 2 G G G G G ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL ENERAL R R R R R ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS ELIGIOUS K K K K K NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE NOWLEDGE — A — A — A — A — A RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES RTICLES O F O F O F O F O F F F F F F A I T H A I T H A I T H A I T H A I T H The Prophets of Allah