The word ‘Quran’ means ‘Recitation’, and the first verse of the Quran to be revealed by the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad (PBUH) was a command to ‘Read’ (or recite)! In the name of your Lord…’
The Quran
This directive marked the beginning of a new age in human communication, learning, and development. Whereas earlier Scriptures had been written and passed down by elite circles of priests and scribes – usually long after the death of the religion’s founder – the preservation of the Quran was a community effort from the beginning, and it was completed during the Muhammad’s (PBUH) own lifetime. This is in contrast to the Bible.
The Prophet’s early followers eagerly memorized and recorded each new revelation as it was revealed; by the time he passed away, thousands had memorized the entire Quran by heart. Within two years after the Prophet’s death, the first caliph Abu Bakr requested the Prophet’s secretary Zayd to collect all existing copies and fragments of the Quran in one place, in order to compile a standard edition. This manuscript became the basis for the authorized editions that were distributed to each Muslim province during the rule of the third caliph named Uthman.
Like all books, the Quran is a means to convey a message – in this case, a very special Message from the Creator to all humanity. Whoever wonders about the purpose of life and their own existence will find it to be a guide of pure excellence. Building on prior revelations, this Final Testament confirms the age-old truths of previous Scriptures, but clarifies points of faith where error or confusion have crept into them over the centuries, such as the concept of God. Those who have read the Bible will find much that is familiar: descriptions of God’s handiwork; stories of the Prophets, Satan, the angels and the Day of Judgement; moral and ethical guidelines; and spiritual practices like prayer and fasting.
The Quran is timeless and its uniqueness will never distinguish
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