The Book of Life

The Book of Life

The Quran is the last scripture revealed to mankind through Muḥammad, the seal of the Prophets. A comprehensive Book, it covers all aspects of life and explains all things. Its main theme is Monotheism. 

The Quran is a scripture that contains instructions for all people, all times, so that we, people, know our Creator and how to best live our lives. Moreover, it puts great emphasis on moral transformation and ethics development which is part of what is known as ‘the greater struggle’, even greater than defending oneself against an invading army.

The Quran tells us what the real purpose of life is. It regards human beings as carriers of God’s spirit and as such, they are required to be in a continuous state of God consciousness and develop good and godly qualities.The ultimate results that can be obtained from a sincere inner struggle or struggle against one’s own inclinations towards evil would be a happy and healthy lifestyle, the fulfilment of the purpose of life and the attainment of eternal life in Paradise.

The Quran was revealed through the arch-angel Gabriel by Almighty God to Mohammed over a period of 23 years. As well as revealing the Divine will, it was revealed to explain everything and “as a guidance and mercy and good news to those who devote themselves to God” (Qurʾān, 16:89).

The Quran shows us the straight path that leads to eternal bliss. It also legislate laws for practical and ethical duties for ordering and administrating societies.

One may find different translations of the scripture, but there is only one Arabic version of the Quran.

Millions of Muslims around the world learn the Quran in its entirety and recite it in prayers without even referring to the scripture.

Themes and Content of the Quran

·         Spiritual well-being

The most important thing emphasised in the Quran is the pursuance of God’s pleasure desiring the ultimate blissed in Heaven (Quran, 92:19-20).

·         Physical well-being

Muslims are to avoid whatever harms one's sense of spiritual, emotional, and/or physical well-being: “Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands, but do, for God loves those who do good” (Quran, 2:195).

·         Intellectual well being

In many verses, Mankind is asked to think, reflect, ponder, and meditate about its verses, the creation, the heavens, the earth and all the elements in between (Quran, 35:27-8).

·         Moral well-being

The Quran acknowledges that at the heart of moral societies, are things that transcend rights and legal obligations and ‘dos and don’ts’; hence its frequent appeal to generosity and the voluntary giving of charity to the needy, the poor, the destitute and the orphans.

·         Truthfulness

The Quran commands people to be truthful in thoughts, words and deeds (Quran, 33:70-1).

Concealing the truth and/or mixing it with falsehood is also prohibited (Quran, 2:42).

·         Harmony

The Quran asks the believers to lead lives free of pointless argumentation and quarrelling: “those who restrain their anger and pardon people – God loves those who do good” (Quran, 3:134).

·         Hope

The Quran requires the believers to remain hopeful of God’s grace and never despair. Indeed, the Quran describes hopelessness as indicative of faithlessness (Quran 12:87; 2:195).

It must be noted that the verses 12:87 and 2:195 mentioned above have been adduced by Muslim scholars to denounce suicide as a faithless act.

·         Patience & endurance

The Quran frequently mentions the virtues and rewards of ‘ṣabr’ meaning ‘to preserve, to be patient and to remain firm’. The one who stands patient and remains firm against the adversities and vicissitudes of life is promised an endless reward from God (Quran 3:200; 2:177, 5:54).

·         Sexual fulfilment

The Quran rejects all forms of sexual immodesty outside marriage. Adultery is regarded as a shameful deed (Quran, 17:32).

·         Wealth

Whilst the Quran praises those who help the needy, the poor, the widow and orphan, it despises those attached to wealth beyond that which is required for one's daily subsistence. Such attachment distracts one from following the straight path that leads to God and makes one live with an illusionary sense of eternity in this world (Quran 101:1-2; 4:10; 17:26-7).

·         Social and economic conduct

The Quran advocates a society based on honesty, morality, justice, and equity (Quran, 5:1; 5:8; 83:1-2).

·         The sanctity of human life

The Quran says that “We decreed to the Children of Israel that if anyone kills a person – unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land – it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves any life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind (Quran, 5:32).

·         Generosity and re-distribution of wealth

The Quran condemns greed, the illegal amassing of wealth and practices such as lending money on interest, practices that do not allow for wealth to circulate in the economy (Quran, 30:39).

• Social equality

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God and the law. No human being has any inherent distinction over another on the basis of lineage or race (Quran, 49:13; 4:1).

·         Justice

The Qurʾān insists that Muslims uphold a justice that transcends all social bonds (Quran, 5:8).

·         The Quran and science

The Quran contains numerous verses that are in perfect harmony with modern scientific discoveries. The fact that the scripture was revealed 1400 year ago and contains verses stating scientific facts that were discovered in modern times proves its divine origins. The Quran states: “We shall show them Our signs on the far horizons and in themselves, until it becomes clear to that that this [Quran] is the Truth. Is it not enough that your Lord witnesses everything?” (Quran, 41:53).

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