Quran: The Ultimate Reference

There exists a common misconception with followers of other faiths that the Quran is merely a book of rituals for Muslims. The Quran is the last and final Testament of God. Other scriptures include the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel. The Quran is for all humanity as long as it exists and not for a particular period, place or people. It will never be out of date and augments all other scriptures. [5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and superseding them….

The fundamental principle of Submission is a belief in the singularity of God. In the very beginning of the Quran, God describes Himself as

Rabbil Alamin (Lord of the Universe). The Quran does not refer to God as the God of only a particular prophet or people. The Quran points out that God not only creates and sustains all creatures but also gives moral guidance to humanity. [25:1] Most blessed is the One who revealed the Statute Book to His servant, so he can serve as a warner to the whole world.

[36:69-70] What we taught him (the messenger) was not poetry, nor is he (a poet).

This is but a formidable proof, and a profound Quran. To preach to those who are alive, and to expose the disbelievers.[38:87] “This is a reminder for the world. [81:27-28] This is a message to all the people. For those who wish to go straight.

Since God is the universal Creator who sends guidance to all humanity, Submitters are commanded by the Quran to affirm the divine message given to all the previous prophets. [40:78] We have sent messengers before you―some of them we mentioned to you, and some we did not mention to you. No messenger can produce any miracle without GOD’s authorization. Once GOD’s judgment is issued, the truth dominates, and the falsifiers are exposed and humiliated.

Just reading it will not suffice, no matter how beautiful it sounds. It must be translated into a language we understand well so we recognize the reason for its revelation and abide by the orders found in it. When we reflect on Quranic verses, we realise that it is a timeless guide for life, death and the all-important Hereafter. Reading it is a form of worship as it draws us closer to God. We fulfil our obligations and are duly rewarded by God.

On the Day of Judgment, every good deed, no matter how small, will be needed by us.

[17:70] We have honored the children of Adam, and provided them with rides on land and in the sea. We provided for them good provisions, and we gave them greater advantages than many of our creatures. So, we have obligations. One is what we owe to God and the other is what we owe to society. God has guided us as to how to discharge our duties and commitments. These started simultaneously with Adam and Eve. Adam was taught the names of all things which the humans would encounter on earth. The angels, of course, did not know all these names. Here it was proven that only God has supreme knowledge. The angels who did not have all this knowledge had a fear of God and were always ready to submit to His will.

We are all born with divine attributes and gradually develop kindness, forgiveness, intelligence, power, patience, creative faculty, etc. As we mature, there arrives lust, greed and evil motives and we drift away from the right path.

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