Ads by Muslim Ad Network

The Quran: What Is It About? Part 2

28 March, 2017
Q I am a non-Muslim and have heard a lot about Islam and the Quran even though I have never read it. I am just wandering, since all books have an audience and a message, who is the Quran's audience? And what is its message?

Answer

Salam (Peace) Curt,

Thank you for your question.

Please find the second and final part of the answer to your question below. Find the first part at the link here.

The Quran was sent down to guide people from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. We read in the Quran what means:

{[This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord – to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.} (Quran 14:1)

A few verses later, we read a message from Allah to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him):

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

{And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], “Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allah.” Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} (Quran 14:5)

Here, the “darknesses” refer to the tyranny of Pharaoh and the injustice he committed against his people. The light which Moses was asked to bring his people to refers to the light of freedom and justice.

The message of the Quran is not only about regulating the relationship between the individual and his Lord, it is also about regulating the relationship between the individual and the society.

The Quran was not meant to make people distressed. The Prophet Muhammad was addressed in the following manner:

{[…] We have not sent down to you the Qur’an that you be distressed.} (Quran 20:1)

The Quran was revealed to make people happy and enjoy their life according to the rules it has set for them.

The message of the Quran is about social ethics and values. We read in the Quran what means:

{O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.} (Quran 49:11-12)

The message of the Quran is about kindness to parents. Allah says what gives the meaning of:

{And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.} (Quran’ 17:23)

The message of the Quran is about doing good to our neighbors, our relatives, the orphans, and the needy:

{Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.} (Quran 4:36)

The Quran is about establishing justice on earth and good conduct. The Quran forbids immorality and bad conduct:

{Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.} (Quran 16:90)

The message of the Quran is about cooperation for the welfare of people:

{[…] and cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression […]} (Quran 5:2)

The Quran is a source of spirituality and a means of self-development. When a Muslim wants to talk to God, he offers the five daily prayers. But when a Muslim wants God to talk to him, he reads the Quran.

A Muslim considers any command or prohibition a direct command and prohibition to himself, i.e., God is addressing him or her.  

Muslims read the Quran day and night to get a clear picture of its message and to gain the rewards that the Prophet Muhammad mentioned in this tradition:

Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. […]. (At-Tirmidhi)

These are some of the messages of the Quran. The Quran is a comprehensive Book that covers all the activities of human beings in a way that helps them to be the vicegerents of Allah on earth.  

The space of this answer does not allow me to elaborate more on this issue. I sincerely invite you to read a good translation of the Quran to get a clear picture of the message of the Quran.

I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.

Salam.

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:  

How to Understand the Quran Correctly

https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/logic-quran-led-islam/

The Story of the Quran