Editor’s Note:
The previous three articles of this series explored fundamental questions about Islam, the Qur’an, theology, mysticism, human nature, and the personality of the prophets. They examined how Qur’anic guidance differs from philosophical speculation, how the Qur’an addresses the human being, and how prophetic character and success are shaped by divine guidance.
This fourth article continues that discussion by turning more directly to the Qur’an itself: its contents, subject matter, method of presentation, intended audience, and the kind of wisdom it offers. It also considers an important question about the relationship between the Qur’an and science, clarifying the distinction between empirical knowledge of the observable world and Qur’anic knowledge concerning realities beyond human observation.
What are the Contents of the Qur’an?
Explanation: The contents of the Qur’an are all about unknowables pertaining to the Hereafter and their relevance to humankind. The incidents of unknowable realities may simply be codified as 3H, i.e., Hereafter, Heaven, and Hell. They are subjects of extreme relevance to people. The realities about such incidents can’t be known from any other source except revelations from God, received subsequently through prophets. The revelations are preserved to finality in the Qur’an. The contents, all focused on people, are meant to transform an ordinary person with commonsense into a wholesome personality assured of success in the Hereafter.
What is the Subject Matter of the Book of the Qur’an?
Explanation: The Qur’an is a book addressing the concerns of people living here on this planet. It deals with matters pertaining to life after death.
It stresses how the events of life after death are all governed, rather, are organic consequences of the mode of living on this planet. It thus defines, illustrates, and urges people to live by principles and adopt tenets of virtue so as to be rewarded in the Hereafter; otherwise, ill consequences are bound to befall surely and certainly.
To reiterate, it is all about defining good deeds liable to rewards (living virtuously) as against bad deeds sure to bring suffering (evil practice, i.e., living with vice).
What Approach Does the Qur’an Adopt to Emphasize the Importance of Its Subject Matter?
Explanation: The Qur’an adopts the methodology of illustrating its points through analogy, i.e., comparison (and contrast), so as to clarify the elements of distinction to the level of easy comprehension for people blessed with commonsense.
Who Is the Target Individual/Group Addressed by the Qur’an?
Explanation: The Qur’an considers all sane and sensible persons to be unique. They are benevolently blessed with the attribute of comprehension and appreciation of knowledge, independent of one another. Hence, all people are accountable individually for their deeds and actions performed independently.
The individuals include all men and women endowed with commonsense and having sincere aspirations to succeed in this world and the Hereafter.
They are people to be correctly called wise and over-ambitious. These people are wise in the sense that they learn to know and behave righteously so as to secure success, beginning with this world and continuing into the Hereafter.
They have genuine concerns for the realities of the Hereafter. They do not want to lose the greater benefits of life after death merely at the expense of smaller gains of today’s finite happiness. They act judiciously and righteously so as to ensure the guaranteed happiness of tomorrow.
The righteous behavior of today is called TAQWA – This is TAQWA alone which guarantees men and women a prospect in the Hereafter, i.e., life in the world tomorrow.
What Are the Concerns of Man Living on This Planet?
Explanation: Man with commonsense is exposed to concerns about his/her behavior while living. The dire consequences shall be manifested in the Hereafter – a place and time where no amendment is possible, no apology is entertained, and no relief is granted. To succeed in the Hereafter, man is expected to lead a life full of virtues, distinctly away from evils of all sorts.
What Class of Wisdom Is the Qur’an All About?
Explanation: Qur’anic wisdom is all about moral principles governing and influencing the behavior of everybody and anybody. It is applicable to any sane and sensible person – any ordinary person endowed with commonsense and having genuine concerns for the betterment of his/her own self. Thus, the moral principles, so generic in nature and so universal in appeal, call individuals to respond appropriately.
A correct, righteous response is sure to bring pleasures (perpetual bliss and happiness of Paradise), while a response of neglect or even an attitude of indifference is bound to attract pains (continuous suffering of Hell).
The words of wisdom comprise glory to God, gratitude to Almighty, words of thanks to Allah, righteous living, practicing virtues, and curbing evils, to illustrate a select few.
Is It Right to Call the Qur’an a Book of Science, i.e., a Book Rich with Treasures of Science? Explain.
Explanation: Calling the Qur’an a Book of Science is mainly due to ignorance (one being unaware of the scope and limitations of science).
The concrete sciences in general are confined to phenomena related to matters and material objects (the world of observation and experimentation), whereas the Qur’an is focused on the realities of the Hereafter (realities not existing in this temporal world of observation and experimentation). Such realities and incidents beyond this empirical world are, in essence, beyond the scope of science.
The scientific realities of today are susceptible to change based on new discoveries and innovations of tomorrow.
The Qur’anic realities and incidents of the Hereafter are beyond empirical sciences of experimentation and observation. They are not confined to perceptions. They are subjects of pure inference through the mind working in coordination with the heart.
👉 Read also:
- Mind and Heart in the Qur’an: Limits of Knowledge
- Qur’anic Personality: Path to True Success
- What Does the Quran Teach About Personality Development?
- Qur’an, Theology and Mysticism: Key Questions
- Questions and Explanations on Islam, the Qur’an, Sufism, and Human Nature
- Prophets, Personality and Success in the Quran