Introduction of the Quran:

The Qur’an is the word of Allah, may He be exalted, and is not created 

What is meant by that is that Allah, may He be exalted, spoke the words of the
Qur’an, which Jibreel (peace be upon him) heard from Him, and brought down to
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and conveyed it to him. 

“The revelation of the Book (this Quran) is from the Lord of the Alameen
(mankind, jinns and all that exists)” [as-Sajdah 32:2]

“Say (O Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) Ruh-ul-Qudus

(Jibrael (Gabriel)) has brought it (the Quran) down from your Lord with truth” [an-
Nahl 16:102]. 

The hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) who said:

“The superiority of the words of Allah over all other words is like the superiority
of Allah over all of His creation.” 

A hasan hadith, narrated by ‘Uthmaan ad-Daarimi in ar-Radd ‘ala al-Jahamiyyah

(no. 287, 340); al-Laalkaa’i (no. 557)

“ ‘O Moosa (Moses)! Verily! I am Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinns
and all that exists)’” [al-Qasas 28:30].

O Moosa “Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be
worshipped but I)” [Ta-Ha 20:14] 

“Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days,
and then He Istawa (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His
Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He
created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is
the Creation and the Command. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Alameen
(mankind, jinns and all that exists)” [al-A‘raaf 7:54]. 

“Surely, His is the Creation and the command” [al-A ‘raaf 7:54]. The creation is
the creation of Allah, may He be Blessed and exalted, and the command is the
Qur’an. 

“The Most Beneficent (Allah), Has taught (you mankind) the Quran (by His Mercy).
He created man” [ar-Rahmaan 55:1-3]. 

Say: "Verily, the Guidance of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only)
Guidance. …. [al-Baqarah 2:120]
Does Allah’s WORD is limited in few pages ? “Say (O Muhammad (blessings and
peace of Allah be upon him) to mankind). ‘If the sea were ink for (writing) the
Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my
Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid’”

[al-Kahf 18:109]

and

“And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to
write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allah
would not be exhausted. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise”

[Luqmaan 31:27]. 

“Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High” [al-A‘laa 87:1].

“And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them” [al-
A‘raaf 7:180].

“And remember the Name of your Lord every morning and afternoon” [al-Insaan
76:25]. 

“Say (O Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) Ruh-ul-Qudus

(Jibrael (Gabriel)) has brought it (the Quran) down from your Lord with truth”

[an-Nahl 16:102]. 

“A Messenger (Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from Allah, reciting (the Quran)
purified pages (purified from Al-Batil (falsehood, etc.))

Containing correct and straight laws from Allah” [al-Bayyinah 98:2-3]. 

All of the attributes of Allah, may He be exalted, are uncreated; they are eternal,
with no beginning. The words of Allah are among these attributes, and that
includes the Qur’an. Therefore the scholars said that the Qur’an is not created,
because it is the words of Allah, and that is one of His attributes. 

Authority of the Quran:

The Quran was revealed by Allah, may He be glorified, as a law and a reference as
to what is permissible and prohibited, what is commanded and forbidden, for
people to follow, so that they obey its commands and abide by its prohibitions,
take what it allows as permissible and take what it prohibits as forbidden. The
Quran tells us about what happened before and what is yet to come, and it is a
reference for judging between us. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “…
We have neglected nothing in the Book…” [6:38].

After the Revelation was completed, Allah said (interpretation of the meaning):
“… This day, I have perfected your religion for you…” [5:3].

The Sunnah [words and deeds of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him)] came to explain and complement the Quran. The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I have been given the Quran and
something like it with it.” The phrase “something like it with it” refers to the
Sunnah. (saheeh/authentic hadeeth).

Allah commanded us to refer to these two constitutional references, when He

said (interpretation of the meaning): “…if you differ in anything amongst
yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger…” [4:59].

Referring to Allah means referring to the Quran, and referring to His Messenger
means referring to the sunnah. The Quran is the primary source of legislation,
then comes the sunnah.

Authenticity of the Quran:

Firstly:

 Memorizing the Qur’aan is an act of worship through which one seeks the Face of Allaah and
reward in the Hereafter. Without this intention, he will never have any reward, rather he will be
punished for doing this act of worship for someone or something other than Allaah. 

The haafiz (the person who has memorized the Qur’aan) should not have any intention of gaining
worldly benefits by memorizing the Qur’aan, because his memorization thereof is not a product to be
traded with in this world, rather it is an act of worship which is done for the sake of his Lord.

 Allaah has given special privileges to the one who memorizes the Qur’aan in a number of ways in
this world and in the Hereafter, for example:

 1 – He takes precedence over others in leading the prayer.

 It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has
the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’aan, then by the
one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by
the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who
became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his
place in his house, except with his permission.”

(Narrated by Muslim, 673) 

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: “When the first muhaajiroon (emigrants) came to
Quba’, before the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came (to
Madeenah), Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah used to lead them in prayer, and he was the
one who knew the most Qur’aan.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 660)

2 – He is placed in front of others in a common grave, closer to the qiblah, if it is essential to bury
him with others.

 It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The
Prophet would wrap two of the men slain at Uhud in a single cloth, then he would ask, ‘Which of
them knew more Qur’aan?’ If one of them was pointed out to him, he would put that one in the lahd
(niche in the side of the grave) first. And he said, ‘I will be a witness over these people on the Day of
Resurrection.’ He commanded that they should be buried with their blood, without being washed,
and that no funeral prayer should be offered for them.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1278)

 3 – He takes precedence in leadership if he able to bear that

 It was narrated from ‘Aamir ibn Waathilah that Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan, and
‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. ‘Umar said, “Who have you appointed in charge of
the people of the valley?” He said, “Ibn Abza.” ‘Umar asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our
freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!” He said, “He is well-
versed in the Book of Allaah and he has knowledge of the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said: “Your
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt
some people and degrade others.’”

(Narrated by Muslim, 817)

 With regard to the Hereafter:

 4 – The status of the one who memorizes Qur’aan will be commensurate with the last aayah he
memorized. 

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan (i.e., the one who memorized and studied
it): ‘Read, advance in status and recite as you used to do in the world, for your status will be
commensurate with the last aayah that you recite.’”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2914; he said this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth. Al-Albaani said in Saheeh
al-Tirmidhi, no. 2329, it is hasan saheeh. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 1464).

 What is meant by reciting here is memorizing.

 5 – He will be with the angels, accompanying them. 

It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The one who recites the Qur’aan and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in
Heaven) and the one who exerts himself to learn the Qur’aan by heart and recites it with great
difficulty, will have a double reward.”

 (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4653; Muslim, 798) 

6 – He will be given a crown of honour and a garment of honour to wear. 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will
be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a
garment of honour.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allaah will be pleased with
him. Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one
more hasanah (reward for good deed).”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2915. He said, this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth. Al-Albaani said in Saheeh
al-Tirmidhi, 2328, this is hasan).

 7 – The Qur’aan will intercede for him with his Lord. 

It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, ‘Recite the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection
to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Soorat Aal ‘Imraan, for
they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in
ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Soorat al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a
blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.”

 (Narrated by Muslim, 804, and by al-Bukhaari in a mu’allaq report). 

Secondly:

With regard to his relatives and descendents, there is evidence concerning his parents that they will
be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world, and that will only be
because they took care of and taught their child. Even if they themselves were ignorant, Allaah will
honour them because of their child. But the one who prevented his child from learning the Qur’aan,
he will be one of those who are deprived. 

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: ‘The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its
companion, “Do you recognize me? I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you
thirsty during the day…” Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, and
a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which
far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “O Lord, how did we earn this.” It will
be said to them, “Because you taught your child the Qur’aan.”’”

(Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 6/51). 

It was narrated that Buraydah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads the Qur’aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of
Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun,
and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They
will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” It will be said, “Because your child learned the
Qur’aan.”’”

(Narrated by al-Haakim, 1/756)

 These two hadeeth support one another. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2829. 

And Allaah knows best.