REVIEW KIT

HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF HOLY QURAN

REVELATION OF HOLY QURAN

Q (a) Write an account of Prophet (PBUH)'s first P3: Warqa's Predictions

experience of receiving revelation. [10]  Waraqa's prediction about Prophet (PBUH)'s
exile.
P1: Introduction  He expressed his support for Prophet (PBUH)
 Between the age of 35-40, distanced from  It is reported, later Waraqa accepted Islam
corrupt society. and died as a believer.
 He retired himself to the cave Hira.
 There he meditated about his God. (b) Explain significance of the following in
 The Meditation continued until he this event; H Jibrael, Waraqa and Hazrat
encountered a strange happening. Khadija.
P2: Events H Jibrael
 Age 40; Year 610 A.D; the night of power.  Angel was the first one to alert Prophet
 Sudden visit of an unknown being (Angel (PBUH) about his new career and mission.
Jibrall)  Angel was performing his duty.
 Ordered him to read; I can't read  The appearance of angel was the surety that
 Ummi (unlettered); the one who learned the message which Prophet (PBUH) received
from the Creator not from Creations. was truly from Allah.
 Hugging and crushing Warqa Bin Naufal
 2nd order to read; I can't read  Waraqa was the first one to explain new
 Hugging and Crushing career of Prophet (PBUH).
 experience of hugging and crushing  His explanations helped Prophet (PBUH) to
 3rd order to read; what shall I read? believe that he was truly visited by the angel
 Hugging and Crushing of God and had become the apostle of Allah
 (96:1-5) Surah Alaq  His explanations helped Prophet (PBUH) to
 This marked the beginning of revelation and realize the heavy duty shouldered upon
his prophethood. Prophet (PBUH).
 Break in Revelation and he being upset. Hazrat Khadia (RA)
 Few days later on his way back home he saw  She was the first one to know and believe in
the being as a Giant figure. his new career.
 Explain angel's gigantic figure.  Her consolation relaxed Prophet (PBUH) so
 Scared he rushed home. much so that he was ready to work on finding
 Hazrat Khadija (RZ) covered him in black out answers of his questions
cloak.  She chose the right man who could answer
 (74:1-3) Al-Mudassir. Prophet (PBUH)'S challenging questions.
 He narrated events to his wife.
 She consoled him. 
 Her historical words.
 She took him to her cousin
 Introduce Waraqa bin Nawfil
 He (PBUH) narrated events to Warqa.
 Warqa s explanations about
a) the being (b) What can Muslims today learn from the first
b) the reason of being's visit revelation about the importance of reading and
understanding the Qur’an?
The Qur’an contains the guidance for humankind
for all time. It is an opportunity for Muslims to
know what it is that God wants from them so
they can act on what will be pleasing to God. For
this it would be important to learn the meaning
of the Qur’an although there is also reward in
reading it without knowing the meaning. Reading
it with understanding could lead a person so have
a deeper connection with God
(b) What can Muslims learn from the experience
of first revelation about the nature of prophet
hood [4]

Prophets were biologically human being (he was

frightened/Hugs exhausted him)
Prophets were only informed of Prophet hood
only at a particular time (Prophet told about his
prophet hood through Warqa)
Prophets faced difficulties in their lives by the
people
October/November 2018 (g) The Prophet (pbuh) also had direct
(a) Write an account of the different ways in revelation, when he went on the night journey
which revelations came to the Prophet. Include and ascension. Last verses of Surah Baqara were
examples in your answer revealed on the journey of Mairaj.

(a) Describe the different ways that the Prophet P3: Conclusion
(pbuh) received revelation from God. They were not within his control (sura 75:16–19),
he had no idea when they were coming, and they
P1: Introduction were safeguarded by God. The different
The Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) verses/suras were revealed according to the need
over a period of 23 years. After the first of time and circumstances. For example, Surah
revelation, in Cave Hira, revelation stopped for a Ikhlas was revealed in response to questions of
period which caused the Prophet (pbuh) to Quraish regarding Allah.
worry. Once they started again, they came
strongly and frequently. (b) Why do you think that the revelation was
sent to someone who could not read or write?
P2: Mode of revelation  It was to show that the Prophet (pbuh) had
There were different ways in which the verses not written the revelations himself, and
were revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). neither did he copy them from elsewhere as
(a) Sometimes the Angel Jibril would come in he had not read other books.
the form of a man, which the Companions  In those days, the oral tradition and poetry
witnessed when Jibril came to confirm the tenets was important and so the revelation was sent
of belief (hadith Jibril in a similar method for people to be able to
(b) Sometimes in the form of a companion called relate to it and respect it.
Daya Kalbi.  Others might say that it is not even relevant
(c)A few times the Prophet (pbuh) saw the Angel whether the Prophet(pbuh) could read or
in his original form, e.g. on the night journey write, prophethood is a special favour,
(sura najm), and at the time of the first granted by God, to His chosen people and
revelation. one’s ability to read and write does not have
(d) They also came in the form of dreams, and he any impact on God’s choice.
would wake up and remember them.  God chooses people with high moral
(e) The most difficult was when they came as the principles and impeccable character hence
ringing of a bell. the fact whether one can read or write is
(f) Sometimes Prophets weight would increase, insignificant.
so much so that his camel could not withstand
the weight.
The candidates might narrate stories related to
these revelations, such as the pressure that it put
on Zayd’s thigh when he was sitting next to the
Prophet (pbuh) during one of the revelations.
(e) They would cause him to sweat even in the
winter and shiver in the summer. Aisha’s Hadith
can be given as reference.
(a) Describe how Quran was revealed from 610 (b) Explain the significance of Quran being
to 632 CE [10] revealed over a period of time [4]

P1: Introduction  To ease the burden of revelation

Age 40, the Prophet received first revelation in  To make memorization easier
the cave of Hira of Surah al Alaq (96:1-5) which  To give time to people to change and
was the beginning of revelation. Then after a halt adopt
of around two years, Surah Mudathir (74) was  To reveal teachings according to
revealed. Then revelations came frequently and conditions
regularly.

P2: Causes of revelation

Quran was not revealed in Book form, it was oral
and was sent according to the needs and
condition of the time.
For example, Surah Ikhlas was revealed in
response to questions of Quraish regarding Allah.

P3: Makki and Madni Surahs

Before migration After migration
First 13 years Last 10 years
Strong tone Soft tone
Shorter Surahs Longer Surahs
Oneness of Alllah Other teachings

P4: Last Revelation

10th AH; 632 CE; Plain of Arafat; Allah revealed
Last Revelation
“This day I have perfected My religion for you.
Completed My favor upon you and have chosen
for you Islam as your religion”
Surah Maida (5:3)
 COMPILATION OF HOLY QURAN

(a) The Qur’an has been preserved in writing P3: During H Usman’s Caliphate
for over 1400 years. Give an account of the
way in which it was compiled in the written During ‘Uthman’s time as caliph, Islam had spread to
format. [10] other areas.
P1: Introduction Hudhaifa reported to ‘Uthman that people were
reciting the Qur’an in a different dialect in different
During the time of the Prophet (pbuh) the parts.
Qur’an was written on pieces of animal skin ‘Uthman called Zayd back and they formed a
and on parts of bone but mainly was committee, ordering the companions to compile one
memorised by the companions. book in the Qurayshi dialect, using the mushaf of
Prophet would dictate verses to companions Hafsa. Zayd ibn Thabit was recalled to check it.
and would check for errrors. ‘Uthman then checked and approved the final
Entire Quran was written but not compiled in version. This new copy was sent around the various
a Book form. provinces of the expanding Muslim world. He
Allah told about Divide sequence through ordered for any other copies to be collected and
Jibrael. burnt. For this he is known as ‘Jami al-Qur’an’.
(b) Do you think, for Muslims nowadays, having the
P2: During H Abu Bakr’s Caliphate Qur’an in a written format outweighs the benefits of
having the oral tradition? Give reasons for your
During Abu Bakr’s caliphate, many answer
companions who had memorised the Qur’an It gives Muslims around the world access to the
died at the Battle of Yamama; Qur’an that they would not otherwise have if they
Umar, worried that the words of the Qur’an are not in a position to memorise it. Or that old
would be lost due to companions dying of old Qur’an such as the one that was found in
age/in battle, suggested to Abu Bakr that the Birmingham, allow Muslims to authenticate that the
Qur’an should be compiled into one book written copies of the early Muslims are the same as
Abu Bakr hesitated saying he could not do the ones now.
something the Prophet (pbuh) had not done; It gives a greater sense of connection to the faith
he eventually agreed and called Zayd ibn when you can see things from that time. As Islam has
Thabit to collect all the verses that had been spread, the written Qur’an can be read by those
written whose first language is not Arabic.
Zayd was a hafiz himself, yet he only Candidates could say that no it does not because the
included a verse into the master copy once oral tradition was how the Qur’an was revealed and
he had verified its authenticity. passed on in the beginning and this is a more
Umar was part of the process to get authentic way of ensuring accuracy. Or Candidates
companions to come with any part of the could say that both are equally beneficial for Muslims
mushaf they had in their possession. The now because e.g. they both have a role to play now
verses were written in the order that the that Islam has spread and covers many different
Prophet (pbuh) had given, but the suras were regions and languages. The written tradition gives
written on separate sheets. access to people where they are no longer able to
This copy was verified by the committee and memorise or prefer to read, and the oral tradition
was kept with Abu Bakr during his lifetime, gives access to people in places where education is
after which it passed to ‘Umar, and then to scarce and learning orally from a hafiz also gives
‘Umar’s daughter Hafsa. them a direct connection back to the Prophet (pbuh).