The ultimate manifestation of God's grace for man, the ultimate
wisdom, and the ultimate beauty of expression: in short, the word of
God. If one were to ask any Muslim to depict it, most likely they
would offer similar words. The Quran, to the Muslim, is the
irrefutable, inimitable Word of God. It was revealed by God Almighty,
through the instrument of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). The
Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) himself had no role in authoring the
Quran, he was merely a human secretary, repeating the dictates of the
Divine Creator:
"He (Muhammad) does not speak of his own desire. It is no less than an
Inspiration sent down to him."
[Noble Quran 53:3-4]
The Quran was revealed in Arabic, to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon
Him), over a period of twenty-three years. It is composed in a style
so unique, that it cannot be deemed either poetry or prose, but
somehow a mixture of both. The Quran is inimitable; it cannot be
simulated or copied, and God Almighty challenges mankind to pursue
such an endeavor if he thinks he can:
"Or do they say he forged it? Say: Bring then a chapter like unto it,
and call (to your aid) anyone you can, beside God, if it be you speak
the truth."
[Noble Quran 10:38]
The Quran's language is indeed sublime, its recitation moving, as one
non-Muslim scholar noted, it was like ³the cadence of my heartbeat².
Due to its unique style of language, the Quran is not only highly
readable, but also relatively easy to remember. This latter aspect has
played an important role not only in the Quran's preservation, but in
the spiritual life of Muslims as well. God Himself declares,
"And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember;
then is there anyone that will receive admonition?"
[Noble Quran 54:17]
One of the most important characteristics of the Quran is that it
remains today, the only holy book which has never changed; it has
remained free from any and all adulterations. Sir William Muir noted,
"There is probably in the world no other book which has remained
(fourteen) centuries with so pure a text." The Quran was written down
during the lifetime and under the supervision of the Prophet, who
himself was illiterate, and it was canonized shortly after his death
by a rigorous method which scrutinized both written and oral
traditions. Thus its authenticity is unblemished, and is its
preservation is seen as the fulfillment of God's promise:
"We have, without doubt, sent down the Message, and We will assuredly
guard it from corruption."
[Noble Quran 15:9]
The Quran is a book which provides the human being the spiritual and
intellectual nourishment he/she craves. Its major themes include the
oneness of God, the purpose of human existence, faith and God-
consciousness, the Hereafter and its significance. The Quran also lays
a heavy emphasis upon reason and understanding. In these spheres of
human understanding, the Quran goes beyond just satisfying the human
intellect; it causes one to reflect on implications. There are Quranic
challenges and prophecies. One of the most exciting fields in recent
years has been the discovery that, of the significant amount of
scientific information in the Quran, including the event of the Big
Bang, embryological data, and other information concerning astronomy
biology, etc., there is not a single statement that has not been borne
out by modern discoveries In short, the Quran fulfills the heart, the
soul, and the mind.
Perhaps the best description of the Quran was given by Ali, the cousin
of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he expounded upon it as,
"The Book of God. In it is the record of what was before you, the
judgment of what is among you, and the prophecies of what will come
after you. It is decisive, not a case for levity. Whoever is a tyrant
and ignores the Quran will be destroyed by God. Whoever seeks guidance
from other than it will be misguided. The Quran is the unbreakable
bond of connection with God; it is the remembrance full of wisdom and
the straight path. The Quran does not become distorted by tongues. nor
can it be deviated by caprices; it never dulls from repeated study;
scholars will always want more of it. The wonders of the Quran are
never ending. Whoever speaks from it will speak the truth, whoever
rules with it will be just, and whoever holds fast to it will be
guided to the straight path."
[At-Tirmidhi]
A Source of Guidance 
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