The Noble Quran: Introduction, Revelation, Compilation, Topics, Important Surahs, and Etiquette

1. Definition and Types of Revelation (Wahi)

Meaning of Wahi

Linguistically: Wahi means "to signal, to secretly convey, to inspire."

Islamically: Wahi is the speech of Allah Almighty that He sends down to His prophets, either through an angel or without an angel.

Types of Revelation (Different Methods)

The First Revelation

Translation:

"Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not." (Al-Alaq 96:1-5)

The Prophet's State after the First Revelation: The Prophet ﷺ became very distressed and returned home. He said to Khadijah (RA): "I fear that I have become possessed (mad)."

Waraqah bin Nawfal's Response: He said: "This is the same Namus (Jibreel) who was sent to Musa (Moses)."

2. Compilation of the Quran (Jam' – Collecting)

The Noble Quran was compiled into book form in three stages:

First Stage: During the Lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ

The Quran was written on various materials: palm branches, white stones, leather, bones, cloth.

The Prophet ﷺ himself would dictate to the scribes of revelation (Kuttab al-Wahi).

Famous Scribes of Revelation: Zaid bin Thabit (RA), Ali (RA), Uthman (RA), Ubayy bin Ka'b (RA), Mu'awiyah (RA).

The Quran was completely written but not compiled into a single volume.

Second Stage: The Era of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) – First Compilation

Third Stage: The Era of Uthman Ghani (RA) – Preparation of Multiple Mushafs

3. Major Themes of the Quran

4. Important Surahs (Repeatedly Tested in Exams)

5. Famous Verses

Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255)

Arabic Text (Transliteration):

"اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ"

Translation:

"Allah! There is no god worthy of worship except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."

Virtue: Whoever recites Ayat-ul-Kursi at night will be protected by Allah from Satan until morning. (Bukhari)

Last Two Verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285-286)

“آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ۚ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ (285)
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ (286)”

Translation (Summary):

"The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. All of them have believed in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers, saying: 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers.' And they say: 'We hear and we obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the final return.'

"Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. It will have the reward it earns, and it will bear the punishment it incurs. Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not place upon us a burden like that which You placed upon those before us. Our Lord, do not burden us with that which we cannot bear. And pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."

Virtue: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites the last two verses of Surah Al-Baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him." (Bukhari)

6. Etiquette of Reciting the Quran (Respect and Manners)

7. Names of the Quran

8. Key Facts about the Quran (For Exams)

9. Quick Facts for MCQs