This should be important to know for all who are concerned with humanity and peace in this world, torn apart by strife, hatred and violence. It should be important whether one believes that the Qur’an is the Word of God or not.
To know what the Qur’an says is important because the Qur’an has made a deep and abiding impact on the course of human civilisation and history in many fundamental ways; because it has been inspiring, shaping, governing and directing countless human lives over the ages, since it first appeared fourteen hundred years ago.
And it still does.
The Qur’an, among all other books believed to be divine, is the only book which itself claims, and is believed by its followers to be literally the word of God.
Those who first heard it from the lips of the Prophet Muhammad (s) (peace and blessings be upon him) had absolutely no doubt that, through him, God was speaking to them. It totally transformed them; it quickened their hearts, ir reshaped their minds; it made their eyes overflow with tears and their bodies tremble with awe, it changed them into new individuals, as well as a new society and polity; it led them to be leaders of mankind and founders of a rich and flowing civilisation.
More significantly, what a remarkable testimony it is to the unique power of the Qur’an that, in an age when God has been made irrelevant to human existence and concerns, millions and millions of human beings- as much as one fifth of the human race- still cling tenaciously to the book which they believe with certainty to be the Word of God, as the only blueprint for a bright, progressive, post modern future.
It is still the supreme source of inspiration, guidance and comfort in their spiritual, moral, social and cultural lives, it still influences and shapes their way of thinking and conduct, both private and public, in innumerable ways.
To know what it says is therefore not only important for better inter- human understanding and amity, but it may be crucial for the destiny of mankind too.
However, everyone cannot venture to read the whole of the Qur’an, though its length is less than that of the New Testament.
Yet everyone should have the opportunity to taste the delicious fruits in the garden of the Qur’an.
"This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense." (Quran, 17:9)
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden (paradise) whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous - Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity or in adversity, who restrain (their) anger and pardon (all) men - for God loves those who do good." (Quran, 3:133-134)
"Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein, and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden." (Quran, 4:85)
"Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant." (Quran, 7:199)
"O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honor each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous." (Quran, 49:13)
2.39. But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein.
2.161. Those who reject Faith, and die rejecting,- on them is Allah.s curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind;
2.190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
2.244. Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things.
3:28. Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah. except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.
3.157. And if ye are slain, or die, in the way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all they could amass.
3.158. And if ye die, or are slain, Lo! it is unto Allah that ye are brought together.
4.14. But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they shall have a humiliating punishment.
4.15. If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way.
4.16. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.
4.34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).
4.56. Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.
4.74. Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).
4.76. Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.
5.33. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;
From the Hadith Sahih Muslim
41:6903. The last hour will not come unless there is much bloodshed.
