The Quran is the divine book revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and it is the final and greatest of the heavenly scriptures. The Quran is characterized by its linguistic, scientific, and legislative miracles, serving as God's eternal message to all of humanity. It is a comprehensive source of guidance that meets the spiritual, social, economic, and political needs of mankind, providing a complete system that governs individual and societal life based on high moral values.
### The Greatness of the Quran
The Quran is the word of God, which humans are unable to replicate, whether in its structure or content. God challenged the Arabs, known for their eloquence and linguistic mastery, to produce something similar to the Quran, yet they could not, despite being at the height of their rhetorical and linguistic prowess at the time. Allah says:
**"Say: 'If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants.'"** (Al-Isra: 88).
The Quran stands out for its linguistic, scientific, and legislative miracles, and many of its scientific truths have been confirmed over time, truths that the Arabs of the time could not have known.
### The Quran as a Healing for People
One of the greatest functions of the Quran is that it is a healing for both hearts and bodies. Allah says:
**"O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers."** (Yunus: 57).
The Quran brings peace to the soul, removes anxiety and sadness, and it cures spiritual diseases such as pride, envy, and hatred, which corrupt the heart. Additionally, the Quran serves as a cure for certain physical ailments, as mentioned in the Prophet’s traditions, where certain verses are used for spiritual healing, such as Surah Al-Fatiha and Ayat Al-Kursi.
### The Quran as a Solution to the World's Problems
The Quran is not merely a religious text for worship; it is also a constitution for life that encompasses all aspects of human existence. Among these aspects, the Quran offers a comprehensive solution to the world’s economic and social problems.
#### Economically:
The Quran establishes a just economic system based on the principles of fairness and equality. It prohibits **usury** (interest), which is one of the main causes of economic injustice, poverty, and unemployment. Allah says:
**"O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers."** (Al-Baqarah: 278).
Additionally, the Quran encourages spending in the way of Allah and helping the poor and needy through **charity** and **zakat**, which reduces the gap between social classes and contributes to economic balance.
#### Socially:
The Quran establishes the foundations for sound social relationships based on justice, mercy, and cooperation. It emphasizes the rights of individuals and society, calling for respect for human rights, including the rights of women, orphans, and the weak. It also promotes **tolerance** and **fairness** in dealings with others. Allah says:
**"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice."** (An-Nisa: 58).
Thus, the Quran enhances values of **justice** and **equality**, and calls for rejecting oppression and discrimination based on race, religion, or gender.
### Praise of the Quran by Non-Muslims
Throughout history, the Quran has received admiration and respect from non-Muslims, including philosophers, scientists, and literary figures, who praised its greatness in legislation and wisdom.
1. **Thomas Carlyle**, the Scottish philosopher and historian, wrote about the Quran, saying, “It is a book unlike any other; it is a force brimming with life and renewal, and its words resonate with an absolute truth.”
2. **Michael Hart**, in his book *The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History*, placed Prophet Muhammad in the top position and praised the Quran as one of the most important books that provided a complete ethical system for humanity.
3. **Johann Wolfgang von Goethe**, the famous German poet and philosopher, was fascinated by the Quran and wrote in one of his works: “Whenever I read the Quran, I feel that my spirit is stirred within me; it is a book that has no equal.”
4. **George Bernard Shaw**, the Irish playwright, stated: “The Quran is a book that will remain forever a reference, for it contains wisdom and rulings that address all aspects of life.”
### Conclusion
The Quran is the greatest book ever revealed to humanity. It is a book of guidance, healing, and legislation, providing solutions to all of life’s challenges, whether economic, social, or political. Its greatness is not limited to Muslims alone; it has been admired and respected by great philosophers and thinkers from other faiths, who recognized it as an unparalleled miracle of language and law.
The Quran is the blueprint that, if applied correctly, would elevate humanity to the pinnacle of spiritual and material advancement.
Yes, the Quran is the word of God. Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal speech of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. It is considered the final and unaltered revelation, offering guidance for all aspects of life. The Quran itself describes its origin as divine, with Allah saying:
**"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian."** (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9).
Thus, the Quran is regarded as the ultimate source of wisdom, law, and spiritual guidance for humanity.