History of the Qur’an: Approaches and Explorations (P/B)

The Magnificence of the Quran is a book that relates to us the countless miracles and benefits of the Holy Book of Islam. It expands on numerous aspects of the Quran, all of which point to its magnificence, as signified by the apt title. The author discusses everything from the methodology of studying the Quran to its characteristics, qualities, and the manners with which one should approach it.

It is much like a user`s manual that opens up a world of knowledge and facts about the Quran. For all audiences, this book is an invaluable companion to the Quran and one which serves to remind us of its eminence and its superiority to all other books. By discussing a series of seemingly miscellaneous topics, the author manages to create a whole picture of the Quran which surpasses any other guide of this academic nature.

“Who is the author of the Qur’an?” On this subject scholars have flagrantly contradicted each other. This work attempts to make a critical review of the major ‘authorship’ theories by pressing into service logical arguments, historical evidence, textual analysis and scientific data. Probably, the only point of agreement about the Qur’an is that it was uttered for the first time by a man who was born in Makkah (Mecca), a city of Arabia, in the sixth century—a man by the name of Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). As to the source of the Qur’an, scholars are divided into three main groups: those who believe that Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) himself was the author; those who believe that he was not the author himself but learned it from another human author or authors; and those who believe that the Qur’an has no human author but is rather a word-for-word revelation from God. Hamza Njozi examines the three theories and comes to a firm and logical conclusion.

The Qur’an and Sunnah are the two primary sources of Muslim faith, life, law and morality. The Qur’an is for Muslims the foundation of their faith and the Sunnah is the framework of their morality. Together they constitute the two sources of the law (Shari ah) of God, a guide to prosperity and happiness in this life and to the bliss of the hereafter. Although the Qur’an and Sunnah are materially and formally two independent sources, they are inextricably bound in a dynamic relationship. The rulings and precepts (ahkam) of the Qur’an constitute the law (shar ) of God. They are supplemented by the precepts of the authentic Sunnah, which possess authority second only to the precepts of the Qur’an. The Qur’an commands Muslims, Whatever the Messenger gives you, that you must take, and whatever he forbids you, you must desist therefrom…. (59:7).