The Quran - Use and treatment

Why is the Quran important to Muslims everyday life?

• The Quran is believed to be a guide for humanity for all time.

• The words are considered sacred as they are believed to be from Allah.

• Therefore the Quran is used as a part of Muslim’s everyday life.

How is the Quran used in a Muslims everyday life?

• Prayer - The Quran is recited aloud during the daily prayer services by the Imam.

• Friday sermon - Parts of the Quran may be used to explain the sermon.

• Ramadan - Muslims will attempt to read the whole Quran in the month of Ramadan.

• Moral social, legal guidance - Muslims will implement the Sharia laws (based on the Quran) for structure and guidance for everyday life matters.

• Islamic schools - Madrassah classes take place in the mosque. Students are taught to recite the Arabic words and learn them off by heart. Some are taught to memorise the whole Quran off by heart for whom it is believed Allah will grant seven generations paradise.

• Calligraphy - Selected verses from the Quran may adorn the walls of the mosque, often beautifully decorated in the form of calligraphy. This is because Muslims reject idols and recognise the Quran itself as the highest form of art because it is the word of God.

• Rites of passage - Verses from the Quran are recited at key moments in an individuals life e.g. birth, wedding, funeral.

• Support with spiritual growth - The Quran may be read during hardships and supports Muslims to get through any struggles and strengthens their belief in God’s plan.

What is a key quote about the Quran being focal?

• ‘The Quran is the focal point of the Islamic faith’ - Rippin

Where is the Quran kept and why?

• The Quran is the most important book and kept on the highest shelves of the bookcases in the mosque.

• In a library the Quran will be kept high up.

• Care is taken to ensure it is kept clean out of the respect for the word of Allah.

When the Quran is read how is it treated?

• When the Quran is read it is placed on a stand so that the word of Allah is not put on the floor.

• This is a mark of respect.

• Those reading it will perform wudu, ritual ablution, before touching the Quran - out of respect.

• Out of respect no one will talk or turn their back whilst it is being recited.

• No other object must be placed upon it.

Why should the Quran be translated?

• Not everyone can speak Arabic.

• If translated you can preach easier in non Arab countries.

• Develops further knowledge and understanding of the holy book meaning more people are likely to follow it.

• Islam emphasises no barriers between Arab and non Arab - translations is a way to breakdown the barriers and strengthen the Ummah.

What are the issues with translating the Quran?

• The Quran is a revelation very specifically in Arabic, so it should only be recited in Quranic Arabic.

• ‘Indeed, we have sent it down as an Arabic Quran that you might understand.’ - Quran.

• Translations into other languages are necessarily the work of humans, so according to Muslims, no longer possess the uniquely sacred character of the original Arabic.

• Translating isn’t easy, some native Arab speakers will confirm that some Quranic passages are difficult to understand even in the original Arabic.

• A part of this is the innate difficulty of any translation - in Arabic a single word can have a vairety of meanings. There is always an element of human judgement involved in understanding and translating a text.

• Some Muslims believe there are no translations, only interpretations because no one can translate Gods words.

• ‘The Quran is only in Arabic; when it is translated it becomes an interpretation. In translation many features that exist in the original language disappear’ - Abdullah Saeed.

• For example Allah is commonly translated to God, however it is ‘one God’

• Salah which translates to prayer encompasses not just the act of praying but also the spiritual connection and community aspect in Islamic worship.