2.2 Why the Qur’an has supreme authority for Muslims
Authority – The power and right to make demands of others
Bismillah – these words begin almost every surah (chapter) in the Qur’an
The bismillah: ‘In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful’.
For Muslims the Qur’an is the most important source of guidance for their lives. The Qur’an is made up of 114 surahs
(chapters), containing over 6,000 ayat (verses). It is divided into 30 sections called juz as well as seven sections
called manzil, so a Muslim could recite the whole Qur’an in one week or one month if they wished.
Nobody is forced to follow the teachings of the Qur’an. Muslims show their faith in Allah by accepting its authority.
They receive it as guidance about how to live as faithful Muslims. Also, those who follow its teachings experience for
themselves that it is true. They discover that it works.
Why does the Qur’an have supreme authority for Muslims?
1. Muslims believe that the Qur’an contains the exact words of Allah. This is extremely important because they
believe that the other holy books mentioned in the Qur’an (Tawrat, Zabur & Injil) have lost the original wording
and have been changed or edited over the years so are no longer accurate.
2. The Qur’an was brought to the people by Muhammad (pbuh) the final prophet. Although Allah had sent
prophets with His message before to different people at different times, this time the message was for all
people for all time and would not be repeated.
3. It was recited by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) exactly, word for word. Muslims believe that as the prophet
received the revelations, he recited them exactly and then the words were recorded immediately and
accurately by his companions.
4. The Qur’an has never been changed. Muslims read the Qur’an in the original Arabic so that they are sure that
their knowledge is correct. Many Muslim scholars think that the Qur’an should never be translated into other
languages because of the risk of mistakes.
5.
It is the first great miracle for Muslims. Muslims believe that Muhammad had not been taught to read and
write and so could not have written the Qur’an, so it is a miracle of Allah revealed to the prophet via the Angel
Jibril.
6. Muslims also accept the authority of the Qur’an because it helps them to understand the qualities and nature
of Allah and it shows them how to follow His straight path. Also, the Qur’an provides a framework of belief
about Allah and can give those who choose to follow the teachings an inner peace. It encourages believers to
lead a good life and it offers support and help in times of need and hardship.
Exam questions:
(c) Explain why the Qur’an has supreme authority for Muslims.
(8)
(d) ‘The Qur’an is the only authority for Muslims.’ In your answer you should refer to Islam.
I.
II.
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
Explain why some people disagree with you.
(3)
(3)