IRE5/1: NEED AND REASONS FOR THE REVELATION OF THE QUR’AN

The word revelation is used for the message sent by God. So, the Holy Quran was revealed by God for the benefit of Mankind as seen in chapter 17:105. The commencement of this revelation was in 610 AD, lasting for a period of 23 years (610 AD up to 623 AD).

Various factors combine in various ratios to explain the revelation of the Holy book:

The Quran was revealed to guide mankind from confusion and darkness in which man was trotting into light. Chapter 2:2 says: ‘This is the Book whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who fear Allah.’ Quran provides guidance in various spheres of life (political, social, economic and spiritual). This guidance is necessary since man is not

The Quran was revealed to unite mankind into a single brotherhood. God reminds man that he was created from a single person, Adam and from Adam, He created Eve. From this first pair of mankind, God created men and women, signifying that we are the same though we have various shapes, characteristics, colors, language etc. (4:1)

It was revealed to clear doubts people had about the earlier revelations. The Quran came to confirm god’s messages which had been previously revealed. The Quran says in chapter 6:92: ‘And this is a blessed Book which We have sent down confirming (the revelations) which came before it…’

It was revealed to confirm (fulfil) the prophecies of the earlier Prophets about Islam. For instance, Jesus had told his disciples about the coming of the final messenger with a final message. Chapter 61:6 says: ‘And remember Jesus the son of marry said: Oh children of Israel! I am the apostle of God sent to you confirming the Torah which came before me and to give glad tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmad…’

The earlier scriptures had been corrupted due man’s ulterior motives. None of these scriptures were still in existence. None had been preserved by the people to which they were sent which necessitated the revelation of the Quran. Chapter 3:78 says: ‘And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but is not from the Book…’

There was need for a universal Book because all the earlier revealed Books were sent to specific groups of people. Most of the Prophets and messengers were sent to the people of Israel. But due to their pompous character, they rejected the divine message and slew some Prophets. So, a universal message and messenger had to be sent as God says: ‘Verily, this (Quran) is no less than a message to (all) the worlds.’ 81:27

The need to provide answers to the prevailing questions especially those posed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the Quraish and the Jews. For instance, the Quran says: ‘And they ask you (Oh Muhammad) concerning the soul; Say: the soul is from Allah and you have not been given knowledge of it accept a little.’ 17:85

It was revealed to give encouragement to the Prophet (PBUH) especially when he was disturbed and offended by the pagans of Mecca and the Jews. For instance, in the early years of his ministry, the pause in revelation which made the pagans jeer at him, taunted, threatened, slandered and persecuted him together with his followers. Chapter 93 was then revealed informing him that God was still with him.

It was revealed to answer the prayers of the earlier Prophets. For instance, after the completion of the construction of the Ka’ba, Prophet Ibrahim prayed to God to raise a Prophet from among the descendants of Ismail. Chapter 2:129 says: ‘Our Lord! Send amongst them a messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your verses and instruct them in the Book…’

There was a need for a book that would deal with modernity and scientific innovations. This is because, society keep metamorphosing which requires a message that befits the circumstances. Therefore, the laws given to former Prophets had to change because they were no longer relevant to the changing

Quran was revealed to clear doubts about Prophets Ibrahim and Jesus. The Christians visualize Ibrahim as a Christian and they refer to Jesus as, not only the begotten son of god, but also as god besides Allah. But the Quran says: ‘Ibrahim is neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a true ’

It was revealed to act as a judgment of authority, that is, to judge between right and wrong. As already noted, no man is infallible and therefore, they all need the Quran to give them the detail of things so that they are able to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Chapter 13:37 says: ‘And thus have We sent it down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic…’

It was revealed to announce the end of the ministry of Prophet-hood as seen in chapter 33:40 which says: ‘Muhammad (PBUH) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets…’ This also corroborates verse 3 of chapter 5 which scholars believe was the last portion to be

It was revealed to warn the transgressors. In this vein, chapter 17:105 says: ‘We sent down the Quran and in truth has it descended, and We sent you (Oh Muhammad) for no other reason but to give glad tidings and warn the ’

The Quran was revealed due to God’s will and pre-determination. God says in chapter 36:82 that: ‘Verily, when He intends a thing, His command is ‘Be and it is.’ God is the causer of everything and therefore, He used his absolute powers to determine the time and place of revelation of Qur’an.