CHAPTER 1
KITAB, QURAN & ARABIC –
IS "ARABIC" THE NAME OF A LANGUAGE OF
MIDDLE EAST AND THE BOOK QURAN A SACRED BOOK OF MUSLIMS? THE QUESTION
APPEARS TO BE VERY ABSURD.
LET’S ANALYZE SOME VERSES IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT IS MEANT BY KITAB,
QURAN AND ARABIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK QURAN.
الر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
12:1 - A.L.R. These are the symbols / signs of the perspicuous Book.
إِنَّا
أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
12:2 - Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you may use your intellect.
12:3 - نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ
43:2 - By the script / book that clarifies things
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا
لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
43:3 - Verily, We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic that you may be
able to use intellect.
وَإِنَّهُ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ لَدَيْنَا
لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ
43:4 - And indeed, it is in the Correctional Script / Book, in Our Presence, high
(in dignity), full of wisdom. -
Initially these verses made me realize that to understand the book Qur'an, it
is important to understand Arabic language, which I assumed, was the sacred
language of Allah widely spoken in the Middle East, and through it He spoke with the Messenger of Arabia (Peace be upon him).
Being an ardent fan of the book Quran, I have always been enamored by the message and tried to understand the essence of what the respected author of the book Quran wants us all to grasp. I never simply read Arabic script or the translation of the book Quran just for the sake of reading. My purpose in reading has always been to study, analyze, and question the content.
Believing that “Arabic” is the sacred language of the Holy Book Quran, I made a tremendous and sincere effort to learn and understand the language. In fact, my observation as a non-Arabic-speaking person was that, no matter how much effort one puts in, one still cannot match the linguistic skills of a 5-year-old whose mother tongue is “Arabic.” Disheartened at not being able to learn the nuances of the Arabic language, a thought clouded my mind, "Can Allah be unjust?"
While studying the book Quran, I came across many verses that contained phrases such as: "this is the Quran" (هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ). I discovered that the earliest Quran that was found dates back to at least approximately 200 years after the demise of the honourable Messenger, which is presently on display at the Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo. This monumental Quranic manuscript on parchment shows a well-formed Kufic script written in dark-brown ink with sparse diacritical marks and no ornamentation. The total number of folios is 1087. Size: 57 cm x 68 cm. The height of the muṣḥaf [مصحف] is 40 cm, and it weighs 80 kg. The extant folios contain more than 99% of the text of the book Quran.
25:32 - وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً كَذَلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِ فُؤَادَكَ وَرَتَّلْنَاهُ تَرْتِيلً
25:32 - And those who disbelieve say, "Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once?" Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages. - Traditional translation -
It is traditionally believed that the book was revealed to the Prophet SAW in 23 years
The above verse of the book Quran and the Hadith linked with this verse made us believe that the book Quran was revealed in parts within the duration of 23 years of the prophet's life. But in verse 2:185, it says the entire Quran was revealed in the Islamic "month of Ramadan."
Then I began to wonder why the Messenger of Islam uttered those words frequently, "this is the Quran - Hazal Quran / هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ" (6:19) (12:3) (17:9) (17:41) (17:88) (17:89) (18:54) (25:30) (27:76) (30:58) (34:31) (39:27) (41:26) (43:31) (59:21) – If we believe Quran to be a book, then that would mean the messenger carrying a big gunny bag weighing probably 100 kg of written material comprising 114 chapters while addressing the people of Arabia. It also signifies that this is why he uttered those words frequently, pointing towards the "gunny bag" containing the material of the book Quran. The traditional understanding puts a question mark on the existence of the prophet and the presence of the physical book Quran.
I again wondered how Rabb/Allah could have thrown down the complete book or revealed it in parts containing 114 chapters to the messenger and what could have been its form and material. I found the word J’alna [جَعَلْنَا] was used for the making of the Quran or with reference to the existence of the book Quran. When I further probed into the detailed meaning of the word جَعَلْنَا (J’alna) in 43:3, I found out that this word جعل is used when no physical material is used in its formation. The translators have interpreted J’alna as 'we made,' which does not represent its true essence. Like, for example, during the making of day and night or the making of zodiac signs, or to make us Muslim the word اجْعَلْنَا is used. The word J’alna is used in the book Quran when no physical material is used, like to make day or night; it’s just a relative phenomenon brought about by the rotation of Earth on its axis or an arrangement of stars to form a zodiac sign. No physical material is used to make the character of Muslim.
Again, in the same verse, further to my amazement, when I linguistically analyzed the words arabiyyan [عَرَبِيًّا] and Qur’aanan [قُرْآنًا], I found that both these words are used without a definite article ‘Al’- ‘The,’ and they are not even proper nouns but indefinite articles. On the contrary, ‘arabiyyan’ is an accusative adjective - صفة منصوبة.
After being convinced that no material was used in the making of the Quran and since Arabiyyan was also not used as a proper noun, and had Arabiyyan been mentioned as a proper noun it would have been written with a definite article Al, like Al-arabiyah [العربية] and not with a tanween (nunation) which actually represents an indefinite article. However, some traditionalists deny this because of their indoctrinated beliefs. Finally, it became clear to me that the message was directly downloaded (Nazil) from the natural inherent script (Al-Kitab) and manifested (Shahr) in the intellect (Qalb) through inspiration (Wahi). This can happen to any person who mulls over intensely or gets ignited by the flame of knowledge (Ramadan). The kindle of knowledge [Ramadan] is a manifestation [Shahr], and the speech is delivered in an articulate (Arabi) compiled thoughts converted into expression / conversation is Quran. So, Al-Quran is the specific compilation of our own thoughts which speaks to us in our own language. These compilation of thoughts are settled or lodged inside any person, which could be of either one sentence or more than 10,000 sentences. We cannot confine it to just 114 chapters, and it can be in any language that could be clearly understood by the masses (14:4). It is an oral expression or an inner conversation that speaks to us and not a physical book. Later on, this compilation of thoughts (Al-Quran) was written down and compiled into a book form in the present form. The real script [Al-Kitab] is embedded in our breast / heart / mind (29:49-51) brought by Jibrael (2:97).
For those who think that the Quran means a book of Allah consisting of 114 chapters then how will they justify the following verses which the Quran claims: "This Quran has all the necessary examples?"
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ
مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ فَأَبَى أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ كُفُورًا
17:89-And We have certainly diversified
for the people in this Qur'an from every [kind] of example, but most of the
people refused [anything] except disbelief.
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن
كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَكَانَ الْإِنسَانُ أَكْثَرَ شَيْءٍ جَدَلاً
18:54-And We have certainly diversified in this Qur'an for
the people from every [kind of] example; but man has ever been, most of
anything, [prone to] dispute.
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن
كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَلَئِن جِئْتَهُم بِآيَةٍ لَّيَقُولَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ
أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ
30:58- And We have certainly presented to the people in this
Qur'an from every [kind of] example. But, [O Muhammad], if you should bring
them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, "You [believers] are but
falsifiers."
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا
الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
39:27-And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur'an
from every [kind of] example - that they might remember / recollect. – Traditional
translations
Any sane person who is not affected by religious indoctrination will say that this Quran of 114 chapters does not contain all the examples necessary for living a peaceful life. Even the language in which it is written is not fit for comprehension. Important issues like how to establish work, how to prevent bloodshed or how to coexist, the rights of all living beings, and remedies for diseases like fever, cold, blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, psychological problems, and many other basic problems are not addressed in the book of 114 chapters. Then how does this 114-chapter book claim to contain all the examples? Still, we disbelieve or dispute and confidently assert that this book has all the models and patterns to live a peaceful life.
My purpose is not to deny the sacred position of the Quran but to educate that the translation of this 114-chapter book, which we assume as the holy Quran, is not sufficient as a guide to live a normal life. The book of 114 chapters, made up of physical material, is not the actual Quran that the book Quran is talking about. In fact, the Quran is talking about that matter of the mind which only the pure can touch (56:77-80) – It’s a clear sentence which means its instructions can only be understood by those who are pure in thoughts or whose learning cups are empty.
LET’S ANALYZE
SOME MORE VERSES:
قُل
لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ
أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا
18:109-Say, "If the sea were ink for [writing] the words of my
Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted,
even if We brought the like of it as a supplement."
وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ
وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ
اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
31:27 - And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the
sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah
would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is exalted in Might and Wise. Traditional
translations
One more example: If we assume the meaning of Quran as plain
reading or reciting, it does not make sense, if we translate Quran and put
reading in place of the word Quran. It will appear like this “read the
reading” in the following verses.
This means the words/communication (Kalimat) of 'Allah' have much more depth than this book of 114 chapters, and it is not justified to confine the words of Allah to a concise book of 114 chapters containing just more than 6236 verses.
It is a fact that the entire universe and beyond are manifested words [kalimat] or signs (ayaats) for those who want to use their intelligence as it is embedded in the mind or soul of humans. Only those who think deeply are able to unfold the mysteries of those signs (ayaats) in any form of compiled thoughts that speaks to us (Al-Quran). If we take the Quran as the physical book then the above Ayaats that state that Quran has everything will make sense. We can only accept that everything is contained in Al-Quran which is a product of intense thought process and correct extraction of our inherent Al-Kitab. The Quran is in a correctional book (Ummul Al-Kitab) which is within us, Exalted in Wisdom 43:4. Ummul-Kitab is the corrective book that is with Rabb 13:39. A book that corrects/guides is called Ummul-Kitab, an attribute of Quran. The basic meaning of Umm is mother or one who guides or corrects.
One more example: If we assume the meaning of Quran as plain reading or reciting, it does not make sense. If we translate Quran and put reading in place of the word Quran, it will appear like this: “read the reading” in the following verses.
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ
بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
(16:98) - So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled
[from His mercy].
وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ
وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا
17:45 - And when you recite the Qur'an, We create between you and those who do not believe in
the Hereafter a concealed partition.
وَأَنْ
أَتْلُوَاْ الْقُرْآنَ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَى فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن
ضَلَّ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُنذِرِينَ
27:92 - And to recite the Qur'an, "And whoever is guided is only guided for [the
benefit of] himself [own soul]; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one]
of the warners."
Till now, almost all the translators have retained the Arabic word Quran or Al-Quran as Quran only. Nobody has made an effort to know its exact meaning.
I repeat, the translators have not replaced the word Quran with any other word; hence, while translating, they translate as “read the Quran.” If they would translate "Read the reading" they knew that the phrase will not make any sense, and their folly would be exposed.
The term "Al-Quran" is used here because it represents a specific expression or an inner conversation. The prefix "Al" is also used to denote a specific group, as in "Al-Insaan," which does not refer to just one human being but signifies the specific quality of human beings. So when the word "Quran" is used, it refers to a common expression, and "Al-Quran" signifies specific or special expressions. Another reason for choosing the meaning of "expression" for Quran is that it fits into all the verses wherever Quran is mentioned. It also aligns with the verses of the book of 114 chapters.
The question is what is the opposite of Arabic?
I will strive to keep the thesis as simple and concise as possible. People will be surprised to learn that the word "Arabic" also has an opposite. The meaning of Arabic is articulate or easily understood. Some readers might wonder how I determined the meaning of Arabic as articulate (clear or easily understood). I have drawn this conclusion from the book of 114 chapters, where I found that the opposite of Arabic is "Ajmi." I arrived at this conclusion by understanding the following verses:
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ
يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ الَّذِي يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ
أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَهَـذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِيٌّ مُّبِينٌ
16: 103 - And We certainly know that they say, "It is only a
human being who teaches the Prophet." The tongue of the one they refer to
is foreign (ajmi), and this (Qur'an) is [in] a clear articulate (Arabic) language. (Traditional
translation)
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا
لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ
آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ
وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُوْلَئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ
41:44- And if We had made it a aʿjamiyyan [foreign
language] Qur'an, they would have said, "Why are its verses not explained
in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [āʿ'jamiyyun] and
an Arab [messenger]?" Say, "It is, for those who believe in the
guidance and cure." And those who do not believe - in their ears is
deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant
place. (Traditional translation)
وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَاهُ عَلَى بَعْضِ الْأَعْجَمِينَ
26:198 - And even if We had revealed it to one among
the foreigners [AAjameena]
-199 - And had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.
Arabic is not a language; any language that we understand is Arabic (articulate), and any language we do not understand is Ajmi (foreign) to us. We could also say that for some people, the terminologies in the fields of medicine, engineering, and computers are alien (Ajmi) to them. Or one could say that it's like Greek and Latin to us, as every category or group has its own jargon. Academics can also check the meanings of Arabic and Ajmi in classical lexicons.
With this new understanding, when we translate 12:2 - "Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand," it will be like this - "Verily, We have sent it as an articulate compiled thoughts so that you may understand / reflect." After amending this verse, it makes perfect sense. Similarly, with every verse, when we replace 'compiled thoughts' for Quran and 'articulate' for Arabic, then the verses will make complete sense. If translators translate or interpret all the Arabic words, only then can they claim to have completely translated the text of 114 chapters. Common and important words like Rabb, Allah, Quran, Arabic, Ramadan, etc., are used as they are, without even an attempt to translate or deduce them, just making a false pretense that they are proper nouns or foreign words and hence cannot be translated.
... ANALYZING IT FURTHER:
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ
يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
Chapter 44:58 says “certainly, We have made this easy in
your speech in order that they may continuously discuss / recollect /
remember (يَتَذَكَّرُونَ).
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ
مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ
54:17-32-40 And We have certainly made the Qur'an (compilation of thoughts that speaks) easy
for remembrance, so is there any who will call to mind?
75:17 إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ
Indeed! it is
upon Us to assess it and to express it
It is for the
Consciousness to assess and express it
75:18 فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ
So when it is
expressed, then follow its compilation
When the expression is
settled minutely follow its detail
75: 19 ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ
Then indeed!
It is upon Us to explain it
It is the role of the
Consciousness to distinguish it properly.
WHAT IS THE WORD QURAN IN QURANIC CONTEXT ?
If Arabic is the language and Quran a book, then it is impossible to understand the verses because wherever the word Arabic occurs in the Quran, our minds begin to relate it to the Arabic language of the 14th century. Honestly, these verses will not make any sense if we assume Arabic as a language of a particular region or tribe and then claim that this (Quran) message is crystal clear and for the entire mankind. Such claims fall flat on their face. How can an alien ancient language be understood not even by a handful of elites among the Arabs themselves, who claim to be the guidance for the entire mankind? Does this really make any sense to the greater majority? It is obvious that one can understand and discuss only in a language known to us, and Arabic means something that we can understand / infer. Modern and colloquial Arabic is totally different from the pre-classical Arabic of the Quran, which was originally not even written in Arabic script but in Garshuni script.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ بِلِسَانِ
قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ فَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ
وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
14:4 - And We did not send any messenger except in
the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray
[thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in
Might, the Wise.
Where are our messengers who speak in our own language,
as per the above verse? Now the big dilemma for all of us is not to search
for the messengers, but to look out for messages in our respective languages
and localities taking the help of Zalikal-Kitab (that natural
script within us) where nothing is omitted. We will discuss about the
messengers / rasuls in another topic later.
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وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ
يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ
مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
6:38 - And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that
flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not
neglected in the Register / book a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be
gathered. (All Quranic references are from traditional translations so
the majority of the readers can easily relate with the verses)
THE QUESTION TO PONDER, WHY “QURAN” AND OTHER “BOOKS” ARE ALWAYS IN ARABIC”?
We see in the book Quran that emphasis is given on Arabic Quran. The majority of us believe that it is the language that is given special importance to understand the book called Quran. But this is not the case; in 13:37 the phrase “Hukuman Arabiyan” is used; here "arabiyan" simply means the clarity or articulation of the message rather than the language. The articulation of all messengers / rasuls is in Arabic, which does not mean that they all spoke in the language of the Middle East; it actually meant that they spoke clearly and explicitly (14:4). Verse 46:12 also clarifies to us that the book of Musa is the leader (Imam) and it speaks the truth (Musadiq) in Arabic (articulate) Lisan (speech). This does not mean that the book of Musa was in the Arabic language; instead, it talks about the articulation of the message rather than the language.
It should be clear by now that the word "Arabiyan" does not mean the language of the Middle East but an attribute of the local and vocal message delivered by the inner Quran.
NOW COMING TO HOW KITAB CAN BE AN INHERENT SCRIPT?
Muslims consider the book Quran as the catalogue of their life or their vital lifeline, but in reality, they treat the book as their mute deity. They think keeping it in the house or shop will bring them luck. They selectively read some chapters or verses of the book Quran without understanding so that it brings some blessings to them. Their intention is never to understand the essence / intrinsic nature of its message, nevertheless, they behave as if their entire life depends on this noble book. But the truth is, they read it for i) earning imaginary rewards ii) for the sake of reading iii) for the guidance interpreted by their self-proclaimed scholars / authorities. To treat this valuable book in such a hypocritical way is the main cause of their downfall. Whatever we read we must raise questions to ourselves from it. For example, when the book Quran says:
1) Al-Kitab has guidance for the mutaqi - A question that must immediately come up in our minds is, what is Kitab, and who is mutaqi? If we think Quran is the book and religious people are mutaqi, then all religious people should be thoroughly guided, but that is not the case.
2) If the language of the book [Kitab] is in old Arabic, and if Kitab means the book Quran, then how can the Arabs and non-Arabs understand its message?
3) Where is the promised guidance? [2:38]; is it not a mockery of guidance if we don't understand its language?
4) Do you order the agitated minds [people] about righteousness, and you forget your own souls, while you continuously follow the script [Al-Kitab], do you not reason / understand / comprehend? [2:44]. Which book do we continuously read, recite, follow, but do not use our intellect?
5) The book Quran says that those whom we gave the script [Al-Kitab] know / recognize the script [Al-Kitab] as their own children. But those who have lost their soul refuse to believe [2:146] - [6:20] - These two and many verses clearly indicate that the script / book of guidance is within us, but we refuse to believe.
6) We have certainly sent down to you a script [Kitab] in it is your memory [ذِكْرُكُمْ]. Then will you not reason? [21:10]
The biggest mistake we make is assuming that the word Kitab means the book Quran. Al-Kitab in the Quranic context is the script larger than Al-Quran. Al-Kitab is already embedded in us, from which only the diligent / thoughtful (Mutaqi) can extract lessons; no doubt in it is guidance for the diligent. The Al-Kitab is also called mother / correctional book full of wisdom [43:4] which has everything [6:38]. In it are lessons / hints / signs / guidance / criterion."
Al-Kitab is the inherent script, contains everything, every solution, and guidance within it. The correct interpretation of Kitab is the inherent script in the context of the content of the book Quran. However, the problem is that we often overlook the broader meaning of Al-Kitab in favor of a smaller book with 114 chapters, whose language is foreign to most of us. And (21:10) refers to the Kitab that is inside us; it is our preserved memory card. This Kitab communicates with us and guides us in our own language. We know Al-Kitab as we know our children [2:146] [6:20], Al-Kitab is within / between his power / resources / his hands / in his control [5:48] and it is sufficient as evidence against us [17:14].
Those to whom We have bestowed the script [Al-Kitab] recognize it as they recognize their own children. But indeed, a party of them conceals the truth, even though they know [it] [2:146] [6:20]. "Read your own script" [17:14]. These verses are speaking about our own script [Al-Kitab].
2:146 - الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ
يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقاً مِّنْهُمْ
لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Those unto whom We gave the Scripture recognize (this revelation)
as they recognize their sons / children. But lo! a party of them knowingly
conceal the truth.
6:20 - الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ
يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمُ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ
فَهُمْ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Those to whom We have given the Book know this as they know their own / children / sons. Those who have lost their own souls [nafs] refuse therefore to believe.
17:14 - اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَى
بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا
Read your own script. Your own self [nafs] is sufficient against you as an accountant.
29:51 - أَوَلَمْ
يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ يُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ
لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَى لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Was (it) not enough/sufficient for them that We descended on you
the script (it) is being read/recited on them, that in that (is) mercy and a
remembrance/reminder for body of thoughts who continuously wants to believe.
10:37 - وَمَا كَانَ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنُ أَن يُفْتَرَى مِن دُونِ اللّهِ
وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ
مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
And it can never be this Al-Quran [the compiled expression]
that it be remitted / flagged / abated from weaker system of consciousness, and
but confirmation (of) what (is) within his power / sources / hands / ability / control,
and brief explanation of the script [Al-Kitab], no doubt / suspicion in
it, (it is) from the Knowledgeable Consciousness.
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For me Al-Kitab has never been a book, and I
consider it as an inherent script and Ahle-Kitab as people
who i) know the truth about their script or ii)
are familiar with their own script or iii) are the people who know their
own script ,[Al-Kitab] 3:70-71,110 but majority of Ahle Kitab are disobedient.
When we label Kitab as a book we conceive it to be in the form of written
material on paper or any other material, but we fail to take note of the
signs (Ayaats) around and within us which are far greater and
valuable than the man made written materials. It must be also noted
and acknowledged the fact that Al-Kitab, Kitab, Al-Quran or
Quran are not physical books in the context of the book Quran. The book Quran
is just a pointer to our own script and self [nafs].
There are similar messages in other languages
too which one can refer and apply it in their daily life. And there are
messages or scripts (Kitabun) for every period (ajlin) - (13:38). The
job of the inherent messengers is to convey the message clearly -
balagah mobeen - (5:92) (14:4) (24:54) (29:18, (36:16-17) because the
inherent script [Kitab] is clear [Kitabi Mobeen] - (5:15,
6:59, 10:61, 11:6, 12:1, 15:1, 16:103, 24:54,
26:2, 26:195, 27:1, 27:75, 28:2, 34:3, 37:17 36:69, 43:29, 43:2, 44:13 Conveying the message
clearly is only possible if the message and the messenger is alive and the
message is conveyed in one's own mother tongue. That is why the book Quran lays emphasis on Arabic which means articulate (mother tongue
- which can be clearly understood) (19:97) (44:58).
And to understand Al-Kitab you don't
need to know any language because its message is clear and obvious - Kitabi
mubeen -( 28:2) and this chaste script is in an articulate
language (46:12) -This means that the inherent message is pure and
its language is easily understandable, therefore, there are no excuses that
message or messenger was not sent to us (6:130) (39:71)
(40:50). We just simply have to keep our mind open (fateha) and the
Rabb will open the lock in order to guide us.
The concept that Al-Kitab is a conventional book of God, leads us to believe in
some divine interactions or intuition, hence limiting our scope to learn and
get inspired from the daily messages / signs which we experience every moment
in our day to day life. No need for any “holy book or any holy figure” or holy
language to guide us. We already have divine gifts from Rabb in the form of
brain / mind to decode any inherent message but we seldom use it.
The same messages have come in all languages
and in every period there is a prescribed message or messenger according to its
time (14:4) (13:38) (16:36). The book Quran is
a complicated book in foreign language, for those who are interested
to know about it should keep their mind open to decode it, otherwise inherent
Al-Kitab is sufficient for the guidance of those who do not know “Arabic”
language.
WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF AL- QURAN?
The present book of 114 chapters in Arabic language is labeled
as the Quran by almost all the eminent translators. The physical book Quran is
an extension of Jewish Christian philosophy. It is the Rabb who is the author
of the honorable Quran, which actually is not a physical book but an oral
transmission - لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ of the honorable inherent
messenger (69:40-43) (81:19) and it was not a new message (42:52) but
is carried forward in Arabic language by the book
Al-Quran. Rabb and Rasul is not just a monopoly of "Islamic
personalities" but anyone who ponders intensely on the signs of Al-Kitab
or of Rabb will experience the revelation from one’s own inherent Rasul.
Harnessing the natural and invisible forces is possible for man only with the
help and support of one’s knowledgeable Mind (Rabbul Aalameen) and the
inherent Al-Kitab.
The respected author of the book Quran has narrated the
parables by personifying the characters in
a multi-dialogue format, the way plays and theatrical dramas are
enacted. The Quran or Furqan or Kitab or Zikr or Hakim or Basirah supposed to
be synonyms of Quran (2:185) (21:10) (38:1) (36:1) (2:203) is
embedded in every human, which warns, guides, and distinguishes at every moment
and various stages of life. That's why all the Rasuls follow only what is
revealed to them by their Rabb, as Quran is the mental
perception/intelligence/insight (Basirah) of your Rabb (7:203-205).
The Quran is a revelation to the people who think, it is a guidance and
criterion. Every thinking man possesses his own personal Quran, in the language
he knows in the form of his own thoughts.
Not only the book Quran, but right from – a small
needle to a rocket, is undoubtedly the creation of great minds. The invention
of the computers, internet, phones, electricity, automobiles etc. are not
possible for man without the help of revelation from his Rabb (Consciousness).
Think, ponder; is it even possible for man to fly in the sky
with about 300 passengers on board? Is it not a miracle
from our Rabb? But most of them have a different explanation for this. The
majority of people do not think beyond their individual deities lodged in their
minds, instead they just seek ways of appeasement with the help
of rituals and physical acts of worship.
There are many ancient scriptures whose authors are unknown. The script of the
Quran is theophany that's why it appears that "God" is dictating to
an Arab Messenger.
THEN WHAT IS ARABIC?
Arabiyun is not a name of a language as is
generally perceived. The word Arabic mentioned in the book Quran is an
indefinite adjective. A name of the language is always written as a
definite article [العربية]. Tanween (nunation) at the end of the word indicates that
it is an indefinite article. Lisanu Arabiyun Mobeen (16:103) means
it is an articulate clear speech. The Language that you can
understand is known as Arabiyun and the languages that you do not
understand is Ajamiyun. If an Arab visits India, he will be called Ajmi and not
Arabi because he is a foreigner here. If you understand Chinese clearly, it is
your Lisanu Arabiyun Mobin. I wouldn't recommend anyone to learn
Arabic language as it is unnecessary waste of time and energy. The message and
lessons are all around us and within us, only if you have an open mind and are
ready to learn and yearn to seek the knowledge. If anyone who is interested in
knowing the 114-chapter book called Quran, then he should learn the language of
the book called Quran although it is no longer a native language of any land.
The Language of the book called Quran is originally
called Garshuni or Karshuni which is the language of Syria, of
the Mesopotamian region; from it Karshuni is derived. Initially it was a spoken
language; later on it adopted the Syrian script. Actually Karshuni is a
household language assembled together with many other languages. According to
my understanding this language belongs to the local Kuraish tribe but it has
nothing to do with Quraishin of surah106:1. I feel there must
be a link between Kuraishin and Karshuni. This word kuraish (كرش) also
indicates knitting or to ‘assemble’. Kuraishin and Quraishin قُرَيْشٍ
are both Arabic words having different connotation. Anyway, I do not want to go
into its detail for fear of drifting away from the main topic. For more
details, you may check for Garshuni in Wikipedia.
WHY IS QURAN SO IMPORTANT TO MANKIND AND LIFE?
Mankind cannot live without the Quran, note I am not
talking about the physical book Quran. Here Quran does not mean 114-chapter
book but a program of life connected with every man. It is man's book of
guidance and criterion filled with wisdom. Only to those who think intensely,
is it revealed to them from their script [Al-Kitab], it benefits him and
the entire thinking class or agitated minds. Our ascent and descent depends
upon its application. Our moment of Judgment or Resurrection depends upon this
book which is embedded in every human soul. Whatever we do in life, it is
compiled in this script but we seldom try to express it because we don't read
it. All our actions depend upon what we write in our book; in short we are the
author of our book or our journey.
Let’s not confine the meanings of Kitab,
Quran, and Arabic or for that matter any other word on the basis of
sacred beliefs thus limiting their scope, rather just let them grow to widen
their use. Languages are like trees which evolve into many branches, limiting
them in sacred ideologies will shunt their growth. The language or thought
which is unable to adjust itself to the needs of evolution will gradually die
as has happened with many languages and ideologies of the world.
Classical Arabic of Quran being the language of roots
is not in vogue today and is replaced now with Modern Standard Arabic which
does not mainly take its form according to roots. Let’s grow and grow upwards,
and break free from the shackles of the so called sacred ideologies. The basic
aim of any scripture was to impart education but as time lapsed they were
eventually transformed into holy books, thus confining its universal message
and appeal.
Pay attention to the Expression (Quran) that your Rabb
(consciousness /mind) is prompting you through the Zalikal Kitaab and feeding
it into your own Al-Kitab, sending you signals (Aayaat) to remind you at
regular intervals in your own language so that you understand and take heed.
WHY ANY LANGUAGE LOSES ITS ORIGINALITY?
The sacredness and belief or culture attached to any word or
language prevents the lexicographers and the public in general from deducing
the correct contextual meaning of the concerned word. When any word or language
wears a religious garb then philological inquiry becomes a deadly sin
as religious sentiments are attached to it, and finally the language is
only used for liturgical purpose. This is what has happened with Classical
Arabic and many other languages of the world. The unwritten law of consensus,
rules over logic or power to reason. The “religious heads” and the rulers
are usually hand in glove because of the common vested interests – that is to
rule the minds of the people.
The failure of researchers and freethinkers to come out with the logical truth,
gradually leads to confirmation and acknowledgement by the religious heads /
rulers’ interpretation of the message. Finally changing the original meaning of
the word in lieu for the popular meaning was the only easy way out. Common
people are not aware about the science of evolution of languages. They perceive
that present meanings and 1400 years’ age old meanings are same. When the
simple ordinary language is converted into a holy language, matters become more
difficult. Quranic Arabic is the best example of it.
Compromising with the meanings due to the fear of non acceptance and opposition
from the ruler and the masses leads to establishment of meaning, thus limiting
its expansion. A metamorphosis of the original meaning is sometimes an
unintentional process but the casualty is the original word which loses its
power and effectiveness to express, thus making it defunct in the context of
the text. This corruption of the meanings of words underlies every language due
to various factors.
But when we are translating or interpreting an age-old manuscript we cannot
interpret on the basis of the evolved meanings. Thus we have to deduce the best
possible original meaning that makes sense with the context. The book Quran is
written in preclassical Arabic and all the words are derivatives of root words.
We find a vast difference between classical Arabic and modern Arabic
vocabularies. Modern Standard Arabic is the present day Arabic whereas
classical Arabic is Quranic Arabic which is based on root words. Unfortunately,
the meanings of the Quranic Arabic words were canonized in the 10th century A.D,
thus limiting its understanding.
WHY ARE WE UNABLE TO ACQUIRE WISDOM FROM THE
QURAN?
Ritually rote reading of the book Quran for the sake of
utopian concept of paradise or rewards; rather than seeking understanding,
guidance and wisdom to distinguish right from the wrong, in my view is a
straight insult and mockery of the114-CHAPTER BOOK CALLED QURAN. Is he not
insane, who after receiving a prescription from the
doctor, merely chants the words written on it and believes himself of being
cured?
Indeed, in this way the book Quran has been largely abandoned in terms of
practice by its so-called adherents because they are not aware of its
application. The Quran in other terms means common sense whose use is not
common. The power of the Quran is only yielded when it is applied or when
commonsense is used on a daily basis. Ask yourself; if the Quran lightens up
the 'straight path' as a torch would then who in their right mind, would
abandon the use of such a torch in the darkness in our lives? Unfortunate are
those who do not use the light, in spite of the torch being part of their
mental faculty.
SYNOPSIS OF THE ARTICLE:
According to 114-chapter book; Al-Quran is something which deals with
guidance (Hidayah), and can differentiate (Furqan) between
right / wrong, and which expresses in our own language (Arabic) -
From these clues we understand that the established data compiled in our brain is the
book (Al-Quran) which takes the data from that book (Zalikal-Kitab) universal
book which is all around and within us and this provides us with signs (Aayaat),
power to differentiate (Furqan), power to convert our thoughts into expression (Quran) in
our own language (Arabic). So the conclusion is that when the
established data in our mind comes down (Nazil) from higher
consciousness (samawaaat) to its destination (Manzil). It
is a compiled expression of our own thoughts (Quran) which speaks to us and is the guidance for the
agitated minds (An-Naas). The available data in us should be
rehearsed / followed (Ootlu) and memorized or remembered
(Zikr) through the process of connection (Al-Salaat) and this
brings development / growth mentally (Zakaat).
The manifestation (Shahr) of the compiled thoughts that speaks, guides, differentiate is Al-Quran it is revealed on us only in Ramadan (A mental evolutionary stage when our
thought process is heated / cooked and ready to be served). Everyone does not
necessarily go through or reach this evolutionary journey. Majority among the
mankind are in the first stage of this process, where they are restricted to
think, as they have many do's and don’ts in their mind - this condition is
called - as being in the state of Ihram (Restriction /
sacredness) and this stage is called Muharram, where no evolution
take place. The second stage of evolution is called Safar where you empty
yourself of whatever you know, unlearn and become sifar (zero). And the final
stage is called the Hajj (completion of the mental journey).
Those to whom We have given the script [al-Kitab] know this as
they know their own sons. Those who have lost their own souls refuse therefore
to believe (6:20) – This verse is talking about the inherent book
and those who don’t trust it are sense less.
If we have listening ears, God speaks to us in our own
language, whatever the language is. Silence is the language of God.
