📜 The Divine Whisper: The Inspiration of the Qurʾān According to Abū Ḥanīfah
Definition and Etymology
The Qurʾān (قرآن), from the root “q-r-‘a,” meaning “to read” or “to recite,” is the holy scripture of Islam. Abū Ḥanīfah, a seminal figure in Sunnī Islam, described the Qurʾān as the eternal, uncreated Word of God, inseparable yet distinct from Him.
Background
According to Islamic belief, the Qurʾān was orally revealed by God subhanahu wa ta’ala to the Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam over 23 years through the Angel Gabriel (Jibrīl). The significance of the Qurʾān is profound, as it serves as a guide for every aspect of life, both spiritual and temporal.
Modes of Inspiration
Abū Ḥanīfah acknowledged several modes through which revelation was revealed to the Prophet:
- Bright Vision: Sometimes Gabriel appeared through a radiant vision.
- Human Form: Other times, Gabriel assumed a human form, notably resembling Daḥyah.
- Sound of Bells: The Prophet sometimes likened the revelation’s arrival to the sound of bells, an experience that left him deeply moved.
- Miʾrāḍ or Night Ascent: God spoke directly to Prophet Muhammad without an intermediary.
- Dreams: Early revelations came in the form of lucid dreams.
- Inspiring Heart: Occasionally, Gabriel directly inspired the Prophet’s heart.
Cultural Context
In early Islamic culture, the revelation process held believers in awe and helped unify the fragmented Arabian tribes under the banner of Islam. This spiritual awe often reconciles with pre-Islamic traditions of oracles and poetic inspiration but transformed them into a monotheistic faith.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Scripture, Revelation, Word of God, Divine Speech.
- Antonyms: Profane, Secular, Uninspired.
Related Terms
- Taḥfīẓ: The act of memorizing the Qurʾān.
- Nun-Waṣl: The caret and merging of two Arabic characters, symbolic in Qurʾānic recitation.
Exciting Facts
- The Qurʾān has been divided into 30 sections (Juz’), facilitating monthly recitation.
- It’s written in classical Arabic, a language revered for its literary purity.
- Every chapter (Surah) except one begins with Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).
Quotations
“The first revelations which the Prophet received were in true dreams; and he never dreamt but it came to pass as regularly as the dawn of day.” - ʿĀyishah
“Read! In the name of your Lord who created. He created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood.” - Qurʾān 96:1-2
References
- Kitābu ’l-Waṣīyah by Abū Ḥanīfah
- Sahih Bukhari (Hadith collection)
- The Faith of Islam by Edward Sell
Further Reading
- “Al-Qurʾān: A Contemporary Translation” by Ahmed Ali.
- “The Theology of Unity” by Muhammad Abdullah Draz.
Farewell Thought
May your exploration of the Qurʾān deepen your understanding and illuminate the uncharted spiritual paths ahead. In knowledge lies solace, in revelation lies truth.
Published on October 4, 2023 Samiya Al-Muntasir
