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Flip to reveal answersWhat does the guide say the Qur'an is?
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All 9 Flashcards — Sacred texts
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Question
What does the guide say the Qur'an is?
Answer
Literally the speech of God, written in Arabic. Its composition is divine origin and revelation, with the Prophet Muhammad as messenger not author.
Question
Why is the Arabic wording so important?
Answer
Because the actual Arabic words are imbued with sacredness, which gives importance to the act of recitation. A Qur'an in another language is regarded solely as a translation.
Question
What is the traditional account of the Qur'an's collation?
Answer
That it was collated during the Prophet Muhammad's lifetime, or during Caliph 'Uthman.
Question
What does the guide note about Meccan and Medinan suras?
Answer
Different contexts changed the emphasis of themes — the Day of Judgment in Meccan suras, and umma in Medinan suras.
Question
Define the Hadith.
Answer
The sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions — and, for Shias, the sayings of the imams. The guide's word for their standing is inspiration.
Question
What questions does the guide raise about Hadith collections?
Answer
Authenticity and historicity of the main collections, and the existence of additional Shi'i Hadiths.
Question
What is tafsir?
Answer
The science of interpretation or exegesis of the Qur'an. Commentary has to observe certain rules or conditions, for example as proposed by the exegete Dehlavi.
Question
Compare the three traditions on the language of scripture.
Answer
Islam: the Arabic words are God's speech, so a translation is solely a translation. Judaism: Hebrew is the sacred language, with the translation printed opposite. Christianity: translated into the vernacular from the start, with several versions.
Question
Why does Islam need the Hadith if the Qur'an is God's speech?
Answer
Because the Qur'an commands practices such as salat without setting out how they are performed; the Sunna of the Prophet, transmitted through the Hadith, supplies that.
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