Key Idea: The Qur'an is held to be literally the speech of God, in Arabic, with the Prophet Muhammad as messenger and not author. The actual Arabic words are imbued with sacredness, which gives importance to the act of recitation — and a Qur'an in another language is regarded solely as a translation.
Tested as
- The status of the Qur'an and the role of the Hadith
- Collation, development and interpretation
- Language and translation, compared across traditions
Watch for
- Treating the Hadith as equal in authority
- Saying the Qur'an may not be translated, when translations are widely used
- Presenting the authenticity question as an outsider's criticism
Use
- Divine origin, revelation, messenger not author
- Meccan and Medinan suras; Caliph 'Uthman
- Hadith, Sunna, tafsir, Dehlavi
| Heading | What the guide gives |
|---|---|
| Composition | Divine origin, revelation, the Prophet Muhammad as messenger not author |
| Collation | Traditional account: during the Prophet Muhammad's lifetime, or during Caliph 'Uthman |
| Development | Meccan and Medinan periods, different contexts — the Day of Judgment in Meccan suras, umma in Medinan |
| Hadith | The sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions; for Shias, the sayings of the imams. The guide's word is inspiration |
| Collation of Hadith | Main collections; authenticity and historicity; additional Shi'i Hadiths |
| Interpretation | Tafsir — commentary must observe certain rules or conditions, as proposed by Dehlavi |
Three traditions, three answers about the language of scripture
- Islam: the Arabic words are God's own speech, so a translation is solely a translation and is not held in the same esteem.
- Judaism: Hebrew is the sacred language, and the vernacular translation is printed on the facing page.
- Christianity: translated into the vernacular from the beginning, with several versions in circulation.
- Same question, three doctrinal answers — and each tradition's practice follows from where it locates the revelation.
Examine what the distinction between revelation and inspiration establishes in Islam.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Compare and contrast the Qur'an and the Torah as sacred texts.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
How does the guide describe the Qur'an's composition? Divine origin, revelation, and the Prophet Muhammad as messenger not author — a stronger claim than inspiration, which is the word used for the Hadith.
What difference is there between Meccan and Medinan suras? The contexts differed, so the emphasis of themes did: the Day of Judgment in Meccan suras, umma in Medinan ones.
Define the Hadith. The sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions — and, for Shias, the sayings of the imams.
What is tafsir? The science of interpretation or exegesis of the Qur'an. Commentary must observe certain rules or conditions, for example as proposed by Dehlavi.
Exam tips
- "Messenger not author" — four words that protect any answer about the Qur'an.
- Revelation for the Qur'an, inspiration for the Hadith. The guide chose both words.
- Meccan suras emphasise judgment; Medinan ones umma. A Theme 2 fact usable in Theme 3.
- Authenticity of Hadith is a Muslim discipline. Present it that way.