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Global Peace – An Islamic Perspective ACET– Global Peace Project
Origins of the Quran and its
purpose
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, and it details the revelations that the Prophet Muhammad
received from the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. During this time, Prophet Muhammad
recited the revelations to his followers, who then memorised the verses in their entirety. After
the Prophet’s death, his followers began writing down the recitations. Eventually, one of his
followers, Uthman Ibn Affan, helped to compile all of God’s revelations to Prophet Muhammad
[47]
into one book. This became known as the Quran. The Quran is made up of 114 chapters, or
surahs, each containing many verses, or ayat. [48]
One of the central purposes of the Quran is to help with the struggle against “darkness”,
whether this is in the form of injustice, moral or social corruption and destruction, or ignorance.
The Quran aims to bring people out of “darkness” and into “light”, bringing believers into
moral and social enlightenment.
“A Book We have sent down to you so that you may bring forth mankind from the darkness
into the light...” (14:1, Translation from the Quran)
The Quran offers guidance, providing a source of reference for right and wrong to help followers
to move away from “darkness” and into “light”. In many of its verses, the text offers guidance
for followers to choose the “right path”, and ways to avoid temptation.
[The Quran is] “A guidance for mankind and clear evidence of guidance and discrimination
(between right and wrong).” (2:185, Translation from the Quran)
“This is a declaration for humankind, a guidance and admonition to those who ward off
(evil).” (3:138, Translation from the Quran)
[The Quran is] “A book revealed unto you, so that your heart be not in any difficulty on that
account, (so that) with it you may warn (the sinful) and teach the believers.” (7:2, Translation
from the Quran)
This free publication has been compiled by ACET–Global. Please feel free to use and distribute it as an original version without changes.
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