My Mercy
Topic: Divine Love & Goodness
My mercy embraces all things.
The Qur'an, revered as the central religious text of Islam, holds a paramount position in Muslim faith and culture. It is believed to be a revelation from God, conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel. Organized into 114 chapters, known as Surahs, it encompasses a vast array of verses, each one revered for its divine origin and profound wisdom. The Qur'an's significance extends beyond its religious import; it is celebrated as a masterpiece of Arabic literature, profoundly influencing the language and its literature. The eloquence, depth, and lyrical quality of its verses not only offer spiritual guidance but also showcase the linguistic richness of Arabic.
The revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad, a process that spanned approximately 22 years, began when he was around 40 years old, and continued until his death in 632 AD. This gradual revelation marks the core of Islamic belief, wherein the Qur'an is viewed as Muhammad's greatest miracle and a confirmation of his prophethood. It is seen as the culmination of a series of divine messages that began with Adam, encompassing other scriptures like the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Injil (Gospel). For Muslims, the Qur'an is not just a text of spiritual guidelines but a comprehensive code for life, offering direction in various aspects of daily existence.
The theological significance of the Qur'an is underscored by debates among Muslim theologians about its nature, pondering whether it was 'created' or 'uncreated'. This divine status ascribed to the Qur'an emphasizes its importance in Islamic thought. The preservation of the Qur'an was a meticulous process; following Muhammad's death, his companions, who had either memorized or written down parts of the revelations, compiled them into a single text. The Caliph Uthman later standardized this compilation into what is known today as the Uthmanic codex. Despite minor variations in readings and interpretations, the Qur'an's textual integrity has largely remained unchallenged throughout Islamic history, standing as a testament to its enduring impact and sacred status.
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 87 [Qur'an 7.156].
The Qur'an
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Qur’an 7.156
The mercy and beneficence of God are the foremost of his attributes mentioned in the Fatihah, Qur’an 1.
–Andrew Wilson, editor [World Scripture – a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991] pp. 29-30.
Qur’an 1: The Fatihah
The Fatihah is the chief Muslim prayer; it is recited with prostrations five times a day. In honor and in parallel content it is frequently compared to The Lord’s Prayer [Matthew 6.9-13].
–Andrew Wilson, editor [World Scripture – a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991] p. 30.
When devout Muslims recite the Fatihah, the opening verse of the Qur’an–
they give praise to God and pledge to worship no other. The phrase, “Thee alone we worship; Thee alone we ask for help,” is an assertion that believers will not find solace in money or worldly supports, nor in any secular ideology which would deny God’s claim upon their life. It is a solemn oath to walk the “straight path” of morality and to honor the Creator from whom all good things issue.
–Joong Hyun Pak and Andrew Wilson [True Family Values, 3rd Edition] pp. 11-12