Basic concepts: Quran and Hadith

The Quran and Hadith are two fundamental sources of guidance and authority in Islam.
They both play pivotal roles in shaping Islamic beliefs and practices. Here are the basic
concepts and distinctions between the Quran and Hadith:

Quran:

1. Divine Revelation: The Quran is the literal word of God (Allah). It is considered
the ultimate and most authoritative source of guidance in Islam. It was revealed to
the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years.

‫القران ھو كالم هللا منزل علی رسول ہللا المکتوب فی المصاحف المنقول الینا بالتواتر‬

(The Qur’an is the word of God revealed to the Messenger of God, written in the Qur’an
and transmitted to us repeatedly.)

2. Language: The Quran was revealed in Classical Arabic and is considered a linguistic
miracle due to its eloquence and literary excellence.

3. Chapters and Verses: The Quran is divided into 114 chapters (Surahs), which vary in
length. Each Surah contains verses (Ayahs), totaling over 6,000 in the entire Quran.

4. Immutable and Unalterable: We believe due to the divine commandment

(‫ )نحن نزلناالذکر و انا الینا لحافظون‬that the Quran is unaltered and has been perfectly preserved
in its original form since it was revealed. It cannot be changed or edited.

5. Guidance: The Quran provides guidance on various aspects of life, including morality,
ethics, worship, laws, and spirituality. It serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims.

6. Monotheism: The Quran emphasizes the oneness of God (Tawhid) and rejects the
association of partners with Him (shirk).

7. Salvation: It outlines the path to salvation, stressing righteous deeds, faith, and
obedience to God's commands as means to attain paradise and avoid hellfire.

Hadith:

1. Prophetic Traditions: Hadith refers to the recorded sayings, actions, approvals,

)‫فعالوتقریرا‬،‫کل ما اضیف الی رسول ہللا فھو حدیث( قوال‬

3. Classification: Hadith are categorized into different categories based on their

4. Legal and Ethical Guidance: Hadith elaborates on the Quranic teachings and provides
practical guidance on various matters, including daily rituals, family life, legal rulings,
and moral conduct.

5. Ijma' and Qiyas: In Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Hadith is used in conjunction with
the Quran to derive legal rulings. It helps scholars make analogical deductions (Qiyas)
and reach consensus (Ijma') on matters not explicitly addressed in the Quran.

6. Sunna: The actions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad, as recorded in Hadith, are
collectively referred to as the "Sunna." Muslims are encouraged to follow the Prophet's
example in their daily lives.

In summary, the Quran is the primary and unalterable source of divine guidance in Islam,
while Hadith complements and clarifies the Quran by providing details about how the
Prophet Muhammad lived and practiced the Quranic teachings. Together, they form the
foundation of Islamic belief, law, and ethics.

The Quran, also known as the Quran Majeed or the Holy Quran, addresses a wide
range of subjects and topics, providing guidance and principles for various aspects of
life. Here are some of the key subjects and themes discussed in the Quran:

1: Monotheism (Tawhid) ‫توحید‬: The Quran's primary theme is the oneness of God (Allah).
It emphasizes the belief in the absolute monotheism of God and rejects the association of
partners with Him (shirk).

2: Prophets and Messengers ‫ رسالت‬: The Quran discusses the lives and missions of
numerous prophets and messengers, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, and Jesus,
among others. It highlights their roles in conveying God's message to humanity.

3: Morality and Ethics ‫ اخالقیات‬: The Quran provides guidance on moral and ethical
behavior, including honesty, compassion, justice, and kindness. It encourages believers to
uphold high moral standards in all aspects of life.
4: Worship and Rituals‫ فرض و نفلی عبادات‬: The Quran prescribes various acts of worship,
including prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), charity (Zakat), and pilgrimage (Hajj). It details
the importance of these rituals and their significance in a Muslim's life.

5: Law and Jurisprudence (Sharia) ‫ عائلی اور جرائم سے متعلق‬،‫ معاشی‬،‫ معاشرتی‬،‫ اخالقی‬: ‫ قوانین‬:
The Quran contains legal principles and guidelines for matters such as family law,
inheritance, criminal justice, and contracts. Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) is developed
based on Quranic principles and Hadith.

6: Social Justice ‫ معاشرتی مساوات اور انصاف‬: The Quran emphasizes the importance of
social justice, including the equitable distribution of wealth and the care of the less
fortunate. It encourages the giving of charity and helping those in need.

7: Creation and the Universe ‫ کائنات اور اس کی تخلیق‬: The Quran discusses the creation of
the universe, the natural world, and the signs of God in the heavens and the earth. It
invites contemplation and reflection on the natural world as evidence of God's existence.

8: Life After Death ‫ مرنے کے بعد کی زندگی‬: The Quran describes the concept of the Day of
Judgment (Yawm al-Qiyamah), where all individuals will be resurrected and held
accountable for their deeds. It outlines the rewards of paradise and the punishment of
hellfire.

9: Guidance for Humanity‫ تمام انسانیت کے لئے رنمائی‬: The Quran is presented as a guide for
all of humanity, irrespective of their background or beliefs. It invites people to follow its
guidance and strive for a righteous and God-conscious life.

10: Prohibition of Sinful Behavior ‫ گناہ سے بچانا‬: The Quran prohibits various sinful
behaviors, including lying, theft, adultery, and usury (Riba). It warns against indulging in
these actions and their consequences.
11: Family and Marriage ‫ خاندان اور شادی بیاہ‬: The Quran provides guidance on family life,
marriage, and the treatment of spouses and children. It emphasizes the importance of
love, respect, and mutual support within the family.

12: Science and Knowledge‫ علم اور سائنس‬: While not a scientific textbook, the Quran
contains verses that reference natural phenomena and encourage the pursuit of knowledge
and understanding of the world.

13: Interfaith Relations ‫ بین المذاہبی تعلقات‬: The Quran addresses the relationship between
Muslims and non-Muslims, promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue while also
stressing the importance of defending one's faith.

14: Stories of past nations:‫ گزشتہ اقوام کے واقعات‬A review of the conditions of the past
nations for the purpose of man getting guidance from it‫۔‬

15: Ultimate purpose‫ منتہائے مقصد‬: In summary, if seen carefully, the Holy Qur'an
emphasizes the correctness of the human being in the human world and welfare in the
afterlife, and this is the ultimate goal of the Qur'an.

NOTE: These are just a few of the many subjects and themes discussed in the Quran.
The Quran's teachings are considered by Muslims to be timeless and comprehensive,
offering guidance for both spiritual and practical aspects of life.