GCIL LEVEL FIVE NOTES 2024-2025

Class Notes: First Lesson on the Quran

Today’s Topic: The environment when the Quran was revealed.
● The quaran was revealed in classical arabic spoken in makkah (arabian
peninsula)
● The prophet and ppl around him spoke this language
● The period is called the ‘age of jahilijah’

Different religious groups- abrahamic religion:

Children of ismail: 1. idol worshipers 2. haneef(people who remained on the path
of prophet ibrahim and ismail
Jews: migrated from the times of the romans, considered themselves as god’s
chosen people and leadership as their right not responsibility
Christians: the byzantine empire was ruled by romans, who spread christianity

The final divine book on religion:

The speech of god in which not a single dot was added or removed by prophet
muhammed- the only og and unadulterated book of god on earth rn
It is not dependant on any other book or hadith
Everyone wants to know what happens after we die- it gives us that knowledge
Its relevant to our emotions and psychology as well

The quaran is preserved primarily through ppl memorising it but also it has been
written
Other divine books:
Torah- musa
Psalms- dawud
Gospels- jesus/isa
Bible tdy = torah+psalms+gospels

Quaran is called muhaymin(quardian or protector) over other divine books

Ppl nowadays think hadith has authority over the quran which is incorrect

SUMMARY:
1. When and Where?

The Quran was revealed in Mecca during the 7th century (600s).
This time was called the “Age of Jahiliyyah,” which means ignorance.

2. Language Matters

The Quran is in classical Arabic, which is different from the Arabic we speak
today.
It’s really important to learn this old Arabic to understand the Quran properly!

3. Different Religious Groups

There were several groups when the Quran was revealed:

Idol Worshippers: They worshiped statues and idols.
Hanifs: People who followed the path of Ibrahim (Abraham).
Jews and Christians: They believed in earlier scriptures.

4. Unique Style of the Quran

The way the Quran is written is super beautiful and can’t be copied.
It’s clearer and more peotic than how people usually talk.

5. Learning from Hadith

Hadith are records of what the Prophet Muhammad said and did.
They help explain the Quran and show us how to live and practice Islam, BUT
THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE QURAN.

6. Other Divine Books

Other books revealed by Allah:

Torah: To Moses (Musa).
Psalms: To David (Dawd).
Gospels: To Jesus (Isa).
The Quran is like a guardian of these previous books!

Sep 7, 2024
Understanding the quaran
Quran and science
Quran is a literary masterpiece
Relationship between Quran and Science

● Quran and Science talk about different things. They don’t cover the same
topics.
● The Quran’s main goal is to help people become better so they can succeed
in the afterlife.
● Science looks at things like matter, the universe, and how things work. It
answers how, not why things happen.
● The Quran talks about science (like human nature and history) to help
explain its teachings, not to give science lessons.
● When the Quran mentions facts about science, they must agree with
scientific discoveries (not guesses) because the knowledge comes from God.
● Verses about science in the Quran should be understood literally.
● Last thing: Don’t try to fit modern science into the Quran or explain it
using new discoveries, because science changes over time and could make
old ideas wrong.

Example

● Science has proven that the brain is the center for thinking, not the
heart.
● The Quran uses the heart as a metaphor and talks about it in a literary
way.
● It refers to the heart as where emotions and thoughts come from. This is
common in many languages. For example:
 ○ We say, “My heart isn’t in it” when we don’t feel like doing
something.
○ Or “It breaks my heart” when we feel sad.

Quran is a Timeless Miracle

● Human knowledge has never seen anything like the Quran.

● The Quran:
○ Doesn’t change or evolve in thinking over time.
■ Example: Prophet Muhammad didn’t write anything in the
first 40 years of his life. He was unlettered.
○ Stays relevant—its message is just as important today as it was
over 1400 years ago.
○ Doesn’t contradict itself. No contradictions even though it was
revealed over 23 years.
● Over 1400 years, the world has changed a lot—new ideas, philosophies,
and theories came and went, but the Quran has stayed solid and stood
the test of time.
September 14, 2024

Genre of the quaran

There is no parallel to human literature

It has a message, it has a beat, rhythm and poise of poetry, yet it is not poetry
It has some things fromethe simplicity and continuity of prose, but it isnt prose
It has the beauty of poetry and the clarity of prose

AT BEST WE CAN SAY, ITS A POWERFUL SPEECH GIVEN BY THE

ALMIGHTY

The quaran also contains dialogues between real character of the 7th century
arabia very similar to a book of didalogues
Simple example of similar works: dialogues of plato, dante’s divine comedy
The scene and acts change pretty often and bring one or more of the
characters on stage. Which signify a shift in discousre
Words commonly used; qaala he said and abbreviations for different pronouns

The royal we
In the arabic language this type of we is called the plural of someone who is
exalting himself
Suitable for god and a sign of arrogance in humans
He uses we when he wants to show his power and majesty
Not saying there are many gods

The ending sound changes multiple times when the topic changes:

21/9/2024

A believer’s attitude towards mutashabihaat:

● The quaran has some clear verses and some unclear verses
● Mutashatbihaat means simile not unclear
● Believers accept what Allah says without questioning everything. For
example, when the Quran talks about a tree in Hell, it's about the bad
fruit for disbelievers, not the tree itself.
● Some people think simile verses are unclear, but that’s not true. These
verses help explain ideas better.
● The Quran repeats some stories, adding new details each time to
emphasize important lessons.

● Different topics like war, divorce, and charity are connected. War can
lead to people needing help, which is why charity is important.
● The Quran has a unique writing style that connects well with readers and
shares important messages.
● The Quran uses stories and different themes to teach valuable lessons, all
connected to a bigger message.
● The Quran presents its messages by repeating stories with different
details relevant to context.
● There’s no pointless repetition; verses clarify each other across the text.
● Understanding a topic fully requires looking at multiple verses for hidden
details.
● For example, Musa is called for 30 days in one verse and 40 days in
another; the difference is explained by his early arrival.
● The Quran's verses are concise and expanded upon elsewhere.
● Surahs can complement each other, like Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah
Al-Imran.
● Repetition in the Quran emphasizes points intentionally, unlike in human
writing.
 ● The Quran connects various topics, engaging readers emotionally.
● Surah Al-Baqarah discusses war, then shifts to divorce and charity,
showing their connections.
● War can lead to widows, and stress can affect marriages.
● War creates refugees, increasing the need for charity.
● The Quran shifts topics while staying connected to its main messages,
unlike typical human texts.

Why are some stories of the Quran repeated many times?

● Important stories are repeated to highlight key lessons.

● Stories help people learn what to do and what not to do.
● Different Surahs might tell parts of the same story to explain it better.
● Each Surah can focus on different aspects of a common theme.
● Specific parts of stories are shared based on what is important at that
time.

Can I sing the Quran with musical instruments?

● Some think it’s not okay to use musical instruments because it can
distract from the Quran.
● Others say there’s no clear proof in the Quran or Hadith that singing is
wrong.
● Respecting the Quran is important when reciting it.
● The Quran says to listen carefully when it’s read, like you would with a
speech.
Talking Style

● A sermon can be directed at one person, many people, or be a speech not

aimed at anyone specific.
● Allah sometimes talks to one group, sometimes to many, and sometimes
just gives a general message.
● Sometimes, Allah speaks indirectly, where the message is meant for
someone not named.

Example of Indirect Address

● In Surah Abbas, Allah mentions an incident where the Prophet

Muhammad frowned at a blind man.
● This shows Allah wants the Prophet to focus on those who are willing to
believe, not those who won't.
Implied Meaning

● Just like a mom might yell at one child while really being upset with
another, the Quran often has messages that are not directly stated.
● For example, when Allah talks about the Children of Israel saying they
will disobey Him, it reflects their actions instead of words they actually
said.

Emotional Changes

● Allah’s words can change between different feelings, like love, anger, or
praise.
● In Surah Zumar, Allah sometimes leaves out parts of sentences, making
readers think about what is meant. For instance, when He says, "The
disbelievers will be in hell," the part about believers going to heaven is
implied but not directly stated.

These changes in conversation and feelings encourage us to think more deeply

about the Quran's messages.

For next week, remember to upload your notes and presentation unless you can’t;
if not, we can do it the week after.
DIAGRAM FOR NOTES SO FAR