Introduction to the Quran

Introduction to the Qur’ ā n 10 Theme of the Qur’ ā n In order to understand the theme of the Qur’ ā n, some background needs to be understood. The religious history of mankind can be divided into two distinct eras. The first era which occupies the major portion of this history can be called the prophetic era. In this era, the Almighty sent His representatives on earth to guide mankind. They were called prophets ( anbiy ā ’ ). It began with Adam (sws) and ended on Mu ḥ ammad (sws). The second era can be called the post-prophetic era. It began with the demise of Mu ḥ ammad (sws) and will end on the Day of Judgement. It is devoid of these representatives. Prophetic Era Post-Prophetic Era Adam____________Mu ḥ ammad____________Judgement Day The prophetic era has a feature which is wholly and solely specific to it. The post-prophetic era does not have this feature. It is in fact a certain established practice of God called sunnatull ā h by the Qur’ ā n: ﺳﻨﺔﻣﻦۡ ﻗﺪۡ رۡﺳﻠۡﻨﺎﻗﺒۡﻠﻚﻣﻦۡ رﺳﻠﻨﺎوﻵﻹﺗﺠﺪﻟﺴﻨﺘﻨﺎﺗﺤۡﻮﻳۡﻶًﻹ . ) ٧٧:١٧ ( Bear in mind the practice about the messengers We had sent before you and you will not find any change in Our practice. (17:77) The Qur’ ā n which was revealed in the prophetic era has eternally preserved this established practice of God. This practice is nothing but a divine scheme devised and executed by God either through natural disasters or www.javedahmadghamid .com www.al-mawrid.org "All rights of this book are reserved for the publisher and the author. This copy is for reading purpose only. This copy cannot be uploaded on any website except those of the publisher and the author."