The Virtues and Characteristics of the Holy Quran
The key characteristics of the Holy Qur’an are as follows:
1. The Final Divine Revelation:
The Holy Qur’an is the final Book of Allah Almighty, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and it is a source of guidance for all of humanity until the Day of Judgment.
2. The Protected Book:
Since the Holy Qur’an is a means of guidance for people of every era and every nation until the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty has made a special promise to safeguard it. The Almighty states:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ ٩
We, Ourselves, have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur’ān), and We are there to protect it. (15:9)
This is the very reason that even after fourteen hundred years, every single word of the Qur’an remains preserved. Allah has arranged for its protection in such a way that it is forever safeguarded from any distortion or alteration. While other divine scriptures have undergone major changes—many parts have been lost, and people have added their own words—the Qur’an remains completely intact in its original form and will always remain so.
3. A Divine Book in a Living Language:
The Qur’an was revealed in a language that is still alive today. Arabic remains the national language of many countries around the world, and it is one of the major global languages. In contrast, the languages in which earlier divine scriptures were revealed have died out. Very few people today are even capable of understanding those languages.
4. A Universal Book:
By studying the other heavenly books, it becomes clear that they were meant for specific nations or regions. However, the Qur’an is a message of guidance for all of humanity. It addresses all people with the words
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ
(O mankind),
thus delivering its guidance universally.
This is a global book whose teachings are applicable in every era and in every land. Its message is natural and timeless. People in every age feel as though it was revealed specifically for their time. This is because its teachings are beneficial for individuals of every nation, culture, and environment—and are perfectly aligned with human intellect.
5. A Comprehensive Book:
Some of the earlier divine books consisted solely of moral teachings. Others were mere compilations of supplications and invocations. Some were focused exclusively on jurisprudence, while others only covered matters of belief or historical narratives.
But the Qur’an is a complete and comprehensive book that sheds light on every aspect of life. It discusses beliefs and deeds, teaches morality and spirituality, narrates historical events, and includes prayers and supplications. In short, it is a guidebook that offers direction for every facet of life.
6. A Book That Endorses Reason and Morality:
Some of the earlier scriptures include content that contradicts reality, and even contain highly indecent and immoral narratives (which are clearly fabrications added by human hands).
In contrast, the Qur’an is completely free from such content. There is nothing in it that contradicts reason, nor can any part of it be proven false through evidence or experience. It contains no immoral statements. Instead, it teaches respect and reverence for all Prophets and affirms that they were all righteous and God-fearing individuals. Any statements made against their honor are false and contrary to reality.
7. A Miraculous Book:
The Qur’an is a masterpiece of eloquence and rhetoric, the likes of which have left the most articulate people of both Arab and non-Arab origin unable to match it. The Qur’an openly challenges its opponents to produce even a single chapter like it—but no one has ever been able to do so. This is because it is the speech of Allah, not the speech of a human being. How can any human match the speech of the Divine? This is the miracle of this Book.
The Virtues of the Holy Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an possesses such remarkable virtues that have rendered it an eternal and everlasting Book. Although it is impossible and beyond human capability to enumerate all its virtues, a few are mentioned here:
1. The Holy Qur’an is a Truthful Book.
Its message and call are filled with absolute truth. Its arguments are exceptionally strong and firmly grounded.
Allah the Almighty says:
الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ ١
Alif , Lām , Rā . (This is) a book the verses of which have been made firm, and elaborated by the One who is All Wise, All Aware, (11:1)
Since the arguments are extremely strong and guide toward the truth, they are therefore free from contradiction. There is not the slightest disagreement in its subjects. Allah, the Exalted, says:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًۭا كَثِيرًۭا ٨٢
Do they not, then, ponder about the Qur’ān? Had it been from someone other than Allah, they would have found in it a great deal of discrepancy. (4:82)
2. The Guarantee of Success:
This book guarantees success to those individuals and nations who sincerely believe in it and act upon its commandments. In fact, it promises honor and distinction in this world as well. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) expressed this truth in these words:
“Through this Book, Allah will exalt many nations and will debase many others.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Take the life of ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) as an example—the profound impact of this Book of Guidance completely transformed his life. ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه), who once used to herd goats for his father Khattab and would be rebuked by him, was an average man among the Quraysh in terms of power and determination. Yet, it was this same ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) who, after embracing Islam, astonished the entire world with his greatness and capability. He deprived the emperors of Rome and Persia of their crowns and thrones, and laid the foundation of an Islamic empire that dominated both superpowers. In matters of governance, he established such guiding principles that the world still takes pride in them. Despite being the head of such a vast empire, he was unparalleled in piety and righteousness.
The truth is: the closer a person is to this Book, the more honor and distinction they will attain; and conversely, the more one distances themselves from its teachings, the more they will suffer disgrace and humiliation.
Allama Iqbal captured the current state of Muslim humiliation and degradation in his famous poem Shikwa as follows:
Why is worldly wealth so rare among Muslims today?
Your power is boundless, beyond count or array.
If You so will, a bubble may rise from the desert’s chest,
And every plain wave may beat with tempest’s zest.
Now mockery and poverty bring us shame and pain—
Is this the reward for dying in Your name?
Then, in Jawab-e-Shikwa, Allama Iqbal (رحمہ الله) himself explains the reason for this decline:
Everyone is lost in the pleasure of ease,
You call yourselves Muslims? Is this how Muslims behave?
There is no longer the poverty of Haider (رضي الله عنه), nor the wealth of ‘Uthman (رضي الله عنه),
What spiritual connection do you have with your noble ancestors?
They were honored in their time as true Muslims,
And you became disgraced by abandoning the Qur’an.
In these verses, Allama Iqbal (رحمہ الله) identifies the sole reason for the downfall of Muslims: separation from the Qur’an. The reality is that if even today Muslims unite and walk the path of the Qur’an, they too can regain dignity and nobility.
3. A Source of Training and Purification:
In terms of training and self-purification, this Book possesses extraordinary excellence. Through its guidance, the human heart undergoes a thorough cleansing—from emotions and desires to tendencies and inclinations, and from inner disposition to outward character. As a result, a person cultivates moral virtues, and their words begin to resonate in the hearts of others. Its recitation not only instills humility and submission in the heart but also blesses one with the strength of conviction and determination.
4. The Impact of the Qur’an:
Since the Qur’an is the Word of Allah, it possesses immense impact upon those who recite it. The extent of this effect is reflected in the following verse of the Qur’an:
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍۢ لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خَـٰشِعًۭا مُّتَصَدِّعًۭا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَـٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١
Had We sent down this Qur’ān to a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, burst apart out of awe for Allah. We cite such examples for people, so that they may ponder. (59:21)
It is due to this very effect that a believer experiences a unique state within his heart during the recitation of the Qur’an. This is, in fact, the state of true faith—iman—which leads to steadfastness in one’s connection with Allah and the absorption of Qur’anic teachings into one’s being.
When the heart of a believer trembles at the sweetness of the Qur’an, a sense of tranquility also overcomes him. It is as if the softening of the heart itself becomes the very means of attaining peace—a result of the descent of divine mercy. For it is established through the Qur’an and Hadith that at the time of recitation, serenity and mercy descend. Therefore, in order to become worthy of Allah’s mercy at that moment, it has been commanded to listen to the Qur’an attentively and silently. Allah the Almighty says:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ٢٠٤
When the Qur’ān is recited, listen to it and be silent, so that you may be blessed. (7:204)
