What is the Qur'an?
The Qur'an is the Holy book of Islam. It is not a man made book; it is not the collected thoughts or opinions of inspired men. It is the Word of God; the Word the Creator. It is the final revelation to all of mankind. It is unique, the only one of its kind in the whole world.
It was revealed to the last messenger, Muhammad [Peace and Blessings be upon him]. It is protected by Allah (SWT) and it is still in the same exact form as it was when it was revealed. Not a word or a letter has been changed. The Qur'an has the aim to invite mankind to straight path. It stresses the belief in Only One God, Allah (SWT). The same God of the Jews, same God of the Christians, and all of mankind. It tells man and woman how to fulfill their mission in life and how to acquire success. It prepares us for the real life-the eternal life after death.
Just as every complicated machine and every expensive product comes with directions; Allah (SWT) did not create the human [who is Indeed the most complicated system on earth] without directions. He did not leave mankind with no direction or guidance. If the loving Creator [Allah SWT] has provided oxygen, water and food for our physical existence and growth, He has also provided guidance for the moral, social and spiritual existence and development.
The Qur'an was revealed more than 14 centuries ago to the illiterate Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) through the angel of revelation, Gabriel (The same angel who went to Moses and Jesus (Peace be upon them), part by part for twenty three years. As it was revealed, it was written down and memorized by many companions of the prophet (SAWS). It was thus preserved through writing and memorization [in the same language], nothing added from the human mind and nothing lost from the Original revelation. It is totally, completely, and purely the Word of God. Not one word is from the Prophet (SAWS) or any other man. The style of the Qu'ran is unique and inimitable since it is from the Divine-All Mighty God. It, itself, is a living miracle. There has only been one version of the Qur'an, through all the ages, from the time of the Prophet (SAWS).
In the Qur'an, the true believers are promised heaven, while the unbelievers are said to be punished. The Qur'an has been memorized by billions and billions of people-all around the world. Surely, if the written Qur'an was destroyed, it could be rewritten with no problem in the exact form as it was revealed-not a letter or word changed. The Qur'an is Divine guidance to all of mankind---the Best guidance any person could aquire..Guidance from His Creator, He who knows his creation more than any one else.