Literature of

South and West

Asia
 Column A Column B

1. Qur’an A. verses
2. Surah B. Cow
3. Ayah C. accounting or weighing
4. Zakat D. Sacred Scripture of Muslims
5. Al Baqarah E. chapters
6. Transgressor F. refers to obligation that an
. individual has to donate to charity.
7. Delude G. deceive
8. Reckoning H. sinners
Arabia Cradle of Islam
The Qur’an
Muslim accepts the Qur’an as God’s
actual Speech told to the Prophet
Muhammad through the Archangel
Gabriel over 1,400 years ago.
The Qur’an is recited as an act of
worship in the original Arabic by
Muslims in prayers. It is considered
as the final revealed scripture for the
guidance of mankind and address a
multitude of subject, such as: Faith,
Justice, Virtue and Worship.
Structure, Language, and Preservation
•The Qur’an contains 114 “Surahs” (chapters)
that can be read independently.
•Each Surah consists of “Ayahs” (verses).
Each ayah is literally considered to be a “Sign
of God.”
•All Muslims (worldwide) recite the Qur’an in
the original Arabic dialect.
•Millions of Muslims (including
non-Arab Muslims) memorize the
Qur’an word for word in its
entirely.
•The Qur-an has not been changed,
edited, or altered in any way from
its original state.
 Excerpts from the Qur’an
(Selected Al-Baqarah Verses About Qur’an)
And cover not truth with falsehood,
nor conceal the truth when ye know (what
it is).
And the steadfast in prayer; give
Zakat, and bow down your heads with
those who bow down (in worship).
Al-Baqara –2:42-43
Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto
them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners,
and revealed therewith the scripture with the truth that it
might judge between mankind concerning that wherein
they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture)
was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had
come unto them, through hatred one of another. And
Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the
truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah
guideth whom He will unto a straight path.
Al-Baraqah – 2:213
 Let there be no compulsion in
religion. Truth stands out clear from
error; whoever rejects Evil and
believes in Allah hath grasped the
most trustworthy hand-hold that
never breaks. And Allah heareth and
knoweth all things.
 Surah 23: The Believers
1.The Believers must (eventually) win
through,---
2.Those who humble themselves in their
prayers;
3.Who avoid vain talk.
4.Who are active in deeds of Charity;
5. Who abstain sex,
6. Except with those joined to them in the
marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their
right hands possess,-- for (in their case) they
are free from blame,
7. But those who desires exceed those limits
are transgressors;
8. Those who faithfully observe their trusts and
their covenants;
9. And who (strictly) guard their prayers;--
10. These will be the heirs,
11. Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell
therein (forever).
88. Say: “who is it in whose hands in the
governance of all things, who protects (all),
but is not protected (of any)? (say) if ye
know.”
89. They will say, “(it belongs) to
Allah.” Say: “Then how are ye deluded?
90. We have sent them the truth: but they
indeed practiced falsehood!
116. Therefore exalted be Allah , the
king, the reality: there is no god but He,
the Lord of the Throne of Honour!
117. If anyone invokes, beside Allah, any
other god, he has no authority therefore;
and his reckoning will be only with his
Lord! And verily the Unbelievers will
fail to win through!
118. So say: “O my Lord! grant Thou
forgiveness and mercy for thou art the
Best of those who show mercy!”
The Qur’an possesses a rich literary
repertoire of its own structure following
distinguishing features:
•It makes a masterful use of language on the
level of words phrases.
•It contains figures of speech, satire and irony.
•It employs variety of narrative and dramatic
techniques (sound devices, plot,
characterization, theme, dramatic dialogue,
humor, etc.)
Think about these two Qur’an verses
from Al-Baqara –2:42-43
And cover not truth with falsehood,
nor conceal the truth when ye know
(what it is).
And the steadfast in prayer; give
Zakat, and bow down your heads with
those who bow down (in worship).
What are the 3
Qur’an literary
repertoire
distinguishing
features?
 OLD VERSION NEW VERSION
1.Art
2. Dost, Doth
3. Hast, Hath
4. Shalt
5. Wilt
6. Thee, Thy, Thou, Thine