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Ulm-ul-Qur’an

An Introduction to the Science of the Qur’an

(How to Study and Understand the Quran)

By:

Dr. Hasanuddin Ahmed, I.A.S.

Introduction

The subject matter of Ulum al Qur`an is the Qur`an itself. Ulum al Qur’an denotes discourses and discussions concerning the study of the Qur`an. The aim being to help towards a better understanding of the Qur`an by providing all relevant information on its setting. These studies started almost along with the revelation of the Qur`an.

“There is no Book in the world in Whose service so much talent, so much labour, so much time and money have been expended as has been the case with the Qur`an.”[1]

These studies started in response to the following directions of the Qur`an:

"We have sent down to you a Book which is blessed, so that people may apply their minds to its revelations; and the men of wisdom may reflect." (Qur’an 38:29)

“We have given examples of every kind, for men in this Qur`an, so that they may contemplate.” (Qur’an 39:27)

With the objective of studying the Qur`an and understanding its text and message scholarly and scientific studies of different aspects started on academic level. Examination and indepth study of each branch started. The scope of each study gradually began to widen as the experience and knowledge of Muslim scholars increased. When these discussions and their scopes expanded eminent scholars produced vast amount of learning on each branch of study. Hundreds of books were written on each topic. Contribution on each subject was very considerable. So much was written on each subject that it constituted a study by itself. Each study, such as Compilation of the Qur`an, Exegesis (Commentary of the Qur`an), Recitation of the Qur`an, Ijaz al Qur`an (Immutibility of the Qur`an) Order of arrangement of the Qur`an etc, soon acquired the status of a regular field of study and an independent discipline by itself. In due course of time, it became a separate science. All these studies together were termed as Ulum al Qur`an.

Among the books on Ulum al‑Qur`an in Arabic, Badruddin Zarkashi's monumental work, Al‑Burhan fi Ulum il Qur`an, Jalaluddin Abdur Rahman bin Abubakr al‑Suyuti's renowned contribution, Al‑Itqan fi Ulum il‑Qur`an, Muhammad Abdul Aziz Zarqani's Valuable work Manahilul Irfan fi Ulum il‑Qur`an and Dr.Subhi Salih of Beirut's prestigious contribution, Ulum Al Qur`an are very important.

In Urdu the essays (Miqalaat) of Maulana Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, Hafiz Muhammad Aslam Jairajpuri's Tarikh ul Qur`an, Dr. Mohammed Hameedullah's Khutbat‑e‑Bahavalpur, Maulana Sayeed Ahmed Akbar Abadi's Fahm‑e-Qur`an, Maulana Muhammed Haneef Nadvi's Mutala‑e‑Qur`an, Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Aazami Misbahi's Tadwin‑e‑Qur`an, Muhammed Taqi Osmani's Ulum Al Qur`an, Muhammad Ataullah Palvi's valuable contributions, and Qazi Mazharuddin Ahmed Bilgrami's Ayunal Irfan fi Ulumal‑Qur`an deserve to be mentioned.

I was fortunate in having been able to study both in Urdu and in English valuable material on various topics relating to the Qur`an. I was also fortunate that I had personal contacts with Dr.Mirza Abul Fazl, Dr.Syed Abdul Latif, Dr.Hashim Amir Ali (all the three scholars translated the Qur`an into English), Salam Masdoosi, Nawab Mir Mahmud Ali Khan, Mir Vilayat Ali, and many other eminent Qur’anic scholars. If the readers find useful and interesting information in the following pages it is mainly due to the generosity of the above scholars. For all the shortcomings and for the conclusions drawn the author alone is solely responsible.

In this book, I have drawn from all the above sources according to my capacity and as per the present requirements, and presented fifteen important topics.

Except one brief book by Ahmed Von Denffer (189 Pages) there is, to my knowledge, no book on the subject in English. In view of the importance of Ulum al Qur`an and the growing demand, the need was felt for a book throwing in the light on the subject and covering more disciplines.

The aim of this author is to present an introduction to Ulum al Qur`an in a hand book to a special readership of those who want to study the Qur`an in a systematic way by self effort.

The object of introducing Ulum al Qur`an is but to facilitate Qur`anic studies and to create interest therein. The elements of Ulum al Qur`an have been compiled in a presentable manner.