What Are the Purposes Allah Mentioned For Revealing the Qur’an?

Allah has answered this in five parts:

I: Nature of Revelation

1. To Establish Its Divine Origin and Infallibility

And indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a Lord who is Wise and Praiseworthy.

Fussilat: 41-42

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its guardian.

Al-Hijr: 9

2. To Stand as an Inimitable and Perpetual Miracle (I’jaz)

Say, “If mankind and the jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants.”

Al-Isra: 88

And if you are in doubt about what We have sent down upon Our Servant [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof and call upon your witnesses other than Allah, if you should be truthful.

Al-Baqarah: 23

3. To Embody the Absolute Truth (Al-Haqq)

Alif, Lam, Mim, Ra. These are the verses of the Book. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most of the people do not believe.

Ar-Ra’d: 1

4. To Be a Clear Arabic Text for Comprehension

Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.

Yusuf: 2

In a clear Arabic language.

Ash-Shu’ara: 195

5. As a Confirmation (Musaddiq) of Previous Scripture

And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a guardian (muhaymin) over it…

Al-Ma’idah: 48

6. To Perfect the Religion and Complete Allah’s Favor

…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion…

Al-Ma’idah: 3

II: Guidance

1. As a Guidance (Huda) and a Mercy (Rahmah)

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.

Al-Baqarah: 2

The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion (al-furqan)…

Al-Baqarah: 185

And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.

An-Nahl: 89

2. As a Light (Nur) to Dispel Darkness

Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out from darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord…

Ibrahim: 1

There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.

Al-Ma’idah: 15-16

3. To Guide to That Which is Most Upright

Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.

Al-Isra: 9

4. As a Warning (Nadhir) and Bearer of Glad Tidings (Bashir)

[All] praise is [due] to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. [He has made it] straight to warn of a severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.

Al-Kahf: 1-2

5. As a Universal Reminder (Dhikr) for All Creation

We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your renown (dhikrukum). Then will you not reason?

Al-Anbiya: 10

It is not but a reminder to the worlds.

Sad: 87

6. To Establish the Definitive Proof (Hujjah)

[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument (hujjah) against Allah after the messengers…

An-Nisa’: 165

III: Impact on the Believer

1. As a Healing (Shifa’) and an Admonition

O mankind, there has come to you an admonition from your Lord and a healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.

Yunus: 57

And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…

Al-Isra: 82

2. To Bring Tranquility and Assurance to the Heart

Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.

Ar-Ra’d: 28

3. To Increase the Believers in Faith (Iman)

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely.

Al-Anfal: 2

…As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, and they rejoice.

At-Tawbah: 124

4. To Inspire Awe and Humble Submission (Khushu’)

If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah…

Al-Hashr: 21

…they fall upon their faces weeping, and it increases them in humble submission.

Al-Isra: 109

5. To Be Pondered and Reflected Upon (Tadabbur)

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.

Sad: 29

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?

Muhammad: 24

6. To Be Made Easy for Remembrance (Dhikr)

And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?

Al-Qamar: 17

7. To Strengthen the Heart of the Prophet (Tathbit)

And those who disbelieve say, “Why was the Qur’an not sent down to him all at once?” Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.

Al-Furqan: 32

IV: Application in Society

1. To Be Recited and Followed (Tilawah wa Ittiba’)

And this is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

Al-An’am: 155

Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] secretly and publicly from what We have provided them, expect a transaction that will never perish.

Fatir: 29

2. To Be the Unbreakable Rope of Allah (Habl Allah)

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…

Ali ‘Imran: 103

3. As a Criterion (Furqan) for Judgment (Hukm)

Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner.

Al-Furqan: 1

Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you…

An-Nisa: 105

4. To Act as the Final Arbiter in Disputed Matters

And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muhammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed…

An-Nahl: 64

5. To Explain and Make Matters Clear (Tibyan)

…And We have sent down to you the Reminder [i.e., the Qur’an] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.

An-Nahl: 44

…and sent down with them the Book in truth to judge between people concerning that in which they differed…

Al-Baqarah: 213

6. To Establish a Moral and Legal Code (Halal wa Haram)

Say, “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you…”

Al-An’am: 151

O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress…

Al-Ma’idah: 87

7. To Narrate the Stories of the Past as a Lesson (‘Ibrah)

There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding…

Yusuf: 111

And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart…

Hud: 120

Part V: Final Outcome

1. To Describe the Unseen Realities of the Hereafter

The Inevitable Reality—What is the Inevitable Reality? And what can make you know what is the Inevitable Reality?

Al-Haqqah: 1-3

Say, “It is great news, from which you are turning away.”

Sad: 67-68

2. To Provide a Path to Forgiveness and Paradise

And those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer—indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.

Al-A’raf: 170

…So that He may give them their rewards in full and increase them from His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.

Fatir: 30

3. To Call Humanity to the Abode of Peace (Dar al-Salam)

And Allah invites to the Abode of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path.

Yunus: 25

4. To Be a Source of Blessings (Barakah)

And this is a Book which We have sent down, blessed and confirming what was before it, that you may warn the Mother of Cities [i.e., Makkah] and those around it…

Al-An’am: 92

And Allah knows best.