Quranic Vocab
What is the Arabic term for a person who has memorized the entire Qur’an?
Hafiz
A revelation did not always come in the same length. What three different amounts of Qur’an could be revealed to the Prophet ﷺ at one time?
One verse, several verses, or an entire sūrah.
What important event separates Meccan and Medinan revelation?
The Hijrah.
Which caliph first ordered the Qur’an to be collected into one manuscript?
What were the two main methods used to preserve the Qur’an during the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime?
What is the Arabic name for the Preserved Tablet?
Al-Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ.
Approximately how many years did the revelation of the Qur’an take?
23 Years
A sūrah discusses resurrection, Jannah, Jahannam, and belief in Allah. Is it more characteristic of Meccan or Medinan revelation?
Meccan (Makkī).
Which battle led to concerns about the loss of Qur’an memorizers?
The Battle of Yamāmah.
esides memorizing the Qur’an themselves, how did the Companions help spread and preserve its recitation beyond their own communities?
They traveled to other communities and taught people Qur’anic recitation.
What is the difference between waḥy and a muṣḥaf?
Waḥy means revelation; a muṣḥaf is a written copy of the Qur’an in book form.
On which special night was the Qur’an brought to the lowest heaven?
Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree).
A sūrah was revealed after the Hijrah, but outside Madinah. Would it be classified as Makkī or Madanī? Explain.
Madanī, because the distinction is based on time, not simply location.
Which Companion suggested collecting the Qur’an, and which Companion was appointed to lead the collection?
Name two Companions who served as scribes of revelation.
What is naskh, and what is a ruling called when it has been superseded?
Naskh is when a later ruling supersedes an earlier ruling. The superseded ruling is called mansūkh.
ie: the process of the prohibition of alcohol
Describe two different ways the Prophet ﷺ could receive revelation.
Jibrīl (as) could appear in a recognizable form, or revelation could come with a sound resembling a bell, which was especially difficult for the Prophet ﷺ.
Name three themes commonly associated with Medinan revelation.
After the collected manuscript passed from Abū Bakr to ʿUmar, who safeguarded it, and how was it later used?
Ḥafṣah (ra) safeguarded it. ʿUthmān (ra) later borrowed it as the basis for producing standard written copies.
How often did Jibrīl (as) review the Qur’an with the Prophet ﷺ, and what was special about the final Ramadan?
What are the seven aḥruf, and how are they connected to differences in Qur’anic recitation?
They are permitted modes (dialects) of Qur’anic recitation taught by the Prophet ﷺ. Differences could involve pronunciation and certain expressions.
Explain why the Qur’an was revealed gradually rather than all at once. Give one example from the lesson.
So Muslims could learn beliefs and practices step by step, receive guidance as situations arose, and adjust to new rulings. Example: the gradual prohibition of intoxicants.
Explain the three stages of the prohibition of intoxicants, including what changed at each stage.
First, their harm was highlighted despite some benefit (2:219). Second, Muslims were forbidden from approaching prayer while intoxicated (4:43). Third, believers were commanded to avoid intoxicants (5:90).
Both Abū Bakr (ra) and ʿUthmān (ra) worked to preserve the Qur’an. Explain the different problem each faced and how each responded.
Abū Bakr collected verified written materials into one manuscript after the loss of memorizers at Yamāmah. ʿUthmān addressed disputes about recitation by having standard written copies prepared and distributed to Muslim provinces.
Name THREE different physical materials that the Companions used to write down Qur’anic revelation during the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime.
Any three of: parchment, palm branches, animal shoulder bones, and slate rocks
no partial credit all 3 must be from this list