THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS
Although the word "Quran" is derived from the Arabic verb "qara’a," which means "read", it is only used to describe the book revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years in original Arabic through archangel Gabriel.
It is considered by Muslims as the eternal Message of God to all humanity.
In other words, there was no human author of the Quran, but there were writers for the verses that were memorized in the hearts of many companions of Prophet Muhammad.
God's words (the Quran) were not mixed with Muhammad's words. Prophet Muhammad's teachings and sayings were collected in books that are called "hadith".
His teachings, way of life and explanation of the Quran are often called "the sunnah of the Prophet".
Since the Quran is considered as God's Word, it was written on parchment and memorized by most pious Muslims (word by word and letter by letter).
Soon after Prophet Muhammad died, the complete Quran was first compiled in one book when Abu Baker became the first caliph in Islam.
The situation remained the same when Omar became the second caliph. However, by the time Othman became the third caliph (only 13 years after Prophet Muhammad died), Islam had spread over large geographical areas; therefore, several copies of the Quran were generated from the original and distributed to different regions.
The second part of the Jewish bible called "Prophets" includes books from Joshua through Malachi.
However, the concept of recurrence "tawaator" is enough to confirm that the present Quran is identical to the one revealed to Prophet Muhammad more than centuries ago.
Tawaator indicates that the same Quranic text was memorized, recited and narrated by different groups of people and generations without contradictions, disagreements or discrepancies.
There were no disagreements or inconsistencies among the people who memorized and conveyed the Quran from one generation to another. Tawaator confirms the absolute authenticity of Quran.
THE QURAN IS DISTINGUISHED BY ITS UNIQUE RECITATION STYLE
According to Islamic teachings, the Quran cannot be read like a normal text; it must be "recited". The style of reciting the Quran is unique and peculiar. Muhammad's teachings in his own words cannot be recited in the same style as the recitation of the Quran.
And recite the Quran with measured recitation (in a distinct tone). Quran, 73:4 So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention so you may receive (God's) mercy.
Quran, 7:204
The Quran recitation rules are commonly called "tajweed" in Arabic. It is believed that tajweed is a unique science not available in other religions.
It reflects the highest level of attention given by the companions of Muhammad to preserve the way he recited the Qur’an (word by word). Muslims trust that it is not only the text of the Quran that was uniquely preserved, but also the styles in which Muhammad and his companions recited it.
The styles of reciting the Quran are documented by the names of the narrators and recitors starting from those who heard it from Prophet Muhammad until now. This is across the whole Islamic world and continued from one generation to another.
Finally, many verses in the Quran contain direct speech from God (in the form of calls) to humankind and all people, as you will see in the following chapters. It also has calls from God to the people of the Book and the believers in the final divine Message.
WHY DO MUSLIMS CONSIDER THE QURAN AN ETERNAL MIRACLE?
Muslims believe the Quran is different to the Bible or any other divine book, simply because it is the only book that contains the "Pure" Words of God without being rephrased by His Messenger or anyone else.
If the companions of Prophet Muhammad captured the meanings of God's Message and phrased them with their own language, then the Quran would have been similar to the Bible.
Also, unlike physical miracles that were brought by true prophets and messengers, and seen only by the people who lived at their times, the Quran is considered by Muslims as an eternal miracle that can be touched, seen, read and conveyed from one generation to another.
The word "Quran" indicates the divine book that is frequently read day and night. It is interesting to know that the first verse revealed in the Quran started with the word "read". The Quran is often described as "Al Kitab" (the divine book), "Al Furqan" (discernment or criterion) and "Al Thikr" (remembrance).
“Say (O’ Muhammad): “If the whole humanity and Jinni were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran they could not produce the like thereof even if they backed up each other with help and support”.
Quran, 17:88
THE STRUCTURE OF THE QURAN
The Quran is composed of 114 chapters, which contain 6236 verses. It is a complete pure Message from God to humanity. It does not contain any poems, songs or letters written by a human author. It starts with an important chapter called "Al-Fatiha" (the Opener) and ends with a chapter called "Al-Naas" (People). Al-Fatiha is also called the "Mother of the Book". Muslims recite it in every prayer of the five daily prescribed prayers.
In the name of God, The most Merciful, the most Compassionate
Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, The most merciful, the most compassionate, The master (owner) of the Day of Judgment. It is You alone we worship and it is from You alone we seek help.
Guide us to the straight way The way of those whom You bestowed Your grace, not those who earned Your anger and not those who fall astray.
Quran, 1:1-7
The last chapter of the Quran "Al-Naas" "The People" is composed of the following verses.
In the name of God, The most Merciful, the most Compassionate
Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of people, the King of people, the God of people, from the evil of the sneaking whisperer, who whispers in the hearts of people, of the Jinn and mankind.
Quran, 114:1-6