Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: The Quran Created a Great Nation in History, Elevating It from Locality to Global Prominence Within a Few Decades
His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, visited the Darul Quran JAKIM Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He noted that this occasion represents an excellent opportunity to discuss the Quran, the Book of Allah that falsehood cannot approach from before it or behind it. The Quran is timeless and transcends space, reaching far beyond the intellect and historical events. It is no wonder, as it is the book that Allah Himself revealed and promised to protect: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the message, and indeed, We will be its guardian" (Quran 15:9).
During his speech at the event held by Darul Quran JAKIM to mark his visit, His Eminence emphasized that Allah has fulfilled His promise, providing the Quran with unprecedented means of preservation both in hearts and in written form. Nearly fifteen centuries have passed since the Quran's revelation, with countless adversaries seeking to find faults and errors. Yet, none have succeeded in identifying a single flaw that defies reason, natural instinct, or established scientific facts.
His Eminence pointed out that the first verses of the Quran were expected to awaken the natural inclination towards faith in Allah. However, the Quran began its message by sounding the bells of knowledge and awareness in people's minds, highlighting that faith in Islam is founded on "knowledge" and rational thinking, not merely on "emotional acceptance" without evidence and clear reasoning.
The Grand Imam highlighted that reason is the cornerstone upon which all religious duties revolve, defined as "God's address concerning the actions of the accountable individuals, whether of demand or choice." The status of reason in the Quran is an undeniable fact, evident from the verses that prove it, distinguishing the Quran from other scriptures. The Quran liberates human consciousness, heart, and conscience from worshipping stones, animals, and people, freeing the mind from superstitions and myths, and elevating the human soul above materialism and base desires.
His Eminence affirmed that the Quran has produced remarkable individuals and even created a great nation from humble beginnings. This nation quickly rose from local to global prominence, spreading a civilization that still influences today's world. Scholars, philosophers, and thinkers continue to study and marvel at this miraculous civilization.
He added that history shows that whenever the Muslim community heeded the Quran's calls and adhered to its divine guidance, it achieved unparalleled levels of civilization, scientific, and moral advancement, competing with the world's leading civilizations. Within less than eighty years after the last verse was revealed, Muslims were able to spread light, justice, and knowledge worldwide. The Islamic intellectual drive towards science, philosophy, ethics, and fine arts has been a source of admiration for many European scholars who have objectively studied Islamic conquests and acknowledged their positive impact.
The Grand Imam continued, stating that Allah has ensured the preservation of the Quran's text in written and memorized form, allowing the spirit of Islamic civilization to remain resilient and influential despite setbacks. Even in times of decline, the Quran has maintained its vibrant and impactful presence. If any other civilization had faced the same challenges as the Islamic civilization, it would have vanished from history centuries ago.
