WHO WROTE THE QURAN

enough to receive the Final Message - The Final Word of God, for all, for alltimes. The time was so right that it could not have been more suitable. TheMessage to the Last Prophet could now be preserved, every word of it. ThisWord would remain modern for all times. Books and writings could beeasily saved on parchment and widely published in the 7th century.PLACE: No place could be better than Makkah to receive the Last Word ofGod. The city of Makkah was a center of trade caravans. It already had thewidely revered First Symbolic House of Monotheism. The Ka'bah had beenbuilt by Prophet Ibrahim 2,500 years before. Being the loftiest and earliestSymbol of True Monotheism, it is a constant reminder to people that allhumankind is One Community just as their Creator is One. The people ofMakkah were respected in Arabia because they took care of the SacredHouse. Makkah in the vast desert expanse was far removed from othercivilizations. The people of the town were rugged and shrewd since theyhad to survive in very formidable natural and lawless environment. Veryimportantly, they had never been ruled by foreign powers, and therefore,they had all the qualities of a free nation. They were bold, strong andstraightforward. They always kept their word and would lay down their livesfor it. If a tribe violated the amnesty given to someone by the other, oneshout could fetch them to the battlefield. Dying in bed was a matter ofshame for them while giving life in battle was highly regarded.Only a few people in Makkah knew how to read and write. So, they relied ontheir memory for history and knowledge. Consequently, they had verysharp memories. It appears that according to Divine Plan, they had beengrooming and perfecting their Arabic language making it fit to receiveAllah's Final Revelation. Poets, story-tellers, genealogists, and goodnarrators enjoyed special distinction in the Arab society. Many of thesequalities made Makkah the best place in the world to receive the FinalMessage.We have briefly examined the good and the bad in Arabian society. ProphetMuhammad (S) knew that his society needed a drastic change. He used todo a lot of thinking about it never knowing until the Day of Revelation thatthe Noble Task would be eventually assigned to him.29:48 For, (O Prophet) you were never able to read a book or Scripturebefore this (Quran), nor could you write anything with your own hand. Orelse, they who try to disprove the Truth might have some cause to doubt it.Sometimes, he went out of the town to find solitude. Until this day, thereexists the Mountain of Light (Jabl-in-Noor), a few miles from Makkah. Thismountain has a little cave called Hira. It is about 12 feet long and 6 feetwide. The Prophet (S) used to spend an occasional day there, contemplatedand prayed for guidance. He would then come back to town, and continuebusiness as usual. He helped his community more than ever. The Quran63