How does the Qur’an describe the manner and circumstances (place, time, etc.) of the revelation? What does the Qur’an say about the nature and character of the revelation? Why was the Qur’an revealed to humans? What does the Qur’an as revelation do? How does God communicate with humans? Is Muhammad the only messenger God has sent to humans? What is the task of Muhammad as prophet? How does the message of Qur’an different from other messages previous messengers had brought? Is Muhammad, and previous prophets and messengers, different from other human beings? Sura Al-Najm (The Star): What is the purpose of the first part of the sura (53:1-18)?
Guiding Questions #2 Qur’an: nature of God and relationship b/w God and creation (2:255, 22:6 & 17-18, 59:22-24, 50:16, 24:35 & 42, s.112, 19:88-93, 55:26-7, 3:26-27)
What does the Qur’an say about God’s involvement in the world? What does the Qur’an say about the will of God? Why and how does the Qur’an reject the notion that God has an offspring? What does the Qur’an express in sura 50:16 (the translation: ‘we are closer to him than his jugular vein’)?
Guiding Questions #3
Qur’an: the created world, its purpose (51:56-7, 38:27, 23:115, 3:83, 17:44, 24:41-3) Qur’an: human nature (30:30, 95:4-5, 70:19-21, 4:128, 21:37, 11:9-10, 41:49-51) Qur’an: end of the world/resurrection/judgement (50:20-35, s.81, 80:33-42, s.99, s.101, 69:13-32, 41:19-21, 39:67-75)
What is the purpose of human beings (and jinn) as beings created by God? Why does God say that Creation is not a matter of vanity? What natural disposition of human beings towards God? Does the Qur’an acknowledge negative proclivities in human beings? Do humans always rely on God’s guidance? How does the Qur’an describe the Day of Judgment? What determines the fate of human beings at the Day of Resurrection?