How can ‘Zikr’ be translated as ‘Quran’ only?
Question: اِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا الذِّکۡرَ وَ اِنَّا لَہٗ لَحٰفِظُوۡنَ ﴿۹
Allama Syed Abdullah Tariq has given a reference of the above mentioned ayah, translating the word ‘zikr’ as Quran. My question is how can ‘Zikr’ be translated as Quran? Why cannot we translate it as ‘Ahadith’ as well? Please Clarify.
Answer: Zik’r is a comprehensive word which means remembrance, remembrance of Allah by a person, remembrance of others for guidance towards Allah and also the remembrance descended or revealed from Allah.
The Earlier Books:
The Books revealed by Allah to the prophets contained Zik’r and the Books were themselves Zik’r as a whole:
Hazrat Nooh said to his people, “Well, does it make you wonder that a ‘Zikr’ (remembrance), has come to you from your Lord through a man from among you, so that he may warn you, and so that you may become secure against evil, and that you may be shown mercy?’ (7:63)
Likewise, Hazrat Hood said to his people, “Do you wonder that a ‘Zikr’ (remembrance), should come to you from your Lord, through a man from among you so that he may warn you?…” (7:69)
The Qur’an:
Like the earlier Books, Qur’an too contains Zik’r and the whole Qur’an is a Zik’r too.
“Saad! By the Qur’an, possessing Zik’r (Remembrance)!” (38:1)
We have not taught him (the art of composing) verses, nor does it become him (to be a poet). This is but a Zik’r (remembrance); and a clear bright Qur’an.” (36:69)
“And you ask from them no wages for it. It (the Qur’an) is nothing except a Zik’r (reminder) to all mankind.” (12:104)
“This (Qur’an) is the Most Blessed Zik’r (remembrance) which We have revealed. Do you deny it?” (21:50)
“So hold fast to that which has been revealed to you; surely you are on the right path. And surely it is a Zik’r (reminder) for you and your people, and you will be questioned.” (43:43-44)
“And indeed, when the disbelievers listen to the Zik’r (remembrance, the Qur’an), it seems as if they wish to damage you with their (evil) looks and say: ‘He is insane.’ But it is nothing other than a Zik’r (remembrance) for all the worlds.” (68:51-52)
“Allah has prepared for them severe torment. So take Allah as a shield O you men of reason, who have believed. No doubt it is you towards whom Allah has sent down the Zik’r (reminder, the Qur’an).” (65:10)
If you read from 15:6 to 15:9, it is evident that the ‘Zik’r’ twice mentioned in these Ayahs is Qur’an.
“And they (the disbelievers) say, ‘O you to whom this Zik’r (reminder, the Qur’an) has been revealed! you are indeed insane. Why do you not bring to us the angels, if what you say is true? We do not send down angels but with the (judgment of) truth. and they will not be granted respite at that time (when they are sent to them). Surely, it is WE Who have sent down this Zik’r (remembrance), and most surely WE shall safeguard it.” (15:6-9)
So you see that the Zik’r in question is something which is a revelation, sent down to the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. through angels. It was sent down to the earlier prophets also but the Zik’r revealed to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. will be safeguarded. Specifying at another place that this Zik’r (remembrance) is a Book that will not be corrupted, the Qur’an says:
“Indeed, those who denied the Zikr (remembrance) when it came to them, and undoubtedly it is a Mighty, Invincible Book that cannot be approached by falsehood, neither from its front (openly), nor from its behind (back door) __a revelation from the All-Wise, the Ever-Praised.” (41:41-42)
Which revealed Book (to the Prophet Muhammad) do you think this Zik’r (remembrance) is which is immune from corruption and adulteration?
Hadiths referred to as safeguarded Zik’r in 15:9?
Some people claim this (One) Book is the scattered Hadiths found in numerous collections that have been partly or fully adulterated and mixed with weak, suspicious and false narrations and which the Hadith Scholars have been trying to sort out from the Muhadditheen era to this day! Has anyone ever dared to research about false, weak or doubtful Ayahs in Qur’an? This fact alone is proof enough of the above group’s own practical admission that Hadith literature cannot be placed at par with Qur’an and this is not a collection about which Allah SWT, in Qur’an says:
“We are surely going to safeguard it.” Nothing can ever be in the likeness of and at par with Qur’an in sanctity and purity.
Their claim is on the authority of the following narration in Abu Dawood:
“Beware! I have been given the Book and (another) like it and with it…”
There are too many follies in the whole narration, a part of which is cited above but at least it accepts the existence of a revealed Book which they say is also a Zik’r but the Ayahs of the Book may be cancelled or repealed by another type of Zik’r revealed with it and in its likeness. They are continually searching and researching for the True part of the other Zik’r that will be the ultimate authority to test the Book.
Pray, they would have heeded the following Ayahs of Qur’an:
“And if you are in doubt about this (Book) which We have revealed to Our (exalted) servant, then produce only one Surah like this, summoning (to your assistance) all your helpers (that you have) beside Allah, if you are true (in your claim). (2:23)
“So let them produce a Hadith (treatise) like this (Qur’an) if they are truthful.” (52:34)