Grade 7 Islamic Religious Education Study Notes

The Qur'an Strand

The Qur'an strand in Grade 7 has two parts. The first part is Ulumul Qur'an — the science of the Qur'an. The second part covers two selected chapters: Surah Ad-Dhuha and Surah Al-Balad.

What is Ulumul Qur'an?

Ulum means science. Ulumul Qur'an means the science of the Qur'an — the study of how it was revealed, when it came down, and why Allah (S.W.T.) sent it to mankind.

In Grade 7, the focus is specifically on the science of the revelation of the Qur'an.

What is the Qur'an?

The Qur'an is the word of Allah (S.W.T.). It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to guide all of mankind. It is the final scripture — the last book of guidance Allah (S.W.T.) sent to humanity.

Scriptures Before the Qur'an

Before the Qur'an, Allah (S.W.T.) had already sent earlier scriptures to guide people. Each scripture was revealed to a specific prophet for the people of his time.

Why the Qur'an Was Revealed

As time passed, the earlier scriptures were corrupted — people changed their content, added to them, or removed important teachings. Most people also turned away from the guidance those scriptures contained. They forgot about Allah (S.W.T.) and became involved in vices.

Because guidance was no longer reaching people correctly, Allah (S.W.T.) revealed the Qur'an as a complete, uncorrupted book of guidance for all of mankind — not just one people or one era, but every person until the Day of Judgement.

How the Qur'an Guides Mankind

The Qur'an guides Muslims in every aspect of life, not just acts of worship. It is a complete code of conduct.

Because the Qur'an covers every area of life, Muslims regard it as the most precious gift Allah (S.W.T.) has given to mankind.

The Qur'an Was Revealed in Two Stages

The Qur'an did not arrive on earth all at once. It came through an ordered, two-stage process — from the highest heaven down to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) on earth.

Three key terms describe this process: Lauhul Mahfudh, Baitul Izza, and Tanziil.

Stage One: Lauhul Mahfudh to Baitul Izza

Lauhul Mahfudh means the Well-Preserved Tablet. It is in the seventh heaven — the place where Allah (S.W.T.) has recorded everything. The entire Qur'an was held there.

Baitul Izza means the House of Honour. It is in the first heaven — the heaven closest to the earth.

In Stage One, the entire Qur'an was sent from Lauhul Mahfudh to Baitul Izza — all at once. This happened on the night of Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power) in the month of Ramadhan, through Angel Jibril (A.S.).

Stage Two: Baitul Izza to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)

In Stage Two, the Qur'an was sent from Baitul Izza down to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) on earth — but this time in portions, not all at once.

Allah (S.W.T.) sent Angel Jibril (A.S.) to carry the verses from Baitul Izza to the Prophet (S.A.W.) as and when they were needed. This process is called Tanziil.

Qur'an 17:106 refers to this: "We have revealed it by stages."

The careful, ordered way the Qur'an came down — preserved in Lauhul Mahfudh, held in Baitul Izza, then brought to the Prophet (S.A.W.) exactly as needed — shows that Allah (S.W.T.) planned the delivery of His word with great care.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) Before the Revelation

Allah (S.W.T.) chose Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to carry the final message to mankind. Before he received prophethood, the Prophet used to visit Cave Hira — a narrow cave on the mountain of Jabal Nour near Makkah — for meditation and prayer.

He kept away from the social vices common among youth of his time. Allah (S.W.T.) had already been preparing him for his mission.

Angel Jibril (A.S.) Appears

One day in Cave Hira, Angel Jibril (A.S.) appeared to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and commanded him to read. The Prophet could neither read nor write. He was frightened and replied: "I do not know how to read."

The command came a second time — same reply. After the third command, Angel Jibril squeezed the Prophet's ribs tightly. The Prophet asked: "What shall I read?" — and Angel Jibril then taught him the first verses.

The First Five Verses of Surah Al-Alaq

These are the very first words of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet (S.A.W.) — the beginning of Baath (Prophethood):

1. Read in the name of your Lord who created —
2. Created man from a clinging substance.
3. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous —
4. Who taught by the pen —
5. Taught man that which he knew not.

(Surah Al-Alaq, verses 1–5)

The three key words from this Surah are:

The Importance of Seeking Knowledge

The very first command in the Qur'an was Iqra — "Read." This came before any rule of worship. It shows that seeking knowledge holds a very high importance in Islam.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) could not read or write, yet Allah (S.W.T.) taught him. Verse 5 confirms: "Taught man that which he knew not." Knowledge comes from Allah (S.W.T.).

Every time a learner sits in class, reads a book, or asks a question, they are responding to the same first command: Iqra. Seeking knowledge is not separate from faith — it is part of it.

The Qur'an Was Revealed Gradually

In Stage Two of revelation, Angel Jibril (A.S.) did not bring the entire Qur'an at once. He brought it to the Prophet (S.A.W.) in portions — a few verses or a chapter at a time.

Allah (S.W.T.) refers to this in Qur'an 17:106:

"And it is a Qur'an which We have divided into parts, in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages."

The Benefit: Easier Application

The key benefit of gradual revelation is that it made the Qur'an easier to apply. When only a few verses arrived at a time, the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his companions could memorise, understand, and act on them before the next portion came.

If the entire Qur'an had arrived all at once, absorbing and living by it would have been far harder.

The fact that Allah (S.W.T.) sent the Qur'an gradually, rather than all at once, shows His wisdom — He knew exactly what His servants needed and when they needed it.

The Qur'an as a Guide

The Qur'an was revealed to guide human beings. Two verses explain this clearly.

Qur'an 17:9: "Lo! this Qur'an guides to that which is most upright..."
The Qur'an points people to the most correct and upright way of living.

Qur'an 2:185: "Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as a guide to humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish right and wrong..."
The Qur'an is a guide for all of humanity and a standard — a measure to tell right from wrong.

How the Qur'an Guides in Daily Life

The Qur'an does not only guide Muslims in worship — it covers every aspect of daily life.

How Muslims Show They Value the Qur'an

Muslims do not only believe in the Qur'an — they show that belief through actions:

• Reciting it daily, including in the five daily prayers
• Memorising it — a person who memorises the complete Qur'an is called a Hafidh
• Respectful handling — performing wudhu before touching it; storing it in a clean, high place
• Acting on its teachings in daily behaviour and dealings with others
• Teaching it to their children and others

Each of these actions honours the Qur'an as the word of Allah (S.W.T.) — because the Qur'an is not an ordinary book; it is divine guidance.

Key Points: Ulumul Qur'an

• Ulumul Qur'an means the science or study of the Qur'an.
• Before the Qur'an, Allah (S.W.T.) sent four scriptures: Suhuf (to Prophet Ibrahim A.S.), Taurat (to Prophet Musa A.S.), Zabur (to Prophet Dawud A.S.), and Injil (to Prophet Isa A.S.).
• These scriptures were later corrupted and people turned away from them — so Allah revealed the Qur'an as the final, complete guide for all mankind.
• The Qur'an was revealed in two stages: Stage One — entire Qur'an from Lauhul Mahfudh (7th heaven) to Baitul Izza (1st heaven) on Lailatul Qadr in Ramadhan. Stage Two — in portions from Baitul Izza to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) via Angel Jibril (A.S.) — this process is called Tanziil.
• The first revelation took place at Cave Hira on Jabal Nour, Makkah. Angel Jibril (A.S.) commanded the Prophet (S.A.W.) three times to read before revealing the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq.
• Key words from Surah Al-Alaq: Iqra (Read), A'llama (He taught), Qalam (Pen).
• The first revelation marked the beginning of Baath — the Prophethood of Muhammad (S.A.W.).
• The Qur'an was revealed in portions for easier application — so the early Muslims could memorise, understand, and live by each part before more arrived.
• Qur'an 17:9: the Qur'an guides to what is most upright. Qur'an 2:185: it is a guide for humanity and a standard to distinguish right from wrong.
• Muslims value the Qur'an through recitation, memorisation, respectful handling, acting on its teachings, and teaching others. A person who memorises the full Qur'an is called a Hafidh.