Grade 9 Islamic Religious Education Study Notes

Strand 1.0: Qur'an

The Qur'an is the word of Allah (S.W.T.), revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) over 23 years. It is the most important source of guidance for every Muslim.

In Grade 9, we study two sub-strands under this strand:

• Sub-strand 1.1 — Ulum al-Qur'an: the science of the Qur'an — what makes it miraculous, its language, and its styles.
• Sub-strand 1.2 — Selected Chapter: Surah Al-Hujurat.

Sub-Strand 1.1: Ulum al-Qur'an

Ulum al-Qur'an (علوم القرآن) means the sciences of the Qur'an. It is the study of the Qur'an's special qualities — what makes it unique, how it is written, and the styles it uses to deliver its message.

Miraculous Nature of the Qur'an (continued)

Allah's Challenge to Humankind

Allah (S.W.T.) challenged all humans and jinn to produce even one chapter like the Qur'an:

"And if you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down to our slave, then produce a surah of the like thereof… But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the fire." (Qur'an 2:23–24)

This challenge has never been answered in over 1,400 years.

The Story of Labid bin Rabi'ah

Labid bin Rabi'ah was one of the greatest Arab poets at the time of the Prophet (S.A.W.). His poetry was so admired it was displayed on the wall of the Ka'bah.

He tried to imitate Surah al-Fiil — and failed completely. After reading the Qur'an, he understood it was beyond human ability. He accepted Islam.

Miraculous Nature of the Qur'an

What is a Miracle?

A miracle is an act produced by Allah (S.W.T.) that no one can imitate — not humans, not jinn.

The Qur'an is a miracle. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), and its language is excellent and soothing to the heart and mind.

More Verses That Show the Miraculous Nature

Verse	What it shows
"Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions." (Qur'an 4:82)	The Qur'an has no contradictions, even though it was revealed over 23 years on many topics
"Neither did you (O Muhammad) read any book before it, nor did you write any book with your right hand." (Qur'an 29:48)	The Prophet (S.A.W.) was unlettered — he could not read or write — so the Qur'an came from Allah, not from him
"And if you are in doubt… produce a surah of the like thereof." (Qur'an 2:23–24)	Allah's open challenge — never answered in 1,400 years — proves the Qur'an is beyond human ability

Verses That Show the Miraculous Nature of the Qur'an

Verse	What it shows
"Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr and surely We will guard it from corruption." (Qur'an 15:9)	Allah protects the Qur'an — it has stayed unchanged for over 1,400 years
"And it is He who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating." (Qur'an 21:33)	The Qur'an mentions scientific facts — like the orbits of the sun and moon — that 7th-century Arabia did not know
"This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad S.A.W.) of the verses and the Wise Reminder (the Qur'an)." (Qur'an 3:58)	The Qur'an is recited by Allah directly to the Prophet — it is not the Prophet's own words

Language of the Qur'an

The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic. Allah (S.W.T.) says:

"Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that you may understand." (Qur'an 12:2)

Arabic was the language of the first people to receive the Qur'an. Allah chose it so the message could be clearly understood.

Arabic script is written and read from right to left. Its letters are connected, and each letter changes shape depending on where it appears in a word.

$diagram:{description:"Textbook-style diagram on a white background. At the top, a short strip of Arabic text in large clear letters with diacritical marks (small vowel symbols) above and below the letters. Below the strip, a wide arrow pointing from right to left, labelled 'Reading direction: right to left'. Below that, three isolated Arabic letters in a row, each labelled: Label A — 'Beginning form', Label B — 'Middle form', Label C — 'End form'. A caption below: 'The same letter changes shape depending on its position in a word.' Style: clean blackboard-style diagram, black on white, no Qur'anic verses — use neutral example letters only.",title:"Figure 1.4: Arabic script — written and read from right to left">

Characteristics of the Qur'an's Language

The Arabic of the Qur'an is not ordinary Arabic. The Qur'an describes its own language as:

• Clear — the meaning is straightforward, not hidden
• Without crookedness — no errors or inconsistencies: "An Arabic Qur'an, without any crookedness therein." (Qur'an 39:28)
• Free of contradictions — no internal conflicts, even though revealed over 23 years: "Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions." (Qur'an 4:82)

These qualities are part of what makes the language of the Qur'an miraculous.

The Style of the Qur'an

The Qur'an uses different literary styles to deliver its message. These styles make the message easier to understand, easier to remember, and more powerful.

There are six styles covered in this sub-strand:

Style	Arabic Term
Similes	Amthaal (أمثال)
Repetition	—
Rhetorical questions	—
Oaths	Aqsaam (أقسام)
Rhyme	—
Narratives	Qisas (قصص)

Similes (Amthaal)

Similes — called Amthaal (أمثال) in Arabic — are comparisons that help the reader reflect on the Qur'an's message. They make a spiritual point concrete and easy to picture.

Example from the course book:

"The likeness of those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds for itself a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house; if they but knew." (Qur'an 29:41)

A spider's web looks elaborate but tears with a finger. The lesson: anyone who seeks protection from other than Allah has very weak support — just like sheltering in a spider's web.

The Style of the Qur'an

Repetition

Repetition means certain words, phrases, or verses are said more than once to emphasise the message. When Allah repeats something, it is a signal to pay close attention.

Example from Surah Ash-Sharh (Chapter 94):

"So verily, with the hardship, there is relief." (Qur'an 94:5)
"Verily, with every hardship, there is relief." (Qur'an 94:6)

The same promise is stated twice in a row — so the believer never forgets: no matter how hard things get, relief will come.

Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical questions are questions used to make the reader think deeply about their beliefs and behaviour. They do not expect a spoken answer — the reader is meant to reflect and reach the truth on their own.

Example:

"Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing in prayer during the hours of the night… (like one who disbelieves)? Say: Are those who know equal to those who know not? It is only men of understanding who will remember." (Qur'an 39:9)

The question "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" already has a clear answer: no. But asking it as a question makes the reader feel that truth deeply, rather than just hearing it stated.

The Style of the Qur'an

Oaths (Aqsaam)

Aqsaam (أقسام) are oaths in the Qur'an that serve two purposes:

1. To show the Greatness and Might of Allah as the Creator of everything He swears by
2. To draw the reader's attention to how important those creations are

Example from Surah Al-Fajr (Chapter 89):

• "By the dawn" (89:1)
• "And by the ten nights" (89:2)
• "And by the even and the odd" (89:3)
• "And by the night when it departs" (89:4)

Allah swears by the dawn, the ten nights, the even and odd, and the departing night — all signs of His precise and perfect creation.

$diagram:{description:"Simple educational illustration showing a horizon at the moment of dawn. The sky fills the top two-thirds: deep dark blue at the top gradually lightening to pale orange and yellow near the horizon. A thin bright strip sits right on the horizon — the first light of dawn. The bottom third is a flat dark silhouette of land. Three or four small white dots in the upper left represent the last visible stars. Label A — white text near the horizon light: 'Dawn — Al-Fajr (Qur'an 89:1)'. Label B — arrow to the bright horizon strip: 'First light of dawn'. Label C — arrow to the stars: 'Departing night (Qur'an 89:4)'. Style: simplified painterly textbook illustration, clean and readable. No sun above the horizon. No people, buildings, or trees.",title:"Figure 1.7: The dawn and departing night — sworn by Allah in Qur'an 89:1–4">

Rhyme

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of verses. It gives the Qur'an rhythm when recited, creates beauty, and has a calming and appealing effect on the listener.

Example from Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97):

1. "Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree." (97:1)
2. "And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?" (97:2)
3. "The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (97:3)
4. "The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter." (97:4)
5. "Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." (97:5)

When recited in Arabic, the ending sounds of these verses match — creating rhythm, beauty, and calm.

$diagram:{description:"Simple diagram on a white background. Five horizontal rows numbered 1 to 5 on the left, representing the five verses of Surah Al-Qadr. On the right end of each row, a small shaded box containing the key end-word: Row 1 — 'Decree', Row 2 — 'Decree', Row 3 — 'months', Row 4 — 'matter', Row 5 — 'dawn'. A vertical curly bracket on the far right spans all five boxes, labelled 'Matching end-sounds = Rhyme'. Below all five rows, a downward arrow leads to a box: 'Effect: rhythm, beauty, and a calming mood during recitation.' Style: clean black-and-white classroom diagram. Plain sans-serif font. No Arabic script. No colour or decoration.",title:"Figure 1.8: Rhyme at the end of verses — Surah Al-Qadr (97:1–5)">