The Holy Quran is admired for its spiritual depth, wisdom, and eloquence. Awe-inspiring verses of unique beauty that stir the believer’s heart lie within its pages. This post explores some of the Quran’s most beautiful verses that reflect divine beauty and, provide guidance, solace, and offer exceptional insights into what it means to be human and a Muslim.
1. Allah is always close by
If My servants ask you about Me, well, I am near; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls to Me. Let them then respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may follow the right way.
[Surah Baqarah 2:186]
The Quran contains numerous comforting verses that focus on the closeness of Allah to His creation. This verse stands above others because it doesn’t instruct Muhammad (pbuh) to convey a message to Allah’s people; instead, Allah responds to them directly.
In the verse, Allah states “I am near” – that He will answer the heartfelt prayers of any who supplicate to Him, who create space for Him. It suggests that His people can be close to Him through prayer without the mediation of an intermediary.
As well as acknowledging the closeness of the relationship between Allah and His people, the verse continues, urging followers to respond and believe in Allah to remain on the right path. Allah answers the most profound questions that humankind always agonises over –
“How do we attain happiness? What is the purpose of life? Why are we here?”
For Muslims, the Holy Quran is the timeless, universal guide to finding and remaining on the right path. The Quran remains a clear and present truth in a world where there isn’t always a clear understanding of “right” and morality and truth are relative. In this verse, we see that by having faith in God and following His commands, we may experience true guidance, the most certain way to a purposeful, contented life.
2. Beyond our knowledge
With Him are the keys to what lies beyond the reach of human perception: none knows them but Him. He knows all that the land and sea contain; not a leaf falls but He knows it; and neither is there a grain in the earth’s deep darkness, nor anything fresh or dry but is recorded in a clear book.
[Surah An’am 6:59]
The magnitude of Allah’s knowledge is powerfully described in this verse through poetic imagery. The verse emphasises how human knowledge pales into insignificance compared to Divine knowledge. Allah is the singular, eternal gatekeeper of much knowledge that remains hidden from humanity, regardless of how hard we work to uncover or understand it.
Allah’s awareness of the cosmos is all-encompassing. Everything from the movement of the waves to the scuttling of a singular beetle is acknowledged and documented for eternity.
The reader is left mesmerised by this enigmatic and emphatic verse, just as they are when they try to grasp the full scope of Allah’s awareness and knowledge.
We often consider ourselves the earth’s owners, yet few, if any humans are concerned with every particle of sand or the life of an individual bug. However, every last detail of the universe is recorded by the Lord of the universe. Every detail, regardless of size, whether hidden or apparent, close or at the far edges of space, is accounted for in His dominion.
While the achievements of the human mind are tremendous and a source of human pride, our knowledge remains inferior to that of the Creator. Through this verse, we are inspired by Allah’s incomprehensible knowledge and humbled by our knowledge deficit. We find hope in Allah’s recognition of even the smallest grain of sand and realise that nothing in our lives is too trivial for Allah.
3. Selflessly giving and compassionate
(They are the ones) who give food – even though they need it themselves – to the needy, the orphan and the captive, (saying within themselves) ‘We feed you for the sake of God alone. We desire neither recompense from you, nor thanks.’
[Surah Insan 76:8-9]
Many verses in the Quran describe the attributes of Allah’s genuine followers. However, few emphasise the sincere selflessness of the true believer as clearly as these verses.
The verses serve as a striking reminder there are kind people who are kind because it is right. Despite the difficulties and bitterness of this world, there are individuals who are selflessly kind with no ulterior motives.
The Holy Quran was revealed to a desert community, where scarcity led to tribes looking after their own rather than others in need. However, through revelation’s power, the dry, harsh landscape became a place of thriving generosity and compassion where believers help save themselves from punishment in the next life “by giving as little as half a date in charity” (Sahih al-Bukhari).
For Muslims, charity is a means to improve and purify ourselves. Within Islam, the worth of an act of charity is determined by its intention rather than its monetary value. A small act done selfishly is worth more than a large one completed for gain: “for the sake of God alone. We desire neither recompense from you, nor thanks.”
Such an approach encourages giving what you can, regardless of how little you have and promises rewards for all who give for the right reasons, rather than just the affluent.
These verses also emphasise that the righteous do good deeds for no reason but to praise Allah. Earning praise or repaying a kindness is never their core motivation.
This can apply to almost anything one does: being an honest employee, a good husband or wife, or a respectful, well-mannered child. When we undertake our roles and responsibilities solely to please Allah rather than receive praise or reward, we can live authentically and with contentment.
Conclusion
The Holy Quran contains many uplifting and inspiring verses. The more we learn and interact with the Quran, the more meaningful, relevant, and beautiful it becomes to us. Everyone experiences a unique journey with the Quran and resonates with different verses depending on their circumstances. Only by diving in, with an open mind, ready to connect to its wonders, will you learn what Allah has to teach.