What is the Importance of Quranic Stories in Islam?
Quranic Stories are a reliable source and a valuable asset for Muslims as they are based on truth and are distinct from other fables. It is the medium of spreading Muslim tradition and customs to the future generation so that it helps them to gain the right knowledge and appropriate ethics to keep them alive forever.
What is the Purpose of Quranic Stories?
Quranic stories are a part of the training and learning of Muslims. Its aims are: to give awareness to human beings regarding past incidents with evidence, to remove ambiguities and hesitations about historical events of predecessors, to provide facts with wisdom about religious matters such as the truth of prophecy, the rightness of Muhammad S.A.W, rightness of Resurrection and to pass the knowledge of the truth of future life after death. Apart from that, its purpose is to provide appropriate advice and instructions as examples so people can use their reasoning to gain eternal success in both worlds.
Which Type of Topics Exists in the Quranic Stories?
Quran is the last divine book of Allah that is free from mistakes, lies and deviation. It mentions the history of the Prophets’ followers, their tribes and the rulers of the past. These stories are examples of Prophets’ faith and complete reliance on the Oneness of God. It also represents the wicked personalities who denied Allah. Eventually, they drowned because of disobedience and Allah put their adventure in the Quran as a lesson for the future generations.
Prophets’ Test
Quranic stories state that Allah tried out prophets in different situations such as Ibrahim A.S; who left his son at a barren place to fulfil Allah’s command. Again, when Allah ordered Ibrahim A.S to sacrifice his son Ismail (A.S.), he got ready to please Allah without hesitation. It shows that Prophets never refused to obey the commands of Allah. Similarly, Allah tests His pious servants and promises great rewards for good-doers. He exemplifies the Prophets’ patience and obedience as a model for human being today so that people may reflect.
Allah says, ‘And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Ibrahim, You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, And We left for him [favourable mention] among later generations: “Peace upon Ibrahim.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.’ (Qur’an, 37: 103-11)
Prophets’ Miracles and Duties
Stories indicate that Allah granted miracles to several Prophets like Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, Musa A.S and Eesa A.S so that they could guide their nations to the right path of God. These miracles were a sign of Allah to people as evidence and demonstration. Prophets’ duty was to invite people to worship Almighty Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all creatures. Also, their responsibility was to alert people about the Day of Resurrection. That day, they will be held accountable in front of Allah, and He will reward them according to their deeds.
Ultimatum for Wrong-Doers
It was the Prophets’ duty to warn their nation about the horrible fate of those who had ignored the message of Allah and not taken care of dealings in their lives. Allah mentions in the Quran, “And the people of Noah – when they denied the messengers, We drowned them, and We made them for mankind a sign. And We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful punishment.” (Surah Furqan, verse # 37)
Likewise, Allah exemplifies the Aad and Thamud tribe who ignored the commands of Allah. Consequently, they experienced lots of adversities and got perished.
And to the people of Thamûd, We sent their brother Ṣâliḥ. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. A clear proof has come to you from your Lord: this is Allah’s she-camel as a sign to you. So leave her to graze ˹freely˺ on Allah’s land and do not harm her, or else you will be overcome by a painful punishment.
Prophet S.A.W Life’s Events
Quran explains the previous history of certain prophets whereas the events that occurred during the time of revelation and the era of the Prophet (P.B.U. H)’s life like Uhad, Badr, Tabuk and Hunain. These events are quoted in the Quran with deep meanings.
In these wars, despite being less in number with having fewer resources, Muslims got the victory against Kuffars. Quranic verses testify to this fact, that victory only comes from Allah. Allah always helps those who strive for His cause. These events are mentioned in the Quran briefly for taking lessons.
The Quran refers in the following verse, “When they came against you, from above you and from below you, and when your eyes swerved and your hearts reached your throats, and you thought thoughts about Allah; there it was that the believers were tried, and shaken most mightily.” (Al-Ahzab 33:10-11)
Allah’s Promise
Allah highlights the subjects of rewards, Resurrection, requitals and punishments in the Quran, and there is no doubt about all His promises and blessings. Allah describes the luxuries of Paradise and explains the eligible personalities.
“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – their Lord will guide them because of their faith. Beneath them rivers will flow in the Gardens of Pleasure. Their call therein will be, ‘Exalted are You, O Allah,’ and their greeting therein will be, ‘Peace.’ And the last of their call will be, ‘Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!’” (Quran. 10:9-10)
Apart from it, He clarifies the fate of wrongdoers that will be burnt in the blazing fire of Hell. That day, disbelievers will be accountable for every deed, and Allah will punish them for whatever they had done. Allah says,
Surely, the gates of Heaven will not be opened for those who deny Our revelations and treat them with arrogance; their admission into paradise will be as impossible as the passing of a camel through the eye of a needle. That is how We shall reward the criminals. Hell shall be their bed and flames shall be their covering. That is how We shall reward the wrongdoers. (Qurʾān 7:40-41)
Allah’s Guidelines
In conclusion, Allah puts forward advice and recommendations in the Quran for His followers to use their reasoning and act accordingly. Now, it is the prior responsibility of Muslims to evaluate their behaviour and be careful in dealings with life, which is a key to success and prosperity for Muslims in both worlds.