There are a large number of people who boast of their libraries, spending millions or even more to buy rare books of fiction, wisdom, history or art - but a very small number of people really read and reflect on the treasure hidden inside these books. It is because they collected their collection as a show off for others rather than having any positive effect on their lives by benefitting from the research work contained therein.
Coming to Islam, AL Qur'an is the most revered Divine Book of every Muslim. It is kept in high esteem, covered in silk and placed on the top of the almirahs. It is generally "recited" almost daily by most Muslims to benefit from its recitation spiritually. And this is the dilemma. We recite and read but seldom understand what has been read and reflecting on its substance. And when a Book becomes just to be read and then shelved again, it "merely" becomes a book from which we do not draw any inferences or seek help for cementing our faith and becoming better practical Muslims.
In this regard, we share the 30th verse from Sürah Al Furqan (The Criterion) in which the revered Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying the heartless attitude of the people of Makkah who simply disregarded the Qur'an and treated it as something merely a book.
The verse
وَقَالَ الرَّسُوۡلُ يٰرَبِّ اِنَّ قَوۡمِى اتَّخَذُوۡا هٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ مَهۡجُوۡرًا
"And the Messenger has said, 'O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Quran as something abandoned.'" (Quran 25:30, Sahih International)
The keyword of this verse is the Arabic word mahjur مَهۡجُوۡرً which is capable of several meanings. As such, the sentence may mean:" "these people did not regard the Qur'an as worthy of their consideration: they neither accepted it nor followed it"; or "They considered it to be a nonsense or the delirium of insanity: or "They made it the target of their ridicule and mockery."
In its plainest sense, the verse communicates that the Quran was revealed as guidance, but many people chose to distance themselves from it instead of accepting and following it. The specific forms that this "abandonment" can take are elaborated elsewhere in the Quran and in the traditional commentaries. While the polytheists of Makkah never accepted it, the following Muslims never 'followed' it by reflecting on it.
Renowned Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this verse is a universal lesson for the Ummah. Just as the Prophet's immediate people faced this rebuke, similar realities existed in past nations. The overarching warning is to actively hold fast to divine revelation. Those who obey the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet are guided and protected by Allah, while those who abandon it face severe spiritual and worldly consequences. In fact this verse serves as a profound and fearful warning for all believers.
Context
This verse occurs within a passage (Quran 25:27–34) that describes the regret of those who rejected divine guidance on the Day of Judgment. The preceding verses portray people lamenting the choices they made and the companions who led them away from the truth. In this setting, the Prophet's complaint to Allah highlights the central reason for their loss: they had neglected the Quran rather than accepting and living by its guidance.
The verses that follow reassure the Prophet that opposition from disbelievers has always been part of the mission of God's messengers and that Allah is sufficient as a Guide and Helper. Thus, the verse serves both as a lament over the people's rejection and as comfort for the Prophet.
Audience
The immediate audience was the people of Mecca who persistently rejected the Quran despite hearing its message. More broadly, the verse speaks to all who encounter the Quran but fail to give it the attention and respect it deserves. It also serves as a reminder to the Muslim community that possessing the Quran is not enough; its guidance must be embraced.
Expected response
As mentioned earlier, most of the Muslims read the Qur'an almsot day - but their hearts are not moved for they do not understand what has been recited and reflecting on the Godly wisdom contained therein. Thus this verse calls believers to:
- Read the Quran regularly and attentively.
- Reflect on its meanings rather than reciting it mechanically.
- Accept its teachings with sincerity.
- Live according to its moral and spiritual guidance.
- Share its message with wisdom and good character.
Classical commentators such as Ibn Kathir explain that "abandoning" the Quran (hajr al-Qur'an) includes not listening to it, not believing in it, not reflecting on it, not acting upon it, and neglecting to seek healing and guidance through it.
How can we apply this today?
The verse remains highly relevant even today because abandoning the Quran can take many forms in modern life, even among those who identify as Muslims. Examples include:
- Owning copies of the Quran but rarely reading them.
- Reciting it without striving to understand its meaning.
- Knowing its teachings but allowing cultural habits, social pressures, or personal desires to consistently override them.
- Looking exclusively to trends, influencers, or popular opinion for guidance while neglecting the Quran's ethical framework.
- Treating the Quran as something reserved for ceremonies or special occasions rather than a guide for everyday decisions.
Applying this verse today does not necessarily require spending many hours each day studying the Quran. Rather, this verse encourages developing a living relationship with it by reading regularly, learning its meanings, reflecting on its message, and making a sincere effort to embody its values in one's character, relationships, work, and worship.
In essence, Quran 25:30 asks every generation the same question: Is the Quran merely a book we possess, or is it a guide that actively shapes how we think, live, and treat others? The verse encourages believers to ensure that the Prophet's complaint is not true of them by engaging with the Quran as a source of faith, wisdom, and practical guidance.
The purpose of this post is to stir the hearts and mind of every Muslim to reflect deeply on what is contained in Al Qur'an and shape our lives as per the Divine wisdom. Unless we really understand the message of Qur'an, we will never be able to become true Muslims as desired by Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sūrah 25. Al-Furqān " اَلْفُرْقَانْ " (The Criterion), already published.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages:
- Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
- Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
- Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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