Is the Quran Eternal?

Table of Contents

The Quran is considered the eternal Word of God in Islamic theology. However, understanding what “eternal” means in this context requires careful distinction between the Quran in the Divine realm and the Quran as it exists in this world.

The Quran in Heaven: Eternal with God

In Islamic belief, the Quran is with Allah from the beginning. It was never created as a record of knowledge God acquired or remembered; Allah’s knowledge is perfect, complete, and unchanging. The Quran, as the Word of God, has always existed as part of His eternal knowledge.

Allah did not “gain knowledge” by creating the Quran.
The Quran, like all Divine knowledge, is unchanging, eternal, and perfect.
This eternal nature of the Quran includes all previous scriptures revealed to prophets – Torah, Psalms, and Gospel -because they too are part of God’s Word, though their earthly forms were not preserved in full.

The Quran in this Divine, eternal form is beyond time and space. It exists perfectly and entirely with God, and nothing in creation can alter or destroy it.

43:4 and 13:39 refer to “mother of the book” (umm al-kitab); 85:22 refers to a “well-guarded tablet” (lawh mahfuz); 56:78 refers to a “concealed book” (kitab maknun); 17:105 describes the Quran as being “sent down”

1. Temporal Context in the Quran

Many verses describe creation and endings in ways humans can understand:

Creation of Earth and Humans:
📖Quran 2:29
“It is He who created for you all that is on the earth.”
Life and Death:
📖Quran 57:2
“He begins creation, then repeats it, that He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds…”

These verses highlight temporal limits: humans live, die, and inherit responsibilities in time. The language is finite and contextual, helping humans grasp the concepts of existence, mortality, and responsibility.

Allah says He created, indicating a beginning for humans to comprehend, but for God Himself, there is no beginning or end.
These limitations teach humans moral lessons and awareness of their place in creation.

2. Transition from Temporal to Eternal

After presenting the limited, temporal context, the Quran often transcends back to eternal truths, showing that while humans live in a finite world, the divine guidance and the Word of God itself is eternal. Examples:

Divine Protection of the Quran:
📖Quran 15:9
“Indeed, We have sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
Guidance Beyond Time:
📖Quran 2:2
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.

Here, the Quran moves from the created world (temporal) to eternal guidance for all generations, showing how God’s Word transcends human limitations.

The Quran on Earth: Created Yet Protected

When God revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it was sent down into the temporal world. This earthly manifestation:

Was written down by scribes and memorized by companions.
Exists physically in books, manuscripts, or digital form.
Is subject to destruction, books can burn, be lost, or physically decay.

In this sense, the Quran in our world is created, just like any other book. Yet, Allah has ensured that the knowledge of the Quran is perfectly preserved through:

Memorization by millions of people across centuries (Hafiz).
Accurate transcription and widespread distribution.
Divine protection of the message itself, not necessarily the physical forms.

Thus, the Quran we read is created in this world, but the verses themselves, the actual words of God, are eternal in their essence. They are not bound by the limitations of matter.

How the Quran Is Both Eternal and Created

This distinction can be understood like this:

Eternal Essence: The Quran as God’s Word has always existed in the Divine knowledge, unchanging and perfect.
Created Form: The Quran as a book, manuscript, or spoken recitation is created for human benefit, to convey God’s eternal Word.
Preservation: While earthly copies can be destroyed, the knowledge of the Quran is preserved, fulfilling God’s promise in the Qur’an:

📖Quran 15:9
Indeed, We have sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.

📖Quran 29:49
But this ˹Quran˺ is ˹a set of˺ clear revelations ˹preserved˺ in the hearts of those gifted with knowledge. And none denies Our revelations except the ˹stubborn˺ wrongdoers.

This means Allah guarantees the message and words remain intact, even if physical copies are lost.

Why This Distinction Matters

Eternality of Divine Knowledge: God’s Word is not subject to time or change. Understanding the Quran as eternal reinforces God’s perfection.
Created Form for Human Access: Humans need a physical or audible form to interact with, memorize, and understand the Quran. This form is created but fully reflects the eternal Word.
Faith in Preservation: Believers can trust that while books may burn or manuscripts be lost, the message itself remains eternal in God’s knowledge and in human memorization.
Connection with Previous Scriptures: Previous prophets’ scriptures were also divine words, eternal in God’s knowledge, but their earthly forms were lost, altered, or destroyed, showing the unique preservation of the Quran.

Can We Worship the Quran?

The Quran is the Word of Allah, eternal, perfectly preserved, and the ultimate guide for humanity. However, it is not God, and worshipping it would be wrong. Allah never commanded anyone to worship the Quran—He only commanded obedience and respect for it as His guidance.

Think of it like this:

If you write a book, the words come from you. People can read it, follow it, and respect it, but no one worships the book itself.
Similarly, the Quran contains Allah’s speech, but it is a manifestation of His Word, not Allah Himself. Following it is following God’s guidance, but worship must always be directed to Allah alone.

1. Reverence vs. Worship

Muslims show respect and honor for the Quran:

Reciting it carefully and understanding its meaning.
Memorizing it (becoming a Hafiz).
Placing it in clean and high places.
Acting according to its guidance.

📖Quran 2:2
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.

The Quran is guidance, not an object of worship.

📖Quran 3:31
Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me [the Prophet], and Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.

The Prophet ﷺ guides humans to obey Allah through the Quran; the guidance itself is to be followed, not worshipped.

These acts are reverence and obedience, not worship. Worshipping the Quran would be shirk (associating partners with Allah), because it diverts devotion from Allah to something created.

Importantly: Allah never said in the Quran:
“Worship this Book” or “Bow down to this scripture”. His commands are always to obey Him through the guidance of the Quran, not to worship the book itself.

2. Analogy

I am explaining this clearly:

God = the Sun (source of light, life, and guidance)
Quran = the rays of the Sun (the guidance God gives to humans)
Humans = those who benefit from the light

Just like the rays guide and illuminate, the Quran guides humans toward God. You follow and benefit from the rays, but you do not worship the rays themselves, they are a means to connect to the Sun.

Now, consider the birth of a child:

The parent is the source of life and care.
Bringing a child into the world involves effort, sometimes pain, and even the loss of blood and energy for the parent.
The child is the parent’s gift and creation. We love, care for, and protect the child, but we do not worship the child as the parent.

Similarly:

Allah is the ultimate source of guidance and wisdom.
The Quran is His gift of knowledge and eternal guidance to humans.
Humans follow, honor, memorize, and act upon it, but worship belongs only to Allah, not to the Quran itself.

I want to make it clear: Allah never commanded anyone to worship the Quran. The command is always to obey Him and follow His guidance. The Quran is a gift, a guide, and a treasure, but it is not Allah.

Quran 39:1
The revelation of the Qur’an is from Allah , the Exalted in Might, the Wise, Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book, [O Muhammad], in truth. So worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion.

Quran 42:52
And thus We have revealed to you a Spirit of Our Command. In no way did you realize what the Book was, nor the belief; but We have made it a Light, whereby We guide whomever We decide of Our bondmen. And surely you indeed guide to a straight Path.

Quran 42:3-4
And so you ˹O Prophet˺ are sent revelation, just like those before you, by Allah—the Almighty, All-Wise. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Quran 4:174
O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.

Quran 33:40
Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah , of all things, Knowing.

Quran 6:113-114
And [it is] so the hearts of those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will incline toward it and that they will be satisfied with it and that they will commit that which they are committing, [Say], “Then is it other than Allah I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Book explained in detail?” And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture know that it is sent down from your Lord in truth, so never be among the doubters.

Quran 2:2
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah –

Quran 13:39
Allah eliminates what He wills or confirms, and with Him is the Mother of the Book.

Quran 56:77- 79
Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an – In a Register well-protected – None touch it except the purified.

Quran 43:4
And indeed it is, in the Mother of the Book with Us, exalted and full of wisdom

Quran 85:8-16
And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah , the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy, To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah , over all things, is Witness, Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire, Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment, Indeed, the vengeance of your Lord is severe. Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats, And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate, Honorable Owner of the Throne, Effecter of what He intends.

Quran 85:17-20
Has there reached you the story of the soldiers – [Those of] Pharaoh and Thamud? But they who disbelieve are in [persistent] denial, While Allah encompasses them from behind.

Quran 85:21-22
But this is an honored Qur’an – [Inscribed] in a Preserved Slate.

Quran 7:143
And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You.” [ Allah ] said, “You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me.” But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, “Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers.

Quran 5:46
Then in the footsteps of the prophets, We sent Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah revealed before him. And We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light and confirming what was revealed in the Torah—a guide and a lesson to the God-fearing.

Quran 17:105
And with the truth We have sent the Qur’an down, and with the truth it has descended. And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.

Quran 17:81
And say, “Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart,

Quran 17:82
And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.

Quran 15:9
It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.

Quran 4:136
O believers! Have faith in Allah, His Messenger, the Book He has revealed to His Messenger, and the Scriptures He revealed before. Indeed, whoever denies Allah, His angels, His Books, His messengers, and the Last Day has clearly gone far astray.

Quran 29:51
And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you the Book which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe.

Quran 29:49
Rather, the Qur’an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.

📖Quran 17:88
Say, “If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants.

Quran 4:82
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah , they would have found within it much contradiction.

Quran 80:13-16
[It is recorded] in honored sheets, Exalted and purified, [Carried] by the hands of messenger-angels, Noble and dutiful.

Quran 98:1-3
Those who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists were not to be parted [from misbelief] until there came to them clear evidence – A Messenger from Allah , reciting purified scriptures – Within which are correct writings.

Quran 6:90
Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example. Say, “I ask of you for this message no payment. It is not but a reminder for the worlds.

Quran 98:4-8
Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence – And they were not commanded except to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion – Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures. Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creatures – Their reward with Allah will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord.

Quran 27:15
And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, “Praise [is due] to Allah , who has favored us over many of His believing servants.

Quran 2:253
Those messengers – some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit. If Allah had willed, those [generations] succeeding them would not have fought each other after the clear proofs had come to them. But they differed, and some of them believed and some of them disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He intends.

Quran 34:31
And those who disbelieve say, “We will never believe in this Qur’an nor in that before it.” But if you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, refuting each other’s words… Those who were oppressed will say to those who were arrogant, “If not for you, we would have been believers.

Quran 42:5-7
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [ Allah ] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allah who is the Forgiving, the Merciful – And those who take as allies other than Him – Allah is [yet] Guardian over them; and you, [O Muhammad], are not over them a manager. And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an that you may warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.

Quran 42:51
And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.

Quran 42:8-10
And if Allah willed, He could have made them [of] one religion, but He admits whom He wills into His mercy. And the wrongdoers have not any protector or helper – Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides him? But Allah – He is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent – And in anything over which you disagree – its ruling is [to be referred] to Allah . [Say], “That is Allah , my Lord; upon Him I have relied, and to Him I turn back.

Quran 42:13-14
He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus – to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him] – And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.

Quran 42:11
[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

Quran 43:46-48
And certainly did We send Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his establishment, and he said, “Indeed, I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds, But when he brought them Our signs, at once they laughed at them. And We showed them not a sign except that it was greater than its sister, and We seized them with affliction that perhaps they might return [to faith].

Quran 43:49-54
And they said [to Moses], “O magician, invoke for us your Lord by what He has promised you. Indeed, we will be guided, But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word. And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, “O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see? Or am I [not] better than this one who is insignificant and hardly makes himself clear? Then why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?” So he bluffed his people, and they obeyed him. Indeed, they were [themselves] a people defiantly disobedient [of Allah ].

Quran 43:55-56
And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all. And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.

Quran 43:57
And when the son of Mary was presented as an example, immediately your people laughed aloud – And they said, “Are our gods better, or is he?” They did not present the comparison except for [mere] argument. But, [in fact], they are a people prone to dispute.

Quran 4:157-4:158
And for their saying, “We have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of God. In fact, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it appeared to them as if they did. Indeed, those who differ about him are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it, except the following of assumptions. Certainly, they did not kill him. Rather, God raised him up to Himself. God is Mighty and Wise.

Quran 3:55
˹Remember˺ when Allah said, “O Jesus! I will take you1 and raise you up to Myself. I will deliver you from those who disbelieve, and elevate your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgment. Then to Me you will ˹all˺ return, and I will settle all your disputes.

Quran 4:159
There is not one of the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them.

Quran 6:115-117
And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His words, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing, And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah . They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying, Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

Explanation

1. The Quran as Knowledge Given and Protected by God

The verse begins by affirming that the Word of Allah is fulfilled in truth and justice. This refers primarily to the Quran, which is a revelation containing Allah’s guidance, laws, and wisdom.
When it says, “None can alter His words,” it emphasizes that the knowledge of the Quran is preserved by Allah. Humans cannot change its essence, its guidance, or its eternal truth.
This preservation is both:
Physical/memorized: The Quran has been memorized and transmitted word-for-word through generations.
Divine protection: Allah guarantees that His knowledge remains intact and uncorrupted (Quran 15:9: “Indeed, We have sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”).

Thus, the Quran as knowledge and guidance is fully safeguarded from alteration, manipulation, or falsification.

2. Allah’s Words in Heaven

The phrase “None can alter His words” also implies that all words of Allah, including revelations sent before the Quran, exist with Him in Heaven. This includes:

The Torah (Tawrah)
The Psalms (Zabur)
The Gospel (Injil)
All these scriptures in their original divine essence are perfect, eternal, and preserved in Heaven. What humans received on Earth may have been altered or corrupted over time, but the knowledge of Allah remains perfect and unchanging above.
Therefore, the Quran’s revelation is both:
A continuation of divine knowledge from previous scriptures
Perfectly protected on Earth and in Heaven, so humans have access to the unaltered guidance through it.

3. Warning Against Following Assumptions

The verse also warns that if humans blindly follow others on Earth, they may be misled from the way of Allah, because humans can make mistakes or falsify knowledge.
Allah contrasts this with His knowledge: His Word is unalterable, unlike human claims. Humans assume or interpret incorrectly, but Allah’s guidance remains perfect and safe for those who follow it properly.

Quran 2:130
And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself. And We had chosen him in this world, and indeed he, in the Hereafter, will be among the righteous.

Quran 2:132
And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], “O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims.

Quran 3:102
O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

Additional Information

In this article, we have explained how the Quran is the eternal Word of God, perfectly preserved and protected both on Earth and in Heaven. Its knowledge is unalterable, and it serves as the ultimate guidance for humanity, However, if you did not fully understand or need further clarification, it is always best to connect with local, trustworthy, and knowledgeable Islamic scholars. They can provide deeper insights, answer specific questions, and help you understand the Quran in the proper context, Remember, the Quran’s wisdom is vast, and guidance from qualified scholars ensures that you approach it correctly and avoid misconceptions.