The Quran utilizes three terms that can be translated as “community” that are used in conjunction with sending a warner, guide, witness, or messenger. These terms are qaryah ( قَرْيَةٍ ), qawm ( قَوْمٍ ), and ummah ( أُمَّةٍ ). Each represents different types and sizes of groups, each with distinct meanings and connotations regarding their scale and scope.
- Qaryah ( قَرْيَةٍ ): This term typically refers to a village or town, often denoting a small, localized community or settlement. It implies a specific geographic area with inhabitants who live in close proximity. A qaryah is generally considered the smallest of the three groups, as it represents a limited population within a specific place.
- Qawm ( قَوْمٍ ): Qawm means a people or tribe, often implying a group connected by shared ancestry, language, or ethnicity. It refers to a larger collective than a village and can include multiple families or clans. The term emphasizes social bonds, heritage, or nationality and is larger than a qaryah, but typically not as encompassing as an ummah.
- Ummah ( أُمَّةٍ ): This term means a community or nation, generally referring to a large group bound by shared religious beliefs, values, or goals, often spanning various tribes, ethnicities, and regions. It is the most expansive term among the three, representing a broad collective unified by shared faith or purpose, transcending specific localities or ethnicities.
The Quran informs us that if God willed, He could have sent every “qaryah” ( قَرْيَةٍ ) a warner. As mentioned above, a qaryah is a small community, like a town or village.
[25:51] If we willed, we could have sent to every community ( qaryah / قَرْيَةٍ ) a warner.
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَبَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ نَّذِيرًا
| 1 | walaw | وَلَوْ | And if |
| 2 | shi’nā | شِئْنَا | we willed, |
| 3 | labaʿathnā | لَبَعَثْنَا | surely we would have raised / sent |
| 4 | fī | فِى | in |
| 5 | kulli | كُلِّ | every |
| 6 | qaryatin | قَرْيَةٍ | town / community |
| 7 | nadhīran | نَّذِيرًا | a warner. |
In another verse the Quran states that every “ummah” ( أُمَّةٍ ) gets a warner.
[35:24] We have sent you with the truth, a bearer of good news, as well as a warner. Every community (ummah / أُمَّةٍ ) must receive a warner.
إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ
So, according to the Quran, while every town or village “qaryah” ( قَرْيَةٍ ) may not receive a warner, every nation “ummah” ( أُمَّةٍ ) will receive a warner.
The Quran also informs us that every “qawm” ( قَوْمٍ ) receives a guiding teacher. A qawm is a people, which is broader than a town but smaller than a nation.
[13:7] Those who disbelieved say, “If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we will then believe).” You are simply a warner—every community ( qawm / قَوْمٍ ) receives a guiding teacher.
وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ
The Quran informs us on the Day of Resurrection that every ummah (community) will have a witness.
[16:84] The day will come when we raise from every community (ummah / أُمَّةٍ ) a witness, then those who disbelieved will not be permitted (to speak), nor will they be excused.
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ
The following verse explains that the witness for the various communities cannot be Muhammad, as Muhammad was limited only to his immediate people.
[16:89] The day will come when we will raise from every community (ummah / أُمَّةٍ ) a witness from among them, and bring you as the witness of these (people). We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the submitters.
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ تِبْيَـٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
| 1 | wayawma | وَيَوْمَ | And (the) Day |
| 2 | nabʿathu | نَبْعَثُ | we will resurrect |
| 3 | fī | فِى | in |
| 4 | kulli | كُلِّ | every |
| 5 | ummatin | أُمَّةٍ | community |
| 6 | shahīdan | شَهِيدًا | a witness |
| 7 | ʿalayhim | عَلَيْهِم | over them |
| 8 | min | مِّنْ | from |
| 9 | anfusihim | أَنفُسِهِمْ | themselves. |
| 10 | waji’nā | وَجِئْنَا | And we brought |
| 11 | bika | بِكَ | [of] you |
| 12 | shahīdan | شَهِيدًا | (as) a witness |
| 13 | ʿalā | عَلَىٰ | over |
| 14 | hāulāi | هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ | these. |
Additionally, the Quran informs us that every community (ummah) will receive a messenger (rasool).
[16:36] We have sent a messenger to every community (ummah / أُمَّةٍ ), saying, “You shall worship GOD, and avoid idolatry.” Subsequently, some were guided by GOD, while others were committed to straying. Roam the earth and note the consequences for the rejectors.
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ هَدَى اللَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلَالَةُ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
| 1 | walaqad | وَلَقَدْ | And certainly, |
| 2 | baʿathnā | بَعَثْنَا | we sent |
| 3 | fī | فِى | into |
| 4 | kulli | كُلِّ | every |
| 5 | ummatin | أُمَّةٍ | community |
| 6 | rasūlan | رَّسُولًا | a messenger, |
Again, this cannot be Muhammad, as the Quran informs us that God’s messengers communicate in the language of the people they are sent to.
[14:4] We did not send any messenger except (to preach) in the tongue of his people (qawm), in order to clarify things for them. GOD then sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِۦ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ فَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
As Muhammad only spoke Arabic and was sent to the Arab gentiles, he could not be the messenger for all the other non-Arab speaking communities.
[62:2] He is the One who sent to the gentiles a messenger from among them, to recite to them His revelations, purify them, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone far astray.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
On the other hand, we see that the Quran that Muhammad delivered does fit the requirements of being a messenger for the whole world.
The Quran Speaks
The Quran is God’s revelation to mankind. Numerous times, the Quran addresses the people in the first person. This cannot be Muhammad because if it were Muhammad, it would start with “say” (qul / قُلْ ). Below are some examples of these occurrences.
Example #1
In the first example, we see that it is the Quran speaking to the reader in the first person making the following proclamation. Also, we see that it states that it is a warner and a bearer of good news.
[11:1] A.L.R. This is a scripture whose verses have been perfected, then elucidated. It comes from a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.
[11:2] Proclaiming: “You shall not worship except GOD. I come to you from Him as a warner, as well as a bearer of good news.
[11:3] “You shall seek your Lord’s forgiveness, then repent to Him. He will then bless you generously for a predetermined period, and bestow His grace upon those who deserve it. If you turn away, then I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day.”
الٓر كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ
أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ إِنَّنِى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ
وَأَنِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُۥ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ
Example #2
Again, in the next example, we see the Quran speaking in the first person and declaring itself as a manifest warner.
[51:50] You shall escape to GOD. I am sent by Him to you as a manifest warner.
[51:51] Do not set up besides GOD any other god. I am sent by Him to you as a manifest warner.
فَفِرُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ إِنِّى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ إِنِّى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
Example #3
In this example, the Quran is referencing itself as a messenger.
[65:10] GOD has prepared for them severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence GOD, O you who possess intelligence and believed. GOD has sent down to you a message—*
[65:11] a messenger* who recites to you GOD’s revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَدْ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا
رَّسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَيِّنَـٰتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا قَدْ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ رِزْقًا
Other examples in the Quran can be found in the following verses: 6:104, 70:40-41, and 27:91.
Quran Must Be Translated
The Quran informs us that the message must be translated.
[26:192] This is a revelation (tanzil) from the Lord of the universe.
[26:193] The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.
[26:194] To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.
[26:195] In a perfect Arabic tongue.
[26:196] It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.
[26:197] Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?
[26:198] If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.
[26:199] And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.
(١٩٨) وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَـٰهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضِ ٱلْأَعْجَمِينَ
(١٩٩) فَقَرَأَهُۥ عَلَيْهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنِينَ
[41:44] If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, “Why did it come down in that language?” Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, “For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway.”
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥٓ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ وَعَرَبِىٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
Quran: A Message For The Whole World
Once the message is translated, it can serve as a warner, guide, and messenger to the whole world.
[68:52] It is in fact a message to the world.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
For example, consider the following verse:
[25:1] Most blessed is the One who revealed the Statute Book to His servant, so he can serve as a warner to the whole world.
تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى نَزَّلَ ٱلْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ نَذِيرًا
| 1 | tabāraka | تَبَارَكَ | He is Blessed |
| 2 | alladhī | ٱلَّذِى | the One who |
| 3 | nazzala | نَزَّلَ | He sent down |
| 4 | l-fur’qāna | ٱلْفُرْقَانَ | the Statute (Book) |
| 5 | ʿalā | عَلَىٰ | to |
| 6 | ʿabdihi | عَبْدِهِۦ | His servant |
| 7 | liyakūna | لِيَكُونَ | that he may be |
| 8 | lil’ʿālamīna | لِلْعَـٰلَمِينَ | to the worlds / whole world |
| 9 | nadhīran | نَذِيرًا | a warner – |
If we understand that the “he” in the above verse is in reference to the prophet, then it conflicts with the other verses mentioned, but if we understand this to be the Quran itself, then the contradiction is eliminated. The same goes for the next verse as well.
[21:106] This is a proclamation for people who are worshipers.
[21:107] We have sent you out of mercy from us towards the whole world.
إِنَّ فِى هَـٰذَا لَبَلَـٰغًا لِّقَوْمٍ عَـٰبِدِينَ
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
The Quran Cannot Translate Itself
As shown previously, we see that the Quran proclaims itself to be a messenger.
[65:10] GOD has prepared for them severe retribution. Therefore, you shall reverence GOD, O you who possess intelligence and believed. GOD has sent down to you a message—*
[65:11] a messenger* who recites to you GOD’s revelations, clearly, to lead those who believe and work righteousness out of the darkness into the light. Anyone who believes in GOD and leads a righteous life, He will admit him into gardens with flowing streams; they abide therein forever. GOD will generously reward him.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَـٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَدْ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا
رَّسُولًا يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ مُبَيِّنَـٰتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَـٰلِحًا يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا قَدْ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ رِزْقًا
However, the Quran cannot recite itself, as stated in 65:11. This only becomes achievable when a living messenger accompanies the Quran. Similarly, the Quran cannot translate itself. Therefore, since the Quran is the message, warner, and guide for the world, it must be translated in order to fulfill this function. Then, there must be a messenger who came after Muhammad to fulfill this role.
Rashad Khalifa: God’s Messenger of the Covenant
The Quran informs us that the prophet Muhammad was the final prophet (33:40), and after him, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures.
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, “I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him.” He said, “Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?” They said, “We agree.” He said, “You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you.”
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ لَمَا آتَيْتُكُمْ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُصَدِّقٌ لِمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنْصُرُنَّهُ قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِي قَالُوا أَقْرَرْنَا قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَأَنَا مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ
This messenger was Dr. Rashad Khalifa, and one of his primary functions as God’s messenger was translating the Quran so that it would be accessible to the masses.
[5:19] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you, to explain things to you, after a period of time without messengers, lest you say, “We did not receive any preacher or warner.” A preacher and warner has now come to you. GOD is Omnipotent.
يَـٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍ مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنۢ بَشِيرٍ وَلَا نَذِيرٍ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَشِيرٌ وَنَذِيرٌ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Additional Reading:
- Introduction to the Authorized English Version of the Quran by Dr. Rashad Khalifa
- Appendix 2: God’s Messenger of the Covenant
Quran Talk Blog 
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