Quran

The Quran (Arabic: الْقُرْآن, lit. 'the recitation' or 'the lecture'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God (Allāh). It is organized in 114 chapters (sūrah, pl. suwar) which consist of individual verses (āyah). Besides its religious significance, it is widely regarded as the finest work in Arabic literature, and has significantly influenced the Arabic language.

Muslims believe the Quran was orally revealed by God to the final Islamic prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel incrementally over a period of some 23 years, beginning when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in the year of his death. The Quran is believed by Muslims to be God's own divine speech providing a complete code of conduct for life. During prayers, the Quran is recited only in Arabic. Someone who has memorized the entire Quran is called a hafiz. It is a tradition for some Muslims to recite the entire Quran during the tarawih prayers throughout the month of Ramadan.

Etymology and meaning

The word Quran appears many times within the Quran itself and has various meanings. It comes from the Arabic verb qara'a, which means "he read" or "he recited." This term became an important part of the Arabic language during the time of Muhammad.

In the Quran, the word often refers to a passage that Muhammad recited. It is also described as a guide, a reminder, and a wisdom. Other words like kitab (book), ayah (sign), and surah (scripture) are used in similar ways throughout the Quran. The Quran calls itself many things, including "the discernment," "the mother book," and "the guide."

History

Main articles: History of the Quran and Historiography of early Islam

The Quran has a rich history that began with the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition says that Muhammad received his first revelation in 610 CE in the Cave of Hira. Over the next 23 years, he continued to receive messages that became the Quran. These messages were shared orally and later written down on various materials like tablets and palm leaves. The Quran did not exist as a book during Muhammad's life.

After Muhammad passed away in 632, there was a need to gather all the revelations into one place. The first caliph, Abu Bakr, began this work. Later, under the third caliph, Uthman, a standard version of the Quran was created and copies were sent to different parts of the growing Islamic world. Today, the Quran is studied and read by millions of people around the globe.

Academic research

Further information: Revisionist school of Islamic studies

Scientists who study the Quran ask important questions about its history. They wonder what the original text looked like, where it came from, and when it was written. Some researchers think the Quran may have been put together from many different writings over time.

In 1972, people found very old pieces of Quran writings in a mosque in Sanaa, Yemen. These pieces are some of the oldest known examples of the Quran. They show that the text might have changed a little over time before it became the book we know today. Scholars are still learning from these ancient writings to understand more about the Quran’s history.

Contents

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized into 114 chapters, called sūrahs, which contain individual verses, called āyāh.

The Quran discusses many important beliefs, including the existence of God and the idea of resurrection. It also includes stories about early prophets, ethical and legal guidance, and events from the time of Muhammad. The verses often contain general teachings about right and wrong, using historical events to illustrate moral lessons. The Quran's style is described as allusive, meaning that events and people are mentioned but not fully explained, requiring commentaries for deeper understanding.

The Quran reflects influences from various cultural and religious traditions, including Jewish, Christian, and pre-Islamic Arab stories. It includes detailed narratives about figures such as Moses, Jesus, and Abraham, as well as mysterious characters like Dhul-Qarnayn. The text also addresses themes of creation, divine justice, and the afterlife, emphasizing the importance of belief in God and righteous living.

Text and arrangement

Main articles: List of chapters in the Quran and Āyah

The Quran consists of 114 chapters called sūrah. Each chapter contains verses known as āyāt. These verses vary in length, and the total number in the most common version is 6,236. The chapters are not arranged in the order they were revealed. Most chapters begin with a special phrase called the Bismillah.

The Quran uses different literary styles to share its messages. It includes poetic and prose-like sections, with changes in rhyme to signal new topics. The text often speaks directly, as if God is giving commands. This style makes the Quran unique and powerful in its original Arabic language.

Significance in Islam

The Quran is very important to Muslims. They believe it is a message from God, given to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims think the Quran is perfect and has always existed. They treat it with great respect, often using it in important moments like births, marriages, and deaths.

In worship, Muslims read parts of the Quran during their daily prayers. The first chapter, called Al-Fatiha, is recited in every prayer. It is also common to read another short chapter called Al-Ikhlāṣ. Respect for the Quran is so strong that some Muslims clean themselves before touching it. Old copies of the Quran are carefully stored or buried when they can no longer be used.

The Quran has also inspired many forms of Islamic art. Beautiful writing styles, called calligraphy, are used to write the Quran. The words of the Quran appear on buildings, in lamps, on pottery, and in many other places. This shows how deeply the Quran is connected to the culture and daily life of Muslims.

Interpretation

Further information: Historical criticism and Muqatta'at

Tafsir refers to explanations and commentaries of the Quran. It helps people understand the messages and teachings of the Quran better. Scholars who write these explanations are called mufassir. These commentaries look at the language, laws, and beliefs related to the Quran.

There are two main ways to interpret the Quran. One way, called tafsir bi-al-ma'thur, passes down teachings from early Islamic times. The other way, tafsir bi-al-ra'y, uses personal thinking and reflection. Understanding the background and reasons behind each verse is very important to avoid misunderstanding the Quran’s messages.

Translations

See also: List of translations of the Quran

Translating the Quran into other languages has always been a difficult task. Some believe the Quran’s true meaning can only be understood in its original Arabic. Words in Arabic can have many meanings depending on how they are used, which makes finding the right translation challenging.

The Quran has been translated into many languages around the world. Early translations were made for leaders in different countries. Over time, more and more people wanted to read the Quran in their own languages. Today, the Quran is available in over 100 languages, allowing people from many cultures to study its messages.

Recitation

The Quran is usually read aloud in a special way called tajwid. This includes rules about how to pronounce each sound correctly and when to pause. People who want to read the Quran this way learn from a teacher.

There are two main ways to read the Quran. One is at a normal speed for studying, called Murattal. The other, called Mujawwad, is slower and uses more musical sounds, often performed for audiences.

Over time, small differences in how the Quran is read have developed. These changes are minor, but they can affect how some religious practices are understood. A scholar named Ibn Mujahid chose seven main ways of reading the Quran from different cities. Today, two of these ways are the most popular.

Writing and printing

Writing

Main article: Islamic calligraphy

Before printing became common in the 19th century, the Quran was written by hand. Early copies used a special style of writing called Ḥijāzī. Over time, new styles like Kufic, naskh, and muhaqqaq were developed to make writing faster and more beautiful. These handwritten copies were kept in mosques so people could read them.

Printing

The first printed copies of the Quran appeared in the 10th century using wood blocks. Later, in the 1500s, people tried to print the Quran using movable type in places like Venice, but these early prints had many mistakes. For a long time, printing the Quran was not allowed in some places. It wasn't until the late 1800s that an official printed version was made in Constantinople. Today, many beautiful printed copies of the Quran exist around the world.

Criticism

Main article: Criticism of the Quran

Some people question whether the Quran came from God. They point to older books and stories from different traditions, suggesting similarities. The Quran itself mentions that some accused Muhammad of using popular old tales.

Relationship with other literature

Some groups besides Muslims, like the Baháʼí Faith and Druze, also view the Quran as a holy book. The Baháʼí Faith sees the Quran as one of many messages from God. Others, such as Unitarian Universalists, may also find inspiration in it.

The Quran shares stories and figures with Jewish and Christian texts. It mentions many well-known prophets, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and it says these holy books all came from the same source. It also influenced the development of the Arabic alphabet and Arabic literature.