Quran

The Quran (Arabic: الْقُرْآن, lit. 'the recitation' or 'the lecture'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the main religious text of Islam. Muslims believe it is a revelation from God (Allāh).

It is split into 114 parts called sūrah, and these parts have sections called āyah.

Besides religion, many think it is a great work of Arabic literature and has shaped the Arabic language.

Muslims believe the Quran was told to the last Islamic prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel over many years. They think the Quran is God's message for how to live.

During prayers, the Quran is read only in Arabic. A person who knows all of the Quran by heart is called a hafiz. Some Muslims like to read the whole Quran during tarawih prayers in the month of Ramadan.

Etymology and meaning

The word Quran is used many times in the Quran. It comes from the Arabic verb qara'a, which means "he read" or "he recited." This word became important in Arabic during the time of Muhammad.

In the Quran, this word often means a passage that Muhammad recited. The Quran also calls itself a guide, a reminder, and a wisdom. Other words like kitab (book), ayah (sign), and surah (scripture) are also used in the Quran. The Quran uses many names for itself, such as "the discernment," "the mother book," and "the guide."

History

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

The Quran has a long and important history. It began with the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition says that Muhammad received his first message in 610 CE in the Cave of Hira. Over the next 23 years, he shared more messages that became the Quran. These messages were told aloud and later written down on different things like tablets and palm leaves. The Quran was not a book during Muhammad's life.

After Muhammad passed away in 632, people wanted to collect all the messages in one place. The first caliph, Abu Bakr, started this work. Later, under the third caliph, Uthman, a standard version of the Quran was made. Copies were sent to many parts of the Islamic world. Today, the Quran is read and studied by millions of people around the world.

Academic research

Further information: Revisionist school of Islamic studies

Scientists who study the Quran ask questions about its history. They wonder what the original text looked like and where it came from. 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 divided into 114 chapters, called sūrahs, which contain verses called āyāh.

The Quran talks about many important beliefs, including the existence of God and the idea of life after death. It also shares stories about early prophets, gives ethical and legal guidance, and describes events from the time of Muhammad. The verses often teach about right and wrong, using stories from the past to show moral lessons. The Quran's style is described as allusive, meaning it mentions events and people without giving all the details, so people study it with commentaries to understand more.

The Quran includes stories from different cultures and religions, such as Jewish, Christian, and pre-Islamic Arab traditions. It tells about important figures like Moses, Jesus, and Abraham, as well as interesting characters like Dhul-Qarnayn. The text also talks about themes like creation, divine justice, and the afterlife, and it stresses the importance of believing in God and living a good life.

Text and arrangement

Main articles: List of chapters in the Quran and Āyah

The Quran has 114 chapters called sūrah. Each chapter has verses called āyāt. There are 6,236 verses in the most common version. The chapters are not in the order they were given. Most chapters start with a special phrase called the Bismillah.

The Quran uses different ways to tell its messages. It has poetic parts and parts that read like talking. The style changes to show new ideas. The text speaks as if God is giving commands. This makes the Quran special in Arabic.

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 and use 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 means explanations of the Quran. It helps people understand its messages and teachings. Scholars who write these explanations are called mufassir. They look at the language, laws, and beliefs in the Quran.

There are two main ways to explain the Quran. One way, tafsir bi-al-ma'thur, shares teachings from early Islamic times. The other way, tafsir bi-al-ra'y, uses personal thinking. Knowing the background of each verse helps us understand the Quran correctly.

Translations

See also: List of translations of the Quran

Translating the Quran into other languages can be hard. Some people think the Quran’s true meaning is best understood in its original Arabic. Words in Arabic can have many meanings, which makes finding the right translation difficult.

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

Recitation

The Quran is usually read aloud in a special way called tajwid. This has rules for pronouncing sounds correctly and knowing when to pause. People learn this way 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. It is often performed for audiences.

Over time, small differences in reading the Quran have developed. A scholar named Ibn Mujahid chose seven main ways of reading from different cities. Today, two of these ways are the most popular.

Writing and printing

Writing

Main article: Islamic calligraphy

Before printing became common, 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 created to make writing faster and more beautiful. These handwritten copies were kept in mosques for people to read.

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 wonder if the Quran came from God. They notice that it shares ideas with older books and stories from other traditions. The Quran says that some people thought Muhammad was just using well-known old tales.

Relationship with other literature

Some groups besides Muslims, like the Baháʼí Faith and Druze, also see the Quran as a holy book. The Baháʼí Faith views 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 people with Jewish and Christian texts. It talks about well-known prophets, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and it says these holy books all came from the same source. It also helped shape the Arabic alphabet and Arabic literature.