The Quran
The central religious text of Islam
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe the Quran is the final revelation sent to humanity — the literal, unaltered word of God. Unlike biographical religious texts, the Quran is viewed as a direct message from the Creator, addressing the reader directly to offer moral, spiritual, and practical instruction.
The Revelation
According to Islamic tradition, the Quran was not revealed all at once. It was transmitted verbally by the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years, beginning in the year 610 CE. This gradual revelation allowed the early Muslim community to slowly internalize its teachings and apply them to evolving life circumstances.
Structure and Language
The text is divided into 114 chapters, known as surahs, of varying lengths. It was originally revealed and recorded in classical Arabic. Because Muslims believe the exact wording is divine, translations into English or other languages are considered interpretations of the meaning, rather than the Quran itself. Millions of Muslims worldwide, regardless of their native language, learn to recite its verses in the original Arabic.
Themes and Content
The Quran covers a wide range of topics. It details the nature of God, the stories of past prophets, ethical and moral guidelines, and descriptions of the afterlife. It frequently encourages readers to observe nature and use their intellect. For example, in Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:28), the Quran speaks of the human heart finding ultimate comfort and tranquility—or "sakina"—through the remembrance of God.
For Muslims, the Quran is an ocean of wisdom that they engage with continuously throughout their lives.