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Quran

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The Quran is the central religious text for Muslims.

Birmingham Quran manuscript full
Birmingham Quran manuscript full

Many people believe it is the direct speech of God, also known as Allah. It is seen as a guide for all humanity to follow. The word itself means "the recitation" or "the lecture."

Allah-green
Allah-green

This name reflects how the words are meant to be spoken aloud. The text is organized into 114 chapters called surahs. Each surah is made up of many individual verses called ayahs.

Quran divided into 6 books
Quran divided into 6 books

Many thinkers also call it "the book" or "the wisdom."

Muslims believe the words were revealed over a period of 23 years.

Ibrahim's sacrifice of Emsaeil is stopped by Jibril delivering a sheep instead uncropped
Ibrahim's sacrifice of Emsaeil is stopped by Jibril delivering a sheep instead uncropped

This process began when the prophet Muhammad was 40 years old. An angel named Gabriel is believed to have brought these messages. The first revelation happened in the year 610 CE. This took place in the Cave of Hira during a special night.

Berlin, Pertsch Persisch 1016 fol 32v Nimrud's fire doesn't hurt Ibrahim
Berlin, Pertsch Persisch 1016 fol 32v Nimrud's fire doesn't hurt Ibrahim

The final verses arrived in 632 CE, the year Muhammad died. This long period of revelation is a very important part of Islamic history.

In the beginning, the Quran was not a single bound book.

Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina) MET DP167065
Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina) MET DP167065

Instead, the words were shared through oral tradition and memory. Some companions of Muhammad acted as scribes to write things down. They used materials like tablets, bones, and palm tree leaves.

Folio from a Koran (8th-9th century)
Folio from a Koran (8th-9th century)

Some people memorized the entire text by heart. A person who achieves this is called a hafiz. This helped keep the words alive even before they were collected into one volume.

After Muhammad died in 632 CE, leaders worked to preserve the text.

4.8-17-1990-Guld-koranside-recto-og-verso
4.8-17-1990-Guld-koranside-recto-og-verso

The first caliph, Abu Bakr, ordered the words to be compiled into one volume. He chose Zayd ibn Thabit to lead this important task. Later, the third caliph, Uthman, created a standard version called the Uthmanic codex.

Page from the Qur'an of Sultan Ibrahim (TKS EH 209)
Page from the Qur'an of Sultan Ibrahim (TKS EH 209)

This was done around the 650s to ensure everyone used the same text. This standard version is the basis for the Quran used by Muslims today.

The Quran is also famous for its beautiful Arabic writing. It is considered one of the finest works in Arabic literature.

Men reading the Koran in Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, Syria
Men reading the Koran in Umayyad Mosque, Damascus, Syria

When Muslims pray, they recite the Quran only in its original Arabic. They often use a special way of reciting called tajwid. This involves a specific rhythm and sound.

Jemaah salat tarawih
Jemaah salat tarawih

Many Muslims also study tafsir, which is a type of commentary. This helps them understand the deeper meanings of the verses. The study of these different readings is a major field of research today.

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🖼️ Images & Media (42)
File:Allah3.svg
Allah3.svg
File:Allah-green.svg
Allah-green.svg
File:Mortier, Situation du Paradise Terrestre, 1700 Cornell CUL PJM 1014 01.jpg
Mortier, Situation du Paradise Terrestre,...
File:Birmingham Quran manuscript full.jpg
Birmingham Quran manuscript full.jpg
File:Iskandar (Alexander) builds a wall against Gog and Magog (CBL Per. 395.1).jpg
Iskandar (Alexander) builds a wall...
File:Quran divided into 6 books.jpg
Quran divided into 6 books.jpg
File:Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an" (Mushaf al-Hadina) MET DP167065.jpg
Bifolium from the "Nurse's Qur'an"...
File:Jonah and the Whale, Folio from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles).jpg
Jonah and the Whale, Folio from a Jami...
File:Jemaah salat tarawih.jpg
Jemaah salat tarawih.jpg
File:4.8-17-1990-Guld-koranside-recto-og-verso.jpg
4.8-17-1990-Guld-koranside-recto-og-verso.jpg
File:Ibrahim's sacrifice of Emsaeil is stopped by Jibril delivering a sheep instead uncropped.jpg
Ibrahim's sacrifice of Emsaeil is stopped...
File:Edinburgh Oriental Manuscript 20 fol 9r.jpg
Edinburgh Oriental Manuscript 20 fol 9r.jpg

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