About the Quran

The Quran (also written as Qur'an) is the holy book of Islam. The word "Quran" is derived from the Arabic root qara'a, meaning "to read" or "to recite." It is considered by Muslims to be the final and complete revelation from Allah to humanity, delivered through the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language and serves as a guide for all aspects of human life — spiritual, moral, social, and legal. It addresses individuals and communities alike, calling humanity toward justice, compassion, and the worship of one God. For over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide, the Quran is the ultimate source of guidance, law, and wisdom.

The revelation of the Quran began in the month of Ramadan in 610 CE, when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was meditating in the Cave of Hira near Makkah. The Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to him with the first verses of Surah Al-Alaq:

"Read! In the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." — Quran 96:1-3

The revelation continued over approximately 23 years, from 610 CE until 632 CE, the year of the Prophet's passing. Verses were revealed in response to events, questions from the community, and the evolving needs of the growing Muslim society. The Quran was not revealed all at once but gradually, allowing for reflection, understanding, and practical application.

The period of revelation is divided into two major phases: the Makkan period (610-622 CE) and the Madinan period (622-632 CE), each with its own thematic emphasis. Makkan revelations focus primarily on faith, monotheism, and the afterlife, while Madinan revelations address social laws, governance, and community relations.

The Quran is organized into a clear and well-defined structure that facilitates both study and recitation.

The Quran is unique among religious scriptures in its preservation. From the very beginning, the Quran was preserved through two parallel methods: oral memorization and written recording.

During the Prophet's lifetime, numerous companions memorized the entire Quran by heart. Scribes such as Zayd ibn Thabit recorded the revelations on parchment, palm leaves, and flat stones. After the Prophet's passing, the first Caliph Abu Bakr commissioned the compilation of these writings into a single manuscript. Under the third Caliph Uthman, standardized copies were made and distributed across the Muslim world to ensure uniformity.

Today, the Quran remains unchanged — letter for letter — from the text established over 1,400 years ago. Millions of Muslims worldwide, known as Huffaz (singular: Hafiz), have memorized the entire Quran, making it the most memorized book in human history. This unbroken chain of oral transmission, combined with written records, provides a level of textual preservation unmatched by any other classical text.

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian." — Quran 15:9

The Quran addresses a wide range of subjects, all interwoven with its central message of monotheism (Tawhid) and guidance for righteous living.

Reciting the Quran is an act of worship in Islam. Muslims are encouraged to recite it with proper pronunciation and melodic beauty, following the science of Tajweed — the set of rules governing how each letter should be articulated, where to pause, and how sounds interact.

There are established etiquettes for reading the Quran: one should be in a state of cleanliness (wudu), begin with "Bismillah" (In the name of God), recite with focus and contemplation, and treat the physical text with respect. Muslims believe that every letter recited earns reward from Allah.

The Quran has been transmitted through multiple authenticated readings known as Qira'at. There are 10 recognized Qira'at, each traced back to the Prophet through a continuous chain of narration. The most widely used is the reading of Hafs from Asim, followed by Warsh from Nafi'. These variations are primarily in pronunciation and minor phrasing, with no difference in meaning — they represent the richness and flexibility of the Arabic language as intended by the original revelation.