The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, revered by Muslims as the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the foundation of faith, guiding Muslims in all aspects of their lives, from spirituality and morality to law and governance. For anyone interested in learning more about this sacred text, here is everything you need to know about the Quran.
What is the Quran?
The Quran is a compilation of revelations that were sent down to Prophet Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning in 610 CE when he was 40 years old, and continuing until his death in 632 CE. The word “Quran” itself means “recitation,” which emphasizes its primary purpose: to be recited. It consists of 114 chapters, known as ‘Surahs’, which vary in length. These Surahs are further divided into verses, known as ‘Ayahs’.
The Language of the Quran
The Quran was revealed in classical Arabic, a language that has not changed significantly over the centuries. This is important because the Quran’s original language is considered sacred, and many Muslims believe that the true meaning of the Quran can only be fully grasped in its original form. Translations are available in various languages, but they are considered interpretations of the meanings, as the linguistic beauty and the depth of the original Arabic text cannot be entirely replicated.
Structure of the Quran
The Quran is divided into 114 chapters, with each chapter having its own theme and style. These chapters are not arranged chronologically but are rather organized from the longest to the shortest, with some exceptions. Each chapter (Surah) consists of multiple verses (Ayahs). The shortest Surah, Al-Kawthar, has only three verses, while the longest, Al-Baqarah, contains 286 verses.
The Quran’s structure is not just a physical arrangement of verses but also reflects deep spiritual and thematic meanings. Some Surahs provide guidance on law, while others focus on history, morality, spirituality, and social justice. Each Surah is a divine message to humanity, offering wisdom, guidance, and instructions on how to live a righteous life.
Below is a more detailed breakdown of the Quran’s structure.
1. Chapters (Surahs)
The Quran consists of ‘114 chapters’, known as Surahs. These Surahs vary significantly in length, with the shortest chapter, ‘Al-Kawthar’, having just three verses, and the longest chapter, ‘Al-Baqarah’, containing 286 verses.
Length Variation: Some Surahs are relatively short, while others are lengthy. This variation in length is deliberate and serves a purpose in the overall rhythm and progression of the text.
Names of the Surahs: Each Surah has a name, usually derived from a significant word or theme in that chapter. For example, ‘Al-Baqarah’ (The Cow) is named after a reference to a cow in the Surah. The name often reflects the subject or the main story in that chapter.
The Surahs are not organized chronologically (in the order they were revealed) but rather based on a system that places the longer chapters near the beginning of the Quran and the shorter ones toward the end. This structure helps guide the reader through various themes and subjects in a way that builds up spiritual and moral lessons gradually.
The associated names of each Juz’ in the Qurʼān
| Juz’ | Surahs (from chapter – to chapter) | |||
| No. | Name (Āyah – verse begins with) | |||
| Arabic | English | Meaning | ||
| 1 | (آلم (آ-ل-م | Alīf-Lām-Mīm | These letters are called Muqatta’at (disjoined or disconnected letters) or Known to God | Al-Fatiha (1:1) – Al-Baqarah (2:74) |
| Al-Baqarah (2:75) – Al-Baqarah (2:141) | ||||
| 2 | سَيَقُولُ | Sayaqūlu | “Will (they) say” | Al-Baqarah (2:142) – Al-Baqarah (2:202) |
| Al-Baqarah (2:203) – Al-Baqarah (2:252) | ||||
| 3 | تِلْكَ ٱلْرُّسُلُ | Tilka ’r-Rusulu | “These are the Messengers” | Al-Baqarah (2:253) – Āl ‘Imrān (3:14) |
| Āl ‘Imrān (3:15) – Āl ‘Imrān (3:92) | ||||
| 4 | لن تنالوا | Lan Tana Lu | “You will not get” | Āl ‘Imrān (3:93) – Āl ‘Imrān (3:170) |
| Āl ‘Imrān (3:171) – An-Nisā’ (4:23) | ||||
| 5 | وَٱلْمُحْصَنَاتُ | Wa’l-muḥṣanātu | “And prohibited are the ones who are married” | An-Nisā’ (4:24) – An-Nisā’ (4:87) |
| An-Nisā’ (4:88) – An-Nisā’ (4:147) | ||||
| 6 | لَا يُحِبُّ ٱللهُ | Lā yuḥibbu-’llāhu | “God does not like” | An-Nisā’ (4:148) – Al-Mā’idah (5:26) |
| Al-Mā’idah (5:27) – Al-Mā’idah (5:81) | ||||
| 7 | وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا | Wa ’Idha Samiʿū | “And when they hear” | Al-Mā’idah (5:82) – Al-An‘ām (6:35) |
| Al-An‘ām (6:36) – Al-An‘ām (6:110) | ||||
| 8 | وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا | Wa-law annanā | “And (even) if (that) we had” | Al-An‘ām (6:111) – Al-An‘ām (6:165) |
| Al-A‘rāf (7:1) – Al-A‘rāf (7:87) | ||||
| 9 | قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ | Qāla ’l-mala’u | “Said the chiefs (eminent ones)” | Al-A‘rāf (7:88) – Al-A‘rāf (7:170) |
| Al-A‘rāf (7:171) – Al-Anfāl (8:40) | ||||
| 10 | وَٱعْلَمُواْ | Wa-’aʿlamū | “And (you) know” | Al-Anfāl (8:41) – At-Tawbah (9:33) |
| At-Tawbah (9:34) – At-Tawbah (9:92) | ||||
| 11 | يَعْتَذِرُونَ | Yaʿtazerūn | “Only the way (for blame)” | At-Tawbah (9:93) – Yũnus (10:25) |
| Yũnus (10:26) – Hūd (11:5) | ||||
| 12 | وَمَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ | Wa mā min dābbatin | “And there is no creature” | Hūd (11:6) – Hūd (11:83) |
| Hūd (11:84) – Yūsuf (12:52) | ||||
| 13 | وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ | Wa mā ubarri’u | “And I do not acquit” | Yūsuf (12:53) – Ar-Ra‘d (13:18) |
| Ar-Ra‘d (13:19) – Al-Hijr (15:1) | ||||
| 14 | رُبَمَا | Alīf-Lām-Rā’/ Rubamā | Perhaps those | Al-Hijr (15:2) – An-Naḥl (16:50) |
| An-Naḥl (16:51) – An-Naḥl (16:128) | ||||
| 15 | سُبْحَانَ ٱلَّذِى | Subḥāna ’lladhī | “Exalted is the One (God) is who “ | Al-Isrā’ (17:1) – Al-Isrā’ (17:98) |
| Al-Isrā’ (17:99) – Al-Kahf (18:74) | ||||
| 16 | قَالَ أَلَمْ | Qāla ’alam | “He (Al-Khidr) said: Did I not” | Al-Kahf (18:75) – Maryam (19:98) |
| Ṭā Hā (20:1) – Ṭā Hā (20:135) | ||||
| 17 | ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلْنَّاسِ | Iqtaraba li’n-nāsi | “Has (the time of) approached for Mankind (people)” | Al-Anbiyāʼ (21:1) – Al-Anbiyāʼ (21:112) |
| ِAl-Ḥajj (22:1) – Al-Ḥajj (22:78) | ||||
| 18 | قَدْ أَفْلَحَ | Qad ’aflaḥa | “Indeed (Certainly) successful” | Al-Muʼminūn (23:1) – An-Nūr (24:20) |
| An-Nūr (24:21) – Al-Furqān (25:20) | ||||
| 19 | وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ | Wa-qāla ’lladhīna | “And said those who” | Al-Furqān (25:21) – Ash-Shu‘arā’ (26:110) |
| Ash-Shu‘arā’ (26:111) – An-Naml (27:55) | ||||
| 20 | أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ | ’A’man Khalaqa | “Is He Who created…” | An-Naml (27:56) – Al-Qaṣaṣ (28:50) |
| Al-Qaṣaṣ (28:51) – Al-‘Ankabūt (29:45) | ||||
| 21 | أُتْلُ مَاأُوْحِیَ | Otlu ma oohiya | “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you” | Al-‘Ankabūt (29:46) – Luqmān (31:21) |
| Luqmān (31:22) – Al-Aḥzāb (33:30) | ||||
| 22 | وَمَنْ يَّقْنُتْ | Wa-man yaqnut | “And whoever is obedient (devoutly obeys)” | Al-Aḥzāb (33:31) – Saba’ (34:23) |
| Saba’ (34:24) – Yā Sīn (36:27) | ||||
| 23 | وَمَآ لي | Wa-Mali | “And what happened to me” | Yā Sīn (36:28) – Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37:144) |
| Aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37:145) – Az-Zumar (39:31) | ||||
| 24 | فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ | Fa-man ’aẓlamu | “So who is more unjust” | Az-Zumar (39:32) – Ghāfir (40:40) |
| Ghāfir (40:41) – Fuṣṣilat (41:46) | ||||
| 25 | إِلَيْهِ يُرَدُّ | Ilayhi yuraddu | “To Him (God) alone is attributed” | Fuṣṣilat (41:47) – Az-Zukhruf (43:23) |
| Az-Zukhruf (43:24) – Al-Jāthiyah (45:37) | ||||
| 26 | حم | Ḥā’ Mīm | “Known to God or Ha Meem” | Al-Aḥqāf (46:1) – Al-Fatḥ (48:17) |
| Al-Fatḥ (48:18) – Adh-Dhāriyāt (51:30) | ||||
| 27 | قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكُم | Qāla fa-mā khaṭbukum | He (Ibrahim A.S.) said: “Then what is your business (mission) here” | Adh-Dhāriyāt (51:31) – Al-Qamar (54:55) |
| Ar-Raḥmān (55:1) – Al-Ḥadīd (57:29) | ||||
| 28 | قَدْ سَمِعَ ٱللهُ | Qad samiʿa ’llāhu | “Indeed has God heard” | Al-Mujādilah (58:1) – Aṣ-Ṣaff (61:14) |
| Al-Jumu`ah (62:1) – At-Taḥrīm (66:12) | ||||
| 29 | تَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى | Tabāraka ’lladhī | “Blessed is He (God)” | Al-Mulk (67:1) – Nūḥ (71:28) |
| Al-Jinn (72:1) – Al-Mursalāt (77:50) | ||||
| 30 | عَمَّ | ‘Amma | “About what” | An-Nabaʼ (78:1) – Aṭ-Ṭāriq (86:17) |
| Al-Aʻlā (87:1) – An-Nās (114:6) | ||||
2. Verses (Ayahs)
Each chapter (Surah) consists of verses or Ayahs, which are the smallest units of the Quran. In total, the Quran has 6,236 verses, although the exact number may vary slightly depending on how the verses are counted (for instance, in some versions of the Quran, Bismillah is considered a verse on its own in each chapter where it appears).
Verse Length: The length of the Ayahs varies greatly. Some are just a few words long, while others are more than a hundred words in length.
Content of Verses: The verses often contain a range of content, such as moral guidance, laws, historical narratives, descriptions of nature, and references to the unseen world (like Heaven and Hell). They often build upon one another, adding depth and detail to the themes explored throughout the Surah.
Thematic Continuity: Despite the variation in the length and content of individual Ayahs, there is a sense of thematic continuity throughout the Quran. Many verses flow together to convey a message that is intended to be understood as a holistic spiritual guide.
3. Thematic and Conceptual Grouping
The Quran is often seen as having thematic and conceptual groupings, even if the chapters are not arranged in a strictly chronological order. Some of the common themes explored across various chapters include Oneness of God (Tawhid), Prophethood, Law and Morality, and the Afterlife.
4. Makki and Madani Surahs
The Quran’s Surahs are often classified into two main categories: ‘Makki’ and ‘Madani’.
Makki Surahs: These were revealed before the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. They generally focus on matters of faith, the Oneness of God, and the struggles of earlier prophets. These Surahs emphasize the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Islam and often address the disbelievers.
Madani Surahs: These were revealed after the migration to Medina and often deal with social, legal, and political issues related to the Muslim community. They include verses related to warfare, the establishment of the Islamic state, and matters of family law, among others.
This classification helps in understanding the context and the nature of the revelations.
5. Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)
At the beginning of almost every Surah (except for Surah At-Tawbah), there is the phrase Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). This phrase sets the tone for the Surah and is a reminder of God’s mercy and compassion. While it is part of the Quranic text, its presence at the beginning of the chapters is seen as an invocation for blessings and guidance.
6. The Use of Rhyme and Rhythm
The Quran is also known for its unique style of prose, which includes rhyme and rhythm. The Quran does not follow the standard rules of Arabic poetry but incorporates a distinct rhythm and pattern that makes it memorable and highly suited to oral recitation.
Saj’ (Rhymed Prose): Many parts of the Quran employ a form of Arabic prose known as ‘Saj’, which uses rhyming patterns to enhance its memorability and musicality. This rhythm makes the Quran easy to memorize and helps create a spiritual atmosphere when recited.
Sound and Meaning: The sound of the Quranic verses is often as important as the meaning, with many verses designed to evoke specific emotional or spiritual responses in listeners.
7. Revelation and Context
The Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years, and it reflects the evolving circumstances in the life of Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community.
Gradual Revelation: Initially, the revelations were shorter and dealt with matters of faith, morality, and warnings to disbelievers. As the Muslim community grew and faced new challenges, longer Surahs were revealed to provide legal, social, and political guidance.
Contextual Understanding: The Quran encourages reflection on its verses in the context of the circumstances of its revelation. Many verses were revealed to address specific situations faced by Prophet Muhammad and his followers, and understanding these historical contexts is key to interpreting the Quran properly.
8. The Quran’s Unique Literary Style
The Quran’s style is considered a miraculous aspect of the text. It is not just a book of laws or teachings; it is a work of exceptional literary quality, rich in metaphor, allegory, and linguistic beauty. The Quran challenges humanity to produce something similar to it, but no one has ever been able to replicate its unique style.
Metaphors and Allegories: The Quran uses metaphors and allegories to convey profound truths about life, the universe, and the human condition. For example, it often describes the guidance of Allah as light that illuminates the hearts of believers.
Clear and Concise Language: Despite its complex themes, the Quran is known for its clarity and precision. Its language is powerful and effective, striking a balance between simplicity and profundity.
Themes of the Quran
The Quran addresses a broad range of themes, including:
1. Tawhid (Oneness of God)
The Quran emphasizes the absolute oneness of God (Allah) and calls upon people to worship Him alone. This central theme forms the foundation of Islamic belief and guides Muslims to lead lives based on the worship of the one true God.
2. Prophethood
The Quran mentions many prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, highlighting their roles in spreading God’s message to humanity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is considered the final prophet, and the Quran is the last and most complete revelation.
3. Guidance for Personal Conduct
The Quran provides a comprehensive code of ethics and personal conduct. It offers teachings on how to live a moral life, emphasizing kindness, honesty, justice, patience, and humility. It also addresses the importance of family, community, and respect for others.
4. Justice and Mercy
The Quran stresses the importance of justice in society while also highlighting God’s mercy. It encourages fairness, compassion, and forgiveness, and it is often referred to as a source of guidance for just governance and social responsibility.
5. Afterlife and Accountability
The Quran describes the afterlife in vivid detail, teaching that every individual will be held accountable for their deeds. It emphasizes the importance of faith and righteous actions and provides clear descriptions of Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) based on one’s actions in this life.
How is the Quran Recited and Memorized?
The Quran is often recited in Arabic during prayers, with special emphasis placed on correct pronunciation and intonation. Muslims believe that the recitation of the Quran is an act of worship. The practice of memorizing the Quran, known as Hafiz, is highly regarded. Those who commit the entire Quran to memory are given the title of Hafiz and are honored in the Muslim community.
In many Muslim cultures, children begin learning to recite the Quran at an early age, and it remains an essential part of their religious education. In fact, thousands of schools around the world teach Quranic recitation, and the art of Tajweed (the rules of correct pronunciation) is carefully taught to preserve the sacredness of the text.
The Quran and Islamic Law
The Quran is the primary source of Islamic law, known as Sharia. It provides detailed instructions on matters of personal conduct, such as prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage. The Quran also addresses broader societal issues, including governance, justice, and economic transactions. Although the Quran is supplemented by the teachings of the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), it remains the ultimate source of guidance.
The Scientific Miracles in the Quran
Many believers point to the scientific knowledge found in the Quran as evidence of its divine origin. The Quran contains references to the creation of the universe, the development of the human embryo, the water cycle, and more, many of which were not understood until centuries later. While these references are not presented as scientific theories, they are often seen as signs of the Quran’s divine wisdom.
The Quran’s Impact on Muslims and the World
The Quran has had a profound impact on the lives of Muslims. It shapes their daily routines, provides spiritual guidance, and influences their social and political systems. The recitation of the Quran in mosques, homes, and on special occasions like Ramadan is a deeply ingrained practice in Islamic cultures.
Beyond the Muslim world, the Quran has contributed to the development of knowledge in various fields, including science, philosophy, and literature. Its influence can be seen in art, music, architecture, and poetry, with the Quran often being depicted in calligraphy and other visual arts.
Conclusion
The Quran is not just a book; it is a living, breathing testament to the divine guidance given to humanity. It has shaped civilizations, inspired countless individuals, and continues to be a source of strength and wisdom for over a billion Muslims around the world. Whether you’re a Muslim or simply curious about one of the world’s most influential texts, understanding the Quran offers a glimpse into the spiritual and intellectual heart of Islam.
For those seeking deeper knowledge, the Quran can be studied through translation, commentary (Tafsir), and reflection. It is a book that invites readers to reflect on life, morality, and the purpose of existence—offering wisdom that remains timeless and relevant to this day.
