What is the Quran?

The most conventional answer is that the Quran is a book – but it is not like most books. It is made up of words which contain truth and guidance for every human being, and Muslims believe that these are words revealed directly by God, in the Arabic language, to the last of His prophets and messengers, Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him).

The Quran presents itself with a number of names and descriptions which are worth reflecting on. Here are just a few:

Quran and Kitab (Recital & Writ): the first means something recited aloud, and the second means something written down. This describes the two main ways this scripture is experienced, and which you can encounter on this website.
Kalam Allah (Divine Speech): this means that these words are a direct communication from the Creator and Master of every living being. It occupies the highest level of authority for its believers, and it is clarified and supported by the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. While the language of this particular revelation was Arabic, we also have many translations into different languages which help us to understand its meanings.
Dhikr and Huda (Remembrance & Guidance): the Quran is used as a way to connect with God and keep Him in our hearts and on our tongues. It is also fundamentally a guide for our personal lives and for the life of the community and society.

The Quran is the final revealed message which complements and completes earlier revealed scriptures, just as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the same essential message as the many prophets before him, including Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). The Quran clarifies what humanity needs to know from now until the Day of Judgment, and it will remain preserved from loss and distortion which affected previous scriptures in various ways.

"˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful." 38:29

We welcome you to Quran.com and invite you to read and listen to the Quran with an open heart, to deeply contemplate its verses, sincerely seek the knowledge contained within it, and to learn more using the resources on our site. We hope you will find Quran.com beneficial and pray that the message of the Quran will enrich your life’s journey.

What are some major themes in the Quran?

There are many themes and ideas explored in the Quran, but the major ones include:

The Oneness of God
The importance of worship and obedience to God
The existence of an Afterlife and the Day of Judgment
Guidance and wisdom for leading a righteous and moral life
The creation of the universe and all living things
The role of prophets and revelation in guiding humanity
The consequences of good and evil actions
The significance of social justice and fairness

These themes are interwoven throughout the Quran and serve as a guide for believers on how to live their lives in accordance with the will of God.

How do we know the Quran is authentic?

The Quran does not demand blind belief, but instead it invites all human beings to study, reflect and follow the evidence. These are some of the broad aspects which lead Muslims to be convinced of the truth and accuracy of the Quran as the revealed Word of God:

Historical: material and living evidence points to the fact that the Quran has been transmitted both orally and in writing from the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who announced at the age of forty (around 610 CE) that he was receiving revelation of these words from an angel sent by the One God. The content of this message together with the Prophet’s impeccable character, integrity and credibility created a believing community, at first in Arabia, which carried the Quran to all parts of the world.
Teachings: not only did the Quran create a revolution in the lives of the Arabs when it was revealed, but it continues to effect positive change for individuals and communities who follow its teachings. Together with the practical example and explanations of the Prophet ﷺ, the message is its own strongest proof that it comes from the Creator who knows what is best for creation.
Miracles: the Quran declares itself inimitable, and those eloquent Arabs who at first opposed its message found themselves unable to meet the challenge to come up with anything like it. This points to what is known as the literary miracle of the Quran, which means a level of eloquence beyond human ability. However, there are many dimensions to what makes the Quran unique and miraculous, and more is discovered as human knowledge expands.

Can the Quran be translated?

The global Muslim population is vast and diverse, reflecting the richness of the Islamic faith and its adaptability to different cultural contexts. Muslims come from different ethnicities, cultures, and languages, and are spread across every continent in the world. It is estimated that there are around 2 billion Muslims worldwide. The majority of Muslims live in Asia, with Indonesia being the country with the highest number of Muslims, followed by Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. However, there are also significant Muslim populations in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

The Quran has been translated into over 100 different languages, and each translation can be considered its own interpretation of the original Arabic text. It is important to note, however, that the Quran is the word of God and is therefore sacred and unchangeable. As such, translations of the Quran are intended to convey the meaning of the original Arabic text as accurately as possible, but they may differ in their interpretation of certain passages.

I have never read the Quran before. Do you have any suggestions on where I can start?

Approach the Quran with an open mind and a willingness to learn: It is important to approach the Quran with a positive attitude and a desire to understand its message. Try to put aside any preconceived notions or biases you may have, and approach the Quran with an open mind.

Recommendation on where to begin:

The first chapter of the Quran, Surah Al Fatiha , is a suitable place to begin your journey with the Quran.

Surah Al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran, and it is the most widely recited chapter in the Islamic faith. The Surah (chapter) is also known as the "Opening" or "Umm al-Kitab" (the Mother of the Book) due to its significance in the Quran.

The Surah consists of seven verses, and it is recited several times a day during the formal five daily prayers. The Surah begins with the phrase "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim," which means "In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." This phrase is used to seek God’s blessings before beginning any task.

The Surah is divided into two parts. The first part is an introduction in which Muslims acknowledge God's Greatness, Power, and Mercy. The second part is a supplication in which Muslims ask for God's guidance, help, and protection from going astray.

Surah Al-Fatiha is significant because it provides the foundation for Muslim prayer and is often the first portion of the Quran that is memorized by children and new Muslims around the world.

Should I read the Quran from the beginning to the end?

While the Quran is compiled in a particular order, there is no strict requirement for a reader to follow that same order when reading it. In fact, the Quran itself does not specify a specific sequence in which its chapters must be read.

Moreover, many verses of the Quran are self-contained, providing guidance and wisdom in and of themselves, without necessarily requiring the reader to have read previous or subsequent verses. This is because the Quran is a book of guidance, and each verse or surah (chapter) provides insight and wisdom that can be applied to various aspects of one's life.

In addition, the Quranic chapters and verses were revealed over a period of 23 years, during which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited and conveyed them to his followers as they were revealed. Thus, the chronological order in which the verses were revealed may not necessarily reflect their thematic order or their intended meaning.

Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for someone to read the Quran in a non-linear fashion, based on their interests, needs, or circumstances. For example, one may choose to read a particular surah for its uplifting and comforting message, or another for its practical guidance on a specific matter. Ultimately, the most important thing is to approach the Quran with an open mind, seeking guidance and wisdom from its verses, regardless of the order in which they are read.

How can Quran.com help me on my Quran journey?

Quran.com is a comprehensive online platform that provides a range of features to help people explore and engage with the Quran.

One of the most significant features of the website is its collection of translations of the Quran in various languages, allowing users to read and understand the Quran in a language they are most comfortable with. We also offer Tafsir, which are scholarly interpretations and explanations of the Quranic verses, making the meaning and context of the verses more accessible to readers.

Another feature of Quran.com is the Reflections section, which provides a space for readers to engage with the Quranic text on a more personal level. This feature offers insightful and thought-provoking reflections on the verses, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the Quranic teachings and their relevance to contemporary issues.

For those who prefer to listen to the recitation of the Quran, Quran.com offers a diverse library of Quranic recitations by renowned reciters from around the world. The website also provides advanced repeat options for users who are working on memorizing the Quran, helping them to easily repeat and practice specific verses.

To further aid users in their understanding of the Quranic text, Quran.com provides word-by-word translations and audio, as well as a word tooltip feature that provides translations of individual words in the text. This makes the Quranic text more accessible and understandable to readers who are still learning the Arabic language.

Additionally, Quran.com offers QuranRadio, a streaming service that provides continuous recitation of the Quran, allowing users to listen to the Quran at any time.

We hope you find these features beneficial as you explore the Quran. We strive to develop and refine our platform, incorporating user feedback and implementing new features that improve the learning experience. We are constantly researching and exploring new ways to help individuals who are seeking to learn and engage with the Quran.

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