The Quran

What is the Holy Quran?

The Holy Quran is the Holy Book or the Scripture of the Muslims. It lays down for them the law and commandments, codes for their social and moral behaviour, and contains a comprehensive religious philosophy. The language of the Quran is Arabic. It is a compilation of the verbal revelations given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) over a period of twenty three years.

The Holy Quran is divided into 114 Chapters and each Chapter consists of individual verses. The Chapters (called Surah in Arabic) are of varying lengths, some consisting of a few lines while others run for many pages. The text of the Holy Quran has remained unchanged over the past 1500 years. The millions of copies of the Quran circulating in the world today are all identical down to a single letter. And this is not strange since God says in the Holy Quran that He Himself will guard this book:

"Surely it is We Who have revealed the Exposition, and surely it is We Who are its guardians"
(Surah Al-Hijr:9 / 15:9 Quran)

To the Muslims, the Quran is the Word of God and contains complete guidance for mankind. Much of the Quran is about God, His attributes and man’s relationship to Him. But it also contains directives for its followers, historical accounts of certain prophets and peoples, arguments for accepting Muhammad as a genuine Prophet and good news for the believers and warnings for the disbelievers.

Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed. And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.
(Surah Isra:78-79 / 17:78-79 Quran)
This is the Book (Qur'an) about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah
(Surah Bakara:2 / 2:2 Quran)
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
(Surah Bakara:185 / 2:185 Quran)
O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof (Prophet Muhammad) from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light (Quran).
(Surah Nisa:174 / 4:174 Quran)
O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger (Prophet Mohammed) making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture (Torah) and overlooking (forgiving) much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book (Quran). By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.
(Surah Maide:15-16 / 5:15-16 Quran)
And this is a Book (Quran) which We have sent down, blessed and confirming what was before it, that you may warn the Mother of Cities (Mekka) and those around it. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they are maintaining their Salahs (prayers).
(Surah En'am:92 / 6:92 Quran)
And this [Qur'an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
(Surah En'am:155 / 6:155 Quran)
And We had certainly brought them a Book (Quran) which We detailed by knowledge - as guidance and mercy to a people who believe.
(Surah Araf:52 / 7:52 Quran)
But those who hold fast to the Book (Quran) and establish Salah (prayer) - indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.
(Surah Araf:170 / 7:170 Quran)
So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.
(Surah Araf:204 / 7:204 Quran)
O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy (Quran) for the believers. Say, "In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate."
(Surah Yunus:57-58 / 10:57-58 Quran)
Alif, Lam, Ra. [This is] a Book (Quran) which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy -
(Surah Ibrahim:1 / 14:1 Quran)
And when you recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition. And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn back in aversion.
(Surah Isra:45-46 / 17:45-46 Quran)
And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.
(Surah Isra:82 / 17:82 Quran)
Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book (Quran) wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide.
(Surah Zumer:23 / 39:23 Quran)
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book (Quran) or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path -
(Surah Sura:52 / 42:52 Quran)
If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.
(Surah Hasr:21 / 59:21 Quran)
Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree (Kadr). And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree (Kadr) is better than a thousand months.
(Surah Kadr:1-3 / 97:1-3 Quran)
A Messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures (Quran), Within which are correct writings.
(Surah Beyyine:2-3 / 98:2-3 Quran)
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.
(Surah Al-Hijr:9 / 15:9 Quran)