The Quran: Revelation, Recitation and Language

The Quran ('recitation') is Islam's holy book, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God revealed to Muhammad over about 23 years. It contains 114 chapters (surahs) arranged roughly by length, not chronology, and covers belief in one God, prophets, moral guidance, law, the afterlife and stories shared with Jewish and Christian scripture, such as those of Abraham, Moses and Mary.

According to Islamic tradition, the text was memorized and written on various materials during Muhammad's life and compiled into a standard written copy under the third caliph, Uthman, around 650. Because Muslims believe its Arabic wording is divine, translations are regarded as interpretations, not the Quran itself. Recitation is an art form, and people who memorize the entire text are honored with the title hafiz. The Quran's style helped standardize classical Arabic, and its verses decorate mosques, making it central to Islamic art as well as faith.