The Qur'an

Muhammad

18:37 h Islam

The Quran (/kɔːrˈɑːn/ kor-AHN; Arabic: القرآن‎, romanized: al-Qurʼān Arabic pronunciation: [alqur'ʔaːn], literally meaning "the recitation"), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a revelation from God (Allah). It is widely regarded as the finest work in classical Arabic literature. Slightly shorter than the New Testament, it is organized in 114 chapters (Arabic: سورة sūrah, plural سور suwar) — not according to chronology or subject matter, but according to length of surahs (with some exceptions). Surah are subdivided into verses (Arabic: آية āyah, plural آيات āyāt).

The Qur'an

Translated from the Arabic by the Rev. J.M. Rodwell

SURA I. [VIII.]

This Sura, which Nöldeke places last, and Muir sixth, in the earliest class of Meccan Suras, must at least have been composed prior to Sura xxxvii. 182,where it is quoted, and to Sura xv. 87, which refers to it. And it can scarcely be an accidental circumstance that the words of the first, second, and fifth verses do not occur in any other Suras of the first Meccan period as given by N”ldeke, but frequently in those of the second, which it therefore, in N”ldeke, opinion, immediately precedes. But this may be accounted for by its having been recast for the purposes of private and public devotion by Muhammad himself, which is the meaning probably of the Muhammadan tradition that it was revealed twice. It should also be observed that, including the auspicatory formula, there are the same number of petitions in this Sura as in the Lord’s Prayer. It is recited several times in each of the five daily prayers, and on many other occassions, as in concluding a bargain, etc. It is termed “the Opening of the Book,” “the Completion,” “the Sufficing Sura,” the Sura of Praise, Thanks, and Prayer,” “the Healer,” “the Remedy,” “the Basis,” “the Treasure,” “the Mother of the Book,” “the Seven Verses of Repetition.” The Muhammadans always say “Amen” after this prayer, Muhammad having been instructed, says the Sonna, to do so by the Angel Gabriel.

MECCA.— 7 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
PRAISE be to God, Lord of the worlds!
The compassionate, the merciful!
King on the day of reckoning!
Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help.
Guide Thou us on the straight path,
The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious;— with whom thou art not angry, and who go not astray.

SURA II. — THE COW [XCI.]

MEDINA.— 286 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

ELIF. LAM. MIM. No doubt is there about this Book: It is a guidance to the God-fearing,

Who believe in the unseen, who observe prayer, and out of what we have bestowed on them, expend for God;

And who believe in what hath been sent down to thee, and in what hath been sent down before thee, and full faith have they in the life to come:

These are guided by their Lord; and with these it shall be well.

As to the infidels, alike is it to them whether thou warn them or warn them not–they will not believe:

Their hearts and their ears hath God sealed up; and over their eyes is a covering. For them, a severe chastisement!

And some there are who say, “We believe in God, and in the latter day:” Yet are they not believers!

Fain would they deceive God and those who have believed; but they deceive themselves only, and know it not.

Diseased are their hearts! And that disease hath God increased creased to them. Their’s a sore chastisement, for that they treated their prophet as a liar!