The Quran is the literal, verbatim word of God (Allah), revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Jibril over a period of 23 years. It is the central religious text of Islam and is regarded by Muslims as the final and complete revelation for all of mankind until the Day of Judgment.
Unlike previous scriptures, which were revealed in their entirety, the Quran was revealed piecemeal to address specific events, questions, and social circumstances. This method allowed for a gradual implementation of laws and provided immediate guidance and solace to the early Muslim community. Its revelation in Arabic is considered a core part of its identity, and its linguistic style is deemed inimitable.
The preservation of the Quran is unique among divine scriptures. It was memorized verbatim by hundreds of the Prophet's companions during his lifetime—a tradition that continues unbroken to this day. Furthermore, it was meticulously written down on available materials during the Prophet's life and compiled into a single, standardized codex (Mushaf) under the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, and later distributed by the third Caliph, Uthman. This dual-method of preservation—oral and written—has ensured that the Quran today is identical to the revelations received by Muhammad ﷺ, a claim that is historically and textually verifiable.
The Quran's primary themes are the Oneness of God, the purpose of human life, the stories of previous prophets as moral lessons, the establishment of a just moral and legal framework, and a detailed description of the afterlife and the Day of Judgment. It contains 114 chapters (Surahs), which are not arranged chronologically but generally by length, with the longer chapters preceding the shorter ones. Each chapter is composed of verses (Ayahs), which range from profound theological statements to detailed legislation. The Quran serves as a guide, a healing, a mercy for the believers, and a clear proof for humanity.