Quran, The

The Holy Quran: The Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam, is believed by Muslims to be the literal, final word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over approximately 23 years, beginning in 610 CE. For over 1.4 billion Muslims worldwide, it is the ultimate source of divine guidance, law, and spiritual wisdom. Composed in eloquent classical Arabic, its text has remained unchanged since its compilation shortly after the Prophet's death. It is divided into 114 chapters (Surahs), which vary in length, and is further subdivided into verses (Ayahs). The Surahs are not arranged chronologically but generally in order of decreasing length, with the shorter, more Meccan revelations (focusing on faith, cosmology, and the Hereafter) placed later, and the longer, Medinan chapters (often detailing social and legal principles) placed earlier. The Quran's core message is the absolute oneness of God, the call to worship Him alone, and the accountability of all humanity on the Day of Judgment. It reaffirms and completes the messages brought by earlier prophets, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, whom it honors as great messengers of God. Its content encompasses narratives of past nations, parables, laws for personal conduct and society, profound spiritual insights, and descriptions of Paradise and Hell. More than just a text to be read, the Quran is primarily a revelation to be recited aloud. Its rhythmic and rhyming prose is central to Islamic worship and culture, memorized in its entirety by millions. It serves as the primary foundation for Islamic theology, jurisprudence, ethics, and civilization, guiding the beliefs and daily lives of the faithful. Muslims regard engagement with the Quran—through recitation, contemplation, and application—as the highest form of communion with the Divine.