What Muslims believe
The Quran
Muslims believe the Quran is the uncreated, literal word of God, revealed in Arabic to Muhammad through Gabriel over about 23 years.
What it is
The Quran has 114 surahs (chapters) and, in the most widely used count, 6,236 verses. Surahs are classed as Meccan (before the move to Medina in 622) or Medinan, and are arranged roughly from longest to shortest after the short opening surah, al-Fatiha.
Muslims hold that the Quran is God's speech in Arabic; a translation is regarded as an interpretation of its meaning. Its recitation follows canonical readings (qira'at); Hafs from Asim is the most widely used today, Warsh from Nafi' in much of North and West Africa.
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ 2
2This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).
Quran 2:2 (Pickthall) · context
192And lo! it is a revelation of the Lord of the Worlds, 193Which the True Spirit hath brought down 194Upon thy heart, that thou mayst be (one) of the warners, 195In plain Arabic speech.
Quran 26:192-195 (Pickthall) · context
قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُۥ نَزَّلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 97
97Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers;
Quran 2:97 (Pickthall) · context
Its claims about itself
The Quran says it is free of doubt, guarded by God, without contradiction and inimitable: it challenges its hearers to produce one surah like it.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ 9
9Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian.
Quran 15:9 (Pickthall) · context
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَٰفًا كَثِيرًا 82
82Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity.
Quran 4:82 (Pickthall) · context
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ 23
23And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful.
Quran 2:23 (Pickthall) · context
قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجْتَمَعَتِ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا 88
88Say: Verily, though mankind and the jinn should assemble to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof though they were helpers one of another.
Quran 17:88 (Pickthall) · context
Sources
- Earliest source The Quran, Pickthall translation (1930); verse count as in the Tanzil text (Kufan count).