Koran

The Koran, also spelled Quran in modern transliteration, is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims regard it as the word of God (Allah) revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over about 23 years in the early 7th century CE, in Mecca and Medina.

It comprises 114 chapters, or suras, of uneven length. The verses, or ayat, are written in classical Arabic and are recited and memorized by Muslims. The suras are not arranged chronologically; the standard order is largely based on length and other concerns. Early in Islamic history, Caliph Uthman oversaw the creation of a standardized codex, which became the basis for most later editions. The text also exists in several canonical readings, known as qira'at, though the Arabic text is generally held to be fixed.

Content covers theology, guidance for personal conduct and community law, and narratives about prophets shared with Judaism and Christianity, such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Major themes include monotheism, moral responsibility, social justice, and an accountability in the afterlife. The Quran is used in daily prayers, liturgy, and law, and is regarded by Muslims as the final revelation from God.

Translations exist in many languages and are widely studied, but translations are considered interpretations of meaning rather than exact equivalents of the original text. The Arabic text is typically treated as normative in liturgical and legal contexts. The spelling Koran reflects older English usage; Quran or Qur’an is the more common spelling in contemporary English.