Qurans

Qur'ans is the plural of Qur'an, the central scripture of Islam. Muslims believe the Qur'an is the literal word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over about 23 years in 7th-century Arabia. The Arabic text is organized into 114 surahs, which vary in length and cover themes of monotheism, guidance, law, morality, and narratives about earlier prophets.

Historically, the Qur'an was compiled into a written codex in the early Islamic period. A standardized text was established under the caliph Uthman ibn Affan and circulated to curb interpretive divergences. Today, surviving manuscripts from the 7th to 9th centuries include famous exemplars such as the Sanaa, Birmingham, and Topkapi copies. While the core text is consistent, scribal practices produced minor orthographic and diacritical variations, and the tradition of qira'at (variant readings) recognizes several permissible recitations.

In addition to the Arabic Qur'an, many translations exist to convey its meanings in other languages. Translations are considered renditions of meaning rather than the Qur'an itself in traditional Islamic usage, where the Arabic text is regarded as the authoritative version. Widely circulated printed editions of the Arabic text often include diacritical marks and notes to aid reading, with the Cairo edition of the early 20th century playing a historically influential role in standardization.

Qur'ans are used in daily prayers, study, and memorization, with countless Muslims dedicating portions of their lives to recitation and hifz (memorizations). The text’s reception and interpretation vary within different Islamic schools of thought, but its central status as a divine revelation remains a common foundation across communities.