Islam’s holiest text.
Holy book for Muslim, primary but not only sacred source of Islam. It is noted as literally “recited”, in that it is Muhammad’s recitation of the literal word of God
It is important to note that unlike a lot of other religious texts, the Qur’an is interpreted to be the actual word of God, not written with any human authorship. This is a key distinction in Islamic theology.
Qur’an translates to “Recitation”
Qur’an As Text
Is this so obvious?
- *Does its oral history* (revealed to Muhammad), or oral focus(recitation as practice; hafez-e Qur’an) change its status as text?
Qur’an as Non-Linear Text
It is non-chronological, a collection of scattered references, and not in the order of revelation.
Qur’anic Organization
Roughly: verses in order of length
- Longest to shortest
There are 3 periods of revelation:
- Meccan (610-622 CE)
- Shorter, more poetic, more abstract
- More about theology, the afterlife, spirituality
- Medinan (622-632 CE)
- Longer, more prosaic
- More about law, social organization, community
- Post-Muhammad (632 CE onward)
- Additions, clarifications, interpretations
Generalized Content Overview
There are thematic differences between the Meccan and Medinan suras (chapters):
Early Meccan suras
Existential, personal issues
Later Meccan suras
Sacred history, prophetic lineage
Medinan suras
Range of social, legal, cultural issues
Revelation addressed the community in its context
Compilation of Qur’an - A Brief History
At the end of Muhammads life it was scattered on “pieces of papyrus, flat stones, palm-leaves, shoulder blades, and ribs of animals, pieces of leather and wooden boards, as well as [in] the hearts of men”
Abu Bakr had a compilation made because many Qur’an reciters had died in battle; eventually passed into the hands of Hafsa, a widow of Muhammad and daughter of ‘Umar
Official version compiled under ‘Uthman, taking into account Hafsa’s, because variations had arose in different places.
Copies were made and sent to the main centers, such as Kufa, Basra, Damascus.
Not just Words: The Power of the Qur’an
“The Qur’an is the uncreated speech of God; it is written in our volumes, preserved in our hearts, recited by our tongues, heard by our ears, but is not located in them.” Creed of Nasafi
Thus, in a sense the divine is present in worldly form; cf. Christ for Christians
- Baraka(blessings): e.g. use for amulets, healing
- Literary miracle ( i’jāz )
Vocalized Arabic: ٱلْقُرْآن Quranic Arabic: ٱلۡقُرۡءَان