key term - Quran

Definition

The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the foundational scripture that guides the beliefs, practices, and way of life for Muslims worldwide.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Quran is divided into 114 chapters (suras) and over 6,000 verses (ayat), covering a wide range of topics including theology, ethics, law, history, and social issues.
2. Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years through the angel Gabriel, and that it is the final revelation from God, superseding all previous scriptures.
3. The Quran is written in classical Arabic, and its language is considered by Muslims to be inimitable, with a unique literary style and poetic quality.
4. The Quran emphasizes the oneness of God (tawhid), the importance of prayer, charity, and moral behavior, and the concepts of judgment, heaven, and hell.
5. The Quran is the primary source of guidance and inspiration for Muslims, and its teachings are central to the practice of Islam, influencing all aspects of individual and communal life.

Review Questions

• Describe the significance of the Quran in the Islamic faith.
  • The Quran is the central and most sacred text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the direct word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the foundational scripture that provides guidance and instruction for all aspects of Muslim life, including beliefs, practices, and moral conduct. The Quran is considered the ultimate source of authority and the primary reference for Islamic law, ethics, and theology, making it the most important and revered text in the Islamic tradition.
• Explain the relationship between the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith in the Islamic tradition.
  • The Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith form the three primary sources of guidance and authority in Islam. The Quran is the word of God, while the Sunnah refers to the teachings, actions, and example set by the Prophet Muhammad, and the Hadith are the reported sayings and accounts of the Prophet's life. The Sunnah and Hadith serve to interpret and provide context for the Quran, and together they form the basis for Islamic law, ethics, and the way of life for Muslims. The interplay and complementary nature of these three sources are crucial for understanding and practicing the Islamic faith.
• Analyze the unique literary and linguistic features of the Quran and their significance for Muslim believers.
  • The Quran is written in classical Arabic, which is considered by Muslims to be a language of unparalleled beauty and eloquence. The Quran's language is believed to be inimitable, with a unique literary style and poetic quality that sets it apart from other texts. This linguistic and stylistic uniqueness is seen as a testament to the divine origin of the Quran, as Muslims believe that no human could have produced a work of such literary perfection. The Quran's language is also central to its role as a sacred text, as the Arabic language is viewed as the language of God and the vehicle through which the divine message was revealed. The Quran's linguistic and literary features are thus deeply intertwined with its spiritual and religious significance for Muslim believers.

Related terms

Sunnah: The teachings, actions, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, which serve as a model for Islamic behavior and are considered the second most important source of guidance after the Quran.

Hadith: The collection of reports describing the words, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, which are used to interpret the Quran and provide guidance for daily life.

Shariah: The religious law derived from the religious precepts of Islam, particularly the Quran and the Hadith, which regulates public and private behavior as well as personal hygiene and morality.