The Holy Quran is the divine book of Allah, revealed as a complete guide for everyone to follow. This is why learning and teaching the Quran is considered an obligation for every Muslim, both men and women. As followers of Islam, it is essential for us to gain proper knowledge of the Quran, because understanding it is the key to living a righteous life.
In this article, we will explore some of the most important and basic information about the Quran that every Muslim should know. This knowledge will not only increase our understanding but also strengthen our connection with Allah.
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the final word of Allah, revealed to His beloved and last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him). About 1,400 years ago, the Quran was sent down gradually over a period of nearly 23 years. The language in which it was revealed was Arabic.
It is a divine book that addresses every aspect of human life—whether social, economic, spiritual, or worldly. The Quran provides complete guidance in detail, and its message is sufficient for all of humanity until the Day of Judgment.
Meaning of the Word “Quran”
Scholars have held differing opinions about the origin of the word “Quran” (القرآن). Some believe that Quran is an original word (ism-e-jamid) and is not derived from any other root word. According to this view, Quran itself is the primary term and has no linguistic origin.
However, the majority of scholars agree that the word Quran is derived (ism-e-mushtaq) and comes from other root words. Within this view, there are two main opinions:
Imam Farra’s opinion: He explains that Quran is derived from the word Qarn (قرن), which means “to join” or “to come together.” This reflects how the verses of the Quran are beautifully connected with one another.
Another opinion: Many scholars believe that Quran comes from the word Qaraa (قراء), which means “to read” or “to recite.” This suggests that the Quran is the book meant to be recited repeatedly, making this view the most authentic and widely accepted.
The Other Names of the Quran
In the Quran, Allah has referred to His final book by many different names. Each name highlights a unique quality and virtue of the Quran. Below are some of these names along with their meanings.
Al-Quran — The Recitation (emphasizing oral transmission).
Al-Kitāb — The Book (a complete record of divine guidance).
Al-Furqān — The Criterion (distinguishing truth from falsehood).
Adh-Dhikr — The Reminder (a source of remembrance and reflection).
At-Tanzīl — The Revelation Sent Down (highlighting its divine origin).
Al-Hudā — The Guidance (ultimate source of guidance for humanity).
The First Revelation (Wahi)
The first revelation came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at the age of 40. Even before prophethood, he would often spend time in worship and reflection at a place called Cave Hira (Ghaar-e-Hira) in Makkah.
One day, while he was engaged in worship, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him) appeared to him and said, “Iqra” (Read). The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “I do not know how to read.” The angel then embraced him tightly and repeated, “Iqra.” Again, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the same reply. For the third time, the angel pressed him firmly and commanded, “Iqra.”
At that moment, the first five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq were revealed:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created – created man from a clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous – Who taught by the pen – taught man that which he knew not.”
— Quran 96:1–5
This was the starting point of revelation, through which the Prophet (peace be upon him) was honored as the Seal of all Prophets.
Compilation and Preservation of the Quran
During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whenever a verse or Surah was revealed, he would recite it to his companions. They memorized it and recited it in their prayers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would then call the scribes of revelation, who wrote down the verses under his guidance. He would instruct them where to place each verse or Surah in proper order. At all times, whether at home or during travel, a scribe was present with the Prophet, and among the most prominent was Zaid bin Thabit (RA). At that time, verses were written on materials such as animal skins, tree trunks, and palm leaves.
After the passing of the Prophet (peace be upon him), during the caliphate of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA), the Quran was compiled into a single book. This step was taken because many memorizers of the Quran (huffaz) were martyred in battles, and there was a fear that the Quran might be lost if it remained only in memory.
Later, during the time of Uthman ibn Affan (RA), differences in dialects and recitations began to arise. To preserve unity, he had a single standardized copy of the Quran prepared, and authentic copies were distributed across the Muslim world.
Structure of the Quran
The Holy Quran is a well-structured book arranged in a proper order. Its arrangement can be understood in two ways:
Tarteeb-e-Nazooli (Chronological Order)
This refers to the order in which the Quran was revealed. In this arrangement, the very first revelation was Surah Al-‘Alaq.
Tarteeb-e-Tawqeefi (Final Divine Order)
This is the arrangement in which the Quran exists today, as finalized under the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him). In this order, the Quran begins with Surah Al-Fatihah and ends with Surah An-Nas. Larger Surahs are placed at the beginning, while shorter Surahs are positioned towards the end.
Important Information About the Quran
Below are the key details most widely accepted:
Number of Paras: The Quran is divided into 30 parts (para/juz).
Number of Surahs: The Quran consists of 114 Surahs.
Number of Makki Surahs: 86 Surahs were revealed in Makkah.
Number of Madani Surahs: 28 Surahs were revealed in Madinah.
Number of Verses: There are about 6,666 verses in the Quran.
Number of Rukus: The Quran contains 540 rukus (sections).
Number of Sajdahs: There are 14 places of prostration (sajdah) in the Quran.
Number of Manzils: The Quran is divided into 7 manzils (parts for weekly recitation).
Number of Names: The Quran is known by around 55 names.
Number of Words: The Quran has about 323,760 words.
Longest Surah: The longest Surah is Surah Al-Baqarah.
Shortest Surah: The shortest Surah is Surah Al-Kawthar.
First Surah: The first Surah in order is Surah Al-Fatihah.
Last Surah: The final Surah is Surah An-Naas.
Heart of the Quran: Surah Yaseen is called the heart of the Quran.
Conclusion
The Quran is more than just a book; it is the eternal word of Allah preserved for the guidance of humanity. From its first revelation in the cave of Ḥirāʾ to its completion over 23 years, it transformed the world with its message of tawḥīd (oneness of God), justice, and guidance. With its unique structure of surahs, verses, rukūʿ, and manāzil, the Quran continues to be recited, memorized, and studied by millions. As Allah promised, it remains unchanged and protected, serving as a beacon of light for all who seek truth.