What is the Quran?
A clear introduction to Islam's central scripture and how Muslims read it.
Revelation and recitation
Muslims believe the Quran is the word of God, revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad over approximately twenty-three years. The word Quran is related to recitation, and reciting it remains central to Muslim worship.
The text is arranged in chapters called surahs and verses called ayat. Its chapters vary in length and address belief, worship, ethics, community, and stories of earlier prophets.
Translations and interpretation
Translations communicate meaning for readers who do not know Arabic. Because translation involves choices, Muslims commonly distinguish a translation of the Quran from the Arabic Quran.
Tafsir is the scholarly explanation of the text. Context, language, the wider Quran, and prophetic teachings can all inform interpretation.
A way to begin reading
Read a short passage in a reputable translation and take time with its context. Compare translations when wording feels unclear and consult recognized commentary for difficult questions.
You can begin with Al-Fatihah (chapter 1), a prayer recited in Muslim worship, or Al-Ikhlas (chapter 112), a concise statement of God's oneness.