The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, considered the literal word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago. Muslims believe that the Quran is the final revelation from God and its teachings serve as guidance for all humanity. Here are 10 Fascinating Facts About the Quran that will inspire you to learn more about this incredible book.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Quran
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is revered by millions around the world and is rich with history, theology, and linguistic beauty. Here are 10 fascinating facts about the Quran:
1. The Quran Was Revealed to the Prophet Muhammad More Than 1,400 Years Ago
The Holy Quran is one of the oldest books in history, which has preserved its content without change or alteration for more than 1,400 years. Muhammad (may God bless him and his family) was sent as a prophet in the year 610 AD, 13 years before the Hijrah. The Prophet loved seclusion, so he used to stay in the Cave of Hira for nights worshiping and contemplating. The Messenger Muhammad—may God bless him and grant him peace—was constantly contemplating the secrets of the universe and its Creator. He kept looking for the true Creator who should be worshiped, not the idols that his people used to worship. His journey of thinking continued until the revelation descended upon him when he was forty years old.
The beginning of the revelation to the Prophet Muhammad was through dreams and visions, which came true in reality as he saw them. According to the hadith of Aisha—may God be pleased with her—”The first thing that the Messenger of God began with was the true dream.” Then, the revelation came to him in the cave of Hira. The angel Jibril (Gabriel) told him: “Read.” The first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq were revealed: “Read in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a blood clot; read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man what he knew not.”
2. The Quran Is the Holy Book of Islam and the Literal Word of God
The Quran is God’s word to mankind for guidance. The Almighty describes the Quran with many attributes that highlight its great significance and status. God has called it a spirit, a light, and a guide to the best path. It is considered the final and complete revelation of God’s will to humankind and serves as the ultimate guide for leading a righteous life. This is one of the most important points of the Quran and its significance in Islam.
3. The Quran Is a Way of Life for Muslims
The Quran is not just a book of religious teachings but also a comprehensive guide for living a righteous life. Its contents awaken the motives of goodness in the hearts of Muslims and direct their energies in a sound direction in all areas—devotional, ethical, political, economic, and more. The Quran is unique in that it is a complete book for all aspects of education; it presents this knowledge with realism, comprehensiveness, and balance, making it an all-encompassing resource. This is one of the most fascinating facts about the Quran.
4. The Quran Is the Most-Read Book in the World
Today, there are millions of books worldwide, and one must ask: which books are the most read? The answer is, without a doubt, the Holy Quran. The name “Quran” itself is derived from the Arabic verb “qara’a,” meaning “to read.” This indicates that the Quran is a book that is read often. Quran facts like this are fascinating. Many non-Muslims have pointed out that it is the most-read book in the world. Professor Flip mentioned in his book The History of the Arabs (p. 173): “Although the Qur’an is the most recent book that changed the course of history, it is the most widely written book and is read more than any other.” The famous orientalist Charles France also acknowledged, “There is no book in the world that is read more than the Qur’an.” This was confirmed by UNESCO in 1985, which declared the Quran the most widely read book in the world, recommend what do the symbols in quran mean
5. The Quran Is Written in Arabic
The Quran was originally revealed in Arabic and is still read and recited in its original language by millions of people worldwide. Muslims believe that Arabic is the language of heaven, and the eloquence and beauty of the Quran, can the quran be translated only be fully appreciated in its original language. The sacredness of the language contributes greatly to the reverence Muslims have for the Quran, making it one of the most important facts about the Quran.
6. The Quran Contains 114 Chapters and 6,236 Verses
The Quran is divided into 114 chapters, known as surahs, each addressing specific themes. The longest surah in the Quran is Surah Al-Baqarah, which contains 286 verses, while the shortest surah is Surah Al-Kawthar, which has only three verses. The exact number of verses can vary slightly due to differences in the way certain verses are counted, but there are generally 6,236 verses. These facts are part of the basic information about the Quran that give insight into its structure.
Read more: how many pages is quran
7. The Quran Is Memorized by Millions of Muslims
One of the most amazing facts about the Quran is that millions of Muslims around the world memorize it completely. This practice is known as Hifz, and those who commit the entire Quran to memory are honored with the title “Hafiz” or “Hafiza.” When you open the Quran, you will find that it starts with the first verses of Surah Al-Baqarah, emphasizing that this book is without doubt the final and complete revelation from God. God has promised to protect the Quran from distortion, as stated in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9): “Indeed, We have sent down the Remembrance, and We are its guardians.”
8. The Quran Is the Only Book That Has Not Been Distorted Throughout the Ages
Despite the long time since the Quran was revealed, it has retained its original form without distortion or alteration, unlike other scriptures. God has pledged to preserve the Quran, as He said in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9): “Indeed, We have sent down the Remembrance, and We are its guardians.” This is one of the most important facts about the Quran, showcasing its divine protection and authenticity.
9. The Quran Magnifies All Prophets and Messengers
The Holy Quran is the only holy book that calls for belief in all prophets and messengers, and it prohibits any differentiation between them. Believing in all the prophets is a fundamental tenet of Islam. God says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:136): “Say, ‘We believe in God and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham, Ismael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, and what Moses and Jesus have given, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We do not differentiate between any of them, and we submit to Him.'” This shows the Quran’s inclusive and universal message, which is one of the interesting facts about Islam.
10. The Quran Is the Source of Islamic Law
The Quran is considered the constitution that organizes the life of the Muslim nation. Muslims did not abandon it at any time, as God has enriched them with its guidance. Any matters not directly mentioned in the Quran are derived through ijtihad (juridical reasoning) based on the Quran’s eternal principles, ensuring that new matters in life are addressed without violating the core values of Islam. This makes the Quran the foundation of Islamic law and sharia.
HOW Arabian tongue shapes your journey of LEARNing QURAN and arabic?
At Arabian Tongue, we empower you with the tools that allow for reflecting on the meanings of the Quran and sensing the greatness of the Creator. We incorporate unique teaching methods in our courses listed below:
- Learn Quran Online
- Learn Arabic Online
- Learn Tagweed Online
- Arabic grammar course online for beginners
- Quran Ijazah Course for Kids
FAQs
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the holy book of Islam, considered by Muslims to be the literal word of God, as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years. It serves as a complete guide to life, encompassing laws, morality, worship, and wisdom.
How long did it take for the Quran to be revealed?
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years (610 to 632 CE). The first revelation occurred when Muhammad was 40 years old, and the final revelation came shortly before his death.
Why is the Quran in Arabic?
The Quran was revealed in Classical Arabic, a language regarded as the most eloquent and perfect for expressing divine messages. Muslims believe that the beauty and depth of the Quran can only be fully appreciated in its original language, though translations exist for non-Arabic speakers.
How many chapters and verses are in the Quran?
The Quran contains 114 chapters (called Surahs) and 6,236 verses (called Ayahs). The chapters vary in length, with the longest Surah being Surah Al-Baqarah (286 verses) and the shortest being Surah Al-Kawthar (3 verses).
What is the significance of memorizing the Quran?
Memorizing the Quran is a highly respected practice in Islam. Those who memorize the entire Quran are known as Hafiz (male) or Hafiza (female), and they are honored for preserving the Quran exactly as it was revealed. This tradition has kept the Quran preserved without distortion for over 1,400 years.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed 10 interesting facts about the Quran. However, this is just a simple overview of the Holy Quran—talking about it cannot be limited to just a few points. The Quran is the direct word of God, revealed to humanity, and it encompasses a vast amount of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance for all aspects of life. There is much more to explore, and understanding the Quran requires a lifetime of study and reflection.