The Noble Qur'an
"Alif Laam Raa. A book which we have revealed to you (Muhammad) so that you may lead the people from out of the darknesses into the light by their Lord's leave to the path of the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy." [Qur'an 14:1]
The Qur'an ("Qor-Ann") is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was transmitted to us in a chain starting from the Almighty Himself (swt) to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (saas). This message was given to the Prophet (saas) in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23 years (610 CE to 622 CE). The Prophet (saas) was 40 years old when the Qur'an began to be revealed to him, and he was 63 when the revelation was completed. The language of the original message was Arabic, but it has been translated into many other languages.
The Qur'an is one leg of two which form the basis of Islam. The second leg is the Sunnah of the Prophet (saas). What makes the Qur'an different from the Sunnah is primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qur'an is quite literally the Word of Allah, whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording and actions are the Prophet's. The Qur'an has not been expressed using any human's words. Its wording is letter for letter fixed by no one but Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (saas) was the final Messenger of Allah to humanity, and therefore the Qur'an is the last Message which Allah has sent to us. Its predecessors such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels have all been superceded. It is an obligation - and blessing - for all who hear of the Qur'an and Islam to investigate it and evaluate it for themselves. Allah has guaranteed that He will protect the Qur'an from human tampering, and today's readers can find exact copies of it all over the world. The Qur'an of today is the same as the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (saas).
Related Items
- A transliteration of the Qur'an
- An index to the Qur'an
- Search for a particular verse
- Syed Maududi's introduction to each chapter
- An essay highlighting the scientific information contained in the Qur'an
- Another essay on the Qur'an, knowledge, and science
- A brief history of the compilation of the Qur'an, courtesy of Perspectives.
- Some rules to assist in the memorization of the Qur'an.
Translations of the Qur'an
On this Web site, there are three translations of the Qur'an. Note that any translation of the Qur'an immediately ceases to be the literal word of Allah, and hence cannot be equated with the Qur'an in its original Arabic form. In fact, each of the translations on this site is actually an interpretation which has been translated. The first-time reader is strongly advised to read the introduction to the translations we have made available. Corrections and suggestions are appreciated.
The Chapters of the Qur'an: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/003.qmt.html
- AL-FATIHA (THE OPENING)
- AL-BAQARA (THE COW)
- AAL-E-IMRAN (THE FAMILY OF 'IMRAN, THE HOUSE OF 'IMRAN)
- AN-NISA (WOMEN)
- AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE, THE TABLE SPREAD)
- AL-ANAAM (CATTLE, LIVESTOCK)
- AL-ARAF (THE HEIGHTS)
- AL-ANFAL (SPOILS OF WAR, BOOTY)
- AT-TAWBA (REPENTANCE, DISPENSATION)
- YUNUS (JONAH)
- HUD (HUD)
- YUSUF (JOSEPH)
- AR-RAD (THE THUNDER)
- IBRAHIM (ABRAHAM)
- AL-HIJR (AL-HIJR, STONELAND, ROCK CITY)
- AN-NAHL (THE BEE)
- AL-ISRA (ISRA', THE NIGHT JOURNEY, CHILDREN OF ISRAEL)
- AL-KAHF (THE CAVE)
- MARYAM (MARY)
- TA-HA (TA-HA)
- AL-ANBIYA (THE PROPHETS)
- AL-HAJJ (THE PILGRIMAGE)
- AL-MUMENOON (THE BELIEVERS)
- AN-NOOR (THE LIGHT)
- AL-FURQAN (THE CRITERION, THE STANDARD)
- ASH-SHUARA (THE POETS)
- AN-NAML (THE ANT, THE ANTS)
- AL-QASAS (THE STORY, STORIES)
- AL-ANKABOOT (THE SPIDER)
- AR-ROOM (THE ROMANS, THE BYZANTINES)
- LUQMAN (LUQMAN)
- AS-SAJDA (THE PROSTRATION,WORSHIP, ADORATION)
- AL-AHZAB (THE CLANS, THE COALITION,THE COMBINED FORCES)
- SABA (SABA, SHEBA)
- FATIR (THE ANGELS, ORIGNATOR)
- YA-SEEN (YA-SEEN)
- AS-SAAFFAT (THOSE WHO SET THE RANKS,DRAWN UP IN RANKS)
- SAD (THE LETTER SAD)
- AZ-ZUMAR (THE TROOPS, THRONGS)
- AL-GHAFIR (THE FORGIVER (GOD) )
- FUSSILAT (EXPLAINED IN DETAIL)
- ASH-SHURA (COUNCIL, CONSULTATION)
- AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY)
- AD-DUKHAN (SMOKE)
- AL-JATHIYA (CROUCHING)
- AL-AHQAF (THE WIND-CURVED SANDHILLS, THE DUNES)
- MUHAMMAD (MUHAMMAD)
- AL-FATH (VICTORY, CONQUEST)
- AL-HUJRAAT (THE PRIVATE APARTMENTS, THE INNER APARTMENTS)
- QAF (THE LETTER QAF)
- ADH-DHARIYAT (THE WINNOWING WINDS)
- AT-TUR (THE MOUNT)
- AN-NAJM (THE STAR)
- AL-QAMAR (THE MOON)
- AR-RAHMAN (THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCY GIVING)
- AL-WAQIA (THE EVENT, THE INEVITABLE)
- AL-HADID (THE IRON)
- AL-MUJADILA (SHE THAT DISPUTETH, THE PLEADING WOMAN)
- AL-HASHR (EXILE, BANISHMENT)
- AL-MUMTAHINA (SHE THAT IS TO BE EXAMINED, EXAMINING HER)
- AS-SAFF (THE RANKS, BATTLE ARRAY)
- AL-JUMUA (THE CONGREGATION, FRIDAY)
- AL-MUNAFIQOON (THE HYPOCRITES)
- AT-TAGHABUN (MUTUAL DISILLUSION, HAGGLING)
- AT-TALAQ (DIVORCE)
- AT-TAHRIM (BANNING, PROHIBITION)
- AL-MULK (THE SOVEREIGNTY, CONTROL)
- AL-QALAM (THE PEN)
- AL-HAAQQA (THE REALITY)
- AL-MAARIJ (THE ASCENDING STAIRWAYS)
- NOOH (NOOH)
- AL-JINN (THE JINN)
- AL-MUZZAMMIL (THE ENSHROUDED ONE, BUNDLED UP)
- AL-MUDDATHTHIR (THE CLOAKED ONE, THE MAN WEARING A CLOAK)
- AL-QIYAMA (THE RISING OF THE DEAD, RESURRECTION)
- AL-INSAN (MAN)
- AL-MURSALAT (THE EMISSARIES, WINDS SENT FORTH)
- AN-NABA (THE TIDINGS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT)
- AN-NAZIAT (THOSE WHO DRAG FORTH, SOUL-SNATCHERS)
- ABASA (HE FROWNED)
- AT-TAKWIR (THE OVERTHROWING)
- AL-INFITAR (THE CLEAVING, BURSTING APART)
- AL-MUTAFFIFIN (DEFRAUDING, THE CHEATS, CHEATING)
- AL-INSHIQAQ (THE SUNDERING, SPLITTING OPEN)
- AL-BUROOJ (THE MANSIONS OF THE STARS, CONSTELLATIONS)
- AT-TARIQ (THE MORNING STAR, THE NIGHTCOMER)
- AL-ALA (THE MOST HIGH, GLORY TO YOUR LORD IN THE HIGHEST)
- AL-GHASHIYA (THE OVERWHELMING, THE PALL)
- AL-FAJR (THE DAWN, DAYBREAK)
- AL-BALAD (THE CITY, THIS COUNTRYSIDE)
- ASH-SHAMS (THE SUN)
- AL-LAIL (THE NIGHT)
- AD-DHUHA (THE MORNING HOURS, MORNING BRIGHT)
- AL-INSHIRAH (SOLACE, CONSOLATION, RELIEF)
- AT-TIN (THE FIG, THE FIGTREE)
- AL-ALAQ (THE CLOT, READ)
- AL-QADR (POWER, FATE)
- AL-BAYYINA (THE CLEAR PROOF, EVIDENCE)
- AZ-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)
- AL-ADIYAT (THE COURSER, THE CHARGERS)
- AL-QARIA (THE CALAMITY, THE STUNNING BLOW, THE DISASTER
- AT-TAKATHUR (RIVALRY IN WORLD INCREASE, COMPETITION
- AL-ASR (THE DECLINING DAY, EVENTIDE, THE EPOCH)
- AL-HUMAZA (THE TRADUCER, THE GOSSIPMONGER)
- AL-FIL (THE ELEPHANT)
- QURAISH (WINTER, QURAYSH)
- AL-MAUN (SMALL KINDNESSES, ALMSGIVING, HAVE YOU SEEN)
- AL-KAUTHER (ABUNDANCE, PLENTY)
- AL-KAFIROON (THE DISBELIEVERS, ATHEISTS)
- AN-NASR (SUCCOUR, DIVINE SUPPORT)
- AL-MASADD (PALM FIBRE, THE FLAME)
- AL-IKHLAS (SINCERITY)
- AL-FALAQ (THE DAYBREAK, DAWN)
- AN-NAS (MANKIND)
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