Koran

We explain what the Quran is, what its origin is and what its fundamental characteristics are. Also, how is it different from the Bible.

What is the Quran?

The Koran (also spelled Quran) is the holy book of islam. Muslims consider it to be the final, revealed word from God to the prophet Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel. It is made up of 114 suras (chapters) that address topics such as theology, ethics, Islamic law (sharia), morality, history and spiritual guidance.

Muslims believe that the Koran It should be the definitive guide in all aspects of life including worship, personal conduct, and the law. The Quran is recited and memorized by millions of people throughout the Muslim world. This commitment to oral and written preservation has been fundamental to the faithful transmission of the teachings of Islam since the Middle Ages.

The original Arabic form is considered to be the only authentic and valid version of the text revealed by God to Muhammad. However, numerous translations exist in various languages ​​to facilitate understanding and study among non-Arabic speaking communities.

The Quran shares characters and stories with Judaism and Christianity and recognizes prophets such as Moses and Jesus as messengers of God. However, Muslims consider the Quran to be the culmination and correction of previous revelations, and to present a different interpretation of some fundamental doctrinal aspects from other religions. This has generated complex interactions between the three Abrahamic religions throughout history.

The word “Quran” is the Castilianization of Arabic al-Qur'ana term that translates as “the reading” or “the recitation.” This name reflects the nature of the holy book of Islam, as Muslims are expected to recite and memorize its verses as a form of worship and spiritual study.

• See also: World religions

Origin of the Quran

Islamic tradition maintains that the Koran was revealed by God through the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad who transmitted it orally to his followers. The compilation of the Quran began during the caliphate of Abu Bakr and was completed under the caliphate of Uthman, in the first half of the 7th century. For their part, academics and researchers critical of the text of the Quran agree with the dating of the Islamic tradition, with its first composition in the decades after the death of Muhammad. However, they consider that the text evolved over time, with influences and contributions from multiple sources.

Parts of the Quran

The Quran It is made up of 114 chapters, known as “suras.” , which have a variable length. Each sura is in turn divided into verses called Ayat. In total, the Quran has 6,236 ayat.

Each part of the Quran has a specific purpose and meaning in the spiritual and religious life of Muslims. Among the main parts into which the Quran can be divided are:

• Al-Fatiha. It is the first surah of the Quran, also known as “The Opening.” It is recited in each cycle of the Islamic prayer (salat).
• long surahs. There are extensive surahs, such as Al-Baqarah (“The Cow”) and Al-Imran (“Imran's Family”), covering historical narratives, laws and ethical principles.
• short surahs. The shorter surahs, such as Al-Kawthar (“Abundance”) and Al-Ikhlas (“The purity of faith”), they emphasize the unity of God and the Islamic faith.
• Manzil, Juz' and Hizb. In addition, the Quran has divisions designed to facilitate the recitation and memorization of the sacred text. The manzil divide the Quran into seven sections to guide recitation throughout the week, while the Juz' and the Hizb They are smaller divisions that encourage memorization and detailed study.

• It may help you: Bible

Characters of the Quran

The Quran features a variety of key figures who are central to the Islamic faith. From Adam, the first man, to Muhammad, the last prophet, these figures stand out for their devotion and examples of faith and perseverance in fulfilling the will of God. Their stories teach lessons about justice, patience and dedication, and deeply influence Islamic spirituality.

Among the most prominent figures in the stories of the Quran are:

• Adam (Adam). He is considered the first human being created by God and revered as the progenitor of humanity, according to Islam. He was created from clay and gifted with knowledge by God.
• Noah (Nuh). Sent by God to warn his people of an impending flood, Noah is valued for his perseverance and faith in building the ark to save believers and animals.
• Abraham (Ibrahim). He is known for his dedication to God and for being the patriarch of numerous religious traditions. God tested him with difficult tests of faith, including his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.
• Moses (Muse). He is the prophet to whom God gave the law (the Torah) and sent him to free the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He is known for his miracles and for being a brave and just leader.
• Jesus (Isa). Recognized as a prophet and messenger of God, Jesus is revered for his miraculous birth of Mary (Maryam), his ability to perform miracles, and his teaching of morality and compassion.
• Muhammad (Muhammad). He is the last and most important prophet, according to Islam. He received the revelations of the Koran over twenty-three years. He is seen by all Muslims as a model of ethics, justice and compassion.

• See also: Prophet

Stories from the Quran

In the Quran, there are several stories that are considered especially important for their spiritual and moral significance. Some of the most notable stories are:

• The creation of Adam. It is the story of how God created Adam and raised him as the first human being.
• Noah's ark. It is the story of how Noah built the ark, according to God's instructions, to save believers from the flood.
• The story of Abraham. It includes evidence of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, and the construction of the Kaaba in Mecca alongside Ishmael.
• The liberation of the children of Israel by Moses. It is the account of how Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and received the revelation of the Torah.
• The miracles of Jesus. It includes the narration of Jesus' miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead, all by the will of God.
• Muhammad's call. It is the story of how Muhammad received his first revelation from the archangel Gabriel in the cave of Hira, near Mecca.
• The Hegira. It is the narration of the journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 AD. C. This event marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
• The conquest of Mecca. It is the narrative of how Muhammad returned triumphant to Mecca, purified the Kaaba of idols and proclaimed the unity of God in the holy city.
• The Night Journey and Ascension of Muhammad. It includes the account of Muhammad's night journey and ascension to heaven, where he received divine instructions and met with previous prophets.

• It may help you: Story of Adam and Eve

Differences between the Quran and the Bible

The Quran and the Bible are the sacred texts of Muslims and Christians, respectively. Both are considered heirs of the ancient Hebrew tradition expressed in the Tanakh (that is, in the biblical Old Testament). In that sense, the two books relate similar events and obtain comparable conclusions, which have been interpreted by the faithful of each religion in a different and often contrary way.

The fundamental differences between the Quran and the Bible can be summarized as follows:

Koran	Bible
Its composition is attributed to a single author: the prophet Muhammad, although the writing would have been done by his disciples after his death. In it, many of the events of the Tanakh and the Bible are narrated in a different interpretation, revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad.	It is a compilation of texts from different authors and periods, in which both the Hebrew religious tradition (Old Testament) and the life and events of Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ are recounted.
It narrates the acts of the ancient Hebrew prophets, of Jesus of Nazareth (Isa), who is considered another prophet (and not a son of God); and Muhammad, along with other Islamic figures: Luqman, Hud and Saleh.	It narrates the events of the ancient Hebrew prophets (such as Noah, Moses, Isaac, among others) and the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth and his apostles.
It was written in classical Arabic.	It was written in different languages: Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
During the liturgy, it is still recited in classical Arabic. Those who recite it are known as hafiz (“memorizer”).	During the liturgy, it is usually read in modern languages, although for centuries it was read strictly in Latin.

References

• Ackermann, M. (2008). Islam; Muhammad, the prophet; Qur'an. Encyclopedia of World Historyvol. II: The Expanding World. 600 CE to 1450. Facts on File.
• Ellwood, RR and Alles, GD (Eds.). (2007). Islam; Qur'an. The Encyclopedia of World Religions. Facts on File.
• Ringgren, H and Sinai, N. (2024). Qur'ān. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/