The Quran

An Introduction

The Quran is the holy scripture of Islam, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years. It is regarded as the literal word of Allah and serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims in all facets of life.

It provides wisdom and practical guidance for personal and social conduct, covering themes like justice, compassion, and mercy. Muslims believe that the Quran contains answers to life's big questions and serves as a moral compass, leading to a fulfilling and righteous life. For new Muslims, it offers clarity, solace, and a deeper connection to Allah.

The Quran is not just a book of law but a spiritual companion, offering inspiration and reassurance in times of difficulty and serving as a source of peace and reflection.

Various Divisions

The Quran is divided in multiple ways to facilitate understanding and recitation:

• 30 Juz: The most common division, used for recitation over a month, especially in Ramadan.
• 7 Manzils: Divided for recitation over a week, with each Manzil containing several Surahs.
• Sections by Theme: Scholars sometimes categorize Surahs based on their themes, such as stories of prophets, laws, or guidance.

114 Surahs

#	Surah Name	Length (Ayahs)	Timeline (Meccan/Madinan)	Description
1	Al-Fatiha	7	Meccan	The opening chapter, a prayer for guidance, lordship, and mercy.
2	Al-Baqarah	286	Madinan	The longest Surah, covering guidance for personal and communal life.
3	Aal-E-Imran	200	Madinan	Focuses on the family of Imran and discussions with People of the Book.
4	An-Nisa	176	Madinan	Deals with rights of women, orphans, and inheritance laws.
5	Al-Maidah	120	Madinan	Discusses dietary laws, oaths, and covenants.
6	Al-Anam	165	Meccan	Discusses monotheism, idolatry, and the signs of Allah in creation.
7	Al-Araf	206	Meccan	Deals with the story of Adam and Iblis, and lessons from past nations.
8	Al-Anfal	75	Madinan	Discusses the Battle of Badr and rules of war and peace.
9	At-Tawbah	129	Madinan	Focuses on repentance, hypocrites, and obligations in Islam.
10	Yunus	109	Meccan	Discusses the story of Prophet Yunus and invites to monotheism.
11	Hud	123	Meccan	Contains stories of previous prophets and their struggles.
12	Yusuf	111	Meccan	Entirely dedicated to the story of Prophet Yusuf.
13	Ar-Rad	43	Meccan	Discusses signs of Allah in nature and His omnipotence.
14	Ibrahim	52	Meccan	Focuses on Prophet Ibrahim’s call to worship Allah alone.
15	Al-Hijr	99	Meccan	Warns disbelievers and mentions the creation of man and jinn.
16	An-Nahl	128	Meccan	Highlights the blessings of Allah and invites gratitude.
17	Al-Isra	111	Meccan	Details the Night Journey and moral teachings.
18	Al-Kahf	110	Meccan	Includes stories of the People of the Cave, Dhul-Qarnayn, and more.
19	Maryam	98	Meccan	Focuses on the stories of Maryam, Zakariya, and Isa (Jesus).
20	Ta-Ha	135	Meccan	Emphasizes the story of Prophet Musa and Allah’s guidance.
21	Al-Anbiya	112	Meccan	Stories of various prophets and the Day of Judgment.
22	Al-Hajj	78	Madinan	Discusses the rituals of Hajj and monotheism.
23	Al-Muminun	118	Meccan	Attributes of the believers and the fate of disbelievers.
24	An-Nur	64	Madinan	Focuses on social laws, modesty, and family life.
25	Al-Furqan	77	Meccan	Discusses the Quran as the criterion between right and wrong.
26	Ash-Shuara	227	Meccan	Stories of past nations and prophets.
27	An-Naml	93	Meccan	Focuses on the stories of Musa, Solomon, and other prophets.
28	Al-Qasas	88	Meccan	Detailed story of Musa and Pharaoh.
29	Al-Ankabut	69	Meccan	Discusses trials and steadfastness in faith.
30	Ar-Rum	60	Meccan	Focuses on the rise and fall of civilizations.
31	Luqman	34	Meccan	Includes advice of Luqman to his son.
32	As-Sajda	30	Meccan	Mentions prostration and the creation of man.
33	Al-Ahzab	73	Madinan	Discusses the Battle of the Trench and family ethics.
34	Saba	54	Meccan	Focuses on gratitude to Allah and the story of Saba.
35	Fatir	45	Meccan	Describes Allah's power and the creation.
36	Ya-Sin	83	Meccan	Often called the heart of the Quran, emphasizes monotheism.
37	As-Saffat	182	Meccan	Focuses on the Day of Judgment and past nations.
38	Sad	88	Meccan	Includes the story of Prophet Dawud (David).
39	Az-Zumar	75	Meccan	Highlights the concept of Tawhid and Allah's mercy.
40	Ghafir	85	Meccan	Encourages seeking Allah's forgiveness and trusting Him.
41	Fussilat	54	Meccan	Discusses the clarity of the Quran and signs of Allah.
42	Ash-Shura	53	Meccan	Encourages consultation and unity among believers.
43	Az-Zukhruf	89	Meccan	Criticizes reliance on material wealth over faith.
44	Ad-Dukhan	59	Meccan	Warns about the Day of Judgment and emphasizes monotheism.
45	Al-Jathiya	37	Meccan	Describes signs of Allah's creation and human accountability.
46	Al-Ahqaf	35	Meccan	Highlights the fate of past nations that denied prophets.
47	Muhammad	38	Madinan	Discusses the qualities of the believers and disbelievers.
48	Al-Fath	29	Madinan	Reveals the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and its implications.
49	Al-Hujurat	18	Madinan	Focuses on ethics, social conduct, and brotherhood.
50	Qaf	45	Meccan	Discusses the resurrection and accountability.
51	Adh-Dhariyat	60	Meccan	Discusses signs of Allah in creation and warns of the Hereafter.
52	At-Tur	49	Meccan	Describes the Day of Judgment and rewards for the righteous.
53	An-Najm	62	Meccan	Focuses on the greatness of Allah and rejection of idolatry.
54	Al-Qamar	55	Meccan	Warns against disbelief through examples of past nations.
55	Ar-Rahman	78	Meccan	Highlights Allah’s blessings and the balance of creation.
56	Al-Waqia	96	Meccan	Describes the events of the Hereafter and three groups of people.
57	Al-Hadid	29	Madinan	Encourages charity and reliance on Allah’s power and knowledge.
58	Al-Mujadila	22	Madinan	Deals with disputes, ethics, and Allah’s omniscience.
59	Al-Hashr	24	Madinan	Focuses on the expulsion of the Jewish tribe and lessons from their fate.
60	Al-Mumtahina	13	Madinan	Discusses relations with non-Muslims and tests of faith.
61	As-Saff	14	Madinan	Encourages striving in the cause of Allah with unity.
62	Al-Jumua	11	Madinan	Addresses the significance of Friday prayer.
63	Al-Munafiqun	11	Madinan	Exposes the hypocrites and their characteristics.
64	At-Taghabun	18	Madinan	Discusses belief, disbelief, and family relations.
65	At-Talaq	12	Madinan	Explains the rules of divorce in Islam.
66	At-Tahrim	12	Madinan	Discusses a specific incident in the Prophet’s household and general lessons.
67	Al-Mulk	30	Meccan	Highlights Allah’s sovereignty and the signs in creation.
68	Al-Qalam	52	Meccan	Focuses on the conduct of the Prophet and the arrogance of disbelievers.
69	Al-Haaqqa	52	Meccan	Describes the Day of Judgment and fate of past nations.
70	Al-Maarij	44	Meccan	Discusses the journey of the soul and trials of life.
71	Nuh	28	Meccan	Details Prophet Nuh’s call to his people.
72	Al-Jinn	28	Meccan	Discusses the world of the Jinn and their acknowledgment of the Quran.
73	Al-Muzzammil	20	Meccan	Encourages night prayers and patience in spreading the message.
74	Al-Muddaththir	56	Meccan	Encourages spreading the message and warns against arrogance.
75	Al-Qiyama	40	Meccan	Describes the Day of Resurrection and accountability.
76	Al-Insan	31	Madinan	Describes the creation of man and his ultimate fate.
77	Al-Mursalat	50	Meccan	Discusses Allah’s signs and the inevitability of the Hereafter.
78	An-Naba	40	Meccan	Describes the Hereafter and Allah’s creation.
79	An-Naziat	46	Meccan	Describes the Hereafter and warns against heedlessness.
80	Abasa	42	Meccan	Reprimands neglect of the less fortunate and emphasizes guidance.
81	At-Takwir	29	Meccan	Describes the end of the world and the Hereafter.
82	Al-Infitar	19	Meccan	Describes the Day of Judgment and accountability.
83	Al-Mutaffifin	36	Meccan	Warns against dishonesty and highlights reward for the righteous.
84	Al-Inshiqaq	25	Meccan	Describes the Day of Judgment and the final destiny of mankind.
85	Al-Buruj	22	Meccan	Discusses the persecution of believers and Allah’s justice.
86	At-Tariq	17	Meccan	Highlights Allah’s power and the inevitability of accountability.
87	Al-Ala	19	Meccan	Praises Allah and encourages self-purification.
88	Al-Ghashiya	26	Meccan	Warns of the Hereafter and describes scenes of Paradise and Hell.
89	Al-Fajr	30	Meccan	Encourages reflection on the consequences of arrogance and greed.
90	Al-Balad	20	Meccan	Highlights struggles and choices in life.
91	Ash-Shams	15	Meccan	Discusses the contrast between purity and corruption of the soul.
92	Al-Lail	21	Meccan	Encourages charity and righteousness.
93	Ad-Duhaa	11	Meccan	Offers comfort to the Prophet and assures Allah’s support.
94	Al-Inshirah	8	Meccan	Offers hope and emphasizes relief after hardship.
95	At-Tin	8	Meccan	Discusses human creation and accountability.
96	Al-Alaq	19	Meccan	Includes the first revelation to the Prophet (PBUH).
97	Al-Qadr	5	Meccan	Describes the Night of Decree and its significance.
98	Al-Bayyina	8	Madinan	Explains the evidence of truth and the fate of believers and disbelievers.
99	Az-Zalzala	8	Meccan	Describes the Day of Judgment and the earth’s testimony.
100	Al-Adiyat	11	Meccan	Warns against ingratitude and emphasizes Allah’s knowledge.
101	Al-Qaria	11	Meccan	Describes the calamity of the Day of Judgment.
102	At-Takathur	8	Meccan	Warns against materialism and reminds of the Hereafter.
103	Al-Asr	3	Meccan	Emphasizes the importance of faith, patience, and good deeds.
104	Al-Humaza	9	Meccan	Criticizes slander and greed.
105	Al-Fil	5	Meccan	Describes the destruction of the army of the elephant.
106	Quraish	4	Meccan	Encourages gratitude for Allah’s blessings.
107	Al-Maun	7	Meccan	Criticizes neglect of prayer and charity.
108	Al-Kawthar	3	Meccan	Offers consolation and blessings to the Prophet (PBUH).
109	Al-Kafirun	6	Meccan	Declares disassociation from idolatry.
110	An-Nasr	3	Madinan	Foretells the victory and spread of Islam.
111	Al-Masad	5	Meccan	Criticizes the opposition to the Prophet (PBUH).
112	Al-Ikhlas	4	Meccan	Emphasizes the oneness of Allah.
113	Al-Falaq	5	Meccan	Seeks protection from evil.
114	An-Nas	6	Meccan	Seeks protection from evil whispers.

How It Was Compiled

The Quran was initially memorized and written during the Prophet's lifetime. It was compiled into a single book during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA) and later standardized during the Caliphate of Uthman (RA).