First revelation, at Mt. Hira’, near Mecca,26th-27th Ramadan 610:

Qur’an 96: 1-5:

1. Read in the name of thy Lord who created.2. Created man from a blood-clot.3. Read, for thy Lord is the Most Generous,4. Who taught by the pen,5. Taught man that which he knew not.

Muhammad(c. 570-632)

Qur’an/Koran

Islam Ka‘ba

khalifa (caliph)

610 First revelation

611 Muhammad startspreaching

622 Emigration toMedina

622-30 Conflict withMecca

632 Death of Muhammad

Text initially recorded during Muhammad’slifetime

After 650, troops of Syria and Iraq arguingover correct version. ‘Uthman (r. 644-56)appoints commission that compiles text inseveral volumes in dialect of Quraysh.Sent to capitals of Muslim world. Ordersall other versions burned

Collection of the Qur’an

Other versions recorded as late as 10th c.

God’s guiding hand throughout. ‘Uthman’sversion as copy of God’s original.

Collection of the Qur’an

Perception and Structure of the Qur’an

Collected words of God, transmitted tohumanity through Prophet Muhammad

114 suras (chapters), approx. 6200ayas (verses)

Suras approximately ordered from longestto shortest

Themes in the Qur’an

The nature of God

Stories of the prophets

Day of Judgment

Laws Sunna/hadith

With scriptures: Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and MuhammadSacrifice of Abraham: Isma‘il/Ishmael

No associates, like Ezra, Jesus or the Trinity

1-29 Faith and disbelief30-39 Creation, Adam, Satan40-86 Biblical history - Moses87-103 Biblical history - Jews, Jesus, Moses104-21 Polemic - Muslim , Jewish, Christian122-41 Biblical history - Abraham142-67 Islamic identity - prayer and pilgrimage168-203 Juridical problems - food, wills, etc.204-14 Salvation history215-42 Juridical problems - jihad, marriage, etc.243-53 Salvation history254-60 Mixed topics261-83 Juridical problems - charity, usury284-86 Faith

OrganisationSura 2

Khawass al-Qur’an = special propertiesof the Qur’an

Issues of translation/interpretation