Introduction to the Qur'an

What is the Qur'an:

·                     It is the Kalaam of Allah, subhaanahu wa ta'aala

·                     It was brought down to Prophet Muhammad (saws) by the Angel Jibreel

·                     It has been protected absolutely and totally, with this guarantee given by Allah ta'aala Himself.

Also, it is described in the Qur'an as follows:

And indeed, the Qur'an is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.

The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down

Upon your heart, [O Muhammad] - that you may be of the warners -

In a clear Arabic language.

And indeed, it is [mentioned] in the scriptures of former peoples.

[Surah 26: 192-196]

Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message after it has come to them... And indeed, it is a mighty Book.

Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.

[Surah 41: 41-42]

There are 2 statements on scholars on the root of the word Qur'an. One opinion states that it is derived from Qaaf-Ra-Nun while the other opinion states that it is derived from the root letters Qaaf-Ra-Hamzah (and is therefore Mahmooz).

Qaaf-Ra-Nun: Implies the meaning of something being brought close to another. Hence as the Qur'an consists of the revealed ayaat and surahs being brought together as they were revealed over the duration of Prophethood, it is called Qur'an. Related to this is the implied meaning that Qareena is that which is close or similar or resembling - as the various parts of the Qur'an complement each other and resemble each other, the whole is called Qur'an.

Qaaf-Ra-Hamzah: If these are the root letters, then Qur'an is the masdar of Qara'a. Other examples of such a Masdar structure are Ghufran and Rujhan (where the fa'ala form is Ghafara and Rajaha, without the Nun in the madhi form). Another related meaning of Qa-ra-hamzah is 'to gather together' - just as people gather together in a Qaryah, the ayaat of Allah (swt) are gathered together in the Qur'an. Thus, the meanings of gathering are present in both the Qaaf-Ra-Nun and Qaaf-Ra-Hamzah roots.


The number of surahs in the Qur'an are 114. The salaf used to divide the Qur'an into 7 Hizbs. Excluding Surah Fatihah (which is like an introduction to the whole Qur'an), the 7 hizbs contain the following number of surahs:

Hizb 1: 3 (excluding Surah Fatihah)
Hizb 2: 5
Hizb 3: 7
Hizb 4: 9
Hizb 5: 11
Hizb 6: 13
Hizb 7: 65