The Qur’an

A 7th-Century Text

What does the Qur’an say about… the Qur’an?

The order given to Muhammad.

Recite: In the Name of thy Lord who created,
created Man of a blood-clot.
Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous,
who taught by the Pen,
taught Man what he knew not.
(Qur’an, 96:1–5)

The language of the Qur’an.

Say, [O Muhammad], “The Pure Spirit has brought it down from your Lord in truth to make firm those who believe and as guidance and good tidings to the Muslims.” And We certainly know that they say, “It is only a human being who teaches the Prophet.” The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign, and this Qur’an is [in] a clear Arabic language.

A 14th-Century Manuscript Illustration

This image shows the angel Gabriel revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad, from a 14th-century manuscript of Rashid al-Din’s history, made in Iran.

A 15th-Century Manuscript Illustration

This image shows the angel Gabriel revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad, from a 15th-century manuscript made in Afghanistan.

A 7th-Century Manuscript

This is one of the earliest manuscripts of the Qur’an, which is radio carbon dated to 568 and 645. It is in a very early Arabic script called hijazi. Check out this site or this podcast for more information.