The Qur’an

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

al-Fatiha (the Opening) - 7 ayas

basmala:

“In the name of God, the Merciful,the Compassionate”

Topics in the Qur’an

The nature of God

Stories of the prophets

Day of Judgment

The Path to Paradise

No associates, like Ezra, Jesus or the Trinity

With scriptures: Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad

Hud, Salih, Shu‘ayb, Luqman Isma‘il/Ishmael

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

Abu Bakr (r. 632-34) persuaded by ‘Umar(r. 634-44) to persuade Zayd ibn Thabitto gather fragments of Qur’an. Writtenon sheets of white linen, passed to‘Umar, then Hafsa.

Collection of the Qur’an - Stage 1

After 650, troops of Syria and Iraq arguingover correct version. ‘Uthman (r. 644-56)appoints Zayd and 3 Meccans to copysheets into several volumes in dialectof the Quraysh. Sent to capitals of Muslimworld. Orders all other versions burned.

God’s guiding hand throughout. ‘Uthman’sversion as copy of God’s original.Other versions recorded even in 10th c.

Collection of the Qur’an - Stage 2

8th c on: Evidence of tradition of scholarly interpretation of Qur’an

tafsir = interpretation

al-Tabari (839-923):

Jami‘ al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil al-Qur’an(commentary on Qur’an, finished896-903)

Tafsir

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