The KoranAs the sacred book of Islam, the Koran, or Qur'an in transliteration, is believed by devout Muslims to be the direct word of God, inscribed in Heaven and revealed by the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad before his death in A.D. 632. Written in Arabic, in rhymed prose, the text is not only regarded by believers as a guide to daily life but is also considered to be the finest work of Arabic prose in existence and one of the most important and influential books known to mankind. J. M. Rodwell's accessible translation restores the traditional ordering of the suras, or chapters, with early text dealing with God as creator, his greatness and authority, the role of Muhammad as God's messenger and of Islam in history. Later chapters deal with legal, social, and ethical issues. The text is divided into 114 chapters, each of which, like the Bible, is subdivided into verses. This edition of the Koran, in a convenient size that is ideal for prayer or study, will be invaluable to students of religion, history, and politics and of interest to anyone concerned with cultures of the Middle East |
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Common terms and phrases
abide abode Abraham alms angels Apostle Arabic aught Beidh Book bring brought cause chastisement children of Israel Christians cleave asunder Comp Compassionate day of resurrection Djinn doth earth faith fathers favour fear fire follow forgive gardens give God’s gods Gracious grievous guidance guided guideth hand haply Hast thou hath been sent hath created hath sent hearts Heavens Hejira Hell infidels Islam Jews knoweth knowledge Koran Koreisch liars loveth Madian Maracci Mecca Meccan Suras Medina Merciful Midr Mighty Moses Muhammad Muslims Name Name of God night obey observe prayer Paradise Pharaoh pleaseth praise Prophet punishment recompense religion revealed reward saith Satan Scriptures servants shew signs soul Suras surely Talmud thee Themoud therein things thou art thou hast thou shalt thy Lord torment truly truth turn unbelievers unto Verily Verses warning whoso wicked Wise witness wives word worship ye who believe yourselves