Abstract
Recent scholarship focuses on the plasticity of the concept of “scripture” as it is defined by different religious traditions. Based on its contents, the Quran is most commonly compared to the Bible, yet such an approach misses the distinct way that the Quran is understood as an authoritative text by classical Muslim scholarship. Even “basic” information—knowing the number of words, the names of surahs, the structure of the text—is essential to understanding how Muslims see the Quran as scripture and the foundations upon which it is built. Muslims regard the Quran as the word of God, revealed to the prophet Muhammad, the primary source for determining the beliefs and practices of Islam. The text of the Quran is used in the teaching of Arabic and is the focus of Islamic learning. It is regarded as interceding on behalf of those who revere it, is recited as a part of regular rituals, and is treated as a sacred object in ritual and everyday settings. The exegetical and ritual use of the Quran is a fundamental means for Muslims to both relate and distinguish themselves from other religious identities, especially those such as Jews and Christians, with whom they share a common scriptural tradition.
Highlights
For billions of Muslims, the Quran is scripture
The Quran contains the revelation sent down to the prophet Muhammad, which is to be interpreted as a source for determining belief and practice
To understand the practical relevance of the Quran, it is necessary to know the sequence of how different parts of the Quran were revealed and to what contexts these parts were applied by the prophet
Summary
For billions of Muslims, the Quran is scripture. Unlike the Bible, the Quran is considered to be a word-for-word record of God’s words, revealed to the prophet Muhammad and codified as the source for Muslim beliefs and practices, regarded as a model for the Arabic language, and recited and used as a sacred object during prayers and other acts of worship. This article reviews the classical Muslim understanding of the Quran as scripture with attention even to the basics, such as the definition of “Quran”, the contents and structure of the text, its revelation, the history of the text, how Muslim scholars compare the Quran to other scriptures, its use in liturgical and ritual contexts, and how the Quran is supposed to be studied Reviewing these fundamental aspects of how classical Muslim scholarship understands the Quran helps to illuminate how “scripture” can be both a historical proof of Islam and the mission of the prophet Muhammad, and a timeless document whose message is applicable to ever-changing historical circumstances through theology and law
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