Islam 101

Lesson 1: The Beginning Of Islam

The Qur'an and the Hadith

Like the majority of other world-renowned religious traditions, Islam has a central text – the Qur'an (also spelled “Koran”). It is believed the prototype for the Qur'an is a book in heaven, written by God. It was to the prophet Muhammad that this work was dictated by the angel of God, Gabriel (Jibril in the Qur'an). These were recorded on various items – for instance, leaves – which were readily available at the time of their revelation. This is the book that is regarded by Muslims as the most accurate and most recent revelation by God. They recognize the truth in Judaism and Christianity, but feel these traditions have altered the message of God over time. Muslims put great emphasis on the unity of the Qur'an, and stress the continued recitation and discussion of this book. The word “Qur'an” is likely derived from the word “read” or “recite”.

The Qur'an itself was recorded in Arabic, and for centuries it was taught in this language. Unlike ancient Buddhist missionaries, who would translate their texts for the regions to which they traveled, Muslims would insist that their text be read, recited and remembered in the original Arabic in which it was recorded. This practice changed, and today the Qur'an is available in every language – though many Muslims still consider the Arabic version the most accurate. The Qur'an consists of 114 verses, known as “Suras”. In general, it is arranged not in order of its revelation, but by the length of the Suras – running from the longest to the shortest. The only exception to this rule is the first Sura, which was not revealed first, but serves as an eloquent introduction. The first recorded Sura was actually Sura 96, which describes the creation of humankind.

The Qur'an was not standardized in the time of Muhammad, though it was recorded in its entirety and already the subject of mass memorization. Due to fears of losing coherency, many Muslims urged the caliph (leader) 'Uthman to oversee the collection of a standardized Qur'an, around the year 650 CE (approximately twenty years following the death of the prophet). This is where the current arrangement of the Qur'an was created. However, there are various fragments of slightly different Qur'anic verses dating from the ninth century and earlier, and there are records of different Muslim leaders insisting on different versions of the Qur'an. Nonetheless, for the most part the Qur'an that is used today by Muslims is the Qur'an that was used centuries ago.

The Qur'an is the only book believed by Muslims to be inspired by God – but there are other works that, while not considered divinely inspired, are important works of Islam. The Hadiths are collections of sayings and deeds of the prophet, who as an exemplary individual worthy of God's direct revelation is one to be emulated. As well, many Muslim mystics have written much poetic literature, and Muslim philosophers have left behind volumes of investigation.

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