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Religious Studies & Theology vocabulary · Scripture and Interpretation

Qur'an

Meaning in religious studies & theology, with examples

/kəˈrɑːn/nounCore term

In religious studies & theology, Qur'an means: The central sacred text of Islam, which Muslims believe God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic over about 23 years; it has 114 chapters called suras.

In Turkish: Kur'an, Kur'an-ı Kerim

How it is used

Spelled Qur'an or Quran in current academic English; Koran is an older form. The adjective is Qur'anic (Qur'anic studies, a Qur'anic verse). Chapters are suras and verses are ayas or ayat. People recite, memorize and interpret the Qur'an.

Example sentences

  1. The Qur'an is divided into 114 suras of very different lengths.

  2. In class we compared how three classical commentators read the same Qur'anic verse.

Common collocations

  • recite the Qur'an
  • Qur'anic studies
  • Qur'anic verse
  • translation of the Qur'an
  • memorize the Qur'an
  • IslamA monotheistic religion that began in seventh-century Arabia with the Prophet Muhammad; Muslims regard the Qur'an as God's word and follow practices such as the Five Pillars.
  • revelationIn many religions, the communication of truth, will or guidance from God to human beings, often through prophets or sacred texts.
  • hadithA report of the words, actions or approval of the Prophet Muhammad, passed down through a chain of narrators; hadith are a major source of Islamic law and practice.
  • exegesisCareful, detailed explanation of a text, especially of scripture, that tries to bring out its meaning through its language, historical context and tradition of reading.
  • scriptureThe sacred writings of a religion, regarded by its followers as authoritative and often as revealed or inspired, such as the Qur'an, the Bible or the Vedas.

More terms: Scripture and Interpretation

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