What Is the Quran? Meaning, Definition and Structure
What the Quran is, what the word Quran means, how Muslims understand it, and how the holy book of Islam is organised into surahs, ayahs and parts.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe it is the word of God (Allah), revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad over roughly twenty-three years in the early seventh century. For close to two billion Muslims it is the central source of belief, worship and moral guidance, and it is recited in every daily prayer.
What does the word “Quran” mean?
The Arabic word qur’an comes from a root meaning “to read” or “to recite”, so the name is usually explained as “the recitation”. The name fits how the book has always been used: before it is a text on a page, it is something recited aloud and memorised. Many people today know the Quran by heart in full; such a person is called a hafiz.
The Quran calls itself by other names as well, such as al-Kitab (the Book), al-Furqan (the Criterion, which distinguishes right from wrong) and adh-Dhikr (the Reminder). Titles such as “the Noble Quran” or “the Holy Quran” are expressions of respect rather than different books.
A short definition
A common definition used by Muslim scholars runs along these lines: the Quran is the speech of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic, transmitted by large numbers of people in every generation, written between the two covers of the mushaf (the bound copy), and recited as an act of worship. Each part of that definition matters. “In Arabic” is why Muslims treat translations as explanations of the meaning rather than as the Quran itself. “Recited as worship” is what separates the Quran from other religious texts in Islam, such as the hadith (reports of the Prophet’s words and actions).
How the Quran is organised
- 114 surahs (chapters). They range from 3 ayahs to 286 (Surah Al-Baqarah (2)). Each has a name, often taken from a word or story inside it.
- 6,236 ayahs (verses) in the standard Kufan count used in most printed copies today. See how many surahs and verses are in the Quran for why other totals exist.
- 30 parts (juz, or para in South Asia) of roughly equal length, so the whole book can be read in a month, for example during Ramadan. Each juz is split into two hizb, giving 60.
The surahs are not arranged in the order they were revealed. After the short opening chapter, Surah Al-Fatihah (1), they run roughly from the longest to the shortest. Scholars also classify each surah as Meccan (revealed before the migration to Medina in 622) or Medinan (after it). In the dataset used on this site, 86 surahs are listed as Meccan and 28 as Medinan.
What is the Quran about?
The Quran is not arranged like a history book or a law code. Its themes return again and again across surahs: the oneness of God, the purpose of human life, the Day of Judgement, stories of earlier prophets (including Abraham, Moses and Jesus), guidance on worship, family and justice, and reflection on the natural world as a sign of God. Meccan surahs tend to focus on faith and the afterlife; Medinan surahs more often address community life.
Is the Quran the “Muslim Bible”?
People sometimes call the Quran “the Muslim Bible” because it plays a similar central role. The comparison is useful but loose. The Bible is a collection of many books written by different authors over centuries; Muslims regard the Quran as a single revelation delivered to one prophet over about twenty-three years. Islam does honour earlier scriptures — the Torah given to Moses, the Psalms to David and the Gospel to Jesus — and the Quran describes itself as confirming them.
Reading it for yourself
You can read the Arabic text of every surah on this site, starting from the list of all 114 surahs. For English, see how to choose an English translation of the Quran, and for listening, see where to listen to Quran recitations.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Quran in simple words?
- The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe it is the word of God revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad, and they recite it in prayer, study it and use it as guidance for life.
- What language is the Quran written in?
- Classical Arabic. Translations exist in more than a hundred languages, but Muslims regard them as explanations of the meaning, and the Arabic text is what is recited in prayer.
- Is the Quran the same as the Bible?
- No. Both are scriptures, but Muslims regard the Quran as a single revelation to one prophet, while the Bible is a collection of books. The Quran retells some figures and stories also found in the Bible, such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus, often with differences.
- What is the difference between a surah and an ayah?
- A surah is a chapter of the Quran and an ayah is a verse. Each surah is made up of ayahs; the Quran has 114 surahs.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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