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First revelation, at Mt. Hira’, near Mecca,
26th-27th Ramadan 610:
Qur’an 96: 1-5:
1. Read in the name of thy Lord who created.
2. Created man from a blood-clot.
3. Read, for thy Lord is the Most Generous,
4. Who taught by the pen,
5. Taught man that which he knew not.
610 First revelation
Muhammad
(c. 570-632)
611 Muhammad starts
preaching
Qur’an/Koran
622 Emigration to
Medina
Islam
Ka‘ba
khalifa (caliph)
622-30 Conflict with
Mecca
632 Death of Muhammad
Collection of the Qur’an
Text initially recorded during Muhammad’s
lifetime
After 650, troops of Syria and Iraq arguing
over correct version. ‘Uthman (r. 644-56)
appoints commission that compiles text in
several volumes in dialect of Quraysh.
Sent to capitals of Muslim world. Orders
all other versions burned
Collection of the Qur’an
Other versions recorded as late as 10th c.
God’s guiding hand throughout. ‘Uthman’s
version as copy of God’s original.
Perception and Structure of the Qur’an
Collected words of God, transmitted to
humanity through Prophet Muhammad
114 suras (chapters), approx. 6200
ayas (verses)
Suras approximately ordered from longest
to shortest
Themes in the Qur’an
The nature of God
No associates, like Ezra, Jesus or the Trinity
Stories of the prophets
With scriptures: Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad
Sacrifice of Abraham: Isma‘il/Ishmael
Day of Judgment
Laws
Sunna/hadith
1-29
30-39
40-86
87-103
104-21
122-41
142-67
168-203
204-14
215-42
243-53
254-60
261-83
284-86
Faith and disbelief
Organisation
Creation, Adam, Satan
Sura 2
Biblical history - Moses
Biblical history - Jews, Jesus, Moses
Polemic - Muslim , Jewish, Christian
Biblical history - Abraham
Islamic identity - prayer and pilgrimage
Juridical problems - food, wills, etc.
Salvation history
Juridical problems - jihad, marriage, etc.
Salvation history
Mixed topics
Juridical problems - charity, usury
Faith
Khawass al-Qur’an = special properties
of the Qur’an
Issues of translation/interpretation