The word
(Qur'an) is understood in its general connotation to mean the speech of
Allah. The Qur'an is the real word of Allah, which was delivered by the
angel Jibra-eel (Gabriel) to Muhammad, peace be upon him. Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him, memorized the verses he received and recited
them to his companions and scribes who would happen to be with him. He
then ordered those selected companions to immediately write the verses
down. He himself used to keep a copy of the revealed portions in his
house. The Qur'an is the last of Allah's Scriptures which Allah revealed
in installments over a period of twenty three years. It is divided into
114 Surahs (chapters) of unequal length. It is the basic and most
fundamental source of the Islamic teachings. Some of its Surahs and verses
were revealed at Makkah, and the rest thereof were revealed at Madinah.
The Makkan Surahs and verses are concerned mainly with the issues of
tawheed, or the belief in the Oneness of Allah, the signs of the existence
of Allah, resurrection, and life after death. The creed of the Oneness of
Allah was the local point of the messages with which all the Prophets and
Messengers were sent to mankind, beginning with Adam and ending with
Muhammad, peace be on them all. The Surahs revealed at Madinah in the
latter period of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are
concerned with legislation, rites of worship, and transactions related to
all aspects of life.
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